Make the most of your vanity space with 4 bargain storage steals our pros say are worth investing in

A cluttered vanity can make getting ready feel chaotic and disorganized. With limited space and an array of products, it’s easy for essentials to get lost in the mix.

However, our professional home organizers reveal their favorite smart storage solutions that will transform your vanity into a neatly organized and functional space, and make your daily routine a breeze.

Here, we’ll explore practical tips for organizing a bathroom vanity, from clever drawer dividers to space-saving trays.

How to make the most of space in your vanity

Neglecting vanity organizers is one of the biggest bathroom organizing mistakes that results in a chaotic morning routine and a less-than-relaxing evening routine. Not to mention that it can make cleaning a bathroom harder too.

These are the organizers our pros say are absolutely worth snapping up when getting this clutter-magnet of an area in order.

1. Collapsible storage

In order to make the most of the space in your vanity, you need to declutter a bathroom and get rid of items you don't like or use, begins Ben Soreff, professional organizer and owner of House to Home Organizing.

'The first step is to take everything out and group by category and review. Most people tend to have small bathrooms without a lot of storage space. Consider putting all extra backup toiletries and medical items in the linen closet.

However, 'Throwing everything out is not organized and can lead to regret and anxiety,' he adds. 'Focus on how expensive and how hard it is to get again. All those hotel samples and grimy-looking cotton balls add up. Baskets and bins may not solve your problems they just make the bathroom look neat. Focus on the action. How often do I use these toiletries? Are they every day? Set up your products by frequency of use.'

All prices correct at time of publication.

2. Countertop drawers

To make the most of your bathroom vanity ideas, you need to use every since. This includes the countertop, but within moderation.

Barbara Brock, professional organizer at Barbara Brock Inc. says, 'Keep 75% of the vanity counter clear. For large vanity counters, install a tray on top of the counter to put necessary items in - makeup, teeth cleansing products, vitamins, Kleenex, etc. Hair products, toiletries, wellness, or makeup items are usually what we put into the vanity area. Most of our bottles, lotions, and potions will fit nicely on narrow shelves if there is no room in a drawer.

'When I see a vanity table cluttered with potions, lotions, and cosmetics. I recommend this visually pleasing drawer unit cosmetic organizer as a way of collecting items in an organized way. Drawers help to maximize efficiency and the clear acrylic is durable and easily cleaned.']

H&G's solved editor, Punteha van Terheyden, found a tiered organizer from Amazon transformed her vanity space.

3. Keep like items together in one container or space

The best home organizing tip experts share time and time again is to group like items together. This not only makes it easier to find things but ensures same-sized items are tidied into matching containers.

Barbara Brock, home organizer says, 'The goal is to keep the vanity area organized and clean. If everything has a place, then keeping it organized and clean is simpler. The best way to manage your space is to group like items together – in other words – categorize.

'Categorizing shows you what you have or don’t have and what is important to you. By grouping things together, you can see what kind of storage you need and it’s easier to see what product to buy to house your items. The bonus is, it’s easier to keep the vanity clean if you and everyone in the household know where to put an item.'

However, Ben Soreff, a professional organizer adds, 'Quantity determines the category. If you only have one hair clip then you don't make a separate category for hair. I suggest only breaking out by family member if there is truly no overlap in products.

'We want items to go in easily and come out easily,' he continues. 'There is a difference between where things fit and where they belong. If everything is lined up but tight you simply can't access them. When it comes to storage solutions the only thing that matters is ease of use. For most bathroom storage, clear plastic bins work well by category. Take the whole bin out then put it back when done.'

4. Add slide-out drawers to cabinets

We often rejoice when we have cabinet space as it means plenty of concealed storage. However, without good storage solutions, things often get lost at the back, or topple over when you're trying to organize a bathroom cabinet, leading to frustration.

Ben Soreff, the organizer, suggests, 'Some people have very deep closets in their bathroom but this can be tricky. Anything that is in the back and hard to reach might as well not exist. Slide-out drawers work well. As much as possible we want bathroom storage to use drawers for ease of use. the more bins that stack the more trouble you are setting yourself up for.'

5. Keep a trashcan nearby

One thing the most organized people have in their bathrooms is a trash bin. While this doesn't stand out as a straight-up vanity organizer, it helps to make the most of your vanity space by ensuring that empty packaging and skincare products go straight in the trash, rather than lingering in drawers or on the counter says Barbara Brock, organizer.

'Always have a trash can either in the vanity cabinet or nearby,' she says.

Whether you are organizing a family bathroom for smoother routines, or setting up a spa space at home, keeping your vanity organized is the best place to start.