Your makeup collection shouldn't be a source of shame hidden in a dusty box full of stains, smudges and makeup from 2011; it should be an extension of your personal style and a source of comfort and luxury. By applying basic principles of interior design and product merchandising, you can transform a chaotic collection into a beautiful, functional display that brings your entire room together.
As makeup is a fundamental part of getting ready in the morning, like a wardrobe, you need a space to curate, collect and separate to keep everything organised and ensure that getting ready in the morning is easy and simple but also an enjoyable part of your daily routine.
Here is your guide to turning everyday clutter into a captivating design feature, often using smart furniture pieces like the ones found at a store like hogfurniture.co.
Ditch the Drawer for the Display: The Rule of 80/20
Most people hide their entire collection in a drawer, and when you open it inside is just pure chaos and an unorganised nightmare that shortly leads to most of it being out of the drawer and on the floor, but true design is about smart curation.
The 80/20 Rule
Keep 80% of your functional, everyday items (sponges, primary foundations, quick-grab brushes) tucked away neatly in drawers or closed cabinets.
Select the 20% of your collection that is visually appealing, frequently used, or aesthetically pleasing to display. This includes luxury lipsticks, beautiful perfume bottles and high-quality brush sets. These items become the accessories of your vanity but also are quickly accessible and save a whole lot of storage space.
Curate based on usage, meaning keep your concealers, foundations, cream bronzers and powders together as their own little collection. This way you have a section for each makeup step there and all together. This avoids makeup hunts for products and makes this process a lot more tidy and enjoyable.
Anchor Your Collection with the Right Furniture
The foundation of a stylish makeup station is the furniture itself and could make or break your makeup collection. Avoid temporary solutions and invest in pieces that serve dual purposes. We are now persuaded to buy cheap and then replace, which overall costs us more money in the long run rather than investing in something quality and reliable. For something that will be used on a daily basis, expense shouldn’t be a concern.
The Vanity/Desk Hybrid
Choose a piece that doesn't scream "vanity" straight away, or at least you don’t have to for it to work. A simple, sleek writing desk or a pocket desk, or even a trolley-like space offers a larger, cleaner surface area and often includes wider, deeper drawers perfect for customised storage but is also a multi-use space.
Furniture with elevated legs (rather than solid blocks) makes the space feel less heavy and more open, especially in smaller rooms. You could also position a large, stylish mirror (round or framed) above the desk. The mirror is the anchor, reflecting light and making the space feel larger and brighter.
Repurposing Bookcases and Shelving
If your collection is vast, incorporate vertical storage of some kind. A slim bookcase or shelving unit can house neatly organised baskets for larger items (hair tools, backup products) and provide individual shelves for curated displays (like high-end eyeshadow palettes or luxury skincare lines).
There is no right or wrong way to store your things as long as it works for you, doesn’t make the space feel cluttered and is easy for you.
The Layered Look: Using Stylish Organisers
Swap out bulky, cheap acrylic containers for materials that match your home's aesthetic but also can be cleaned easily and timeless.
Tiered Trays and Platforms
Instead of scattering items across a flat surface, introduce levels. Use small cake stands, tiered serving trays, or jewellery boxes to lift items off the surface. This adds dimension and allows you to fit more products in an elegant way.
The Brush Bouquet
Treat your makeup brushes like flowers. Instead of laying them flat, display them in chic vases, ceramic mugs, or marble canisters. This keeps them clean or at least motivates you to be visible while adding texture and height to your display.
Master the Interior Organisation
Even if they are hidden, the inside of your drawers must be organised for functionality and is arguably the most important part of your makeup design process.
Drawer Inserts are Non-Negotiable as they create clear spaces for each product collection and prevent merging and mess. Use modular drawer dividers or adjustable trays. Customising the sections ensures that every item has a specific home, preventing the dreaded "junk drawer" effect.
Categorise your collections; like mentioned above, separate items by function for the face. Dedicate one section for 'Lips', another for 'Eyes', and another for 'Face'. But of course you can then separate these categories again, such as ‘lip gloss’ and another for ‘lip liners’; this is dependent on your space but also on how many products you have. This eliminates frantic searching and makes cleanup instant.
Use the Vertical Space: For deeper drawers, store compacts and palettes standing upright in small, labelled bins rather than stacking them horizontally. You'll see every option at a glance.
By focusing on smart furniture choices, intentional staging, and quality materials, you move beyond mere organisation. You create a personalised, beautiful beauty feature that enhances your daily ritual and your home's design.
Author Bio: Darcy Fowler
After completing a University degree in Journalism, Darcy Fowler has dedicated a lot of time to eco-conscious interior design, exterior design and home decor, completing multiple home design projects in the process. Darcy is determined to provide interesting and insightful content with the hope of inspiring others. She has a big ambition to establish herself in the world of green home renovation and design journalism.
