How to Keep Your Bathroom Minimalist: Simple Steps for a Calm, Clutter-Free Space

Most people think a minimalist bathroom means white tiles and a single soap dispenser. But true minimalism isn’t about looks-it’s about function. It’s about removing anything that doesn’t serve a daily purpose, so you walk in and feel calm, not overwhelmed. If your bathroom feels like a storage closet with a toilet, you’re not alone. The average UK bathroom holds 18+ items that aren’t used every day. Here’s how to fix that.

Start by emptying everything

1. Take out every bottle, tube, towel, brush, and gadget from your cabinets, drawers, and countertops.
2. Put them all on the floor or a large towel.
3. Now, ask yourself: Did I use this in the last 30 days?

Most people find at least half their stuff hasn’t been touched in months. Expired shampoo? Gone. That sample size you’ve had since 2023? Gone. The three different toothbrushes you bought on sale? Keep one. The rest? Toss or donate. This isn’t harsh-it’s honest. You’re not trying to impress anyone. You’re trying to make your morning routine easier.

Only keep what you use daily

A minimalist bathroom doesn’t mean empty. It means intentional. You need:

• Toothbrush and toothpaste
• One shampoo and one conditioner (if you wash your hair daily)
• One body wash or bar soap
• One towel per person (folded neatly)
• One hand towel
• Deodorant
• Razor and shaving cream (if used daily)

That’s it. Everything else is optional. Skincare serums? Store them in a drawer, not on the counter. Hair dryer? Keep it in the cabinet unless you use it every single day. Makeup? Move it to your bedroom. The goal isn’t to have nothing-it’s to have only what you need right now.

Choose one style of bathroom accessories

Minimalism thrives on consistency. If you have a chrome faucet, don’t mix in brass towel hooks and plastic soap dispensers. Pick one finish and stick with it. Brushed nickel, matte black, or polished chrome-all work. Just pick one.

Same goes for shape. Avoid cluttered patterns. If your soap dispenser is round, make your toothbrush holder round too. If your towel bar is straight, keep your toilet paper holder straight. It’s not about being boring. It’s about reducing visual noise. Your brain relaxes when things look intentional, not random.

Hide what you don’t use every day

You might need moisturizer for your eczema, or a special face wash for acne. That’s fine. But it doesn’t belong on the counter. Use hidden storage:

• Under-sink cabinets with pull-out trays
• Wall-mounted cabinets above the toilet
• Medicine cabinets with mirrors
• Baskets inside open shelves (to hide bulkier items)

A study by the University of California found that people who kept daily-use items visible and everything else stored away felt 42% less stressed in their bathrooms. That’s not magic. It’s psychology. Your eyes don’t wander. Your mind doesn’t race. You just do what you need to do and leave.

Declutter the counter completely

The counter is the most visible part of your bathroom. If it’s full, the whole room feels messy-even if the rest is clean.

Try this: After your morning routine, wipe the counter with a damp cloth. Then, put nothing back on it. Just leave it bare. Do this for a week. You’ll notice something surprising: you don’t miss anything. You don’t need a lotion bottle, a candle, or a tiny plant. You need space. You need air. You need to breathe.

If you absolutely must have something out, pick one item. A single ceramic soap dish. A small wooden tray for your keys. One thing. That’s enough.

Use the same towel every day

This sounds weird, but it works. Hang one towel per person on a hook. Use it for a week. Wash it. Hang it again. No rotating. No extras. No “just in case” towels.

Why? Because having five towels means you’ll always pick the cleanest one. And that means you’ll never wash the others. Before you know it, your linen closet is full of damp towels you never use. One towel per person keeps you honest. It forces you to wash regularly. And it looks cleaner.

Replace plastic with natural materials

Plastic soap dispensers, toothbrush holders, and cotton ball jars look cheap and feel cheap. They also don’t age well. They yellow. They crack. They get scratched.

Swap them for:

• Stone or ceramic soap dishes
• Wooden toothbrush holders (oak or bamboo)
• Woven baskets for cotton pads or hair ties
• Glass jars for cotton balls

These materials look better over time. They don’t need to be perfect. A little patina adds character. They also feel more connected to nature-which is the whole point of minimalism. You’re not just cleaning your space. You’re calming your mind.

One rule to live by: If you can’t find it in 10 seconds, get rid of it

A minimalist bathroom isn’t about having fewer things. It’s about having things you can find instantly. If you have to dig through three drawers to find your razor, you’ve failed.

Organize by use:

• Daily items: near the sink
• Weekly items: under the sink
• Monthly items: top shelf or closet

Label if you need to. But don’t overdo it. A small chalkboard sticker on a drawer is fine. A full label system? That’s not minimal. That’s organizing for the sake of organizing.

What about plants and candles?

People love adding plants and candles to minimalist spaces. But they often backfire. A fiddle leaf fig needs sunlight, water, and attention. A scented candle? It leaves wax residue and smells like a department store.

If you want greenery, pick one low-maintenance plant: a snake plant or ZZ plant. Put it in a simple ceramic pot. Water it once a month. That’s it.

If you want scent, open the window. Fresh air smells better than any lavender candle. If you must use a candle, choose unscented beeswax and burn it once a month. That’s enough.

Final check: Does your bathroom feel peaceful?

Minimalism isn’t a trend. It’s a reset. It’s about creating a space where you can pause, breathe, and start your day without chaos.

Ask yourself:

• Do I feel calm when I walk in?
• Do I know where everything is without thinking?
• Do I miss anything I got rid of?

If the answer is yes to the first two and no to the third-you’ve done it.

What if I change my mind later?

You can always add something back. But wait. Give it a month. If you really need that extra moisturizer, buy a smaller bottle. If you miss your candle, get one that’s unscented and keep it in the cabinet. Minimalism isn’t permanent. It’s a habit. And habits are easier to keep when they’re simple.