It’s often the smallest room in the home, but there are some things you shouldn’t put on your bathroom countertop if you want to keep your space functional and beautiful in style. These are true whether you have a small vanity or a wall full of counter space.
Often the centerpiece of a design, the idea of a bathroom vanity and its style are very important to the overall look and feel of the space. While some decorative and functional items may be essential, there are a lot of things that don’t belong around the sink.
To find out exactly what to avoid (and perhaps move in as soon as possible), we asked interior designers what common bathroom countertops to give your new home.
5 things to avoid putting on your bathroom countertop
When it comes to bathroom countertops, beauty and organization are combined. Follow your designer’s advice to ensure your vanity is both visually appealing and uncluttered as a functional space.
1. Purely decorative works
(Image credit: Farrow & Ball)
In most cases, bathroom vanity countertops are on the small side. Also, when you have less space, you have to be more careful about what you display there, especially since it is the visual area of the room. To maintain an organized aesthetic, avoid adding non-functional decorations.
“Generally, I don’t want my bathroom countertops to be too cluttered. I recommend leaving out anything that isn’t functional,” says interior designer and CEO of Kathy Kuo Home. says one Kathy Kuo.
“That doesn’t mean your bathroom countertop has to be 100 percent utilitarian. Find really beautiful, purposefully designed items that are useful in your daily life, like a nice soap dish or pump, or a toothbrush. There are lots of holders, catch-alls and small decorative trays for things like jewelry and cosmetics.”
Costa Nova Pearl Stoneware Bathroom Accessories
Bathroom countertop accessory sets can add a stylish finishing touch to your space. This stoneware design includes a soap dispenser, soap dish, and tumbler.
JASAI Grooved Glass Soap Dispenser
Fluted glass gives your bathroom a vintage feel. This 2-pack is perfect for storing soaps and lotions, and you can choose gold, silver, or black pumps to match your scheme.
Sfera Pietra Marble Soap Dispenser
For something a little more luxurious, this artisanal marble soap dispenser is the perfect addition to your bathroom countertop. Matching accessories are also available.
2. Skin care and beauty products
(Image credit: Valerie Wilcox / Ali Budd Interiors)
We tend to leave our skin care and beauty products on the bathroom countertop, but after all, having them within easy reach seems to make getting ready easier.
But they can quickly take over every inch of countertop space, and items often get knocked over, lost, or broken in the chaos. Plus, it looks and feels dirty.
In such cases, medicine cabinets and under-sink storage come in handy. Keep your shelves organized so you can easily find and access the items you need. Having one shelf dedicated to skin care and another shelf dedicated to makeup and beauty tools is always a great place to start.
3. Electric toothbrush
(Image credit: Lauren Gilberthorpe Interiors/Alexander J Collins)
There are a few essentials you absolutely need to live in a bathroom with easy access to the sink and countertop. However, this doesn’t mean they need to live on visible countertops.
“I never leave my electric toothbrush on the bathroom counter. For me, keeping the space clutter-free is essential, and practical items such as toothbrushes stay in the cupboard. It’s best to keep it out of sight,” says interior designer Lauren Gilberthorpe.
Instead, allocate space for your toothbrush (and charger) in your medicine cabinet or vanity storage. That way, you can easily access it when you need it and keep your countertops free of clutter.
4. Towels and linens
(Image provided by Studio LIFE/STYLE)
While it makes sense to keep everyday items in the bathroom, especially towels like extra hand towels and face towels, it’s never a good idea to leave them outside.
If you store it on the counter, moisture will accumulate and there is a risk of staining if the product is spilled.
Instead, use towel storage such as baskets to stay organized, and allocate space on out-of-the-way shelves, vanities (vanity drawers), or hallway cupboards if you don’t have enough space. In your bathroom.
Tava Handwoven Utility Basket
These hand-woven baskets are the perfect solution for organized storage in your bathroom. Available in 5 sizes and 2 colors, it’s perfect for storing towels and linens.
Cane Basket by Sarah Sherman Samuel
Round baskets also work wonderfully. This sugarcane basket comes in a dark and light finish and three different sizes depending on how much you need to store.
StorageWorks Small Wicker Basket
For something more decorative with open shelves, these wicker baskets and soft white linings are especially great for flannels and face towels.
5. Countertop sink
(Image credit: Graham & Brown)
Of course, a bathroom cannot function without a sink. However, the sink design you choose can have a big impact on space, functionality, and ease of cleaning. Countertop sinks are not preferred, especially in small bathrooms where countertop space is at a premium.
“I always prefer undermount sinks over countertop sinks. Undermount sinks create a more seamless, elegant look and are also much easier to clean. Countertop sinks add to the visual flow of a bathroom vanity. , and water tends to collect around the base, which can make it difficult to clean properly,” says Lauren.
However, that doesn’t mean you should never choose a countertop sink. “Sometimes a countertop sink can work beautifully, like the London Basin sink we used in our pool house project, if it’s intended as a statement piece,” she added.
Removing these items from your countertop doesn’t mean they’re gone, just a case of finding a better place to store them. Although the bathroom countertop is not the place to put everyday items, there are plenty of alternative areas in the bathroom where you can store them.
