Whether you are a beauty lover looking for your own pampering nook or simply need more storage and organisation for your overflowing stash of products, creating a DIY beauty station can be a fun and affordable project. With some clever planning and a little elbow grease, you can carve out a tranquil, tidy and functional space that suits your needs and style.
Picking the Perfect Spot
When deciding where to put your beauty station, you will need to think about lighting, available space, storage needs and easy access to wall sockets for plugging in tools and appliances. Good task lighting around a mirror is essential for beauty routines like makeup application and tweezing. Near a window is ideal, but make sure the light is soft and diffuse, not harsh direct sun.
If space is limited, consider repurposing a small corner of your bedroom or walk-in closet. Just ensure you can comfortably sit or stand while accessing everything. Measure carefully before buying furniture or building anything custom. Consider proximity to sinks or bathrooms to tidy up spills quickly. Finally, ensure there is a power outlet nearby so you can conveniently plug in hair tools, speakers for music, phone chargers and more as needed.
Building Storage
No beauty station is complete without smart storage to organise all your palettes, polishes, brushes, and products. When planning storage, think about the categories of items you need to store and display. For most people, this includes cosmetics, skincare, hair products and tools, nails, perfumes and accessories like headbands or hair clips. Here are some DIY storage ideas to get you started:
Shelving Units
Invest in some affordable shelving units from places like IKEA to neatly arrange products. Combining open shelves to show off pretty perfume bottles or makeup palettes along with closed storage like cabinets, baskets or acrylic drawer sets will allow you to stash everything neatly out of sight.
Wall-Mounted Storage
Get creative and utilise vertical wall space for extra storage. Install floating shelves or wall mounts so you can neatly show off nail polishes, hair care products or decorative perfume bottles. For small accessories like hair clips, look for clear acrylic holders with slots that can be screwed into walls. You can also repurpose household items like spice racks, utensil caddies or even wall-mounted coat racks as novel ways to store beauty goodies along the wall. You can use Seton folding stepladders to easily reach items on the highest shelves.
Magnetic Boards
Purchase magnetic primer paint and give one wall a coat to create a custom magnetic board for holding beauty tools like tweezers. Or mount a pre-made magnetic dry erase board which you can label and stick products and notes to.
Clear Acrylic Containers
Find acrylic risers, trays, brush holders, makeup organisers and more to corral all your supplies while keeping them visible. Things like tiered clear acrylic drawers are fantastic for organising tiny items like lip liners or nail files.
Lighting Up Your Space
Proper lighting is crucial for applying makeup, doing your nails, or styling your hair. Make sure your station is set up somewhere with ample natural light. Additionally, consider adding the following:
Ring Lights
Ring lights with built-in magnifying mirrors provide perfect illumination for beauty tasks. They come in various sizes, many with portable stands and USB charging so you can adjust the height and angle as needed.
Hollywood Mirror Lights
For more classic glam, pick up a large mirror bordered by bright LED or globe bulbs. The bright light is ideal for makeup and the big mirror helps you perfect every detail.
Overhead Lighting
If you have room, hang pendant lights or a ceiling fixture above your station for an extra glow. Go for bulbs that provide natural white light instead of harsh fluorescent lighting.
Charging Station
Incorporate tech into your beauty station with a charging dock or USB ports for plugging in heated styling tools. You can also charge phones or tablets while playing music or watching online tutorials.
Seating & Decor
What good is a pampering area without comfy seating? Choose a chair or stool that works with the height of your beauty station. Think about back support too, as you will likely spend lots of time perched there. Go for soft, washable textiles since spills can happen. Finally, embellish your space with some personal touches like:
- Framed prints, photos, or art.
- Vases of fresh flowers.
- Pretty containers or trays for holding products.
- Quirky organisation pieces, like magazine files for manuals or acrylic paper towel stands for cotton pads.
- Cosy accents like throws, cushions, or rugs.
- Hidden rubbish bins or hampers.
Get Inspired and Make It Your Own
When designing your homemade beauty station, scour social media and interior design sites like Pinterest to collect ideas for storage, organisation, layouts, decor and more. Search terms like “vanity organisation”, “DIY makeup organisation”, or “salon station ideas”, which will reveal tons of solutions you can adapt. While you get inspired by others, make the space truly your own based on your favourite colours, styles, and unique needs.
The Final Reveal
Once you have pulled together the perfect spot, storage solutions and decor accents, it is time to unveil your finished beauty station. Make sure everything has a designated place before filling it up. Sit back with a face mask and enjoy having your own pampering palace designed just for your needs.
Remember to take time periodically to tweak the functionality of your station based on your evolving needs. Add extra hooks for robes, towels or capes that make pampering easier. Switch out jars seasonally to keep products visible and close at hand. Check lighting and charging capabilities, upgrading bulbs and cables when better technologies come out. The flexibility of a DIY beauty station is that it can fully personalise over time to support your routine.
Incorporate little luxury touches that enhance the spa-like experience, like fresh flowers, soft rugs, candles, or music. The joy is in the details. Having a tranquil, tidy, and well-organised space devoted just to your beauty needs will help you look and feel your best every day.
