Shared spaces: have an organised bathroom

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Joshua Twinomurinzi, a contractor and organiser, says sharing a bathroom comes with its set of challenges. On average, he says, a three-bedroom house usually has two bathrooms.

But many families have more than six members, which means that bathrooms have to be shared by three or more people.

Imagine a minimalist person sharing a bathroom with a hoarder who clings onto clutter. Furthermore, if two teenage girls are sharing one, how can they live in harmony?

A cleaning schedule is vital

First things first, Christine Tendo, an interior organiser, suggests a cleaning schedule to help divide labour.

Cleaning should not be done by one person, unless it’s their job. She says, in some families, janitors are paid to clean all spaces, including the toilets and bathrooms, which is okay.

However, where there is no janitor, then all bathroom users should be responsible for keeping it clean and organised. It is important to note that many children, especially teenagers, have to be pushed to do these chores.

So, don’t let your guard down. Keep pushing and supervising, but remember to complement their efforts. You can also find ways of motivating them. 

Declutter and organise

“Decluttering can be overwhelming, especially if it is happening in a shared space. It becomes hard for some members to decide on what to get rid of,” Tendo says.

Start by emptying the cabinets. Categorise items and deal with one category at a time. These include hair products (brushes, combs and hair accessories).

Move on to oral care (toothbrushes, toothpaste and flossers). Furthermore, sort through the shaving items that include razors, shavers and shaving creams.

Then on to skincare (face wipes, creams, oils, masks, makeup, brushes and sunscreen). Add to that soaps and shower gels, shampoos and conditioners. Discard empty bottles and expired items.

Get proper storage

You can use drawers, stackable bins or baskets to keep things neat and organised. Furthermore, find storage for bulky items like extra towels and robes.

And for extra toilet paper, you can put one or two rolls on top of the toilet tank. As far as dirty towels and clothes are concerned, Tendo says,

“Provide a laundry basket, and if it doesn’t fit in the bathroom, place it in the laundry room.”

If the room is small and there are no cabinets, Tendo suggests using toilet bags. Provide each user with one to keep their toothpaste, combs and hair accessories. This bag can be kept somewhere in the bedroom.