We've never had enough sink real-estate in the bathroom to store makeup. While we look wistfully in magazines at spacious double sinks with room for extra towels and lotions, the reality is that we keep makeup on a shelf across the room and then carry it over to the mirror to use. But after getting tired of rummaging through containers every morning, we found an idea that's portable, and keeps everything in its place...
The soft zippered cases we used to use are fine, but you need to take everything out, and they're hard to rummage through for that particular eyeliner. Plus, they're nothing to look at. So we settled on toolboxes which can hold a lot and can be stowed anywhere. We're certainly not the first to borrow these from carpenters — most makeup artists use special toolboxes with compartments that swivel out and lots of storage in the bottom. We don't need anything that fancy, but we like that toolboxes have a handle and can be tall enough so that small bottles stay upright and like-items can be kept together.
We like using vintage toolboxes and caddies, they're relatively easy to find at flea markets and tag sales, even ebay. But brand shiny new metal boxes look great (we love the striped one here!). And then you can buy just the right size/color for your bathroom. Fishing tackle boxes like the galvanized one above work as well- some even have compartments you could use for lipstick or makeup remover pads. AT ladies, how do you keep makeup organized?
>>>Some previous ApartmentTherapy posts with links to Toolboxes are here and here.
(Images: Jeanine Brennan)
© 2009 Apartment Therapy
I use a train case similar to this one because I have a larger-than-usual makeup collection and I like having the dividers to keep things sorted and organized rather than just tossing it into any old box. Toolboxes and tackle boxes work just as well (though they're not quite as nice-looking). Brush rolls (here's an example) can also be used to store brushes if you prefer having things out of sight in a drawer. And little drawer units/boxes (like the IKEA Fira) are perfect for beauty storage as well.
view slowdown's profile
I use a vintage wood seed carrier to hold larger jewelry. It has 4 big sections and works great for bracelets and bigger necklaces.
view Noelle283's profile
The only storage we have is in our linen closet in the hall outside our bathroom. The old bathroom had bulky shelves and a huge medicine cabinet. We tore it all out and just put up a simple mirror and glass shelf. So I organized the linen closet so we each have a basket of daily supplies we need to get ready and just carry it to the bathroom each morning, and I have pull out clear storage drawers for makeup, nail polish and hair accessories. For the lotion, perfume, and electric hair devices, since I have so many options, clear shoe containers. All perfectly organized and labeled.
I admit I get lazy and just use the hall mirror to get ready most of the time though :( So I just painted the hall a nice light sage color to get ready with.
view iheartmini's profile
I think the wooden one is actually a 'candle' box. My parents have always used one to organize the mail.
view MilesSmiles's profile
I have a small wooden garden trug where I keep frequently used items out on the sink. The rustic look is a nice contrast in a modern bathroom.
view farmhousemoderne's profile
I use a white basket
view emal's profile
I just have a 'Hannah Montana' Pencil case some friends gave me for my birthday last year as a joke. It fits in our medicine cabinet just fine. (I don't wear a lot of make-up.)
view Rolen the Great's profile
Ewww I'm getting bugs in my eyes just thinking about this idea! And what is with the cabinet in the first pic? Looks like the place I lived in college, and I don't want to go back to that place...
view clampers's profile
I wish I had this kind of storage space! I like these ideas very much, but this is really one of those instances where using the editorial we sounds silly and inappropriate.
view michpc's profile
That top one is pretty unsanitary. Right beside the toilet - bacteria flies into the air when you flush. Maybe put it under the sink?
view Sisero's profile
sorry, don't like these.
I want to feel prettier after putting on makeup, not like I grouted and spackled my face.
I put 2 repurposed nightstands with drawers in the bathroom so the makeup and personal stuff can go in the drawers.
view Chloe C's profile
that's horrible...
view Drops of Jupiter's profile
I use a couple of antique tool carriers for the remote controls.
view junklover's profile
I don't use much make-up so it all fits in the small drawer on the vanity where the sink is.
The wooden one looks kind of neat but the metal looks bad.
view ChrisGal's profile