Like a medicine cabinet, but not
August 12, 2024 10:33 PM Subscribe
Y'all helped me find the world's most perfect nightstand, so I come to you again with my latest dilemma. The top of my dresser collects various lotions, deodorant, makeup, etc and even pet supplies - it's messy, and I want a neater storage solution.
I have a 16" wide space at most. A door would be nice but with shelves so everything is easily accessible. I've gotten to the point where I'm wondering if a breadbox would be cute... how do you organize your vanity/dresser? Any suggested search terms? How can I calm the chaos?
I have a 16" wide space at most. A door would be nice but with shelves so everything is easily accessible. I've gotten to the point where I'm wondering if a breadbox would be cute... how do you organize your vanity/dresser? Any suggested search terms? How can I calm the chaos?
maybe a roll-top breadbox? there are some taller multi-shelf ones that are more like cabinets than breadboxes.
posted by Clowder of bats at 11:49 PM on August 12 [2 favorites]
posted by Clowder of bats at 11:49 PM on August 12 [2 favorites]
Best answer: 1. Radical decluttering to reduce the number of items
2. Decide on the purpose of the vanity/dresser top, and make rules about which items are allowed to live there
3. Introduce storage in other (nearby) areas for functions unrelated to the vanity. For example, pet supplies should probably live elsewhere.
4. At least once every two days, if not every day, remove items not core to the purpose of the vanity and put them in their designated space
5. Now you can use a medicine cabinet solution. Even a decorative tray on the dresser, used to mark the space allocated to items, would help with the tidiness.
6. Regularly refactor items on the dresser, moving unused items to bathroom or other long term storage
posted by shock muppet at 11:50 PM on August 12 [3 favorites]
2. Decide on the purpose of the vanity/dresser top, and make rules about which items are allowed to live there
3. Introduce storage in other (nearby) areas for functions unrelated to the vanity. For example, pet supplies should probably live elsewhere.
4. At least once every two days, if not every day, remove items not core to the purpose of the vanity and put them in their designated space
5. Now you can use a medicine cabinet solution. Even a decorative tray on the dresser, used to mark the space allocated to items, would help with the tidiness.
6. Regularly refactor items on the dresser, moving unused items to bathroom or other long term storage
posted by shock muppet at 11:50 PM on August 12 [3 favorites]
I was going to say baskets (specifically: nesting baskets) but a breadbox would be amazing -- the rolltops or the tub type, depending on what might best work for you.
posted by DarlingBri at 2:10 AM on August 13 [3 favorites]
posted by DarlingBri at 2:10 AM on August 13 [3 favorites]
I love the Muji acrylic stackable boxes. You can see at a glance what's inside and you can add more boxes if necessary.
posted by unicorn chaser at 4:07 AM on August 13 [1 favorite]
posted by unicorn chaser at 4:07 AM on August 13 [1 favorite]
Baskets helped my dresser top look a lot neater and feel more contained without needing to get rid of much when I had very little space. I didn't especially want everything out of sight.
Now that I have a giant closet in my bathroom I use some of the same baskets on the shelves in my bathroom. I like being able to pull out a basket and look at the stuff in it from above vs rooting around on a shelf.
posted by needs more cowbell at 4:07 AM on August 13 [1 favorite]
Now that I have a giant closet in my bathroom I use some of the same baskets on the shelves in my bathroom. I like being able to pull out a basket and look at the stuff in it from above vs rooting around on a shelf.
posted by needs more cowbell at 4:07 AM on August 13 [1 favorite]
Best answer: I also have a lot of personally meaningful goo and I also need to be able to see everything or else I'll forget it exists. I got this clear box for my bathroom a few years ago and it's perfect for me.
posted by phunniemee at 5:38 AM on August 13 [1 favorite]
posted by phunniemee at 5:38 AM on August 13 [1 favorite]
Best answer: Could you clear out some of the top drawer of the dresser and keep the items in a basket in there?
posted by raccoon409 at 6:33 AM on August 13 [2 favorites]
posted by raccoon409 at 6:33 AM on August 13 [2 favorites]
I like kitchen counter organizers for these spaces - you can see everything but it looks more organized and they're often engineered to be difficult to knock the contents over. And while some options are ginormous, you find a lot of things meant to fit in tiny kitchens so are adjustable or well within your 16" limit.
This is decent-looking and just under 14", and I'm pretty sure that frame is metal, which means you can use magnet pegs and hooks for jewelry and stuff.
posted by Lyn Never at 7:11 AM on August 13 [1 favorite]
This is decent-looking and just under 14", and I'm pretty sure that frame is metal, which means you can use magnet pegs and hooks for jewelry and stuff.
posted by Lyn Never at 7:11 AM on August 13 [1 favorite]
Seconding top drawer of the dresser--I just started doing this and it's solving exactly this problem beautifully. I didn't even go so far as to get a basket (though I will now! thanks, raccoon409); I just tucked things into the corner of the drawer.
I also think a breadbox would be very cute.
posted by dizziest at 8:27 AM on August 13 [2 favorites]
I also think a breadbox would be very cute.
posted by dizziest at 8:27 AM on August 13 [2 favorites]
I have this freestanding cabinet on my bathroom counter for this very reason. It's the same top and bottom, so you can flip it over if you want the door to open the other way.
posted by SamanthaK at 9:45 AM on August 13
posted by SamanthaK at 9:45 AM on August 13
Response by poster: Thank you! Your suggestions plus "makeup organizer" got me some great options, and I can probably move a lot of stuff as well.
posted by Threeve at 11:06 PM on August 13
posted by Threeve at 11:06 PM on August 13
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posted by dg at 11:10 PM on August 12 [1 favorite]