A little warm-up exercise can help make spring cleaning a less-daunting, less-dreaded task.
Just think small.
Small, as in small focused organizing tasks around the house.
One such project is clearing and decluttering the bathroom medicine cabinet, storage cabinets and drawers. It’s manageable enough to be scratched off the to-do list is in just a couple of hours, but will provide a sense of satisfaction each time the medicine cabinet or closet is opened.
“Double-decker turntables and helper shelves can double your storage space for small things like medicine bottles,” says Amy Panos, senior editor of Home Design. “And baskets or bins are wonderful for gathering small items.Just make sure everything in the bin makes sense together - such as extra toiletries or medicines. If the bin is a mishmash of random things, you won’t be able to find anything.”
In the medicine cabinet, a lot of items can be cleared out by checking expiration dates on prescription and over-the counter medicines and tossing those that are out of date.
If there isn’t a mirrored medicine cabinet above the sink, consider adding one. It will easily add more storage space to a bathroom, especially a small one.
“A small tray helps organize the top of the vanity,” Panos says. “Use it to corral all those items you use daily, plus, when you need to clean the counter top, it’s easier to move one tray than a dozen little bottles.”
Those with pedestal sinks need other solutions, such as solid-panel or glass-fronted wall cabinets and metal or wooden floor storage towers. Some are open with tiered racks, others have shelves or baskets.
“Install simple shelves on the wall above the toilet,” Panos advises. “Store rolled towels and add baskets where you can keep extra toiletries.”
A row of hooks instead of towel bars offers more hanging space, Panos says.
Using smaller storage containers inside drawers and cabinets keeps similar items together - makeup in one container, skin-care products in another. A small plastic tackle-box-style tote makes a great mini-spa, pedicure and manicure kit. Polishes can be placed in the small side area; the top shallow tray can hold nail clippers and emery boards, and tubes of face mask and foot care products can be tucked away in the large bottom compartment.
Better Homes and Gardens offers tips for bathroom storage in the “30 Ways to Store More in Your Bath” feature on its website, bhg.com.
Some of the magazine’s suggestions:
Mirrored storage - Flank a pedestal with a pair of matching storage towers.
Use re-purposed furniture to add storage. Coat a vanity or dresser with polyurethane to protect it from water or moisture damage. Old dresser or cabinet drawers painted and lined with pretty paper can be hung on the wall with picture-hanging hardware for shelf space. Add a wooden divider to create a second “shelf ” and add cup hooks for items like loofahs or bath brushes. After hanging the drawer, add a couple of larger eye screws at the bottom with a small wooden dowel run between them to create a towel rack.
If floor space allows, transform an old wooden coat rack into a towel rack.
Adding another medicine cabinet provides more storage while taking up little space; so does a storage unit recessed into a wall.
Cabinets or shelves over the toilet can be useful. Be sure to allow enough clearance between the toilet and shelf or cabinet to allow removal of the tank lid when repairs are needed.
Make the most of cabinet space - add over-the-door hooks and install pullout drawer on tracks inside a cabinet.
HomeStyle, Pages 40 on 03/09/2013