8 Things Your Bathroom Doesn’t Really Need (and What to Replace Them With)

’Tis the season for paring down and reevaluating the pieces we’ve accumulated over the past year. Getting a head start can help take the sting out of the massive spring cleaning effort in store for us come March.

With the bathroom in mind, we looked for easy swaps to help create a zen-like ambience—changes that preserve functionality without compromising on style. Say goodbye to overflowing medicine cabinets and bathtubs lined with shampoo bottles. These design-forward alternatives will give your space the refresh it deserves.

Ditch: The Moldy Curtain You’ve Had Since Move-In

Try: Margot Shower Curtain, Matouk, $198

In partnership with Matouk: Let go of the basic plastic option in favor of something with a bit more life. Cue a vibrantly patterned shower curtain that has the potential to transform even the most cramped spaces. And did we mention it’s machine washable?

Ditch: Your Tattered Toothbrush

Try: Morihata Charcoal Toothbrush, CB2, $6

We love a good double-duty detail, especially when it combines form and function. Thanks to its antibacterial properties, this sleek black toothbrush purifies as you brush.

Ditch: That Sad Soap Bar

Try: The Reveller, Aesop, $120

Streamline your routine and consolidate your bath essentials—hand wash, lotion, balm, and cleanser—into one perfectly packaged and aromatically harmonious bundle.

Ditch: The Bulky Waste Bin

Try: Rin Trash Can, Yamazaki Home, $50

In a small space, every square inch counts, and round, space-hogging trash cans need not apply. Bring in this sleek number instead—it not only tucks into tight corners easily, but the wood lid further hides what’s inside.

Ditch: The Multipurpose Water Glass

Try: Porcelain Toothbrush Stand, Muji, $6

Muji’s take on a toothbrush holder is the personification of minimalism. Simply prop your brush in one of these colorful stands and relish in the ample sink space you have left over.

Ditch: The Junk Drawer

Try: Bits and Bobs Storage Container, Hay, $10

Gather your random odds and ends (we’re looking at you, hair ties and bobby pins) in these sleek vessels, which conceal their contents in opaque color. 

Ditch: Bathtub Clutter

Try: Barrel Shower Caddy, Urban Outfitters, $49

Lining the perimeter of your tub with shampoo bottles and various other accessories is not a good look—not to mention a nightmare to clean around. Designate a specific storage solution, such as this sleek bamboo caddy, to keep things tidy and in one place.

Ditch: Miscellaneous Mess

Try: Rectangular Tray, Gaetano Pesce, $80

Limit the number of stud earrings and lipsticks rolling around on your vanity by corralling your accessories in a tray. These flexible (!) resin versions give organizing by color a whole new meaning. 

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