Knowing how to organize a makeup vanity can be a game-changer for your mornings, bank balance, and stress levels. After all, little good comes from getting ready in front of a disorganized, chaotic vanity mirror. You end up spending more time than you’d like searching for products. Items buried deep in the back will expire before you’ve had a chance to use them. And the sheer mental burden of getting ready at a space that’s cluttered and stressful will turn what should be an enjoyable experience into one that you come to dread.
By knowing a few tips and tricks on how to organize a makeup vanity properly, you can wrestle back control and get the makeup vanity you deserve. Let’s take a look.
Table of Content
Why Knowing How to Organize a Makeup Vanity Matters
Did you know that being surrounded by clutter can elevate the body’s stress levels? If your makeup vanity becomes overly disorganized, then you’ll be inadvertently turning what should be an enjoyable, relaxing experience into one that feels a lot more stressful than it should be.
The strength of your makeup vanity’s organization also impacts your time efficiency (how much time you spend looking for makeup products when you’re trying to get ready) and how much money you spend on beauty products. Many people with chaotic makeup vanities find that they end up buying duplicates of products they already own, or that the product expires before they’ve had a chance to use it all up (or, in some cases, even any of it!).
One more reason why a well-organized makeup vanity matters: it’s an act of self-love. By investing in a makeup vanity that works for you, not against you, you’ll be subtly telling yourself the old line from L'Oréal: that you’re worth it.
OK, now that’s out of the way, let’s focus on how to actually get the makeup vanity setup that makes your morning routine easier to manage.
Reviewing Your Current Makeup Vanity Setup
You can’t fix a problem until you know what it is — and that answer exists in the details of your current makeup vanity setup.
It’s unlikely that everything about your makeup vanity setup is wrong. Some things will be fine, some things will cause problems. It could be that you simply don’t have as many drawers as you need, or that there’s only minimal surface space. Sometimes, it’s a mirror and lighting issue that’s disrupting the experience, or the vanity is too large or small for the room.
Whatever it is, make a note of it. Figuring out what isn’t working is key to getting the makeup vanity that works for you.
Why Decluttering Before Organizing Matters
You can organize clutter, but it’s nearly always a temporary solution. In a matter of weeks, you’ll be back with the same problem.
Decluttering before you get serious about organizing your vanity allows you to get a firm grip on the problem. It also helps to make purchasing a new vanity more straightforward, since you’ll have a better idea of how much storage you need.
As for what you should declutter, I usually recommend throwing away the following:
- Expired products
- Products that you know you never use.
By the time you’ve finished, you should have a curated collection of usable products that have earned their place in your vanity.
What to Look For In a New Makeup Vanity
You don’t necessarily need to buy a new makeup vanity, but most people who have a problem with their current setup typically find that it’s the right option simply because if their current vanity was perfect for their needs, then they wouldn’t have any issues anyway.
A good makeup vanity balances storage, style, and functionality. As you’ll see from our collection, makeup vanities come in a wide range of sizes and styles. When choosing the one that’s right for you, consider the following details:
- Drawer Count and Size: How many do you need? What size do they need to be?
- Surface Space: Is it large enough for your daily-use items?
- Mirror and Lighting: Do you need the makeup vanity to have an in-built mirror & light?
- Makeup Vanity Size: Overly large makeup vanities can quickly overwhelm smaller rooms.
- Style: Makeup vanities come in a wide range of colors, from walnut vanities to white glass sintered stone. Choose one that works with your existing decor.
Practical Tips For How To Organize a Makeup Vanity
Most people end up with a disorganized makeup vanity simply because they got into the habit of hastily shoving all of their beauty products in one of the drawers, without really thinking whether it was the right place for them. Without organization, a makeup vanity drawer really is just a box.
There are a few different ways to organize a makeup vanity, depending on how many drawers it has. If it has multiple drawers, then you can assign a drawer to each category — such as one for brushes, one for skincare, and one for makeup.
If you have minimal drawers (or a lot of products), then drawer organizers can come to the rescue. Placing adjustable dividers in your drawers allows you to create multiple different storage zones within one space easily.
Pro Tip: Opt for acrylic dividers or trays; they’re see-through, which makes finding products straightforward, and they’re easy to clean.
How to Organize a Makeup Vanity That Is Small
Sometimes, you have to deal with reality. If you have a small bedroom, then you’ll likely need to opt for a makeup vanity that’s on the smaller side.
But that doesn’t mean that you have to settle for drawers that are crammed with products. You just need to be a bit intentional. A smaller makeup vanity forces you to be a little bit more selective about the products that you keep there, and that’s a good thing. It forces you to take the minimalist approach.
Keep the high-use products in the makeup, and the other, occasional-use products elsewhere. Spice-rack organizers can really come in handy here, too, allowing you to neatly tier-store your products using vertical space.
Prioritize Your Most Used Products
You might have a lot of beauty products, but you probably don’t use them all equally. In fact, it’s likely only a very small percentage of your products — maybe 20% — that you use on a regular basis.
Those products deserve priority status on your makeup vanity. If you use an item every day, then keep it on the makeup vanity’s surface counter.
Everything else can be kept in drawers, but even those items can be prioritized in order of use. A product that you use every week should have a more prominent position than one that you only use on special occasions.
How To Organize a Makeup Vanity When It’s Shared
Sharing a makeup vanity with a housemate or a family member? That will require a little extra work. The most important thing is to make sure that everyone’s on the same page. Organization doesn’t work if only one person is committed to it.
The best approach is to have clearly divided zones where each person can keep their items, with shareable items (such as cotton pads and Q-tips) housed in a neutral zone. If you’re buying a new makeup vanity, then think carefully about storage; more is usually required when there are two people sharing, so it often makes sense to buy a makeup vanity with multiple drawers.
Don’t Forget a Nearby Trash Can
Most of this article on how to organize a makeup vanity has been concerned with the vanity itself, but there’s another item that can go a long way towards keeping things in good shape, and that’s the trusty old trash can.
This is a small addition that can have an outsized impact. After all, without it, routine waste items like empty packaging and cotton pads can easily end up sitting on the makeup vanity for longer than they should.
It’s also useful for expired or finished makeup products. We’re all guilty of occasionally putting those items back into a vanity drawer because we’re too lazy to take them to the trash. Having a can right next to the vanity removes that minor inconvenience, allowing you to more easily keep the space clean and clear.
Common Mistakes To Avoid When Organizing a Makeup Vanity
Take the tips we’ve outlined above, and you’ll go a long, long way towards keeping your makeup vanity’s organization in check.
Still, if there’s one place that’s easy to re-messify, it’s a makeup vanity. To round off this article, let’s take a look at some of the all-too-common mistakes to avoid so that your vanity is just as well-organized 6 months down the line as it is on the first day you get it into shape.
Being Too Lax When Decluttering
We mentioned this above, but it’s so important that it’s worth mentioning again. When decluttering, it’s better to err on the side of ruthlessness than to be too lax.
Many people keep products because they convince themselves that they’ll use them in the future, or because they feel they should (like if it was a gift or expensive). If you’re not using them, then get rid of them. You don’t need to throw them in the trash; someone will be happy to take them off your hands!
Choosing a New Vanity Based On Aesthetics
Now, we’re not saying that a makeup vanity shouldn’t be stylish, because it absolutely should.
What we are saying, however, is that aesthetics shouldn’t be the primary consideration. First and foremost, a makeup vanity should be functional. That means it should meet your storage, lighting, mirror, and size needs. Once all those needs are met, then you can start thinking about the style of the vanity.
Looking for a stylish makeup vanity that comes complete with a stool and extensive storage? Our modern extendable makeup vanity might be just what you’ve been searching for.
Treating Organization As a One-Time Event
Getting your makeup vanity into organizational shape is a surprisingly quick and easy exercise. Many people find that it takes less than an hour, especially if they’re organizing a new makeup vanity.
But even the best-organized makeup vanities won’t stay that way if there’s no ongoing organizational work. Without the right habits, clutter and mess can easily creep back in. Good habits to follow include:
- Spending 5 minutes per week keeping things in order.
- Adopting a “one in, one out” rule.
- Putting products in their designated area as soon as you’ve finished using them.
Those three habits alone will help you to maintain a clean, clear, well-organized makeup vanity — and just like that, you’ll have a space that you genuinely enjoy using.
FAQ
How Do I Organize My Makeup Vanity?
You can organize a makeup vanity by removing all items, throwing away expired/unused products, and neatly storing remaining products in the vanity’s drawers.
What Type of Makeup Vanity Works Best In Small Rooms?
Makeup vanities that have a small footprint but smart storage solutions tend to work best in small rooms. Homary’s Makeup Vanity Set with Drawers Retractable Dressing Table Stool & Mirror set is a particularly popular option for buyers with small spaces.
How Often Should I Declutter My Makeup Vanity?
In addition to a weekly tidy-up, it’s recommended to declutter your makeup vanity once every season. This will give you a chance to discard any items that have expired or that you no longer use.
What Products Should Be On A Makeup Vanity Surface?
Only products that you use every day should be kept on the makeup vanity’s surface. Other items, even those you use regularly, should be kept in a drawer.
What Are The Benefits of Organizing My Makeup Vanity?
A well-organized makeup vanity can save time, money, and stress. It makes it easier to find the products you need and makes the process of getting ready more enjoyable.