If you’ve been reading this blog for any amount of time, you have discovered that I am one of the cheapest people alive. It’s a sickness really. I am always on the look out for ways I can use what I already have to complete projects. So when I wanted to reorganize the cabinet in our master bathroom, I raided my supplies and was shocked that I didn’t have to buy anything to finish this makeover. Victory!
The word “reorganize” is actually a little bit misleading because it implies that this cabinet was organized in the first place when, in fact, it looked like this:
As you can see, this cabinet was in dire need of some TLC. My objective was twofold: (1) The space needed to be functional. Though I would have loved to throw some pretty towels under there and call it a day, this area houses all of the major toiletry items and personal appliances that we use every morning when we get ready, so our day-to-day “stuff” had to be readily accessible. And (2), since this is one of the only areas in the house that hasn’t been taken over by the C’s, I wanted it to look beautiful as well.
First I needed to deal with the basic cosmetics. I started by clearing everything out, painting, and adding a shiny new shelf liner {leftover wrapping paper from my DIY Weekly Planner!}.
And, there it is: our lovely piping problem. Instead of the sink pipes running straight back {because that would be way too easy}, ours run to the side, not only taking up valuable space underneath the vanity, but also making this space U-G-L-Y.
Have no fear, diaper box to the rescue!
Yep, I’m serious. I was able to cut up an old diaper box and wrap it with pretty paper so that it was tall enough to hide most of the ugly piping. It worked out wonderfully because it was also thin enough that it didn’t take up much space, and we could store things in it and behind it.
To organize the rest of our supplies, I separated everything into categories and corralled it using some old envelope boxes, again wrapped in pretty paper that I had hoarded away from the Target Dollar Spot. {It’s an addiction. Can you really blame me? ;)} This left the items we need most often open to us while creating an organized space that was oh-so-purty! And of course, everything is neatly labeled so we know exactly where to find what we need. {Check out my method for label making here.}
I also spiced up an old storage container and our garbage can with some fun duct tape and used gift bags to house some of the items we use a little less frequently.
When all was said and done, I was thrilled with our completed space. The full impact of the transformation really hit me when I compared the before and after shots:
Organizing this space has really helped to streamline our morning routine and cut down on the time it takes to get ready. Instead of searching through a tangled mess of toiletries, we are able to find what we need quickly and easily. {I’m also in a better mood in the mornings because my accessories are so much prettier to look at!} Not too bad for a project that was absolutely FREE!
What’s your biggest challenge when it comes to bathroom organization?
.
Suzanne says
March 25, 2013 at 7:25 amHi Abby,
Your reorganized bath cabinet turned out great. Love how you used the diaper box to corral things and hide the piping. BTW – You are not cheap, you are just smart!
Thanks for sharing,
Suzanne
Pieced Pastimes
abbylawson says
March 25, 2013 at 7:36 amThank you, Suzanne! Not cheap, smart– I’m going to have to start telling hubby that when he laughs at me for saving “junk” for potential future projects, lol. Thanks so much for stopping by!
~Abby =)
Angela says
March 25, 2013 at 10:00 amWay to go! Looks fabulous! Makes me want to organize my cabinets. Trust me….mine look ten times worse than your original! Thanks for sharing. ~~Angela
abbylawson says
March 25, 2013 at 11:20 amThank you, Angela! Hope you’re having a wonderful Monday!
~Abby =)
Arlena says
March 25, 2013 at 11:56 amOMG!!!! Looks amazing!!! I really have to work on mine!
abbylawson says
March 25, 2013 at 12:42 pmThanks, Arlena! Hope you’re having a great week!
~Abby =)
Meeha Meeha says
March 25, 2013 at 12:47 pmWow, I love a good orgamizing project and this post is right up my alley! I’ve been trying to re-organize under my sink for months, so thanks a million for the inspiration!
abbylawson says
March 25, 2013 at 1:14 pmThanks, Meeha! I dragged my feet for a while on mine, but once it was done it was SO worth it! Happy Monday!
~Abby =)
Sally @ DFMS (@sallykelly1) says
March 26, 2013 at 7:12 amLove it! Creative ideas and no cost? Hurray for you!
abbylawson says
March 26, 2013 at 8:05 amThanks so much, Sally! I’m so glad you stopped by. Have a great week!
~Abby =)
Nancy @ Artsy Chicks Rule says
March 26, 2013 at 8:47 amI love the cabinet organization Abby! My kind of project! Free! 😉 I love what you did with the tape too…so pretty! 🙂
Thanks so much for linking it up to the Project Inspire{d} linky party!!!
Nancy
abbylawson says
March 26, 2013 at 2:49 pmThank you so much, Nancy! I’m so excited to be linking up at Project Inspire{d}!! Have a great week!
~Abby =)
KG Style Designs (@kgstyleinc) says
March 26, 2013 at 11:06 amI love this organization. This is great. I’m a new follower and this blog post is exactly what I would love to have you add on to my first Linky Home Organization blog hop.
April is Spring cleaning month and I want everyone to link up their home organization blog post. This will run throughout the whole month of April to give you time. Add yours now: https://bit.ly/XDWic2
Have a great Tuesday! 🙂
abbylawson says
March 26, 2013 at 2:55 pmThanks so much for the invite! I linked up! Have a great week!
~Abby =)
Rachel says
March 26, 2013 at 12:06 pmAwesome! Being able to spend $0 on an organization project is my favorite. We have weird piping stuff, too – seriously gets on my nerves.
abbylawson says
March 26, 2013 at 2:58 pmClearly all of this piping has been done by men. 😉 Thanks so much for visiting my blog, Rachel! Have a great week!
~Abby =)
Diana Rambles says
March 26, 2013 at 4:37 pmGreat job organizing!
abbylawson says
March 26, 2013 at 7:35 pmThanks so much, Diana! Have a great week!
~Abby =)
Kristina says
March 26, 2013 at 4:38 pmHaha, your before picture oddly looks very similar to my own bathroom cabinet right now 🙂 Did you sneak over to my house to take that picture? 😉 Great ideas, looks good!
abbylawson says
March 26, 2013 at 7:37 pmYou caught me, Kristina! 😉 Lol. Thanks for stopping by the blog!
~Abby =)
Jillian @ Hi! It's Jilly says
March 26, 2013 at 4:42 pmNice! Looks great!
abbylawson says
March 26, 2013 at 7:38 pmThank you, Jillian!
~Abby =)
Trine @ Creative Pink Butterfly says
March 26, 2013 at 5:40 pmThis looks so great! I love that you organized with items you already had laying around and the pretty details 🙂
abbylawson says
March 26, 2013 at 7:39 pmThanks so much, Trine! I <3 free! 🙂 Have a great day!
~Abby =)
Krista @thehappyhousie.com says
March 27, 2013 at 11:36 pmVery creative! Thanks for sharing your great ideas!
Krista @thehappyhousie.com
abbylawson says
March 28, 2013 at 12:15 amThanks so much, Krista!
~Abby =)
now at home mom says
March 28, 2013 at 3:58 pmAfter reading your post, I believe I should really start organizing my bathroom 🙂 You have great and pretty ideas! I can’t believe you used a diaper box! good work! I’m also glad you left a lovely comment on my blog this morning and happy to read your posts! 🙂 Ingrid
abbylawson says
March 28, 2013 at 8:00 pmThanks so much! I’m so glad I found your cute blog! Have a wonderful weekend!
~Abby =)
[email protected] says
March 28, 2013 at 4:19 pmYou had me at $0! I love the before and after…big difference! Great ideas! I’d love to have you share it at the Rock ‘N Share! Blessings, D
abbylawson says
March 28, 2013 at 7:59 pmThanks so much for the invite, D! I linked up! Have a great weekend!!
~Abby =)
[email protected] says
April 2, 2013 at 4:46 pmAgain great project! Thanks for sharing at the Rock N Share! I hope to see you again tomorrow! Blessings, D
abbylawson says
April 2, 2013 at 5:12 pmThank you, D! Hope you’re having a great week!
~Abby =)
Susan says
March 28, 2013 at 9:15 pmWhat an awesome idea! I think you were very creative to think of using a diaper box that way.
abbylawson says
March 28, 2013 at 9:37 pmThanks so much, Susan! For some reason we end up with a lot of extra diaper boxes around here, lol! Thank you for stopping by the blog!
~Abby =)
rita0830suburbsmama says
March 29, 2013 at 3:20 amWhat a great way to cover the pipes! Nothing beats free! I am having a linky party on sunday (starts on saturday at 6pm) please come and link this up.
abbylawson says
March 29, 2013 at 12:26 pmI would love to! Thanks so much for the invite, Rita! Have a great weekend!
~Abby =)
arzea says
March 29, 2013 at 10:44 amBrilliant! I am so bummed I missed out on that $1 Target wrapping paper…I have seen so many posts with it recently! Ugh! Thanks for sharing at Domestic Superhero Sharing Thursdays!
abbylawson says
March 29, 2013 at 12:34 pmThanks so much, Allyson! It was a good one. They always have the cutest prints, and for a dollar, you can’t beat it! 🙂 Have a great weekend!
~Abby =)
Carol says
March 30, 2013 at 10:06 amVery clever thinking, Abby! You’ve made the most out of an area that most people would just continue to ignore.
abbylawson says
March 30, 2013 at 1:16 pmThanks, Carol! Happy Easter!
~Abby =)
Christine says
March 31, 2013 at 12:44 pmAbsolutely wonderful Abby!!!
Thanks so much for sharing this at The DIY Dreamer… From Dream To Reality last week! HAPPY EASTER!!
abbylawson says
March 31, 2013 at 9:25 pmThank you so much, Christine! Happy Easter!
~Abby =)
Nancy @ Artsy Chicks Rule says
April 1, 2013 at 5:29 pmHey Abby! I hope you had a great holiday weekend! I just wanted to let you know that you are one of my features tonight. 🙂 Thanks so much for linking up last week to Project Inspire{d}.
xo
Nancy
abbylawson says
April 1, 2013 at 7:54 pmOh yay!!! Thank you so much, Nancy!! You totally made my day!
~Abby =)
Laura Jane @ Super Sweet Life says
April 2, 2013 at 12:18 pmLove it! I really love how you did it for free, but made it pretty! My under sink areas are just a big mess!
abbylawson says
April 2, 2013 at 1:28 pmThanks so much, Laura Jane! This is definitely a tougher area to keep organized with all of the toiletries and accessories! Thanks for stopping by the blog!
~Abby =)
Chaney says
April 3, 2013 at 9:29 amGreat job on this Abby! Feels so much better when it’s all organized, doesn’t it?! I just organized my bathroom too, and now that it’s done, I know where everything is, and can even tell my husband where to find things without me having to look. It’s great!
Chaney (Came over from the IHeart Organizing link up!)
abbylawson says
April 3, 2013 at 11:10 amThanks, Chaney! You’re right–such a great feeling! I’m heading over to check out your blog now!
~Abby =)
Allyson says
April 4, 2013 at 9:26 amThis project was super popular at my link party last week and today I am featuring it! https://domesticsuperhero.com/2013/04/04/sharing-with-domestic-superhero-thursday-5/ I can’t wait to see what you share with us this week!! Thanks!
abbylawson says
April 4, 2013 at 10:12 amThank you so much, Allyson! You made my day!!
~Abby =)
Bethany the ngnrdgrl says
April 4, 2013 at 11:55 pmAbby – Looks fabulous! I love all the boxes covered in purty gift wrap! My under the sink area needs a make over too. The last time I was under there, I threw a whole bunch of stuff into a brown grocery sack so I wouldn’t have to look at it. I’m thinking I need to go back and really asses what is under there. Hehe!
abbylawson says
April 5, 2013 at 12:00 amOh, you saw my “before”! It was in need of major help! I saw you were featured at Domestic Superhero today–congrats, friend! Hope you’re having a great week!
~Abby =)
Bethany the ngnrdgrl says
April 5, 2013 at 12:12 amI saw you were featured too! Congrats! The week has been going good. Can’t wait for the weekend! Hugs!!!
Michael Lombardi says
April 11, 2013 at 1:44 pmSo glad I found this blog. Neat little trick, I should try soon.
(Also, what plugin are you using for your comments? I like it.)
abbylawson says
April 11, 2013 at 2:09 pmThanks, Michael! I’m just using the commenting system from my WordPress theme, Standard Theme. Nothing fancy! 🙂 Thank you for stopping by!
~Abby =)
KG Style Designs (@kgstyleinc) says
April 30, 2013 at 5:02 pmIt is always great when a project requires no money!
Loved this.
Thank you for participating in the Linky Home Organization Blog Hop.
Sign up for our newsletter to stay in the loop of when the blog roundup will go live and come back and share the blog comment love to the others who’ve linked up. We all need a little love….:)
https://eepurl.com/dih9A
xoxo,
Khloe
abbylawson says
April 30, 2013 at 10:17 pmThanks so much, Khloe! Have a great evening!
~Abby =)
Alicia says
May 10, 2013 at 5:15 pmI love what you did with the cabinets! So great that you could use what you had on hand. My biggest challenge with bathroom organization is lack of storage space. The bathroom is long and narrow with the toilet at one end and the shower at the other. There are no built-in cabinets or vanities, and the radiator is on the wall above the toilet, leaving no space to put a shelf above it. I have a small hanging cabinet and a wire kitchen cart along the wall between the toilet and sink and across from the door, but they don’t hold much and any other shelves make the room even narrower. There’s no linen closet in my apartment, either. I guess you don’t HAVE to store things in the room where you use them, right? 🙂
abbylawson says
May 10, 2013 at 8:29 pmWow, clearly a man designed that bathroom, right? 😉 My first apartment was seriously lacking on storage space, and I ended up using a drawer tower on wheels for most of my bathroom stuff. I didn’t keep it in the bathroom, but I could wheel it in there if I was going to be needing a lot of the things in it! Thanks so much for stopping by the blog! Have a wonderful weekend!
~Abby =)
navarrojoyce2012 says
May 15, 2013 at 5:01 amLove the way the bathroom cabinets have been organized, loved the idea of using old storage containers. NYC professional organizing services
abbylawson says
May 15, 2013 at 12:54 pmThanks so much, Joyce! Have a great week!
~Abby =)
Angela @ CreativeBlossoming.com says
June 18, 2013 at 10:18 pmVery clever! Love the cheap repurposing projects. Your self-described cheapness is a talent!
abbylawson says
June 19, 2013 at 7:16 amLol! Thank you, Angela! I’ve never thought about it that way before! 😉 Thanks so much for stopping by!
~Abby =)
Emily @ Not So Idle Hands says
January 17, 2014 at 1:50 amAbby~ What an awesome way to organize under there! I’m about to re-do mine too and it’s always like a black hole under there LOL
justagirlabby says
January 19, 2014 at 11:15 pmTell me about it! Our “black hole” was in desperate need of some TLC, so I’m glad we finally found a system that worked for us! Happy organizing! Have a great week, Emily!
~Abby =)
Betty819 says
January 15, 2015 at 8:05 pmAs soon as I can get a handyman here, I have a list of jobs that I want done for me. My DH used to do it all but is not physically able to do any handyman jobs around here. I am it unless I want to hire it done. My Dh has just about every power tool there is except no power nailer and something tells me you need an air compressor to operate it. No storage space for the air compressor so guess that’s out. Hey, I know how to use a regular hammer, my Father was a wonderful carpenter by trade! And there’s always Liquid nails! All that equipment is in my garage and it’s unheated and too cold to work out there now so many Spring projects are going on my list of Things to Do.. I like your theory, if you haven’t used it in a year or so, get rid of it. We are gradually doing that. When I get a spurt of energy and nice weather, I start a box of things to donate to a local Thrift shop operated by the Humane Society. I have thought of going down to HD or Lowe’s and having them to cut the boards exact size I want. I know how to paint and painting can be done inside in the wintertime; just put down protection for carpet and floors until it is dried.
Julie says
May 26, 2015 at 11:22 amWhat a lovely change! When I see the cabinets I just get overwhelmed and close them and go do something else heh. I like how you wrapped diaper boxes up to make them pretty under the cabinets.