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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

“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.

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 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.”

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.