How to organize a bathroom closet

Mary Cornetta, BHG.com on Nov 14, 2023

Bathrooms are notoriously short on storage. While many have a medicine cabinet or even a well-equipped vanity with a combination of cabinets and drawers, a built-in closet allows you to store more. Bathroom closets are especially helpful in keeping towels and toiletries within close reach if your home lacks a linen closet.

Create the ultimate organization in your bathroom closet with this how-to guide and smart storage ideas.

Declutter a bathroom closet

Ahead of implementing any closet storage system, there are a few things to check off your to-do list. Properly preparing the space is the key to getting and keeping it organized.

First, clear out everything that’s currently in the bathroom closet and make a few piles. Create a group of expired items, one for those no longer needed or wanted, and a third for the stuff that should be rehomed.

All medicine and first aid supplies have expiration dates, and many beauty items, if they lack one, display a symbol with a number, including 6M, 12M, and 18M. These indicate how long the product is good for after it’s been opened. If you’re unsure, take a good look or sniff and toss anything that appears or smells off.

For items that are unused, unexpired, and you don’t have a need for, consider donating them to a charity, family in need, or friend who can get some use out of them. Animal shelters often accept towels of all sizes and in any condition. Just be sure to check with your location before donating to determine their needs and requirements.

For items that have turned up in the bathroom closet but belong elsewhere in the house, return them to their proper home.

How to clean a bathroom closet

With nothing but blank space, now is the time to give your bathroom closet a deep scrub down. Vacuum out any dust or dirt, spray and wipe down all surfaces, and buff out any scuff marks on the walls. If you want to lay down shelf liners or repaint your bathroom towel closet, now’s your chance.

Sort bathroom essentials

Take a look at your remaining bath items. There should be clearly defined categories, such as towels, toilet paper, shower products, makeup, and so on. Assign each category a shelf in the closet, keeping the most frequently used items front and center. Bulk supplies can be stored high, low, or towards the back of a shelf.

The last step before organizing a towel closet is to decide on the best type of products to store and consider your lifestyle so you maximize the space you have and are able to find everything easily.

Bathroom closet organization ideas

Use a combination of the following methods to make the most of your bathroom closet.

(Better Homes and Gardens is a magazine and website devoted to ideas and improvement projects for your home and garden, plus recipes and entertaining ideas. Online at www.bhg.com.)