The Affordable IKEA Item That'll Help You Take Back Your Bathroom Countertop Space

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Bathroom countertops have a funny way of slowly disappearing behind layers of hair gel, makeup sponges, lotions, and daily shaving products. The frustrating part is that even after you declutter your countertops and try to regain some order, they often end up buried again just weeks or months later. Sure, you can buy a small stand to house some of these essentials, but that's assuming you have the space for it — something that may be limited in many bathrooms. But if you're looking for a simple storage solution for those products that seemingly keep stacking up out of nowhere, the FODERTRÅG organizer from IKEA may be worth checking out. This organizer is great for any budget, costs only $4, and can be stacked to hold a variety of loose items such as Q-tips, ointments, and hair clips. 

The container is compact enough to fit on the countertop, yet deep enough to hold a good portion of daily essentials. It also features two pre-drilled holes on the back if you'd rather mount it. Placing one or more of these sleek storage containers on the wall keeps your toiletries off the counter and helps open up the space, making a small bathroom seem bigger without requiring a complete room makeover. What's more, there are three colors (light gray, gray-blue, and bright yellow) to choose from, so you can easily match them with your bathroom decor.

The FODERTRÅG organizer measures 9 ¾ inches wide, 7 inches deep, and 6 inches tall, with an open-face construction. Again, it makes an ideal space-saving solution for both vanity countertops and walls. You could place one organizer on your bathroom counter and another on the wall beside it. Then again, it can also be used to add storage under a pedestal sink. Whatever your setup, all of your daily go-to items — like toothpaste, razors, deodorant, and cotton swabs — are just a quick reach away. Bonus: these storage containers work great for larger or less frequently used items, too, such as hair dryers, face towels, makeup kits, and medicine.

If it helps, map out a plan for how you'll use the organizer before purchasing it. For example, sorting everything in your bathroom according to who uses the product (such as "children's products"), usage frequency, or purpose can help you determine how many bins you need. You can also include an extra one for any overflow items that don't have an owner or are used only sporadically throughout the week. And your decluttering efforts don't have to stop there. 

Smaller containers, such as Goodma Clear Storage Boxes, are great for keeping itty-bitty essentials organized inside the FODERTRÅG containers. Think extra floss, nail care products, and travel-sized toiletries. Consider pairing the small boxes with labels to make it easier for everyone to know and remember where everything goes — helping to maintain the organization over the long haul.