The last time I lived in a college dorm was my sophomore year of college, over 13 years ago. Starting my junior year, I moved to an off campus house with girlfriends and said goodbye to dorm life by throwing away my shower sandals & caddy in exchange for a bedroom without bunk-beds and a shower that wouldn’t cause foot fungus. Who would have thought over a decade later a shower caddy would be one of my best morning routine time savers?
So before I indulge you in explaining my seemingly juvenile bathroom accessory, let me assure you that I don’t still use shower shoes 🙂 .
The toiletry caddy idea originated after my husband and I purchased our first condo 5 years ago in Chicago. This was the first time that we lived in a two bathroom home. I typically wake up earlier during the weekdays and according to him I make A LOT of noise getting ready in our master bathroom. I offered to use the guest bedroom in the morning, but our guest bathroom was super small and didn’t have drawers for all my toiletries. I ended up making MORE noise each morning trekking my toiletries from our master bath to the guest bath. Poor Joe couldn’t get any sleep in the mornings.
So I started throwing all my toiletries in an extra shower caddy …..
Here’s what you need to make your own shower caddy organizer:
Since you can’t create a toiletry caddy without a caddy, that will be your first step. Mine is so old that I can’t find it online anywhere, but here, here and here are a couple good options. My preference is plainer the better as I find that too many compartments and gadgets sometimes make organizing HARDER!
Next pull out all your toiletries that you use on a daily basis. (I’m not talking about the super hold hairspray that you only use on a Saturday night.) Put all your day-to-day toiletries in a row from most used to least used, left to right. (this isn’t 100% necessary, but it IS kind of entertaining). In the event that you don’t have room for everything, those items on the right won’t make it in the caddy. And I’ll admit it. Toothbrush wasn’t the furthest left for me 🙁 .
Remember all those make up bags you get with your free gift at department stores? Put them to use by storing your makeup inside!
Same thing for cotton balls & q-tips.
For any of my toiletries that are rather large (mouthwash, I’m looking at you), I transferred in to smaller Container Store clear container. For the mouthwash I went for a tall narrow container in order to optimize the most room in my caddy. The small white one? Baby powder ( = my version of dry shampoo). Take a look back up at the photo of all my toiletries to see how often I use it 🙂 .
Now all you need to do is make a little room under your sink to store your shower caddy once you’re finished getting ready in the morning!
Note that I don’t put my straightener, curling iron or hair dryer in my caddy. I just don’t use these everyday and don’t have room.
The benefits of using the shower caddy:
- I can easily transfer to any of our bathrooms to get ready in (I HATE sharing a bathroom in the morning)
- All my toiletries that I need are right in front of me (therefore no sifting through drawers)
- It makes me reduce the number of random products that I use in the morning
- Storage is easy underneath any bathroom sink cabinets
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Shirria @ GDTH says
This is simple and inexpensive. My children share a bathroom and have things strolled all over! I think I’ll invest in one for each child that they can place back under the sink when they are finished.
Linday @ Crazy Organized says
Great idea for the kids! Thanks for stopping by!!
Tai East says
Simple, but GREAT idea, Lindsay! Thanks for sharing! Peace and many blessings to you, Love! 🙂
Pamela Shank says
I love your idea. I can see using this for guests also. I had family in from out of town last week-end. This could be filled with shower basics that they may have forgotten but at least the towel, washcloth,and those small sample toiletries from Walmart would be handy. (visited for Katherine’s Corner)
Linday @ Crazy Organized says
That’s brilliant! Such a great idea! thanks for sharing!!
Kristy as Giftie Etcetera says
I also use this tactic in the kitchen for tools that I use nightly in cooking dinner (a towel, pot holders, my spatula). And I have another basket for things that leave the house with me (wallet, keys, sunglasses). It works so well and makes cleanup way easier.
Linday @ Crazy Organized says
Love that! I’m going to have to try that in my kitchen too! Thanks so much!
Denise/DIY Crush says
Love this!! Such an easy way to organize really anything! I often spray paint plastic containers or mesh tote bags to match them to the room décor lol…I would like to invite you to my DIY Crush Craft Party which is going on right now and is new every Thursday 7pm EST. I’ll pin every post!! 😉
http://www.diy-crush.com/blog/category/link-party/
Linday @ Crazy Organized says
Love the idea of matching the color to the room! And thanks so much for the invite! see you tomorrow 🙂
Jessica [Havok] says
I think I need to do something like this! We have two bathrooms, but really only use the one because everything is stored nicely in there – but using the second bathroom has always been something we’ve been wanting to do…I just don’t want to buy doubles of everything. This solves that problem easily! 😀
CS Calkins says
I store my grandbabes toys in one….many thanks for linking up at Small Victories Sunday!
Alexis @ Chemistry Cachet says
This is a great idea! I use shower and bathroom caddy’s for everything. I have a cute pink one that I used for all my little crafting paints and brushes. They are so versatile! Thanks for sharing, have a wonderful week!
Alexis @ http://www.chemistrycachet.com
Bev @ The Make Your Own Zone says
This kind of organizing strategy is very effective. I set something like this up years ago for all my hair supplies (blower dryer, curling irons, hairspray, etc.) Then I could carry it to either bathroom or the bedroom and still get my hair finished up even when the kids were needing the bathrooms to get ready for school. It worked great!
Linday @ Crazy Organized says
Love that we think alike 🙂 Thanks so much for stopping by!!
Julie says
This is a great way to keep everything organized in the bathroom.
Thanks for joining and sharing this at Cooking and Crafting with J & J.
We can’t wait to see what you share next time!
Jess says
SUCH a cute idea! So neat and creative!
Thanks for joining Cooking and Crafting with J & J!
Jenny says
Love your organizational skills hunny right up my street. What a great idea here. Thank you ever so much for linking up to Share With Me. I hope to see you again tomorrow for another great round up #sharewithme
Linday @ Crazy Organized says
Thanks so much! See you this week! Love the link up party!!!
Hil says
What a great idea! I love super easy organizing tricks like this.
Linday @ Crazy Organized says
Totally agree! Simpler the better 🙂 Thanks so much for stopping by!
Lydia Nordhoff says
I love this idea! My bathroom is the worst tornado zone in the whole house!
Gaye @CalmHealthySexy says
Love this idea. Thanks for linking up with the Let’s Get Real party.
Heather Hennessee says
Great idea!
Elaine says
What a nifty idea!! Thanks for sharing on My 2 Favorite Things on Thursday – Link Party! Hope to see you again this week!! Pinned!
Tiffany says
Hi, Lindsay ~ Love this idea! I hate having stuff on my bathroom counters, but it’s such a pain to drag everything out. I think this simple idea might solve my problem! Thank you! And thanks for joining us at the Merry Monday Link Party! Hope to see you again on Sunday night!
Becky at PinksCharming says
Oh your description of shower sandals brings back memories of uni! I use the same technique when we go camping and have to use the showers. I use a caddy too, but hadn’t thought about doing it at home! Great tip. Becky x #ShareWithMe
sue says
Fabulous idea Lindsay and I am definitely going to try this! I do use the makeup bags as you suggested but not for all the items you have suggested. I love being organised so thanks for sharing another great tip with us at #anythinggoes. Have a great week!
Holly says
Such a great idea! I am downsizing after a divorce from 2 1/2 baths to 1 bathroom with 2 boys! Perfect timing! Thanks! 🙂