Originally published on Redfin.com
If you own a lot of blushes, mascaras, and eyeliners you may struggle with keeping all of your makeup and beauty essentials in order. Having a well-maintained vanity space in your home is essential to achieving the perfect look. But you might not know where to start.
In order to help, we reached out to makeup experts from San Francisco, CA to Phoenix, AZ to share their best advice on how to set up your vanity space and keep it organized. Read on to see what they had to say.
Use a mug
Grab the prettiest mug in your kitchen – maybe one with an inspiring quote – and place your brushes handle-down so you can display all of your pretty brushes on our dresser or counter. It will remind you to wear the makeup you already own. – SB Beauty
Think about your space holistically
Start by illuminating the face with warm, white light and straying from fluorescent or hued lights to achieve the most accurate lighting for color matching. Allow your statement piece of a mirror to speak for itself by keeping the area clean and minimalistic and using high quality, clear bins in the drawers for organization, designating different areas for the makeup, brushes, clips, beauty products, and tools of your collection. – Jadore Beauty
Avoid direct contact with bathrooms and bathtubs
Avoid making vanity units in direct contact with your bathrooms or bathtubs. Remember to place your haircare, skincare, and makeup products separately. You can do this using small partitions in your drawers. The option of having a lot of drawers will leave the vanity top looking more aesthetic and clutter-free. Style the space with a couple of small indoor plants or a little vase with flowers to add a spoonful of freshness and make the vanity look finished and chic. – Sohni Juneja
Add a multi-purpose light to your space
My favorite lighting apparatus is my Hollywood vanity mirror from Impressions Vanity because it has Bluetooth abilities for my music, as well as plugs on the sides to charge my phone or use my hair tools while getting ready.. – Glam by Jeet
Use storage bins with labels
When it comes to organizing the vanity area, storage bins that are labeled are a must. Labeling things makes it a lot easier to find what you are looking for without having to take everything out. You can also put flat trays in your drawers to prevent clutter and mess in them. – Cinderella Bridez
Go with a natural light source
When considering your vanity space always make even, natural-toned lighting your number one priority. You can accomplish this by designing your vanity directly in front of a north or south-facing window, or perimeter mirror lighting if windows aren’t an option. – Lauren Reid
Lighting is very important when doing your makeup. Natural lighting is the best type of lighting. Having a window nearby will give you the best results when applying makeup. If you do choose natural lighting, sit towards the light (face the window) but make sure the sun is not hitting you directly. – Rose Rosales, Rozie Cheeks
Consider an ‘Old Hollywood’ light setup
When dreaming up a space to build your perfect vanity, there are so many things to keep in mind, but at the top of this list is lighting. If you can’t see yourself clearly in the mirror, you’ve really missed the boat. I love an ‘Old Hollywood’ setup – round bulbs on left, right, and top of the mirror – not just for the aesthetic, but for how well it works. No shadows are cast, and you get good, direct, clear lighting. – Makeup Artist Angela
If you can’t install fixed lights, consider a makeup light
I think good lighting is necessary when it comes to beauty. Having a makeup vanity in the bedroom works well. The Makeup Light is my top recommendation for everyone wanting to get that bright and white lighting. – Makeup by Diana
Or GlamCor lights
It does not have to be expensive when designing the perfect vanity space in your home. Mirrors attached to the wall with lights around it are so Important for makeup. Consider a Hollywood LED Vanity Light Strip, or if you have a bigger budget, GlamCor Lights. If possible keep the walls white so you do not differ the color of your makeup when applying. – Teresa Snowball
Try and achieve white light
The make is not right if done in the wrong light. Think ‘Goldilocks lighting – not too warm, not too cool, just right. Find a light system (3500 Kelvin) to achieve that “white light” needed to accurately see the true color. – Jill Glaser, Makeup First
Line your products up in order
Add shelving close to your sink that is large enough to house all of your skincare and hair products. Then, line them up in order of when you use each. This will cut down on the time it takes to get ready. Additionally, adding deep drawers is best for makeup and hair tools. – Kim Baker Beauty
Don’t overthink it. Color coordination is key
Buy some cute storage cups and trays to keep your products organized in style. Sanitation is key. I like to dedicate a particular color or style cup for clean and dirty brushes. – City Lights Beauty
Try floating ledges
There is nothing worse than having your expensive serum bottle tip over, and spill all over your counter. It is money down the drain. Opt for floating ledges or displays over shelves, which will keep your products from looking cluttered, and prevent them from falling off and onto the counter. – Amelia Gray Skincare
Giveaway unused items
I clear out products that I am not using and give them away in a cute little bag as a gift. Makeup is not a fine wine that gets better with age. So it’s best to keep what you use and give away products collecting dust in your drawer. – Pretty Girl Makeup
Dedicate different drawers to beauty products
Consider dedicating different drawers for different beauty products to keep things organized. I love clear drawer inserts and dividers, not only do they look pretty but you can clearly see all your items. – Irene O’Brien Artistry
Drill holes to hide chords
The key to beautiful makeup is natural light in your vanity space. If a window is not an option, be sure to plan on putting in an outlet under your vanity and drilling a hole in the countertop to hide chords for a professional light. Investing in drawer organizers helps keep your makeup in a dedicated location and off your beautiful counter space.” – Ashley Fierro
