A medicine cabinet is a bathroom storage must-have. From medications to skincare to toiletries, this do-it-all storage solution keeps your essentials within close reach and helps streamline your daily routines. But like any cabinet, it can be prone to clutter. We've put together a list of ways to organize a medicine cabinet so that you never have to rummage through yours again.

Tip!

Need help choosing a medicine cabinet? Read our guide Types of Medicine Cabinets: How to Choose the Right Storage for Your Bathroom.

How to Organize a Medicine Cabinet

Organizing a medicine cabinet doesn't need to be a daunting task. Use these tips to declutter your medicine cabinet and find a spot for each essential.

1. Clean It Out

Before you can start organizing, you should clean out your medicine cabinet. This is the perfect time to check expiration dates, toss empty products, and give each shelf a good wipe down. If you're thinking of purchasing any containers or organizers, you should also measure the width and depth of the interior shelves so that you can shop with confidence.

2. Go for Ease

Part of creating a long-lasting organizational system is focusing on what feels easy. You should approach your medicine cabinet with a realistic view, understanding that most-used items should be easy to access and put away. Your newly organized medicine cabinet shouldn't feel fussy so that you can actually stick to it and it makes your routines feel more streamlined – not less.

3. Create an Even Split

If you're sharing a medicine cabinet, it can be helpful to label different areas or use cabinet organizers to delineate each person's items. This can split up space evenly and keep each person accountable for keeping their portion of the medicine cabinet tidy.

4. Group Like Items

When deciding where to place items inside your medicine cabinet, try to group items with similar items. For example, use one shelf for medications and bandages, another shelf for cosmetics and skincare, and a different shelf to stash essentials like cotton swabs or oral hygiene. This can help you avoid the hunt when the cough syrup isn't kept near the cold medicine.

5. Use Clear Containers

Clear containers and organizers are a great tool for tidiness. The transparency makes it easy to see exactly which items are where, and many are stackable to optimize vertical space. They also come in a variety of sizes to suit your storage needs. Small containers can keep small items like bobby pins or floss picks corralled, while larger containers are grouping medication bottles together.

6. Add Risers

Like kitchen cabinets, it can be easy to neglect vertical space inside your medicine cabinet. Small risers can boost shelving inside by doubling your storage opportunities, creating plenty of room for skincare, toiletries, and more.

7. Try Decanting

Decanting – taking items from their original packaging and putting them into more space-savvy storage containers – can help you save room and often elevate the visual appeal of your medicine cabinet. Everyday items that come in bulky packaging (like cotton swabs or rounds, floss picks, or hair accessories) can be slipped into small, clear containers and refilled as needed. Same goes for makeup remover, face wash, or mouthwash. Though it might add an extra step once or twice a month, it can help maximize medicine cabinet storage for your day-to-day.

8. Hang a Dry-Erase Board

Prevention can keep you from medicine cabinet chaos. Adding a dry-erase board to the inside of the door can help you stay on track of prescription refills or make lists for any items you need to restock soon.

Tip!

Find medicine cabinet inspo for your next bathroom refresh with our guide 7 Medicine Cabinet Ideas That Will Transform Your Bathroom.

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