Medicine Cabinet Organization Ideas
Between prescriptions and over-the-counter medicines, all the different medications can really add up. Having a place to keep them organized is critical for safety (especially with kids), but also for your space. Try these simple medicine cabinet organization ideas!
I really love being able to have a place for everything, because it makes my life so much easier! Whether it’s organizing kids’ school papers, making a recipe binder with our favorite recipes, or making over the kitchen pantry, it means that I can find things when I need them, saving me time and energy.
I’ve been storing medications and first aid supplies like this for years, and it’s still the way I do it today–it’s easy to do, and can be customized to your needs!
Table of contents
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Supplies
- 3-drawer plastic storage
- Label maker (one of my most used purchases ever!)
How it works
The clear three-drawer system is my favorite way to organize medicine. There are several sizes to choose from, depending on the space you have, and how much room you need. They are perfect for separating medicine into categories, which is the most helpful aspect for me. I like knowing I can go right to the pain relief drawer to find children’s Ibuprofen, and that I don’t have to search through bottles to get to it.
You can also use plastic containers to separate types of medicines within each drawer…which is next on my list! Then you can group item together, for even better organization. I’m searching now for the perfect sizes, and hopefully I’ll finish it up this weekend.
It’s also a great way to know what you have, how much you have, and when something needs to be replaced. Avoiding emergency trips to the store anytime, especially in the middle of the night, are really nice to avoid! Most dosages are already on the bottle, but if I’ve received separate instructions from a doctor for a child younger than the age listed, than I’ll write that on as well.
TIP: If there is an expiration date, I write it on the bottle in black Sharpie, so it’s easier to read and remember.
Due to different needs in your home, your drawers may contain different items–or you may need additional drawers. I have a son that’s diabetic, so we also have a whole separate three drawer system for him. Make sure to find a place for all medicines that is up high, and away from the reach of children. A locked cabinet is best, if you can, or a really high shelf that they cannot reach or get to.
Categories
I’ve assigned and labeled categories to my drawers based on the medications we have. If yours differ, just alter the labels and organize accordingly. Listed below are some of the items that I keep on hand.
Basic First Aid
- Band-aids, in all sizes, and lots of different characters!
- Neosporin
- Burn relief
- Aloe vera
- Antiseptic wash and Bactine
- Tick tweezers
- Calamine lotion
- Bee sting medications
- Tweezers and matches (for sterilization)
- Rubbing alcohol and alcohol pads
- Sterile bandages, both regular and non-stick, in several sizes
- First aide tape
- Gauze
- Flex tape
- Small scissors
- Ace bandages
Cold, Flu, Stomach
- Pepto-Bismol
- Imodium
- Alka-seltzer
- Tylenol Cold & Flu
- Nyquil and Dayquil
- Benadryl, Sudafed, Claritin–antihistamine, allergy & cough medicine for both children and adults
- Vapo-Rub
- Hydrocortizone cream
- Dramamine
Pain Relief
- Tylenol, children & adult
- Ibuprofen, children & adult
- Advil
- Icy Hot
- Hot/cold pack
- Thermometers
RX
- All prescription medications, except those that need to be refrigerated
- Vitamins for adults–including iron supplements that need to kept far away from a child’s reach. (I keep children’s vitamins up high in a kitchen cabinet–easier to give every morning!)
TIP: Include an emergency numbers list, with numbers for poison control, the local hospital, doctors, and more.
FAQ
I like to keep it in our master bathroom linen closet, on the highest shelves, up and away from the kids. The closet can be locked, or have child safe knobs for extra security.
More organization posts
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*Originally posted 2012
