17 Makeup Area Ideas Focused on Style and Organization

When you’re getting ready in the morning, easy but thorough is probably best. After all, you just woke up – lugging a makeup bag full of brushes, fake eyelashes, lipstick, and eyeshadow palettes into the bathroom sounds exhausting. Instead, you need a dedicated space with great lighting where you can organize your makeup and properly put it on.

A dedicated and inspiring makeup area is a great solution that can fit snugly into a corner of your room. Or, if you have enough space, it can be your own Hollywood glam room filled with all your favorite clothes, purses, and jewelry. You can design it with a modern appeal – think clean white surfaces – or a feminine sparkly vibe with a furry chair and metallic details.

Read on to discover how you can create these looks and so many more with the below 17 makeup area ideas. Somewhere here, you’ll find inspiration for the makeup area you’ve always had in mind.

17 makeup area ideas

A comfortable, organized makeup area will make getting ready for work or a night out much more enjoyable and productive. The below ideas can help spark some inspiration for your space.

1. Pick a color scheme

The right color scheme in your makeup area can make you feel more cozy, organized, and immersed in your environment. The consistent colors can also minimize distractions and make your space appear less cluttered. Surround yourself with baby pink walls and makeup brushes if you like a feminine feel, or opt for a classic black and white theme for something clean yet bold. The options are endless – go with whatever helps you see your space (and your face) in just the right light.

2. Add brush holders

Instead of piling your brushes into a drawer with all your other accessories, try a brush holder. This way, you can create an aesthetically pleasing setup atop your makeup table. Plus, the upright position keeps your brushes good as new from day to day.

Some brush holders have dividers for you to organize and separate your foundation, eyeshadow, and blush brushes. However, if you have a smaller collection, you can opt for a single brush holder. In either case, your brush holder should match your makeup area’s aesthetic.

To go the extra mile, you can create your own eye-catching brush holders using old jars from around your home. First, make sure your jars are washed and clean. Then, decorate them with paint and a ribbon to complement the vibe in your room.

3. Attach LED strips to your mirror

Whether you’re getting ready for brunch or a nightclub scene, you need lighting that brings your face to life no matter the time of day. Standard overhead lighting is a start, but it can cast shadows onto your face and miss certain corners of your makeup area. You should place some lighting directly in front of you to illuminate your skin in the best way.

For DIY makeup lighting that you can attach directly to your vanity mirror, try the an LED light strip. They’re great for task lighting or for setting a relaxing mood. For many lights, you can change effects and sync your lights to your pre-party GRWM tunes. If you want to test out your bold purple eyeshadow in a club setting, set your lights to change to the beat of the music.

4. Choose glass or white desks to keep the area bright

To help brighten up your makeup area, opt for a glass or white work desk. The glass can help reflect natural light, and white colors are naturally reflective too. This can help boost your natural lighting if your makeup area is located in a place without abundant natural light. Both clear and white surfaces can make your space appear brighter and more like the world beyond your four walls.

5. Keep storage underneath the makeup table

The more items you keep in your makeup and skincare area, the better you can doll yourself up. That means you’ll need extra space to stash some moisturizers, brushes, nail polish, and some makeup staples. You might want to buy some extra drawers or other storage space for this all, especially if you’re using a desk as a makeup vanity. Most desks don’t have that many compartments – definitely not enough for everything that brings your face to its fullest.

If you don’t want to buy extra drawers to stash your makeup underneath your dressing table, another option is to use an actual makeup vanity. These fancier tables offer way more room for storage, and they can add plenty of character to your room. Choose an antique vanity or opt for a modern appeal with a white or neutral-toned setup. Make it the focal point of your makeup area to shift your perspective – both on how you look and how you view your space.

6. Add drawer organizers for makeup tools

Makeup inherently involves lots of little tubes, jars, and palettes. This means you’ll need a dedicated space to organize your items. When you place each item in its own special place, your makeup table will appear more clean and polished, simplifying your getting ready routine.

7. Use storage labels for each type of makeup

If you’ve been on TikTok lately, you’ve probably noticed the recent labeling trend. There’s a reason for that. From kitchen utensils to makeup drawers, using storage labels around your home gives it an organized appeal.

For makeup, you can label each drawer with the items in it. Depending on what you have, you can get specific with a dedicated drawer just for mascara or one just for lipliner. If you don’t have the space, go broad and label drawers for lip products, eye products, and similar categories.

8. Add cushioned seating

You may spend more than just a few minutes making sure your makeup look is just right. So instead of opting for a typical desk chair or a wooden one that could get uncomfortable after a while, find yourself a cozy, cushioned seat. These chairs will add a bit more style to your space, and they’re much comfier while you’re getting ready for a night out. Choose between a furry white-colored chair or opt for deeper tones such as a rose or forest green color. If your chair matches your favorite makeup colors, you can set your makeup area’s vibe from the inside out.

9. Organize with a pegboard

In a small makeup room with little space for shelves, the last thing you want to do is add clutter. The thing is, adding more drawers or storage space around your vanity can actually create more clutter instead of properly stowing it away. Instead, you can hang a pegboard to hold all your makeup.

On your pegboard, you can mount shelves or small cubbies to fit all your makeup essentials. Plus, since the pegboard is out in the open for guests to see, you’ll be putting your personality right in front of them.

10. Include a wall-mounted mirror

Although your makeup table plays an important role in your makeup area, mirrors may be the best tool for creating an immersive space. After all, without a mirror, you won’t know how well you’re blending and applying your makeup.

Ideally, your makeup space should have at least one large mirror mounted onto the wall. This mirror can be any shape you like, but it should be large enough that you can easily see your entire face. That could mean a full-sized mirror, especially if your room lacks light. The bigger the mirror, the brighter your makeup area.

Really, any mirror will reflect light and help your makeup space appear brighter without adding any more fixtures. Try placing your full-length mirror across from a window and notice how your makeup space transforms into a bright sanctuary.

11. Keep shelves on either side of your table

In a larger makeup area, you can combine your makeup area and dressing room into your own celebrity-inspired walk-in closet. First, find the best-lit corner to place a small table, a cozy chair, and a makeup mirror. Once those are in place, you can go ahead and add shelving to both sides of your makeup area. Store your makeup items and clothes there. You’ll be surrounded by yourself as you put on your best face.

12. Position your desk near a window

Bad lighting can be the difference between a good makeup day and a horrific one. Without good lighting, there’s a chance your makeup won’t be well-blended or even with your neck and the rest of your body. That’s where light becomes so important: The proper lighting ensures that you can see even the finest detail before you head out the door.

The best light you can use for makeup is natural light. That’s why you should try to place your vanity directly in front of a window. This way, you can leave your home without needing to worry about wiping off your too-bronzed face with tissues long after you’ve left the house.

13. Include a perfume tray

If your makeup space is looking a little “plain Jane,” you can add a perfume tray to your table for a sophisticated, luxurious appeal. A perfume tray is also great for organizing everything into one area so you don’t shove them aimlessly into your drawers. Choose between a mirrored perfume tray or opt for a pop of color with a matte lavender purple or a marble-toned tray. Match your design to your room to fully surround yourself with makeup-area delight.

14. Add ambient mood lighting

Let’s say your makeup area only has one small window that doesn’t give you the proper glam light to complete your look. In that case, you’ll need ambient mood lighting to brighten up your space. But overhead lighting might not give you enough light while casting shadows, whereas a tall lamp may be too harsh. To find a happy middle, opt for an ambient light that you can easily put onto your desk.

The BlissRadia is a great example of a compact light that also adds a pleasing aesthetic to your makeup area. The BlissRadia diffuses gentle, colorful lighting or bright white light – whichever you need, at whatever time you need it. You can cycle through millions of color options to set a calm mood, or you can mimic natural light for makeup time. Through the BlissHome app, Google Home, or Alexa, it takes just seconds to completely transform your makeup area.

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15. Personalize with photos of friends and family

To make your makeup area a bit more personable, hang some photos of you, your friends, and family on your walls. You can opt for a few large photos or create your own gallery with lots of small photos and a grid-like display. To give your photo wall a more polished look, try to use photo frames that are within the same color scheme. For example, if your makeup area theme is boho chic, opt for brown or neutral-toned frames. Your goal is to set the right makeup mood throughout the room.

16. Add a jewelry holder

Brushes, lipstick, and eyeshadow are just the start for your makeup area. It can also be a place where you organize all your jewelry. A hanging display stand can show off your most gorgeous necklaces, or a compact carrier can be great for your essentials. If you lack space on your makeup table, go with a wall-mounted jewelry holder. This way, your necklaces, watches, rings, and earrings are right within reach – all while adding another dimension to your makeup area.

17. Place a diffuser on your table

Your makeup area should be a space where you can feel comfortable and at peace. That’s especially true as you unwind from a long day at work and get ready for happy hour. To make your makeup routine a more enjoyable experience and add to your space’s aesthetic, place an essential oil diffuser nearby. Within minutes, you’ll be transported to a zen-like space as you breathe in the soothing air of fresh lavender or lemongrass.

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