Put everything that is on the counter into a basket after it is used. Put the basket under the sink after each use. Repeat. (Keep it that simple. That was my solution to a similar issue.)

Thank you, Scylla. My current vanity is actually 24" deep, and I'm planning to go with 21" next time, but it will be 60" instead of the current 36", so, overall, I'll still be gaining storage space. Also, my current vanity is taller than standard, which is awkward for me at 5'3", so I'm actually going to decrease the height. I'm not likely to change my habits - I'm almost 55, and, to me, there's more to life than changing habits at this stage. :-)

Ptreckel - Unless there's an outlet under the sink - that won't work for the electric toothbrush. It will work for other stuff, we'll see if I'll actually do it!

Do you have a question about bathroom design?

M Miller - many!

I thought this was a text from my 24 yr old daughter.! Don’t beat yourself up. It’s totally normal to want to be neat and tidy, and then be mad at yourself if you’re not neat and tidy.

Carrie, I'm about the same age as you and I had many of the same habits (I'm an out-of-sight-out-of-mind person in both the kitchen and bathroom), but what was definitely life-changing for me in our new house was proper storage. We went from a 1950s built-in vanity with two base cupboards, with four shelves that were deep and dark and useless; we added a small wall cupboard, over a towel rack, at one point. As a whole, inadequate and not very inaccessible, esp for a family of five.

I think I may have written this in one of your other bathroom posts, but in our own bathroom in the new house, we have a 60" Ikea vanity with four full pull-out drawers, flanked by two matching tall storage cabinets/towers (I have one and in the other my husband has a few things and it's also where I keep the toilet paper storage, cleaning supplies, etc. I know you're tight for space, but for me just the pull-out drawers in the vanity have been amazing. My bad habit now is keeping the door to my storage cabinet open most of the time -- it's like having everything out on display, but the door *can* be closed on everything : ) .

And not having to share with our kids, two of whom wore braces and had all their paraphernalia on the vanity for several years, is beyond delightful!

My electric toothbrush came with two chargeable toothbrushes. I keep one plugged in in the nearby linen closet, then use the other one (which I leave out but on a decorative tray) until it loses its charge, then swap them out. One less corded appliance on the counter. Also, get an electric outlet installed under your cabinet and plug your water pick into an extension cord. Store WP under counter.

AJCN - Hah! I'm really not mad at myself, more accepting of who I am, now that I'm a *real* grownup! :-)

Beckysharp - I think I'll be OK in terms of how much storage I'll have in the new bathroom - certainly more than I have now... question is whether I can (or even really want to) break my old habits...

Karen - good advice about having two electric toothbrushes & keeping WP under counter. The truth is, though, that I'm really unlikely to get in the habit of moving the WP out and back every. single. day.!

It’s your space, so do what makes sense for you.

I love a streamlined vanity. DH is a bit different. He doesn’t mind things out and within reach.

we just redid our master in our Florida home. Tins of storage. I assigned him the cabinet that will be most convenient for his needs so I think he will store things away.