Bathroom Counters *Grr*

I have a hate-hate relationship with our bathroom.
The lighting suck.
The counters suck.
The shower sucks.
The "closet" is for the water heater only.
The sink is horrible.
The cabinets are horrible.
The flooring sucks.
I could actually go on, even though it's a really small space.

But, I was inspired. By this post from Classy Clutter - not that I was going to have a huge bathroom overhaul (though I would certainly love to), but at least the counters.
Because they are, well, the most used - and the most out of shape.

I would have taken a before photo, but as it was bathroom cleaning day anyway...it would have been ick. Suffice with a photo of what space there actually is and how much stuff we try and keep there.

It's a lot of stuff...in a tiny little space.
But the majority of it is stuff that's used daily (or almost daily). And the cabinets are, well, horrible, and the drawers aren't tall enough for anything unless it's laying down and *sigh* - it's just not good.

So I was ruthless. 

I'm not normally ruthless in my organizing. I like the lowest impact style of getting things together. I would rather ease into a new set up than try and overhaul in a large way (because that never works for us - we are creatures of habit).

Except, being "ruthless" wasn't as hard as I thought it would be.
Granted, we haven't actually used this space yet, as it just got done, but I'm guessing as it really is just little changes...and even then only a few...easy enough to get used to, right?

First thing I did - decided the toilet paper can indeed be on the holder on the side of the cabinet. Yes, it's a tight fit. But it has never been on there the whole time I've lived here - and I have no clue why, other than that it's a super close space. But seeing as it was cluttering up my side of the counter, I think I get to make that call. For now. We'll see how it works out.

Second, paring down the Mister's "supplies." Half the things he keeps on the counter are for when he is shaving or cutting his hair, which he does not do every day. The (three pairs) of scissors went in the drawer, as well as his replacement razors. Yes, convenient to have on the counter, but not necessary to have on the counter - he will not forget to shave or trim his hair because the stuff isn't there!

Third, I got rid of my toothbrush cup, and combined that with my makeup brush/nail file cup (and moved the nail tools elsewhere). Makeup brushes get used often. My toothbrush gets used often. Nail clippers and cuticle tools get used much less often. Which makes sense to keep visible?

My face-washing supplies managed to stay (as I will be too lazy to do it if they aren't readily available), as well as the Mister's shaving cream. Yeah, they could go down in the cabinet, except they would have to be all the way on the floor, basically - not conducive to our routines, and certainly not for forcing ourselves to actually do those things.

We will see how long it lasts, but the footprint of the stuff that is left is much smaller! There's room to spread out when doing things - and yet everything still has a home to go back to.

I even redid the drawers - and it only took three minutes, really. Also notice I wasn't kidding about the three scissors!

I have learned, though, that my drawer should open much farther than it does...I will have to find out why that is!

Could it be better?
Yes.
Do we need it to be better?
No.

We need it to be functional. And clean. And have enough space to get ready in the morning, without feeling it pointless to put our stuff back where it belongs.
Hopefully this helps.
Because I hate my bathroom. Still. But if I can make it that much faster to get in and out of there in the morning, I'm happy!

What is the hardest part of your morning routine?

~Havok