7 Things Designers Say You Should Never Put on Your Bathroom Vanity

If there's one area of your bathroom that probably gets cluttered and chaotic, it's the vanity. It's the most multifunctional feature, but it needs to be kept tidy to work hard and look its best.

Which is why designers are so quick to list the things that should be kept off your bathroom vanity in plain sight. A cluttered surface not only makes your vanity a bit of an eyesore, but it also makes using it a bit of a logistical nightmare.

And if you're not sure on the best way to design and organize your vanity, fear not. We've asked designers for the things you should never put on your bathroom vanity (and where they should go instead) for a clean, clutter-free space.

7 things to never put on your bathroom vanity

You probably spent hours browsing the best places to buy bathroom vanities to find the perfect design for your space, so it seems a shame to ruin the look with clutter and damage. But with this designer advice, your bathroom will look chic and elevated in no time.

1. Oil-based products

A bathroom vanity is usually the best place to get ready in the morning and unwind in the evening, so leaving your skincare and makeup on the counters feels convenient. But, according to Barrett Cooke, principal at Arterberry Cooke Architecture, you should 'never put oily beauty products on a porous countertop-vanity.'

'Often, we will design vanities that intentionally have very little space on the counter so that there is not an opportunity for the detritus of life to pile up. In those cases, we make sure to provide ample storage in the vanity cabinet,' says Barrett.

'In other bathroom areas, we carry out small makeup vanity spaces to aid in keeping the sink vanity clear while designing spaces that will eventually do quite a bit of work,' she explains, which creates a dedicated zone for products that doesn't clutter or damage your main vanity countertops.

If you want to keep your makeup on your vanity for convenience, invest in some chic storage to ensure it doesn't touch the surface. The Brodie Twisted Metal Tabletop Vanity Mirror from Anthropologie doubles as handy storage and a small mirror.

2. Soap dishes with no drainage holes

If you're someone who loves a classic bar of soap, you probably already have a soap dish on your bathroom vanity. However, if the design in question doesn't have any drainage holes, you're going to want to replace it ASAP.

It's not something you'd really think about if you're new to bar soap, but without drainage holes, the dish will fill with soapy water and residue, making the whole thing feel messy, smelly, and rather unglamorous.

Instead, opt for either a soap dish with drainage holes or revert to a liquid soap that is either in pretty packaging or decanted into a reusable bottle. Any of these options will look more elevated, and above all, keep your vanity looking clean and tidy.

3. Beauty tools and devices

We've all experienced those mornings when you're running late, and all the things you use to get ready end up strewn across your vanity. From hair brushes to electronic devices, they are all things that really don't belong here.

'These utilitarian items immediately disrupt the visual harmony of a well-designed bathroom. A vanity should feel serene and intentional, not like the backstage of your morning routine,' says Philip Thomas Vanderford, founder of Studio Thomas James.

Electronic devices, in particular, should not be placed on your vanity, as they not only look messy but can also pose a safety hazard. 'We find the most common no-nos usually require an unsightly cord – electric toothbrushes, shavers, nose hair trimmers, night guard cleaners, sleep apnea machine components, hair dryers, hair styling tools,' adds interior designer Georgia Zikas.

'We design built-in custom cabinetry to accommodate towels to be handy and within easy reach, and hair dryers and styling tools to be tucked away and hidden in a drawer or hanging behind a cabinet door. We always make sure to have a hidden electrical outlet included in the design so the cord doesn't need to be visible. When these things have a home or a good-looking place to land, they do not become a visual nuisance.'

Need something to solve the problem now? A roomy hanging basket like this one from Wayfair will keep them hidden but still accessible.

4. Your toothbrush and toothpaste

There are some things you need to keep in your bathroom – realistically, there is no better place than your vanity to keep your toothbrush and toothpaste, but leaving them haphazardly on the counters looks messy and borders on unhygienic.

'Some families have toothbrushes, both upstairs and downstairs, and people will brush their teeth in the powder room as an additional option. That’s fine as long as you have a vanity drawer or medicine cabinet to put them away in, so it looks more visually pleasing,' says interior designer Andrea Sinkin.

'I don’t like anything on the counter that’s not beautiful. If you have an electric toothbrush, have your contractor install an outlet inside a medicine cabinet that is recessed in the wall,' she suggests.

If you're not in a position to make these sorts of changes, there are smaller swaps you can make that will instantly elevate the look of your vanity. You can find some really beautiful toothbrush holder designs that will feel considered and intentional, rather than having your toothbrushes left on the side or in an ugly old cup.

You can also look for more aesthetic electric toothbrush models that don't have that slightly ugly utilitarian look. Something like the SURI Sonic Electric Toothbrush is sleeker and more aesthetic (you can even choose a color that matches your bathroom color scheme) if it's out on display.

5. Vitamins and medication

On a more serious note, some things need to be kept off your bathroom vanity for safety reasons. Vitamins and medication, in particular, should be kept out of sight, out of reach, and in a designated place where they are safe a secure.

'Any personal medications or potentially ingestible products that can be grabbed by a child should be stored on the top shelf of a medicine cabinet,' says Chad Hogan, founder of LA-based design company Chandler Farms.

For a while, medicine cabinets were replaced by chic, sleek bathroom mirrors, but designs have become more sophisticated, often with storage hidden behind a statement mirror, rather than a plain door.

'Every bathroom should have a medicine cabinet. This will give you storage for most of your hygiene products and tools, hence keeping them off your vanity,' adds Chad.

6. Perfume and aftershave

Similar to oily beauty products, perfumes and aftershaves are also best kept off your bathroom vanity. 'The alcohol content and essential oils in many fragrances can damage or dull the surface over time, particularly on natural stone, wood, or painted finishes,' says Richard Eaton, design manager at Tissino.

'Even a few stray drops can leave rings or marks that are difficult to remove, especially if they sit unnoticed on the surface,' he adds. Instead, keep them in your medicine cabinet, or even in a dressing room where you get ready for the day.

'The best alternative is to store perfumes and similar products on a tray, shelf, or in your vanity drawers. That way, they are still within easy reach but safely away from materials that could stain or corrode. It also helps keep the vanity clear and uncluttered, which is key to maintaining that calm, spa-like feel most of us want from a bathroom.'

7. Cotton pads and Q-tips

More often than not, ugly packaging is what's ruining your bathroom vanity display. Plastic containers that essentials like cotton pads come in look cheap and unaesthetic, as do overly colorful designs that disrupt your scheme.

'Can we please stop leaving Q-tips, soap, and cotton balls out in their store packaging?' questions Kasandra Rafter, founder and principal designer at Canyon Creative Studio. 'It’s not cute. Even the new “designer” plastic containers aren’t much better than the blue Q-tip box,' she notes.

'Use beautiful countertop canisters to hide the everyday stuff. Add a small tray to corral jewelry or hand towels. It instantly feels more intentional, and all your daily essentials are still right at your fingertips. When everything is cohesive, the clutter disappears. Your bathroom suddenly feels calm, elevated, like a spa.'

Even small changes like adding a tumbler or decanting everyday essentials into pretty canisters can make all the difference to the overall aesthetic of your bathroom vanity. The result? A bathroom vanity that is clutter-free, easy to use, and looks elevated and curated.