Organizing a Vanity from Top to Bottom

Tips for Vanity Organization

A well-organized vanity station can make getting ready less of a hassle. Having ample storage compartments for your makeup supplies and hair styling accessories makes it easier to find the items you need to quickly complete your skincare and haircare regimens before heading to work, school or a fun night out with friends.

Overview

This article on bathroom and bedroom vanity organization covers:

Why Organizing Your Vanity is Worth It

Vanity table surfaces often become a landing spot for odds and ends that you want to set down as you walk by. Makeup, styling tools, brushes, combs and even non-cosmetic items like pens, phone chargers and various knick-knacks from your pockets and purses can quickly take over your tabletops, making it harder to find the items you need when you need them.

Keeping your vanity set neat and organized is an excellent way to avoid this problem. Removing non-essential items from the table surface and properly arranging all the necessary tools is a smart and practical way to:

Some kids vanity sets double as a homework table or study station as well, so keeping school supplies and grooming tools separate is essential. Maximizing table and drawer space or adding other small storage units to the area is a great way to organize your vanity on a budget and ensure every item is in the right place.

Vanity Storage Ideas

Many vanities come with built-in cabinets, cubbies or drawers. Some even have felt-lined sections for storing jewelry. However, you may be working with a modern-style vanity that lacks extra compartments and only has a smooth, spacious tabletop. To maintain this clutter-free look, you might need to add a few practical storage accents to the setup.

Of course, you could always take advantage of other available storage pieces around your home. A medicine cabinet over your bathroom sink could be a perfect spot for facial cleansers and makeup removal wipes. Meanwhile, your bedroom jewelry armoire may have room for small nail polish and perfume bottles. If you want all of your grooming tools in one place, consider the following add-ons.

Countertop Organizers

Clear totes, rotating brush holders and decorative accents like trays and ceramic bowls help keep your vanity tabletop neat and organized. Using these pieces to hold haircare and skincare essentials can keep you from having to dig through drawers to find frequently-used items like combs, rings, pins and hair ties. You could even repurpose old jars or wide-mouthed vases to hold makeup brushes.

For electronic styling tools like hair curlers, dryers and straighteners, consider a countertop caddy that allows these items to stand upright. An organizer that keeps cords hidden and untangled can help your vanity maintain its tidy look as well. Make sure to follow proper storage guidelines for placing heat tools on various surfaces.

Hanging Storage

If you have limited room on your vanity table, practical wall decor like hanging baskets and mounted shelving units can help declutter your crowded counters. Fix storage bins to cabinets, doors and walls to take advantage of the vertical space surrounding your setup.

Stools, Mirrors & Lighting

Some vanities come with their own unique features that help free up space on the surface. For example, a Disney princess vanity works as a stylish homework desk for kids while also letting providing storage for their favorite accessories in the felt-lined organizer beneath the lift top.

Picking a vanity set with the right mirror can make saving space and organizing your cosmetics a breeze. Certain makeup tables might also have mirrors that open up to reveal a rack for hanging jewelry and hair clips. Or, you might prefer to hang your own decorative mirror on the wall above the table so you have more room to spread out your grooming tools.

Proper lighting is essential when it comes to doing your hair and putting on makeup. Choosing a vanity set with lightbulbs around the mirror is a smart option for vanities that lack the extra room for a table lamp. You might also consider placing a floor lamp next to your setup or mounting sconces on the wall to ensure adequate lighting.

Where to Set Up

Your organization and storage options may differ depending on where you put your vanity set. Although bedrooms and bathrooms are the most common spots for makeup tables, you may face some challenges if you use these areas for multiple purposes or share them with a relative or roommate. Consider the following tips to keep your bathroom or bedroom grooming station organized.

Bathroom Storage

Some people prefer to start on hair and makeup as soon as they hop out of the shower. If all of your bathroom cabinets and countertops are full, use a plastic drawer tray to keep your combs, brushes and cosmetics in one place. An over-the-toilet organizer could also be an excellent spot to set your tools while using the mirror over the sink.

Those with small or shared bathrooms might have to be a little more creative with how they set up their vanities. Consider adding a narrow console table, a bench and an accent cabinet to the hallway outside the bathroom. After you leave the bathroom, take cosmetics out of the cabinet, set them on the table and sit on the bench to do your hair and makeup using the hall mirror.

Bedroom Vanity Storage

A grand primary bedroom suite may have plenty of room for a large vanity table and stool set. Some people may even be able to use their spacious walk-in closet as a dressing room and makeup studio. However, those with smaller bedrooms might need to make the most of whatever limited storage space they have available.

In many bedrooms a dresser with a mirror attachment tends to serve as a vanity and a desk. Cloth bins, toiletry bags and other kids storage units like corner lockers and cubbies are also excellent for organizing grooming tools. You could even dedicate one of your bookcase shelves as a grab-and-go station for all your cosmetics.

Smart Vanity Organization

Organizing a vanity and keeping it neat can be a challenge, especially if you’re prone to absent-mindedly setting things down on the first available surface you see and forgetting about them for days on end. However, once you have the right setup and storage pieces in place, you can start getting into the habit of maintaining the organized look of your stylish and practical vanity table set.