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16 Gorgeous Makeup Organization and Storage Ideas

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I thought what a great idea to put together a post on makeup organization ideas. I am all about getting my home organized right now after doing so many DIY projects and I have some seriously awesome makeup storage ideas for you!

Makeup Organization Ideas pin for Pinterest.

Something caught my eye the other day, my daughter’s vanity.  It’s so organized and she has done an amazing job of doing some DIY stuff for organizing as well as purchasing some things.  

Do you have a makeup vanity?  I only recently started using one in my bedroom instead of putting my makeup on at the bathroom sink.  

The reason I got a vanity is that I had ankle surgery and there was no way I could stand on one foot to blow dry, straighten my hair, and do my makeup.  So I had my husband bring up the card table and I used it as a vanity.

When my daughter took the desktop computer into her room I started using the desk as a vanity.  It takes up a lot less space!  

I am constantly trying to figure out a good organization for my makeup.  My kiddo has some great ideas!  In fact, when we were at IKEA she asked me to buy her a silverware tray for her makeup!  What teenager asked her Mom to buy a silverware tray?  LOL

Let’s get to it then, here are 16 makeup organization ideas.

*This post contains affiliate links.  For more details see my full disclosure.

Makeup Organization Ideas

How to Organize Makeup in Drawers

If you have your makeup in drawers then you know that they can get really messy, really quickly. Then it becomes hard to find anything you want! I have some solutions for you.

The small eye shadows or blushes can easily be stored in an ice cube tray.  They look great but you can also easily see each color so it makes it easy to find the one you want.

Eye shadows and blushes stored in ice cube trays.

I mentioned that my daughter asked me to buy her a silverware tray.  She uses it to store and organize her pencils, eyeliner, and mascara, basically anything long and skinny.

You can group like items together so things are easier to find.

Another idea along these lines is to use boxes that hook together in different shapes to organize all your makeup. Here are some from Amazon I recently purchased for the drawers I keep my makeup in as well as a couple of other options.

Sale
STORi SimpleSort 6-Piece Stackable Clear Drawer Organizer Set | 6" x 3" x 2" Rectangle Trays | Small Makeup Vanity Storage Bins and Office Desk Drawer Dividers | Made in USA
  • Crafted in the USA from premium, durable BPA-free clear plastic, our drawer organizers prioritize both quality and environmental responsibility. By...
  • Experience unparalleled versatility with our stackable design, perfectly suited for a myriad of items including cosmetics, jewelry, kitchen utensils, and...
  • Take control of your storage solutions with ease by customizing your layout to suit your unique needs. Whether it's in the bathroom, dresser, vanity, or...
  • Our drawer organizers not only help them keep their new home tidy and clutter-free but also add a touch of elegance to any space. It's the gift that keeps...
  • This comprehensive set includes six meticulously crafted 6-inch by 3-inch shallow drawer organizers, designed to accommodate your essentials with...
STORi SimpleSort 3-Piece Stackable Clear Drawer Organizer Set | 9" x 6" x 2" Rectangle Trays | Wide Makeup Vanity Storage Bins and Office Desk Drawer Dividers | Made in USA
  • Crafted in the USA from premium, durable BPA-free clear plastic, our drawer organizers prioritize both quality and environmental responsibility. By...
  • Experience unparalleled versatility with our stackable design, perfectly suited for a myriad of items including cosmetics, jewelry, kitchen utensils, and...
  • Take control of your storage solutions with ease by customizing your layout to suit your unique needs. Whether it's in the bathroom, dresser, vanity, or...
  • Our drawer organizers not only help them keep their new home tidy and clutter-free but also add a touch of elegance to any space. It's the gift that keeps...
  • This comprehensive set includes three meticulously crafted 9-inch by 6-inch shallow drawer organizers, designed to accommodate your essentials with...

How to Organize Makeup Palettes

My daughter came up with this one, she took a document sorter from Walmart, spray painted it gold, and used it to display her palettes.  This is great because it’s inexpensive and customizable to whatever decor you have in your room.

Makeup pallets stored in a desk file organizer.

Office supplies make great storage for makeup! Here are some other cute options for your makeup pallets.

Sale
Simple Houseware 6 Tier Desk Document File Tray Organizer with Supplies Sliding Drawer, Black
  • Great for holding Letter/A4 size paper, folders, stationary, desk accessories
  • Top 5 tilted trays for easy accessing documents with a 3 compartment Drawer. Great for stationary, desk accessories
  • 6 mesh letter trays with black steel mesh construction
  • Dimension: 13''L x 9''W x 15.5''H
  • USPTO Patent No: US9782996, USD758487
OO-2
  • Triangle Shape: The magazine holder has a unique triangle shape that adds visual interest to your desk.
  • 2 Tiers: This organizer has 2 tiered shelves to hold and display magazines, books, and other items.
  • Made of Iron: The magazine holder is made of sturdy iron metal that is durable and long-lasting.
  • Easy to Mount: This desktop organizer can be mounted on any flat surface without the need for tools or drilling.
  • Lightweight: Weighing only 1 gram, this lightweight organizer is easy to move around and reposition as needed.
Sale
Simple Houseware Mesh Desk Organizer with Sliding Drawer, Double Tray and 5 Upright Sections, Black
  • Space-saving mesh design with Stylish Drawer. No Tools Needed.
  • Two side load letter trays, and a tray with a 3 compartment drawer. Upright section has Five 2" compartments.
  • Desk storage, File Folder and Letter Organizer
  • Sturdy Metal construction with Classic Black paint
  • Dimension: 9''D x 13.2"W x 12"H

Storage Ideas for Makeup Brushes

An amazing way you can store your makeup brushes is with a decorative jar.  My kiddo uses mason jars!  I also like these white ones from IKEA, they are cheap and cute at the same time.  Another idea, mugs!

Makeup brushes stored in pretty mugs.
Brushes organized in mason jars.

Makeup Organization Ideas from IKEA

Most people either love or hate IKEA, I happen to love it! There are so many things you can do with IKEA products. You should check out my IKEA Hacks post for some really amazing products made over to fit decorative spaces.

This is a phenomenal idea, use this spice rack from IKEA for all sorts of things! You can put narrow jars in it and use it for brushes or you can use it for nail polish. The possibilities are endless.

I have included links to the products on Amazon just in case you don’t have an IKEA near you.

An IKEA spice rack for makeup organization.

If you have ever watched a Youtube video on a makeup tutorial chances are the person has one of these.  The Alex drawers come in a variety of sizes.  The drawers get deeper as you get lower.  

These babies hold all sorts of different kinds of makeup.  My daughter has an awesome desk from IKEA with the Alex 6 drawers on each end.

The IKEA Alex Drawers for makeup organization.

Alex Drawers

These particular cubbies are amazing for a small space, like a bathroom or hanging on the wall above or next to your vanity.  Lots of hair products or makeup brushes would fit great in these.

For instructions on how to create this go here.

I love this utility cart from Ikea.  It is so versatile!

a metal rolling cart in dark blue.

Raskog Utility Cart

a three tiered metal cart in white.

This is another alternative from Target, the same idea but it has handles at the top. This is a popular item for college kids. It stores a lot of stuff and takes up a small amount of space. If you have a small apartment or small bathroom then you could use this!

I talked earlier about the Alex drawers from IKEA, now I think this is pure genius!  This company created organizers that specifically fit the Alex drawers!!!  How awesome is that?!  I truly wish I had thought of it!

IKEA Alex drawers with makeup organized perfectly inside.

Alex Organization

Makeup Organization Ideas using Trays

Glamorous trays are a great way to corral everything!  If you have each thing laid out on your vanity alone it can look cluttered but when you put them all inside a decorative tray all those individual things become one thing….and a pretty thing it is too!

I bought my daughter this tray, it’s a Lilly Pulitzer patterned tray, she has a big love for anything Lilly Pulitzer. She corralled all these bottles and now it doesn’t look nearly as cluttered.

A Lilly Pulitzer tray with makeup organized in it.

Here are some other beautiful, swoon-worthy trays.

A glass tray with bottles of perfume, a vase with beautiful pink and white flowers.
A silver tray with pretty perfume bottles.
A gold tray with 3 pretty perfume bottles and a white vase of fuscia flowers in the background.
A gold and glass tray with beautiful perfume bottles and a chanel box behind it.
A glass platter with many bottles of perfume of all shapes and sizes.

Here are some trays that you can purchase and recreate some of these stunning looks.

Sale
PuTwo Tray Mirror, Gold Dresser Ornate Tray Metal Decorative Tray Jewelry Perfume Organizer Makeup Tray for Vanity, Dresser, Bathroom, Bedroom
  • LARGE CAPACITY: Tray mirror, perfume tray, vanity tray with dimension of 30*18.5*5 cm / 11.8*7.3*2 inch (L*H*W). Made for storaging your daily essentials,...
  • UNIQUE DESIGN: PuTwo dresser tray, mirror vanity tray, ornate tray features a mirror bottom and gold finish design, perfect metal decorative tray, perfume...
  • IDEAL MIRROR TRAY: Clear design of gold decor tray, gold mirror tray, jewelry holder tray, helps you reduce countertop clutter, makes organization clear at...
  • BEST GIFT IDEA: This fashionable perfume tray, vanity trays, dresser tray, mirror tray vanity, ornate tray are not only tray jewelry, decorative tray,...
  • MULTIFUNCTIONAL STORAGE & APPLICATION: Constructed of metal, gold plating and mirrored bottom, mirrored trays, tray vanity is an indispensable item as...
GMRS Home Marble Tray, Rectangle Luxury Bathroom Vanity Tray, Perfume Holder, White Vanity Tray for Coffee Table, Weddings, Birthdays, Christmas (12 Inch)
  • Natural marble- Make of natural marble (non-resin or glass), sturdy and high quality,handmade by craftsmen.
  • Elegant Tray - This decorative tray has the cool feeling of stone and the real marble make it looks like a pretty ornaments for home decor
  • Anti-skid design - With four anti-skid pads at the bottom, to protect the tabletop scratching and prevent the tray from slipping
  • Multi-Purpose Use - According to your different needs, this tray suits for toilet tank, wash basin, bathroom, vanity countertop, linen closet, bedside...
  • Product Info - 12 inches x 6 Inches x 1.5 inches
Simmer Stone Makeup Organizer Shelf, 2 Tier Cosmetic Storage Basket with Removable Glass Tray, Wire Vanity Organizer Rack for Bathroom, Dresser, Countertop and More, Stackable Assembly
  • [Gorgeous Design] - Creative gold geometric wire basket + Golden black marbling glass tray (Removeable & Not Marble), this cosmetic organizer can easily...
  • [Stackable 2 Tiers] - (1) Each tier in different height, this bathroom shelf is suitable for types of makeups, perfumes, jewelries, toiletries, medicines...
  • [Metal + Glass] - Premium plated metal + tempered glass, makes it solider & more stable to hold, glossier & prettier to look, also easier to be cleaned and...
  • [Decorative & Versatile] - Combination Design + Elegant Look + Nice Size(10.2”L x 5.5”W x 12.2”H), this countertop organizer rack can match great...
  • [Better Convenience] - (1) For easier using, we design this stackable shelf. Just a second to assemble. (2) A creative & capturing makeup gift for yourself...

Makeup Storage on Etsy

Etsy has tons of ideas for storage, and all of them are super creative! What’s also great is they are customizable. I love Etsy!

So this one takes the acrylic boxes to another level, if you are into monograms (like my daughter is) then this is perfect for you!

Acrylic box with drawers and a monogram on top.

I liked this one because you can set it on the vanity or mount it on the wall, get things off your vanity, and clears up desk space.

a set of 5 White shelves designed to sit on top of a desk holding different makeup products.

These are small wood boxes that can be re-arranged to your desire to organize makeup, jewelry, whatever you want!  Too cool!!!

A wooden tray with slots for different kinds of makeup organization.

Acrylic Boxes

Last but probably my favorite makeup organization idea is to use acrylic boxes.  These are transparent so you can see what’s inside a drawer.  

I also like how you can see the colors of the products, and the whole look is a lot cleaner too.

You can buy these boxes at a variety of stores, I have seen them at Home Goods, The Container Store, and also on Amazon.  Here are some great examples:

Acrylic box with drawers for makeup organization sitting on a white bathroom counter next to a silver faucet.
Small acrylic cubes to hold lipsticks.

How to Display Perfume and Makeup

Tiered Trays

Tiered trays are an elegant way to display jewelry, makeup, and perfume!  Basically, you can put all your pretty stuff on here.

A three tiered wooden tray holding bowls and small dishes with makeup and brushes in it sitting on a bathroom counter.
A two tiered glass tray with bottles of Essie nail polish on it.
A glass tiered tray with perfume bottles on it with a white urn next to it and a small dish to hold jewelry.

Small Decorative Dishes gather and corral all the small stuff.

You can find decorative dishes anywhere, from antique stores to Anthropologie.  Some of my favorites have come from Hobby Lobby.  You can corral small items here and even use these dishes on a tiered tray or decorative tray.

Small white dishes with flowers and a letter in them.

Trinket Dish

Small white trays with three gold dots and a letter in them.

Marble Dish

Elevate your Makeup by using a Cake Stand

My favorite thing to put on a cake stand, other than cake, is perfume.  Perfume bottles are a work of art and should definitely be displayed.  Here are some really beautiful examples.

A very small white cake stand with one small pretty bottle of perfume.
Source: Lilli White Rose
A white cake stand holding beautiful perfume bottles.
Source: Miss Little Boujee

Empty Decorative Boxes or Recycled Candles

So you can use old candles jars, simply take off any label and get residual wax out, and they can hold lots of different things.  They can hold brushes or eyeliner, maybe lipsticks…….sky’s the limit!

A glass container holding lipsticks and a dark pink flower laying next to it.
A decorative tray with pretty classes holding makeup brushes and a pair fo glasses as well as perfume bottles.
Source: @PreetiChaulk

Decorative Boxes

Decorative boxes are great because you can put small blushes or eye shadows in them or simply use them for decoration on a beautiful tray.

A small acrylic set of cubes to hold lipsticks and a small decorative box from Kendra Scott.

Related Organization Posts:

16 gorgeous makeup organization ideas pin for Pinterest.

I hope that these makeup organization ideas have you feeling inspired to organize and decorate your vanity.  I know I am ready to go attack mine!  And I think shopping for makeup might be in order too, or maybe perfume…..BOTH!!!!  🤗

As a licensed Real Estate Agent and an avid home decorator, I strive to give my clients the very best I can when it comes to staging, selling, and decorating their homes. I have lots of experience with paint color choices and love to DIY my home so I can have everything just the way I want it. I share my ideas and projects with the world in the hopes that I can help others have their homes just the way they want as well.

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Reyuh

Sunday 9th of August 2020

Hi! I was wondering where you got the hexagon tiered stand from?!

Roxanne

Saturday 12th of September 2020

Me too!!

Laura

Saturday 23rd of February 2019

Hi I love these ideas but most seem like they’d take up a lot of counter space. What if you share the double sink counter with a spouse, and space is not a luxury? Thank you

atlaneandhigh

Saturday 23rd of February 2019

The acrylic containers can be placed under the sink in the cabinet. Also the drawers can use silverware trays like my daughter did and that works great for smaller items.

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