This Bathroom Was a Cluttered Mess Until a Pro Organizer Fixed It

Not being able to find what you need is frustrating, and being surrounded by clutter is stressful. But it’s all too easy to neglect your bathroom because you’re often the only one to use it. Iris Miyasaki of By Saki took this cluttered, messy bathroom and transformed it, through smart bathroom organizing solutions, into a calm, functional oasis where her client can begin and end each day in peace. 

The client was inspired to make a change because “90% of the storage space in the bathroom was being used inefficiently,” shares Miyasaki. She describes the before as “a mess,” with nothing categorized and drawers and under-the-sink storage not being utilized. With a budget of $450 (not including service fees), in six short hours, she was able to transform this space.

Here’s how she did it.

• Step 1: Sort. In this step, “everything is pulled out of the space and placed into categories,” says Miyasaki.
• Step 2: Let go. This phase involves creating piles of suggested donations and items to toss. Miyasaki and the client then assess what they’re comfortable letting go. 
• Step 3: The “magic” happens. “Everything starts coming together,” Miyasaki says of this part of the project. “Categories are placed in their designated homes with organizing product, labels, and design pieces.” 
• Step 4: Reveal. In this step, the client is given a tour of her updated space, and Miyasaki demonstrates “how to maintain and sustain the new systems.” 

Miyasaki shares that the hardest part of this particular project was sorting everything because “nothing was close to categorized.” Surprisingly, the easiest part, in this case, was convincing the client to get rid of unused items. According to Miyasaki usually, this is the hardest part. 

In terms of hidden organizational elements, each drawer is labeled. Additionally, the makeup and hair accessories drawer is organized by type, including categories for makeup tools, face makeup, lip makeup, eye makeup, and hair ties. Some of the bins under the sink are drawers, which maximizes space. All organizing product was purchased from The Container Store. 

Miyasaki’s favorite part of the project also shows that the organizing system she put into place was well thought-out. “A year later, the client has told me that all the systems are still in place which means it’s sustainable,” she says.

If this serene, organized bathroom has you feeling inspired to make a similar change, Miyasaki offers this advice: “When you’re starting to organize in a space where nothing is categorized, taking everything out and sorting is a MUST. It’s a bit scary but it’s worth it!”