Reader Tamala asked:
I was wondering if you had any ideas or pics for/on a Minimalist’s bathroom/beauty room.
I am trying to minimise how much product- cosmetic, fragrance, accessories I keep in the bathroom so it looks clean and simple but still has specks of my personality in it.
If you are interested, I posted about what was in my medicine cabinet here on my other blog.
Key Elements of a Minimalist Bathroom
You don’t have a lot of stuff to begin with.
If you’re starting out, and you do, then put a temporary ban on yourself from buying or trying out any new products until your old ones are done.
2 years ago, you would have seen a bathroom packed with half-used products.
Now, I force myself to finish everything I have (or donate it if I will never use it) before buying anything new.
What you do have, is one of each item.
One shampoo. One conditioner. One bar or dispenser of soap.
If someone in the family has dandruff for example, then another dandruff shampoo can be acceptable.
However, if you are just keeping shampoo bottles for different smells or purposes, you are just adding to the clutter.
And P.S. you do not need “clarifying” shampoo or “moisturizing shampoo”.
A good shampoo is perfectly fine to use all the time.
Just cut back on your hair products and you will find that your hair will go back and balance itself naturally without extra, unnecessary help.
You keep the surface fairly clear of products.
White space is your friend.
You need to keep these areas clear of products, so that whatever you do decide to display (perhaps a beautiful perfume bottle) takes center stage.
These bathrooms are great at hiding away items for practical use such as hidden panels or medicine cabinets, and without many items, it is easy to store it all.
You arrange things neatly
Even if no one sees it — you do.
It’s why my bottles in the hidden panel are always arranged in some manner.
Instead of just tossing a towel into the basket, roll it up and tuck it in.
Same with toilet paper rolls — stack them instead of just throwing them in.
Use baskets and boxes to help.
This is my bathroom:
BF is on the left side, I am on the right.
I put the items I use a lot on top:
And everything else is arranged in the panel below:
Yes, that is a box of baking soda to the right.
I use it to exfoliate my face by mixing it in with my facial cleanser, and as a toothpaste.
I am slowly working to eliminate 2 items out of the array below, but these bottles just won’t end! 
As for inspirational images, enjoy!
(Yes, I am a geek and I save and collect any image that I think might be interesting or inspirational for future use).
I like this one because of the little cubby holes for storage.
I find a lot of organized bathrooms (this one has too many products for me), have things that are hidden away.
This one for example is a medicine cabinet with a mirror in front.
Close it, and you can’t see a thing.
One soap dispenser, one lotion.
Other items needed are in a neat basket on top of the toilet.
Shampoo and conditioner are in the bathroom cubby holes.
This one is quite romantic.
It has more stuff, but it doesn’t look super cluttered to me.
I like the design on the cabinets too.
Many minimalist bathrooms have lots of these glass or metal canisters to hold everyday items like cotton balls or cotton swabs.
(But why they have 2 cotton swab containers is beyond me)
It keeps everything very apothecary-like and clean.
Another cubby hole idea.
This is truly minimalist, but where’s the soap!?
His and Hers sides.
Things are usually arranged in a pleasing manner to the eye.
Note the canisters arranged by size?
This is like a closet/bathroom.
I just like the idea of decorating a bathroom space with your favourite bags or items.
Plus it might make dressing in the morning easier if you can grab it all at once here.
More neatly rolled towels and canisters.
I like the little hook idea to hang brushes and other things.
Very spa-like.
Minimal Student
on Jan 15th, 2010
@ 11:08 am:
I love these pictures! Quite inspirational. For me, my ideal bathroom would be made of marble and glass because it's durable and long lasting. Not to mention pretty.
Also, your post made me realise that at the moment, I already have quite minimalist bathroom habits. Especially in that everything has a place, and is arranged neatly, even though no one can see. I know I appreciate it though
Dani
on Jan 15th, 2010
@ 1:57 pm:
I love the bathroom with the ladder (if only I had that kind of space) and the newspaper cubby is so cute!
Deborah
on Jan 15th, 2010
@ 2:06 pm:
Love these bathroom examples! So many brilliant ideas here. I wish I could show you a pic of my bathroom – I live in a smallish house and am constantly fighting to keep clean lines.
Less really is best.
Meg
on Jan 15th, 2010
@ 3:40 pm:
I'm quite proud of our minimalist bathroom
In our shower we have:
1. a bottle of shampoo (can be used elsewhere on the body as needed)
2. my washcloth
3. hubby's shower poof (will win him over to the washcloth someday)
4. my wide-toothed comb for detangling my hair without conditioner
That's it.
Next to the shower is the toilet and above that are a couple of shelves for towels and wash cloths.
Then comes the counter and sink. Only things on the counter are a bar of soap and a cup. We keep our toothbrushes in the medicine cabinet which has a few things, but isn't very full.
Next to that is a rack holding a hand mirror, my blow dryer, and a few other hair tools. I wish I could hide them somewhere else, but it's a very small bathroom and I need those within reach. It's the only real eyesore.
Then in the corner I have a little table with two shelves. On the bottom is some extra toilet paper. On the top shelf there there is my white ceramic neti pot, some salt for the neti pot (in a nice jar of course with a bamboo scoop), and a small Japanese inspired square basket for my makeup. I keep the top cleared except for small periods of use.
Caitlin
on Jan 15th, 2010
@ 4:48 pm:
These are some nice bathrooms!
I'm not too keen on the one with the ladder in it, though. I'd love to have a library with a rolling ladder, but it seems weird in a bathroom. Plus it looks like you'd always have to be moving it out of the way to stand in front of the sink, or get back out the door, etc.
Tweets that mention A Minimalist’s Inspiration for an Organized Bathroom | The Everyday Minimalist -- Topsy.com
on Jan 15th, 2010
@ 12:19 pm:
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Fabulously Broke and Terri Fraracci, Charley Forness. Charley Forness said: RT @tweetmeme A Minimalist’s Inspiration for an Organized Bathroom http://tinyurl.com/yeuy69p [...]
unknowntheartist
on Jan 15th, 2010
@ 11:39 pm:
Oh, thankyou so much!!! All the pics look great, very inspiring
I especially like the bathroom with canisters arranged by size. Simple and elegant.
marisol
on Jan 16th, 2010
@ 7:12 am:
You are way too organized. I need some of that to rub off on me. My bathroom and bedroom vanity are clutter city.
TatiLie
on Jan 16th, 2010
@ 1:50 pm:
Loved this post!! Thanks a lot for posting it and for your lovely blog!
I have some questions that I would like to make…
I saw that you use Paula's Choice product, and I've been thinking on getting her Hair & Body shampoo to save some space (first I need to finish the ones I have, of course). Do you use it? What do you think about it?
I use the Muji 100ml travel containers to put my shampoo, conditioner and soap because I like the simple, plain look of them (eliminating visual clutter of having too many different brands, colours, bottles sizes and shapes on my bathroom). I know that is not environmental-friendly, frugal nor practical to get them but I wonder if you consider that a good compromise or not?
Why don't you get eye surgery? You could get rid of three items at once, no?
Best wishes
TatiLie
on Jan 16th, 2010
@ 1:56 pm:
PS: as a dentist, I would recommend you to get a fluoride toothpaste, if you don't use a fluoride mouthrinse afterwards (I'm not recommending a mouthrinse, by the way. It's just that the fluoride is really good for your teeth enamel).
evrydaymnmalist
on Jan 17th, 2010
@ 1:54 pm:
I don't use her hair and body shampoo, but I do enjoy her Paula's Choice products.
My skin doesn't react badly to what she puts in them, but I am getting rid of her stuff as well, because it isn't really on the level with my eco-friendliness at the moment.
She uses parabens, and all these other things that have NOT been proven to cause problems, but I'd rather be safe than sorry.
Still if you aren't concerned about it (don't be, I'm paranoid, and it's very small trace amounts that the FDA says won't affect you), then I highly recommend her items.
I have a friend who swears by her products!
I think for being a minimalist, you are on the right track to use as little as possible, and to keep the look of the brands similar.
It would be a good compromise if it makes you happy.
As for eye surgery, I cannot get it yet. My eyes are still changing and I am not a good candidate as they haven't been stabilized completely..
evrydaymnmalist
on Jan 17th, 2010
@ 1:55 pm:
It didn't happen over night!
I donated some stuff to my sister *foist foist*, and friends.
The main thing is just to use each product until it's gone. It's REALLY HARD because you want to buy new things, but stick with it.
Meg
on Jan 17th, 2010
@ 4:54 pm:
Isn't it true that most people do not leave toothpaste in their mouth long enough for the fluoride to have any significant effect?
evrydaymnmalist
on Jan 22nd, 2010
@ 1:33 am:
That's a good point about the ladder being a PITA. (Pain in the Ass)
evrydaymnmalist
on Jan 22nd, 2010
@ 1:34 am:
You'd love what BF uses in the bathroom.
Washcloth, soap and electric razor. Done.
Me, erg… I feel like i should cut down more, but I can't!
I need good skin.
evrydaymnmalist
on Jan 22nd, 2010
@ 1:34 am:
If only I could see your bathroom!
Clean lines is what I go for, for the most part.
evrydaymnmalist
on Jan 22nd, 2010
@ 1:35 am:
I am not thrilled with glass, only because it gets smudgy and dirty easily
(I am very lazy).
I like things arranged nicely as well. It makes me smile!
Meg
on Jan 22nd, 2010
@ 3:17 am:
Have you tried cutting out the skin care products? I know it doesn't work for everyone, but I found that my skin got a lot better when I stopped with all the skin care stuff. Now the only thing I use to exfoliate is a rough wash cloth and I rarely use soap on my face at all except a bit of my all natural, super gentle shampoo to remove water-proof makeup as needed. I don't even moisturize, though with the humidity here in Florida it's probably not as necessary (though letting my natural oils do their thing helps, too, I'm sure).