11 things to get rid of in your bathroom, according to interior designers

Jul 28, 2026 - 10:30

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11 things to get rid of in your bathroom, according to interior designers

Bathroom with white tile, green cabinets, green shower tile — Decluttering a bathroom can be a great way to make it look even better.
PC Photography/Getty Images/iStockphoto

We asked four interior designers to share things they would get rid of in their bathrooms.
Counter clutter and mismatched old towels can make the room feel chaotic and less inviting.
Old makeup, hotel toiletries, and expired products should be disposed of to maximize storage space.

Sometimes the best way to upgrade a space is by getting rid of stuff.

So, we asked interior designers to share a few common items in people's bathrooms that are worth decluttering or replacing to make a space look even nicer.

Here's what they said.

Old, mismatched towels can make a bathroom feel less inviting.

gray and white striped towels on wooden bath tray in bathroom — Matching or coordinated towel sets can help a bathroom look more put-together.
Kostikova/Getty Images

Rachel Street, an interior designer and host of DIY Network's "Philly Revival," told BI that towels that are stained, ripped, or have bleach spots should be removed from a bathroom.

Invest in two sets of towels for each person using the bathroom, and relegate the ugly used ones to the cleaning-supply cabinet or the basement for other uses, like washing the dog or the car.

"A fresh matching set of fluffy towels will make your bathroom feel more relaxing and will make it look more put together," Street said.

Getting rid of packaging can help you save space and give your room a serene feel.

Cotton balls and swabs in glass jars on counter — There are more stylish ways to store bathroom essentials.
Jennifer A Smith/Getty Images

Packaging can be removed from the bathroom counter, Bo Keuleers, an interior-design project manager at MVA Home, told BI.

Cotton-swab containers, for example, are often large, long, and visually unappealing. Instead, replace the packaging with glass jars to "instantly create a spa-like atmosphere that is relaxing, calming, and appears more elegant," Keuleers said.

She said this can also be done with cotton balls and bath salts.

Not only does getting rid of these packages improve the aesthetic, but it can also help maximize space, she explained.

Ditch excess bath mats to avoid making the space feel too crowded.

One rug in bathroom with small metal table next to it and large glass shower — PC Photography/Getty Images/iStockphoto

People tend to place a bath mat in front of the shower or bathtub, the toilet, and sometimes the sink, too.

However, having too many mats on your bathroom floor can make a space feel busy and overcrowded, Keuleers said.

Instead, she suggested opting for just one simple rug that has an inviting texture or a fun pattern. This can help give your bathroom a fresh, simple feel.

Counter clutter can make a bathroom feel a bit chaotic.

Bathroom with blue counters, two round mirrors, marble counters — It's important to keep as many things off of the counter as possible.
LumiNola/Getty Images

In the same vein, it's important to keep your bathroom counters free of clutter, said Lonni Paul, an interior designer who owns Lonni Paul Design.

"A bathroom should feel clean and spa-like at all times — a sanctuary that gives a sense of calm to the start and end of your day," Paul said.

If there is clutter everywhere, coming home can become an extension of your busy, chaotic day.

Cleaning supplies and toilet paper should be kept out of sight.

When possible, Paul said, larger essentials, such as cleaning supplies and bulk packs of toilet paper, should be kept in a linen closet.

It makes sense to store a few rolls of toilet paper and a packet of cleaning wipes in your bathroom for function, but keep them tucked out of sight.

"I like to keep these in the paper-goods drawer or in a basket on the floor, not on the counter," Paul said.

Bars of soap next to the sink can get kind of gross.

soap dish and diffuser next to running faucet — A used bar of soap can look unsightly fast.
Svetlana Sultanaeva/Getty Images

Whether flower-shaped or artisan-scented, it may be time to get rid of the bars of soap on your sink counter, Beth Brown, an interior designer who is principal of Beth Brown Interiors, told BI.

They can leave behind residue or begin to look unpleasant after a few uses. Instead, Brown suggests getting a pretty dispenser and refilling it with liquid soap as needed.

Anything that's expired should be tossed.

shampoo drugstore toiletries — William Thomas Cain/Stringer/Getty Images

Medicines, makeup, and sunscreens all expire.

To save space, Street suggested regularly checking the expiration dates on the items in your bathroom cabinets and drawers and disposing of anything that is old and out of date.

Often, this is an easy way to reduce clutter.

Makeup you no longer wear should be cleared out as well.

Bathroom products on counter — Valentyna Yeltsova/Getty Images

"If you haven't used that lipstick or eyeshadow in the past year, chances are you aren't going to use it again before it expires," Street told BI.

Instead of saving extraneous product until it comes back in style, get rid of it, Street said. The longer it sits, the more it becomes just a campground for germs.

Plus, it gives you an excuse to buy a new shade, she added.

Travel-size toiletries from hotels usually just take up valuable space.

toiletries medicine cabinet — Shutterstock

Unless they're super special, those shampoo and lotion samples you have from hotels are most likely just taking up valuable storage space, Street said.

If you've got no realistic plans to use these or offer them to visitors in a guest bathroom, these minis can be decluttered.

Small mirrors aren't always practical.

bathroom with geometric tile, small backlit round mirror, floating white sink — Smaller mirrors aren't always the most functional option.
diczman/Getty Images

Small mirrors in a bathroom don't do much, Brown said. Swap them out for larger options whenever possible.

"I've seen one too many bathrooms with small mirrors hung too high," she added. "Larger mirrors don't just allow you to see more of yourself — they make a room feel bigger and more open."

There are alternatives to cheap-looking air fresheners and plug-ins.

Scent diffusers on wooden bathroom counter above sink — Diffusers can be a more elegant-looking way to add fragrance to a bathroom.
Olga Pankova/Getty Images

Brown suggested getting rid of cheap-smelling air freshener sprays, unsightly wall plug-ins, and potpourri.

Instead, replace them with a more natural, scented alternative, like a diffuser you can make yourself with essential oils. You can also try using a chic-looking candle.

This story was originally published in July 2020 and most recently updated on July 28, 2026.

Read the original article on Business Insider