Woman Reveals Smart Thrift Store Flip To Finally Clear Bathroom Countertop Clutter

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They say a fresh coat of paint can do wonders, and boy does it ring true for this clever thrift store flip. With just a little bit of paint, you can take an old desk organizer and turn it into a stylish storage piece that instantly clears clutter from bathroom counters while keeping products nearby. The mastermind behind this thrift store flip is TikToker Sarah (@redeux_style), who came across an oak-wood desk organizer while scouring a thrift store. It has five compartments: two wider slots for papers and folders, and three smaller ones in the front for pens, pencils, and envelopes. With a fresh layer of paint, the entire piece got an instant upgrade and a brand-new purpose as a countertop organizer for bathroom essentials.

There are vintage '80s organizers you can thrift to instantly declutter your bathroom, or find a contemporary organizer for a fraction of the price of a new one. Don't worry about finding the exact same organizer used by Sarah. It doesn't need to have the same layout of compartments. As long as it has slots big enough to hold bathroom items like lotions, soaps, or even travel-size spray bottles, you're good to go. You'll also need some spray paint in a color that matches your bathroom's existing design palette. Just make sure it's suitable for use on whatever material the organizer is made of: wood, plastic, metal, ceramic, and so on. Since the organizer is going to live on damp bathroom countertop and possibly even hold watery beauty tools like a toothbrush, consider getting a water-resistant sealer, like Mod Podge Dishwasher-Safe Waterbase Sealer, too.

Before you jump straight into spray-painting your old desk organizer, give it a good sanding. Whether it's made of wood, plastic, or metal, sanding helps to remove dirt or dust, along with any peeling paint or glossy coatings, leaving you with a slightly abraded surface the paint will cling to better. Once the organizer is prepped, spray it with one or two coats of paint until it's fully covered. You could use Behr Premium Chalk in Black Evergreen, like Sarah, or pick from the dozen or so colors Rust-Oleum Chalked All-in-One Ultra Matte Paint comes in. In fact, any brand of paint in your preferred hue will do.

If you're not worried about moisture infiltration, you can stop at the spray paint. However, since it's not easy to keep sink areas dry and avoid messy water puddles in the bathroom, it's better to seal the surface. Brush a coat of Mod Podge over the entire organizer, including inside the slots where water can secretly pool, and allow it to dry for at least 24 hours. To take this project up a notch, add cute water-resistant decals that fit the theme of your bathroom — we love these Vandorla Waterproof Vintage Floral Theme Stickers. Or try your hand at decoupage using patterned napkins and Mod Podge as adhesive and sealer in one. Once everything is dry, it's time to fill your bathroom organizer! Put a rolled up hand towel in the largest compartment, then use the other slots for hairbrushes, gel, deodorant, soap, fragrance, band-aids, and of course, a toothbrush and tube of toothpaste.