A Fresh Start
Admit it: your vanity has probably seen better days. Whether or not you put on makeup daily, your table can still look cluttered (or dusty) if you're not regularly keeping things organized. But how can you tidy things up so that your beloved products are visible, reachable, and grouped in a way that matches your routine? How can you rearrange the space so that getting ready feels simpler and more pleasant? Don't worry—we've got just the guide you need. Here are 10 creative ways to organize your vanity, along with 10 smart ways to declutter.
1. Build a Routine-First Layout
Start by placing the items you use every day in the most accessible zone, ideally right in front of where you stand or sit. Keep occasional products slightly farther back so they don’t compete for space. This simple shift makes your vanity feel intentionally arranged instead of randomly filled.
2. Create a Category Grid with Small Trays
Use a few small trays to divide your vanity into clear zones like skincare, makeup, hair tools, and accessories. Choose trays that fit your surface so the layout looks tidy rather than crowded. You’ll also clean faster because each group can lift off the surface in one move.
3. Add a Vertical Organizer for Tall Products
Stand taller bottles upright in a slim vertical caddy so they don’t sprawl across the counter. This works especially well for toners, setting sprays, and hair products that topple easily. You’ll free up horizontal space and reduce that messy-looking line of bottles.
4. Label Drawer Inserts So Everything Stays Neat
Drawer inserts are helpful, but labels make them consistent over time, especially when you’re rushing. Mark sections for things like brushes, lip products, and backups so items don’t drift. You’ll waste less time digging and you’ll be more likely to put things back correctly.
5. Use a Two-Tier Stand for Skincare
A compact two-tier stand lets you separate your morning and evening skincare without spreading everything out. Place daily steps on the lower tier and less frequent treatments on top. This helps keep your lineup visible while still looking streamlined.
6. Store Brushes Upright in Separate Cups by Use
Divide tools into separate cups for face brushes, eye brushes, and multi-use tools so you can grab what you need quickly. Keeping them upright helps protect the bristles and prevents products from smearing across your drawer. Make sure the cups are stable, too, so they don’t tip or fall over when you reach in.
7. Set Aside a Jewelry Bowl for Daily Accessories
Set a small bowl on one corner of the vanity for items you reach for constantly, like hair ties, clips, or stud earrings. This prevents those tiny pieces from scattering into drawers or getting lost on the floor. Empty it once a week so it doesn’t become a clutter magnet.
8. Mount a Magnetic Strip for Hair Pins and Clips
A discreet magnetic strip can hold bobby pins, hair clips, and other small metal accessories in a neat line. It saves drawer space and stops those items from disappearing into the back of a container. Place it where it’s easy to access (like the inside of a drawer) but not directly in the way of your main routine.
9. Keep a Mini Cleaning Kit in a Vanity Drawer
Dedicate a small pouch to a microfiber cloth, cotton swabs, and a gentle surface cleaner for quick touch-ups. Having cleaning supplies right there makes it easier to wipe spills before they dry. Your vanity stays fresher because upkeep becomes a normal part of using the space.
10. Rotate Seasonal or Occasion Items Into a Backup Bin
Use a small bin in a closet or cabinet for products you don’t need every week, like special-event palettes or seasonal fragrances. Keeping them off the vanity clears visual noise and reduces decision fatigue. Bring them back out when you’ll actually use them, then return them afterward.
But more than just organizing your desk, you should also make sure you're regularly decluttering your makeup stash! Here are 10 tips to keep everything neat, fresh, and clean.
1. Toss Expired Products
Check dates and obvious signs of expiration like separation, odor changes, or irritation, then let those items go. Keeping expired products doesn’t save money because you can’t safely use them. Clearing them out immediately gives you more space for what’s still in good shape.
2. Remove Anything You Don’t Like Using
If you consistently avoid a product because it doesn’t perform well, doesn’t match your skin, or causes breakouts, it’s taking up prime real estate. Set it aside right away instead of keeping it as a maybe. Your vanity should support your routine, not remind you of purchases you regret.
3. Limit Duplicates to One Backup Per Category
Having five nearly identical lip balms or three open mascaras creates clutter and makes everything harder to find. Keep one in use and one backup, then donate or discard the rest as appropriate. This keeps your space functional while still leaving room for replacements.
4. Clear the Surface Down to Essentials Only
Pull everything off the vanity and put back only what you use at least a few times a week. Store the rest in drawers, bins, or a separate cabinet so the surface stays calm and easy to wipe down. You’ll notice your space looks cleaner even before you buy a single organizer.
5. Declutter Samples You’ll Never Finish
Samples pile up quickly and often linger far longer than they should. Keep only the ones you’re genuinely excited to test within the next two weeks. Everything else should go (if not into the bin, then given to a friend), because a stash of tiny packets still counts as clutter.
6. Consolidate Partially Used Products
Gather items like nearly-empty lotions, duplicate serums, or multiple bottles of the same thing and decide what to finish first. Choose one primary option and commit to using it until it’s done. This reduces the number of open containers and keeps your vanity from feeling overcrowded.
7. Let Go of Broken or Fussy Tools
If a hair tool overheats, a compact won’t close, or a brush sheds constantly, it doesn’t deserve a spot in your routine. Broken items create friction and take up space you need for reliable basics. Replace only what you truly use and discard the rest.
8. Reduce Your Palette and Single Product Count
Too many palettes and singles can make choosing stressful and storage messy. Pick a small set that covers your everyday looks and a few fun options you actually reach for. You’ll enjoy getting ready more when the choices feel curated instead of endless.
9. Stop Saving Empty Packaging and Old Containers
Empty jars, boxes, and fancy compacts can quietly take over drawers because they feel useful someday. Recycle what you can and discard anything that doesn’t have a clear, current purpose. Your storage will instantly feel larger when you remove items that don’t support your routine.
10. Set a Simple Weekly Reset Habit
Choose one consistent time each week to put products back, wipe surfaces, and toss obvious trash. A quick reset prevents clutter from building to the point where it feels overwhelming. You’ll keep the vanity looking organized without needing a full overhaul every month.
