Tips And Tricks For Decorating Bathroom Countertops Without Causing Clutter

Bathroom countertops are one of the trickiest spots to keep clean and organized. They hold many daily essentials, and it takes cognizant effort to keep things in place. Decorating these surfaces adds coziness and comfort to a space. However, it can also cause clutter if the decor isn't intentional and functional. Knowing how to adorn bathroom countertops with displays that mix functionality and aesthetics is key.

Below are 10 tips and tricks for decorating bathrooms without causing unnecessary clutter. They range from DIY products to purchasable sets, and you're bound to find a countertop setup that befits your bathroom design. Daily upkeep is necessary if you want to decorate the surface and keep it tidy. The smart way to clear clutter from bathroom counters is to put most of your cosmetic and hygiene products in cabinets and drawers out of sight. Try reserving counter space for must-have items, and only keep them up top if they integrate with your home decor. Check out the list of bathroom decoration ideas below to learn how to upgrade this space without causing any eyesores.

Bread boxes were designed to hold carbs on your kitchen counter, but why not use them on a bathroom counter instead? These boxes have convenient lids with wide openings for storing bread without squashing it. This makes them handy for storing other items, like small bathroom bottles and cosmetic products. When the box slides open, everything inside is on full display to browse and thumb through. And the best part is that the stored items don't need to stay organized. When the lid slides shut, the contents are obscured, and clutter is hidden.

Keep your bathroom countertops clutter-free with a breadbox DIY, or purchase a breadbox as it comes. These storage containers are made in various styles, from industrial compartments to farmhouse display cases. This allows you to choose one that would best fit your bathroom's aesthetic, making it a stylish addition to your vanity. For example, try the single or double-tiered RoyalHouse Natural Bamboo Roll Top Bread Box to embellish a classic bathroom with light wood textures. For a more modern style, opt for the Culinary Couture's Extra Large Bread Box, which comes in glossy black, blue, or white paint finishes. 

Wicker and wood textures go together like peanut butter and jelly. Combining the two natural elements adds texture and warmth to a bathroom design. Whether it's a guest bathroom, half-bath, or master bathroom, use a combination of woven and wood pieces for a minimal but impactful countertop setup.

To pull off this look, utilize a woven vase, two wood dishes, and minimal bathroom amenities. Try a VOSAREA Rattan Vase Country Style Woven Plant Holder Basket beside a DEBETOOL Acacia Wood Riser Soap Tray and a Demigo Natural Acacia Wood Bathroom Vanity Tray. Fill the basket with seasonal foliage or a bouquet that matches the surrounding color scheme. Place small matching bath products, soap dispensers, and rolled-up washcloths on the two acacia wood dishes. Remember that decorative washcloths add a cozy touch but won't last long if anyone uses the bathroom. So instead of dainty cloths, you can also consider tiny tealight candles and loose potpourri for a sustained aesthetic.

Tuck soap dish trays under countertop bathroom products to make placement look intentional rather than cluttered. Small soap trays are decorative and purposeful. They elevate everyday items as countertop decor and catch spills from liquid soaps and wet toothbrushes. Pick a soap tray that matches your vanity for a more uniform look, or choose alternative colors and different materials to add dimension to the space.

For example, arrange Razborci White Water Absorbing Stone Drying Tray Mats over a white stone countertop for a seamless look. If you want to take a more creative approach, create cohesion in the space by matching the soap dish material to metal fixtures and hardware. InterDesign iDesign Steel Self-Draining Kitchen and Bathroom Bar Soap Holder comes in a brushed stainless steel that pops against light and dark countertops alike. You can also check out other beautiful countertop soap dishes you'll absolutely love, which are made from brass, ceramics, concrete, and other design-conscious materials. One tip to keep in mind is to stick to one or two soap dishes when decorating counter space. Using too many crowds the aesthetic, and if you need more than two, you're better off using a large single tray instead. 

Toothbrush holders don't have to stand out as solely utilitarian storage. Choose a style that matches your bathroom's theme by using complementary or matching colors and textures. Countertop decor with harmonized colors and materials looks more deliberate than random and uncoordinated vanity organizers.

In an elegant bathroom with glass accents, decorate a sink vanity with a QIYVLOS Rotating Toothbrush Holder with Sliding Lid. Not only does this corral your hygiene accessories, but it also encloses items behind ribbed and tinted glass, hiding them from view and making the space seem less cluttered. The canister comes in gray, black, beige, green, and pink colors, making it a great addition to numerous color schemes. If you're looking for something less elegant and a little more industrial, the OXO Good Grips Stainless Steel Toothbrush Organizer has a similar design but in a modern metal container with a flip-top. Plus, one of the perks of a toothbrush holder is that it's not reserved for teeth-cleaning tools — there are other genius ways to repurpose toothbrush holders to store bathroom supplies as needed.

Marble and glass bring contemporary and modern elegance to interior design, and incorporating them into countertop decor brightens a bathroom's ambiance. A marble platform beneath transparent glass accents allows the beautiful stone patterns to shine through. Plus, the glass containers feel visually light rather than bulky, making the space feel more open and less cluttered. Such classy displays look best with other stone-like materials and glass embellishments — however, make sure not to overdo your vignettes. To keep this pairing feeling light, you want to add only a couple of items to the setup, or it will start to look messy.

To pull off this look, you want to decorate your countertops with a marbled Lazy Susan, a glass receptacle, and matching white soap bottles that feel nondescript. This successfully maintains a minimalist style without being too bland. You can find similar products on Amazon, such as the Creative Co-op White Large Round Marble Board and the Indecor Home Store Glass Jar With Metal Lid for Bathroom Organization. 

Architecture and design studio principal Megan Prime told Better Homes & Gardens, "I love incorporating wicker accents into a room because of the instant combination of texture and natural material that it provides." Putting a woven tray atop the counter adds soft and earthy elements while improving organization. Wicker looks good with virtually any material if you choose the right colors and additional decorative objects. It complements wood in rustic designs, enhances metal in contemporary spaces, and creates visual contrast with stone in bold interiors. Wicker of any color works on stone countertops as long as you stick to a consistent color palette and don't overdo it with too many loud textures. Plus, using a tray or basket creates a type of stage for random vanity necessities that would look messy on their own. By grouping them neatly onto a tray or basket, you make them look like an intentional vignette rather than a cluster of bathroom essentials left out in the open.

You can recreate this look in your own bathroom by adding a woven basket like one of AuldHome Design's Rustic Willow Basket Set and filling it with neutral-toned items. Mix a repertoire of items including hand towels, fragrances, a small potted plant, and an extravagant hand soap. Don't be afraid to splurge on a fancy hand soap to add aesthetic appeal, such as the Panier des Sens Rose Liquid Hand Soap.

Antique and vintage pieces have a timeless beauty, and if you have a historic-inspired bathroom, adding such accessories to your vanity can help underline that theme. Use a dark wooden tray as your base, and line the inside with ceramic mugs, galvanized metal vases, ceramic pottery, and other everyday items. These will act as your organizers for things like makeup brushes, toothpaste, and other necessities you want to keep out. Not only is the end result charming, but having one spot full of mixed materials and textures makes it easier to decorate the rest of the countertop without being too uniform.

The best way to approach this decorating tip is by using items you already own. Grab trays, cups, and other receptacles from various rooms to create your display. However, if you don't have extra organizers, cups, and decorative vases sitting around, you can easily find vintage-inspired pieces online. Look for items with rustic finishes, such as distressed wood, acid-washed metal, and split-faced stone. For instance, tuck the Hosley Store Set of 3 Galvanized Finish Buckets into a distressed wood display like ELONG HOME Wooden Crate. Mix up the shapes and textures by adding a Hand-Sculpted Stone-Look Ceramic Toothbrush Holder. Fill the organizer with items you use daily, whether it's an assortment of cosmetics, skincare products, supplements, or anything else you don't mind putting on display.

If you're active on social media or home improvement blogs, you may have come across a trend called "decanting". This term refers to a home organization trend where people remove items from their original packaging to put them into functional containers instead. Decanting is something you should use to get more organized, as it enhances interior decor and keeps unattractive brand packaging from cluttering your vanity top. It's a great method for tiny bathroom essentials, such as bobby pins, cotton balls, hair ties, or Q-tips. Rather than leaving a plastic bag of cotton balls on your countertop, you can instead put them into a stylish container.

Apothecary and mason jars are popular options for decanting bathroom goods. However, you can also use clear plastic containers for the same effect. Dollar Tree has Caterers Corner Clear Plastic Candy Jars with Lids, which have a wide opening and angled profile to make contents easy to grab. Leave the jars as they are, or dress them up with accessories and acrylic paint. Spray paint the lid in colors that match the undertones in the stone countertop or the metal cabinet hardware. Another option is to paint the lids solid black, making them versatile for various interior designs as you transition to new styles over the years. However, don't use too many decanting jars, or you'll crowd the countertops. A set of three is usually enough to make a statement without overwhelming the space.

Assembling a tiered display on either side of a counter is a great space-saving technique for small countertops with little decor room. Whereas before you might have only fit one tray with essentials on the corner of your surface, now you can add layers of vignettes. On each level, mix aesthetic essentials like pretty lotion bottles and decanted containers with decor items like candles, small decorative knick-knacks, and bud vases with flowers. This chic organizing solution is especially good for making use of bathroom corner counter space.

Use identical tiered shelving on both sides of your counter, or mix and match styles for a more eclectic look. Try a Uneviesyka 2-Tier Standing Storage Shelf with Basket Wood Tray and LEMIKKLE Black Countertop Organizer on each side. These organizers have a similar style but use different materials, which adds complexity to the countertop without looking mismatched. This is also a good method to differentiate between two people's setups if you share a bathroom with a roommate or partner.