Keep Bathroom Counters Clutter-Free With An Item You May Find At The Thrift Store

It's amazing what you can find at a thrift store, especially when it comes to items to use as creative bathroom storage. And one kind of item that turns up pretty regularly, particularly in states near the ocean, is seashells. Whether they were personally collected by someone or purchased for crafting or home decor purposes, these nautical trinkets are easy to find at thrift stores. If you're lucky, you might even come across a queen conch shell. These shells feature a cone like shape with a flared back, typically with a light brown exterior and a pink or peach interior. Because they were once home to a large sea snail, they contain a considerable amount of space inside — which could be perfect as storage for a wide variety of your bathroom items.

If you're able to find one of these large conch shells, it'll provide you with useful bathroom storage that doubles as elegant decor. Shells can add a natural vibe into your space, and, if you already have a coastal-themed bathroom, it makes sense to incorporate more of them into your decor. As for their uses, TikTok creator bluesofbraxton uses hers to keep her makeup brushes together — since no two shells are the same, however, there are plenty of different ways you can utilize them. To begin with, though, the most important thing is to make sure that you clean your shell before you use it.

Once you find a conch shell, either in the wild or at a thrift shop, you'll need to make sure you clean it before using it to store your items. Use a stiff brush to scrub off any grit or debris, then soak the shell in a mixture of bleach and water for up to 24 hours. The final step is to let it dry and polish it with mineral oil. Now you can use your shell as part of your bathroom counter storage.

While these shells are perfect for keeping makeup brushes off your bathroom counters, you could also use one as a holder for smaller, more lightweight items, such as a toothbrush and toothpaste. It can be used to hold a hairbrush and comb, other small toiletries, or, depending on the size of the fanned wall, for keeping your daily jewelry organized. If you use bar soaps in the bathroom or have small soaps in a guest bathroom, a conch shell could even be used as a natural soap dish.