13 things to get rid of in your bathroom, according to interior designers

Packaging can be removed from the bathroom counter, Bo Keuleers, an interior-design project manager at MVA Home, told Insider.

Cotton-swab containers, for example, are often large, long, and visually unappealing.

"By replacing the packaging [with] glass containers, you instantly create a spa-like atmosphere that is relaxing, calming, and appears more elegant," Keuleers said. "The same can be applied for cotton balls and bath salts."

Not only does getting rid of these packages help the aesthetic, but also it helps to maximize space, she explained.

People tend to place a bath mat in front of the shower or bathtub, the toilet, and the sink, Keuleers said.

But having too many mats on the floor of your bathroom can make the space feel busy and overcrowded.

Instead, Keuleers suggested opting for just one simple rug that has an inviting texture or a fun pattern. This can help instantly declutter your bathroom and give it a fresh feel.

Rachel Street, an interior designer who hosts the DIY Network's "Philly Revival," told Insider towels that were stained, ripped, or had drops of bleach dripped on them needed to be let go.

Invest in two sets of towels for each person using the bathroom, and relegate the ugly used ones to the cleaning-supply cabinet or basement to be used for other things, like washing the dog or the car.

"A fresh matching set of fluffy towels will make your bathroom feel more relaxing and will make it look more put together," Street said.

In the same vein, it's important to make sure your bathroom counters are free of clutter, Lonni Paul, an interior designer who owns Lonni Paul Design and cofounded the home-goods brand August and Leo, told Insider.

"A bathroom should feel clean and spa-like at all times —  a sanctuary that gives a sense of calm to the start and end of your day," Paul said.

If there is clutter everywhere, coming home can become an extension of your busy, chaotic day.

It's time to get rid of those shell- or flower-shaped bars of soap on the sink counter, Beth Brown, an interior designer who is principal of Beth Brown Interiors, told Insider.

If you're ready to ditch your bar of soap, Brown suggests getting a pretty soap dispenser and refilling it as needed instead.

When possible, Paul said, larger items like cleaning supplies and bulk packs of toilet paper should be kept in a linen closet.

Paul added that a few rolls of toilet paper and a packet of cleaning wipes should stay in your bathroom but be tucked out of sight.

"I like to keep these in the paper-goods drawer or in a basket on the floor, not on the counter," Paul told Insider.

Leaving jewelry in the bathroom will cause it to tarnish as it comes into contact with water and moisture, Street said. And you don't want to lose an earring or a ring down the drain.  

Instead, move your jewelry into your bedroom or closet. Street suggested dedicating a drawer in your dresser and investing in some jewelry organizers to keep things separate and neat.

Medicines, makeup, and sunscreens all expire.

To save space, Street suggested regularly checking the expiration dates on the items in your bathroom cabinets and drawers and disposing of anything that is old and out of date.

Small mirrors in a bathroom don't do much, Brown told Insider.

"I've seen one too many bathrooms with small mirrors hung too high," Brown said. "Larger mirrors don't just allow you to see more of yourself — they make a room feel bigger and more open."

Unless they're super special, those shampoo and lotion samples you have from hotels are most likely just taking up valuable storage space, Street said.

"If you haven't used that lipstick or eyeshadow in the past year, chances are you aren't going to use it again before it expires," Street told Insider.

Instead of saving extraneous product until it comes back in style, get rid of it, Street said. The longer it sits, the more it becomes just a campground for germs.

Plus it gives you an excuse to buy a new shade, she added.

Yes, many of us like to have something to read while we're on the porcelain throne, but magazines should be stored outside the bathroom. 

Having your magazines right next to the toilet is not very sanitary, and it just adds to the clutter, Street said.

Brown suggested getting rid of cheap-smelling air fresheners or potpourri.

Instead, replace your plug-ins with a more-natural, scented alternative that you can make yourself using essential oils. You can also try using a candle.

This story was originally published in July 2020 and most recently updated on February 22, 2024. 

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