How to Create a Minimalist Bathroom—and Why You Should, According to Professional Organizers

As one of the smallest rooms in the home, the bathroom tends to clutter quickly. From cosmetics and candles to towels, hair dryers, and cleaning supplies, the much-used contents of this workhorse space often end up collecting dust on the countertop. A minimalist approach can help prevent these chaotic closets and disorderly drawers and leave your bathroom feeling simplified and serene. Best of all? This less-is-more look is easier to achieve than you might think. 

“The bathroom has the least number of sentimental items that people are going to get stuck on,” says Zoë Kim, the author of Minimalism for Families. “Once you declutter, you’ll feel the benefits quickly.” More importantly, a minimalist bathroom can help streamline your morning routine, boost your mood, and make it easier to clean. If you’re not sure where to start, we had home organization experts weigh in on how to simplify your space—without sacrificing personal style. 

The Benefits of a Minimalist Bathroom

It’s no secret that interior spaces directly influence our emotions. When it comes to the bathroom—one of the first places we step into after waking up—that impact can resonate for hours. “The bathroom is where you start and end every day of your life,” says professional home organizer Annie Axelrod, author of the Live Simply by Annie blog. “If it’s cluttered, or feels like a struggle or a nuisance, then that sets a tone that you carry into your sleep or your day.”

“Decluttering the bathroom brings a sense of freedom,” adds Kim. “For many people, a disorderly bathroom can be a source of daily guilt and stress, with half-used products and excessive items being a constant reminder of unfulfilled intentions.” Starting fresh, and with a minimalist mindset, is a chance to reassess buying habits and get rid of the things taking up space at the back of your cabinets.

Clear the Counters

As the largest surface area in the room, bathroom countertops tend to function as a depository for everything from toothbrushes to water glasses. And while it’s understandable to want your morning prep essentials visible and within reach, it’s very easy—especially if you’re in a rush—to leave them sitting out all day.

“I think that it’s really important, whenever possible, to have countertops cleared,” says Axelrod, who recommends investing in a storage system, such as modular acrylic drawer trays. “That makes a really big difference in a space. The benefit of having a system is that you know where things are meant to be put away—that way, at the end of your routine, you won’t have a jumble of things on a counter.”

Consolidate Your Products

One of the most important steps in achieving a minimalist bathroom is heavily editing your products. From skincare and hair tools to perfumes and cleaning supplies, bathrooms tend to fill up with “stuff.” The surest way to gain drawer space and make your self-care routines more manageable is to audit your products and only keep what you use. 

“You don’t need all the free samples in the world,” says minimalist lifestyle blogger and author Courtney Carver. “At some point, we realize that, like our wardrobes, we may have a lot of options, but we usually wear our favorite things every day.” Those four half-used red lipsticks rolling around in the drawer? Choose one to keep. The bins of free face wash and anti-aging creams? Toss them and stop taking more. 

“The biggest mistake people make when trying to organize is not editing ruthlessly enough,” says Axelrod. “I think it’s key to be super honest with yourself about what you actually enjoy using and what you don’t.”

Axelrod adds that she sees many clients agonize over throwing things out because they feel obligated to finish a product. In the end, having less to dig through—and less to replenish—will save you time and money, which you can put towards activities that bring you joy.

Rethink Storage Solutions

“Oftentimes, people don’t utilize under-sink space,” says Axelrod. “From a storage standpoint, it can be a great option, especially if you want to distinguish between things like your everyday essentials, which are maybe in a drawer, and travel back-stock cosmetics kept under sinks.” Instead of large, lidded containers (where things are easily forgotten), Axelrod recommends high-quality stackable drawer sets, which keep personal care items easily accessible yet tucked out of eyesight.  

Bins are a great choice if you have open shelving—they maintain a minimal look while holding all your essentials close. To prevent the contents from cluttering, Kim advises categorizing items based on their function. Carver agrees. “I think it’s helpful to house like items with themselves,” she says. “For instance, I keep my hair dryer, curling iron, and flatiron in a little basket.”

Kim and Axelrod recommend a small bin for daily-use items such as makeup, deodorant, and toothbrushes. “I always steer people away from doing just a makeup bag,” Axelrod says. “I think that avoiding a jumble is always best.”

Set a Deadline

Holding on to things for too long doesn’t just add clutter to the bathroom—like food, many cosmetics and skincare items have expiration dates. Unlike with food, people tend to ignore them—but just because you aren’t eating that moisturizer doesn’t mean you should keep using it for years. In some instances, the ingredients in cosmetics can degrade, becoming less effective, or growing bacteria that can cause skin irritation and breakouts.

To keep products as fresh as possible and avoid accumulating too many jars and bottles, Kim suggests setting a timeline for holding on to (and restocking) items. “I like to keep things no longer than six months,” she says.

Make the Space Yours

A common misconception about minimalism is that it leaves a space cold and devoid of personality. The experts disagree. You can still show off your style and maintain a streamlined space.  “A minimalist bathroom doesn’t have to be empty or sparse,” Kim says. “After you declutter, you can hang up one piece of artwork or put a plant on the shelf to celebrate that space.”

For Carver, it’s all about keeping things low-maintenance. “I like to add things like fresh flowers or music,” she says. “Little bits that aren’t permanent but that I don’t have to take care of and clean all the time.” Other easy adds are a candle—Carver recommends temporary wallpaper for even more variety.

The shower curtain is another option for adding color or pattern without overdecorating. Don’t be afraid to have a little fun with your space, but remember to keep things simple: the more you layer in, the more there is to clean and maintain.  

“One obvious benefit [of minimalism] is that if things are intuitive and easy to navigate or find, then you go into your day with that springboard of ease,” says Axelrod. “And that has ripple effects beyond just brushing your teeth and washing your face.”