'Curated rather than cluttered' – I'm a professional organizer, and this is what I keep on my bathroom counters to keep mess at bay

If there's one spot in the house that's notoriously difficult to keep neat and tidy, it's bathroom counters.

After all, one late morning spent rushing out the door, and they can be transformed from calm to chaos and disarray in no time at all.

Well, to help combat that, I'm a professional organizer, and this is how I keep bathroom countertops clear, while championing a minimalist, streamlined approach.

What I keep on my bathroom counters

My bathroom sink is very small, so I don't keep much on it, and I personally like to keep my countertops very minimal to maintain a clean and calm space. I don’t even keep toothbrushes out; instead, I store them in the medicine cabinet to protect them from germs and to keep the counter clear.

On the counter itself, I have a few carefully chosen items: A simple, functional soap dispenser and a bottle of lotion. These are items I use regularly.

I also avoid keeping makeup and perfume on the countertop, because humidity from showers can affect the quality and longevity of these products, which is a storage mistake to avoid.

If you want to add a touch of personality or style, you can include one of your best candles, a cute jar, like this Glass Holder available at Amazon, with cotton balls, a small plant, or other items that bring a sense of comfort and style to the space.

The key is to keep it minimal and intentional, so the countertop feels curated rather than cluttered.

Importantly, each item on the counter serves a purpose or adds a sense of calm. The soap dispenser and lotion are daily essentials, so they need to be accessible and easy to use.

Optional items like a candle, jar, or plant can be there to enhance the feel of the space – they make it look cared-for, cozy, and inviting. Limiting the countertop to just a few items keeps it visually calm while still allowing for personality and style.

In terms of what not to keep on a bathroom countertop, banish anything that isn't used daily.

This includes makeup, perfume, extra skincare products, or random items. Keeping them off the counter protects them from humidity and germs, and helps the space feel calm and organized.

The goal is to make your countertop functional, easy to use, and visually serene.

Bathroom countertop organizing essentials

I love clear acrylic trays and jars because they keep things looking streamlined while still being practical. For example, a clear plastic vanity tray, such as the iDesign Clarity Plastic Organizer available at Amazon, is perfect for grouping items, so your essentials and decorative items don’t look scattered.

For small items like cotton balls, Q-tips, or floss picks, clear jars, like the Whole Housewares Storage Container Jars available at Walmart, are both stylish and functional – they let you see what’s inside while keeping everything contained.

Using just a few organizers like these helps maintain a tidy and intentional countertop. Another line of products I like is the one from Youcopia, available to shop at Amazon.

All prices were correct at the time of publication.

Meet our expert

Di Ter Avest

After becoming a wife and a mother, Di quickly learned the importance of organization and regular decluttering. She has helped hundreds of clients rethink their relationship with clutter, including what to keep on bathroom counters, and what to banish elsewhere.

These tiny tweaks to organize a home will solve even the most awkward of clutter conundrums.