Deep drawers in bathrooms provide ample storage space, but can easily become disorganized clutter zones. The key to keeping deep bathroom drawers neat and functional is implementing a system that works for your needs. By categorizing items, utilizing organizers and dividers, and purging unused products, you can transform those mess-prone drawers into a streamlined storage solution. Read on for tips to organize your deep bathroom drawers and maintain the system long-term.
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How are deep drawers in bathrooms typically used?
Deep drawers in bathroom vanities are commonly used to store the following types of items:
- Toiletries like deodorant, lotion, razors, toothbrushes, toothpaste, etc.
- Hair styling tools like blow dryers, flat irons, curling irons, brushes, etc.
- Bathroom cleaning supplies like disinfecting wipes, sponges, cleaning spray, etc.
- Medications, first aid supplies, and toiletry overflow
The deep, spacious compartments allow you to organize these items and keep them conveniently tucked away but still easily accessible when needed. Without a good organizational system though, the drawers can quickly become messy junk drawers.
Categorize Items
The first step in organizing deep bathroom drawers is categorizing all the items you typically store in them. Group similar products together – for example, all razor and shaving supplies go together in one area, cotton balls and Q-tips in another, etc. This gives you a starting point for a smart organizational approach. Consider keeping these types of items together in the drawers:
Toiletries
- Skin care like moisturizer, face wash, acne cream
- Hair care like brushes, heat protectant spray, styling products
- Dental care like toothpaste, floss, mouthwash
- Shaving needs like razors, shaving cream, aftershave
- Bath & shower essentials like body wash, loofahs, bath bombs
- Hand & nail care like soap, lotion, nail files, clippers
- Deodorant, sunscreen, tampons/pads, cotton balls, Q-tips
Medications & First Aid
- Prescriptions, vitamins, pain relievers
- Bandages, antibiotic ointment, wrap, hydrogen peroxide
Cleaning Supplies
- Disinfecting wipes and spray cleaner for the vanity
- Toilet brush and plunger
- Sponges, cleaning rags, rubber gloves
Having similar items neatly grouped together will instantly make the contents of the drawers feel less jumbled.
Use Organizers and Dividers
Now that you have categorized the items, use drawer organizers and dividers to section them off and keep things neatly in place. Here are some organizers that work great for deep bathroom drawers:
Small bins or trays
Get a set of small bins, trays, or containers that stack or fit neatly side by side in the drawer. Use them to corral toiletries, first aid items, and other small products. Labels on the front identify what goes in each one.
Cutlery or silverware trays
These trays with separated compartments are ideal for organizing makeup brushes, nail files, tweezers, clippers, and other skinny items that otherwise end up in a messy pile.
Deep storage bins
For things like hair dryers, straightening irons, and cleaning supplies, use large rectangular bins or baskets to keep them contained. Just make sure they aren’t too tall to fit the drawer depth.
Adjustable dividers
Sliding dividers that can be arranged and customized to your storage needs keep drawer contents neatly separated. They’re great for optimizing space while keeping toiletries organized.
| Organizer Type | Good For Storing |
|---|---|
| Small bins or trays | Toiletries, medications, first aid supplies |
| Cutlery trays | Makeup brushes, nail files, tweezers, clippers |
| Deep storage bins | Hair styling tools, cleaning supplies |
| Adjustable dividers | All types of toiletries |
Purge and Organize Remaining Items
Now comes the fun part – going through everything left that hasn’t found a spot yet and making some decisions. Be ruthless here – get rid of any products that are expired, almost empty, or simply never used. This leftover clutter is a major contributor to messy drawers. As you purge, keep these tips in mind:
- Check expiration dates on medications, sunscreen, makeup, and skincare. Toss anything that’s expired.
- Get rid of hotel freebie products or sample sizes you’ll never use.
- Throw away razors, loofahs, or sponges that need replacing.
- Dump out product bottles that have just a tiny bit left.
- Donate unopened products that you just don’t use anymore.
Once the purge is complete, find a home for everything left. Have a miscellaneous bin or tray for true odds and ends. Or assign one drawer just for overflow. Now you’re ready to maintain your organized bathroom drawers.
Maintaining the Organization
An organized system is only as good as how well you keep it maintained. Stick to these tips for maintaining order in those deep bathroom drawers long-term:
- Put items back in their designated spot after each use.
- Do a quick tidy of the drawers while cleaning the bathroom weekly.
- Re-organize seasonally to account for changing needs.
- Edit contents monthly by purging unused or expired items.
- Use drawer organizers and dividers consistently.
- Avoid “junk drawer” syndrome by keeping miscellaneous items to a minimum.
Establishing a routine for editing drawer contents and maintaining the categorization is key. It takes just a few minutes but keeps the system from sliding into chaos again.
Creative Storage Solutions for Problem Items
Deep drawers have ample room for most contents, but some awkwardly shaped items can still be tricky to organize. Get creative with how you store these problem products:
Hair appliances
Store hot hair tools like flat irons and curling wands vertically in a bin or tall container to save space. Prevent tangles by winding cords around the barrels.
Toilet plunger
Keep this eyesore out of sight by storing it handle side down in a tall bucket. You can find buckets designed for discreetly storing plungers.
Bulky hair dryers
Maximize room by storing hair dryers horizontally in a bin or stacked vertically in a compartment divider.
First aid kit
Designate a small bin or tray to hold first aid needs all together. Label it clearly for fast access when needed.
Cleaning spray bottles
Prevent leaks by storing spray cleaner bottles vertically in a caddy or bin. Keep them separate from non-cleaning items.
| Item | Creative Storage Solution |
|---|---|
| Hair straighteners/curling irons | Store vertically in bin, wind cords around barrel |
| Toilet plunger | Keep handle down in discreet plunger bucket |
| Hair dryer | Store horizontally or vertically in divided space |
| First aid kit | Designated bin or tray labeled “First Aid” |
| Spray cleaner bottles | Keep upright and isolated in caddy or bin |
With some clever storage adaptations, even oddly shaped items can be neatly stashed away in those deep drawers.
Best Practices for Organizing Bathroom Drawers
Keep these best practices in mind as you tackle organizing your deep bathroom drawers:
- Categorize like items together – toiletries, first aid, cleaning, etc.
- Use organizers and dividers to optimize space.
- Purge first before organizing to weed out clutter.
- Maintain with quick tidies and regular editing of contents.
- Find creative ways to store hot tools, cleaners and other odd-shaped items.
- Consider drawer organizers like trays, bins and dividers to keep items separated.
- Label organizers and bins clearly for quick identification.
- Store supplies upright whenever possible to maximize space.
- Keep cleaning supplies separate from non-cleaners.
Follow these tips and you’ll have bathroom drawers that are organized, tidy and easy to maintain all year long. No more messy junk drawer syndrome!
Conclusion
Deep drawers in bathrooms are incredibly useful for housing all your toiletries, styling tools and cleaning supplies in one convenient place. But without an organizational strategy, they can quickly become cluttered, messy disasters. By taking the time to categorize items, purge unused products, utilize bins and trays for storage, and maintain the system, you can have beautifully organized drawers that make your mornings so much easier. Arrange items thoughtfully, invest in some drawer organizers to customize spaces, and regularly tidy up to keep your bathroom drawers stress-free zones. Just think of all the time you’ll save not digging around messy drawers as you get ready! With a little effort, you can implement an organizational approach that keeps those deep drawers de-cluttered and calming all year long.