How to organise your Dressing Table
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Dressing tables get disorganised and messy very quickly. Lipsticks roll around, hair clips and bobby pins somehow disappear every time you need them. And somehow there’s always eyeshadow staining the bottom of the drawer.
I know this because mine used to look organised when closed but if you opened it, it was absolute chaos. When I started properly organising my room, fixing my dressing table was one of the most satisfying upgrades.
The IVORY Method is the simple system I use to organise every space in my home so it actually stays organised. Instead of just making things look tidy, it focuses on creating systems that work in real life.
It stands for:
Inventory – see exactly what you own
Visualise – design the space before organising
Organise – create clear zones and structure
Reset – build simple habits so it never gets chaotic again
You-proof – make it realistic and easy to maintain
Every guide on this blog follows this method, so you can use it in any room and get amazing results.
Inventory
When I first organised my dressing table, I thought I just needed better compartments. But when I emptied everything out, I found beauty products I didn’t even remember owning and some of them had definitely expired.
There were also random things in there that didn’t belong at all. Pens. Receipts. Bits of rubbish. Somehow they had all migrated into my “makeup drawer.”
Once I removed expired products, things I never actually use and items that don’t belong, I realised I didn’t need as many organisers as I thought; and the less you have to organise, the better it looks.
And honestly? It’s much easier to maintain. A drawer with fewer, intentional products will always look more aesthetic than one crammed full of “just in case” items you have had for three years.
Before you even think about buying organisers, you need to see everything. Because if you don’t know what you own, you’re not organising you’re just hiding things in nice boxes.
- Empty the drawers completely.
- Check expiry dates.
- Be honest about what you use.
- Only put back what belongs there.
Also, nothing humbles you faster than realising you own seven nearly identical lip glosses.
Then measure, and choose organisers that fit what’s left. It makes the whole process simpler, cheaper, and way more satisfying.
My favourite tape measure is linked below
Vanity Drawers Are Different From Kitchen Drawers
Makeup and beauty products are smaller, more delicate, different shapes and often acrylic or glass. So you need smaller compartments with non-slip bases and clear sections so you can see everything. Otherwise, you’ll just stack products and forget what you own.
Dressing Table Drawer organisers can also double as desk drawer organisers though. I use mine for both as I bought to many for my desk.
What to Look For:
- Clear acrylic sections – So you can see everything instantly.
- Shallow depth options – Many vanity drawers aren’t very tall.
- Section variety – Mix of long slots (mascara, brushes) and small squares (lipsticks, samples).
Once you know exactly what you’re keeping, choosing the right insert becomes much easier and you won’t overspend on organisers you don’t need.
Visualise
Design the layout before you commit to it. Otherwise, you’ll end up rearranging it three times. (Speaking from experience.)
Think about how you actually use your vanity day-to-day. What do you reach for every morning? What can live at the back? Planning this now saves you time, money, and a lot of rearranging later.
For example, I knew I wanted my favourite day to day makeup at the front and all the glam and concert stuff at the back.
Drawer organisers
I would recommend the ‘Clear Drawer Organiser Set’ as they are well priced, look wonderful and will fit all your makeup. All the images above use these ones as they are the ones I have in my home.
Vtopmart Drawer Organiser Set
These come in Pink, White, Black and clear in a pack of 25 for around £15. The clear pack also come in packs of 10, 15, 28, 37 and 44. They are very good value for money and work extremely well. They are customisable for any drawer as in one pack you get 4 sizes.
The only downside is the smallest container doesn’t have places to put non slip silicone pads.
SpaceAid Bamboo Drawer Organisers
These come in Black, White, Grey, Navy and Natural in packs of either 7, 14 or 21. These are more expensive though but they look gorgeous so it depends on how much you care how they look. They are customisable for any drawer as in one pack you get 4 sizes.
I think these would look really nice but they are a lot more expensive and the plastic ones do the sme thing.
20 Adjustable Drawer Dividers
These only come in one colour in a pack of 20 for around £7. These are best if you want a budget friendly option and very customisable. I personally don’t think they look as nice but you can change how they look when your makeup collection changes.
Clear Drawer Organiser Set
I personally think these are the best ones. They come in a pack of 12, 16 or 25. They are a similar price to the Vtopmart ones but I think they are better as the smallest ones have space for non slip silicone pads and are the best reviewed especially by me as these are the ones I have all around my house!
Organise
Once you’ve chosen your organiser, this is where the real difference happens.
Start by placing the largest sections at the back of the drawer for items you don’t use every single day like palettes or spare products. Keep the most-used items at the front so you can grab them quickly without digging.
I like to organise mine like this:
- Front section: Everyday essentials (mascara, concealer, lip balm)
- Middle section: Lipsticks and glosses standing upright so I can see the shades
- One narrow compartment: Eyeliners, brow pencils, makeup brushes
- Small square sections: Hair clips, rings, or tiny items that usually get lost
Try to keep categories together instead of mixing everything randomly. If lip products are in three different sections, it starts to feel messy again.
The goal isn’t to fill every compartment, it’s to give everything a clear “home.” When each product has a defined spot, putting things back becomes automatic.
Surface Organiser
If you don’t have dressing table drawers, don’t worry I haven’t forgotten about you!
I actually used to have a surface organiser before I ever had drawers and it was one of the easiest setups to maintain.
Everything was visible and had a spot so because I could see it, I actually put it back.
There’s something about open storage that makes you more accountable. You can’t just shove a lipstick somewhere and close the drawer. If it’s out, it either looks tidy… or it looks awful.
And I quickly learned that when surface organisation is done properly, it feels intentional not messy.
Surface organisers
I would choose the ‘Makeup Organiser Vanity Cream Coloured Storage’ as itlooks amzing and has drawers, a spinning brush holder and a display case.
Makeup Organizer for Vanity 360 Rotation
Comes in a clear or a gold colour with the option of either 1 or two tiers. Looks expensive but all options are under £20. It also rotates 360 degrees so you can get everything super easily and is tall to store all your products. Very durable and can be used for lots of different things.
Again not ideal if you need to store smaller items.
5 compartments Rotating Makeup Organizer
This one can be spun round to better access products at the back which can be really helpful. It also has 5 compartments one in the middle (for brushes) and then 4 around it. Great value for money at only around £10.
Quite tall so not so good for lipsticks that you want to display.
Makeup Organiser Vanity Cream Coloured Storage
Comes with both drawers and display space and there is an option of either 1 drawer or two. Is a cream colour so goes well in any bedroom and looks minimalistic. Also comes with a 360 degrees rotating brush holder. The drawers also detach so you can use them seperatly.
Is a tiny bit more expensive than the others
Simmer Stone Makeup Organizer Shelf
I love this one because it looks really expensive but i really isn’t at all! With two shelves you can store lots and lots of products and it’s super durable. It’s especially great for perfume, candles, and aesthetic bottles.
However, there are no drawers and if you have smaller items they may not look as good.
Reset
This is the step that stops it sliding back into chaos. I do a quick reset once a week. It takes about two minutes. I put things back, wipe powder off the drawer and throw away anything empty.
It sounds small, but this is the difference between a system that lasts and one that needs redoing every three months.
It’s basically a tiny maintenance routine instead of a full weekend meltdown.
You-Proof
Finally, the system has to work for real life. If it only works when you’re motivated, it will fail. If you’re tired and still put your makeup back in the right place without thinking, you’ve done it properly.
For example, I keep everyday products at the front because I am not reaching over five compartments at 7am. The easier something is, the more likely you are to stick to it.
The difference it makes
You get ready faster, you don’t rebuy products you already own and you stop losing hair ties daily.
It sounds small, but it makes mornings calmer.
Dressing Table organisers aren’t about being “extra” or aesthetic for no reason. They’re about seeing what you own, making your space easier to use and stop buying things that don’t fit the system. Once I organised mine properly, it stayed tidy way longer than I expected and I also bought less stuff. And honestly? Opening a neat drawer just feels better.
