Bathroom Design
Decorating Guides
10 Easy Ways to Refresh Your Bathroom
Make a major difference in your bathroom’s look and feel with these minor upgrades
Whether a bathroom is a private sanctuary or a space used by the whole family, it should be clean, inviting and functional. But if yours doesn’t fit that description, don’t assume you’re in for a lengthy remodel. Try these simple yet strategic upgrades to give your bathroom a stylish and refreshed vibe quickly — without spending a fortune.
2. Buy Fresh Towels
If you have high-quality, fresh-looking and matching towels that work with your color scheme, you’re a step ahead. Otherwise, splurge on a new set and behold how they elevate the whole room. Plush white towels add a spa-like vibe; waffle and peshtemal towels add an organic modern or beachy feel. And colorful, patterned towels instantly perk up a boring bathroom — and stay looking fresh a lot longer, especially if kids are using them.
Towels can be folded or rolled neatly and placed on shelves and towel racks. If space allows, a basket of rolled-up hand towels on or near your vanity counter looks finished and is convenient too.
How to Organize Your Sheets and Towels
If you have high-quality, fresh-looking and matching towels that work with your color scheme, you’re a step ahead. Otherwise, splurge on a new set and behold how they elevate the whole room. Plush white towels add a spa-like vibe; waffle and peshtemal towels add an organic modern or beachy feel. And colorful, patterned towels instantly perk up a boring bathroom — and stay looking fresh a lot longer, especially if kids are using them.
Towels can be folded or rolled neatly and placed on shelves and towel racks. If space allows, a basket of rolled-up hand towels on or near your vanity counter looks finished and is convenient too.
How to Organize Your Sheets and Towels
3. Swap Your Shower Curtain
A new shower curtain that complements fresh new towels ties the whole bathroom together. But there’s more to making the curtain look fantastic than just coordinating its colors with your other finishes.
A thick cotton or linen shower curtain paired with a liner tends to look more luxurious than a lightweight nylon curtain, for example. It will look most elegant on a solid metal rod with matching rings — consider a curved rod to create more elbow room inside the shower. Installing the rod close to the ceiling can make the room feel taller, but you want to ensure the curtain covers the whole front of the tub (without touching the floor). Width matters too: You want the fabric to have generous folds even when it’s fully open. Designers often custom-design shower curtains or double them up to get the right proportions.
8 Steps to Finding Your Design Style Using Ideabooks
A new shower curtain that complements fresh new towels ties the whole bathroom together. But there’s more to making the curtain look fantastic than just coordinating its colors with your other finishes.
A thick cotton or linen shower curtain paired with a liner tends to look more luxurious than a lightweight nylon curtain, for example. It will look most elegant on a solid metal rod with matching rings — consider a curved rod to create more elbow room inside the shower. Installing the rod close to the ceiling can make the room feel taller, but you want to ensure the curtain covers the whole front of the tub (without touching the floor). Width matters too: You want the fabric to have generous folds even when it’s fully open. Designers often custom-design shower curtains or double them up to get the right proportions.
8 Steps to Finding Your Design Style Using Ideabooks
4. Add a Bath Rug
You probably already have a 20-by-30-inch nonslip mat to absorb water when you step out of the shower or bath. If your bathroom is very small, replacing it with a similarly sized design that coordinates with your other bath linens is a quick and inexpensive way to tie those elements together. But if your bathroom is somewhat spacious — or if your floors are unattractive — scaling up to a chic bath rug or long runner that covers more floor area makes a design statement and adds a warm, luxurious touch. It’s also a low-commitment way to introduce a bold color and pattern into an otherwise neutral color scheme.
Bath rugs can be made from any material that’s absorbent and soft underfoot. Cotton is classic, but naturally mildew-resistant wool is a great choice too. Whichever style you choose, pair it with a nonslip rug pad and triple check that its color won’t bleed onto your floor.
Shop for bath mats and rugs
You probably already have a 20-by-30-inch nonslip mat to absorb water when you step out of the shower or bath. If your bathroom is very small, replacing it with a similarly sized design that coordinates with your other bath linens is a quick and inexpensive way to tie those elements together. But if your bathroom is somewhat spacious — or if your floors are unattractive — scaling up to a chic bath rug or long runner that covers more floor area makes a design statement and adds a warm, luxurious touch. It’s also a low-commitment way to introduce a bold color and pattern into an otherwise neutral color scheme.
Bath rugs can be made from any material that’s absorbent and soft underfoot. Cotton is classic, but naturally mildew-resistant wool is a great choice too. Whichever style you choose, pair it with a nonslip rug pad and triple check that its color won’t bleed onto your floor.
Shop for bath mats and rugs
5. Hang New Artwork
There’s nothing quite like art to bring color and personality to a space. And as a bonus, it’s easy to switch out when the mood strikes.
But which artwork should you choose? Moisture is dangerous for paintings and works on paper, and it can damage matting and delicate frames too. The safest choice is to choose inexpensive, durable pieces that are replaceable, such as framed photographs or prints, or prints on canvas with a latex coating. Ceramic or metal wall sculpture is durable and can look fabulous too. You can further mitigate risk of damage by keeping your exhaust fan running during a bath or shower.
As for where to place it, aim for your new artwork — or your cluster of artwork — to occupy about two-thirds of the space above a feature like a tub or toilet.
There’s nothing quite like art to bring color and personality to a space. And as a bonus, it’s easy to switch out when the mood strikes.
But which artwork should you choose? Moisture is dangerous for paintings and works on paper, and it can damage matting and delicate frames too. The safest choice is to choose inexpensive, durable pieces that are replaceable, such as framed photographs or prints, or prints on canvas with a latex coating. Ceramic or metal wall sculpture is durable and can look fabulous too. You can further mitigate risk of damage by keeping your exhaust fan running during a bath or shower.
As for where to place it, aim for your new artwork — or your cluster of artwork — to occupy about two-thirds of the space above a feature like a tub or toilet.
6. Elevate Your Accessories
To keep your countertops clear and tidy, try to stow most of your products in a cabinet or drawer. One obvious exception is your hand soap. Find one in a beautiful dispenser or decant soap into an elegant refillable bottle. If you also use hand lotion, buy a matching set and place the pair on a tray.
Grouping items on trays makes the items looks more intentional, plus you can simply lift the tray to clean underneath. So consider decanting anything else you must have on your counter, such as cotton balls and swabs or tissues, into pretty canisters and corralling them on a tray. A flower, plant or even a sprig of eucalyptus is a fresh finishing touch.
While you’re decanting, don’t forget about the products in your shower or bath. Choose matching nonbreakable bottles with easily readable labels, or install a wall-mounted dispenser.
Designer Secrets for a Perfectly Styled Bathroom
Shop for bathroom accessories
To keep your countertops clear and tidy, try to stow most of your products in a cabinet or drawer. One obvious exception is your hand soap. Find one in a beautiful dispenser or decant soap into an elegant refillable bottle. If you also use hand lotion, buy a matching set and place the pair on a tray.
Grouping items on trays makes the items looks more intentional, plus you can simply lift the tray to clean underneath. So consider decanting anything else you must have on your counter, such as cotton balls and swabs or tissues, into pretty canisters and corralling them on a tray. A flower, plant or even a sprig of eucalyptus is a fresh finishing touch.
While you’re decanting, don’t forget about the products in your shower or bath. Choose matching nonbreakable bottles with easily readable labels, or install a wall-mounted dispenser.
Designer Secrets for a Perfectly Styled Bathroom
Shop for bathroom accessories
7. Upgrade Your Window Treatment
If your current window treatment doesn’t go with your new linens or enhance the look of your bathroom — or worse, leaves you feeling exposed — it’s time for a new one.
When selecting a window treatment, look for a design that lets in sunlight while providing privacy both during the day and at night. You also want it to allow for airflow and withstand moist environments. Beyond that, the options are endless.
In a sleek, modern bathroom, the best window treatment might be one that’s virtually invisible when it’s open, such as a roller blind. Cafe curtains and shutters complement a more traditional decorating scheme. A classic choice that works in nearly any bathroom is a Roman shade. Top-down, bottom-up versions offer privacy while letting in light, and they’re available in beautiful fabrics as well as woven wood. Note that you may need to line the latter for sufficient privacy.
Bathroom Windows That Pull In Light and Add Privacy Too
If your current window treatment doesn’t go with your new linens or enhance the look of your bathroom — or worse, leaves you feeling exposed — it’s time for a new one.
When selecting a window treatment, look for a design that lets in sunlight while providing privacy both during the day and at night. You also want it to allow for airflow and withstand moist environments. Beyond that, the options are endless.
In a sleek, modern bathroom, the best window treatment might be one that’s virtually invisible when it’s open, such as a roller blind. Cafe curtains and shutters complement a more traditional decorating scheme. A classic choice that works in nearly any bathroom is a Roman shade. Top-down, bottom-up versions offer privacy while letting in light, and they’re available in beautiful fabrics as well as woven wood. Note that you may need to line the latter for sufficient privacy.
Bathroom Windows That Pull In Light and Add Privacy Too
8. Modernize Your Mirror
In years past, homeowners basically had two choices for a bathroom mirror: a small, utilitarian medicine cabinet or a frameless wall-to-wall mirror. Today the options are vast, from highly decorative to high-tech.
New mirrors and mirrored medicine cabinets that are backlit or framed in integrated LED lights can provide even illumination for makeup application as well as ambient light. Some of the latest on the market have adjustable light temperature and even display data from a smart device, such as a smartwatch or scale.
A traditional mirror or mirrored medicine cabinet with a decorative frame can have just as big a visual impact as one with lots of electronic bells and whistles. Just ensure that it’s made specifically for a bathroom, with tempered glass, and correctly mounted and proportioned for your space. A few of rules of thumb are that a mirror should be at least 2 inches wider than the sink, no wider than the vanity and hung at about eye level for whoever will use it.
How to Choose a Bathroom Mirror
Shop for a bathroom mirror
In years past, homeowners basically had two choices for a bathroom mirror: a small, utilitarian medicine cabinet or a frameless wall-to-wall mirror. Today the options are vast, from highly decorative to high-tech.
New mirrors and mirrored medicine cabinets that are backlit or framed in integrated LED lights can provide even illumination for makeup application as well as ambient light. Some of the latest on the market have adjustable light temperature and even display data from a smart device, such as a smartwatch or scale.
A traditional mirror or mirrored medicine cabinet with a decorative frame can have just as big a visual impact as one with lots of electronic bells and whistles. Just ensure that it’s made specifically for a bathroom, with tempered glass, and correctly mounted and proportioned for your space. A few of rules of thumb are that a mirror should be at least 2 inches wider than the sink, no wider than the vanity and hung at about eye level for whoever will use it.
How to Choose a Bathroom Mirror
Shop for a bathroom mirror
9. Update Your Cabinet Hardware
Knobs and pulls are small in size compared with the other elements in a bathroom. But they can revive a tired vanity and lend the entire room personality— and they’re so fun to pick out!
Consider polished chrome, natural brass or brushed nickel for a classic look that complements most design styles. Glass adds a vintage feel as well as a bit of glam, while matte black or gunmetal have a more modern edge. Try to stick to all the same finish (both metal and texture) for your cabinet hardware, but don’t be afraid to contrast it with your plumbing fixtures or lighting. Using just one finish can tie a room together, but sometimes mixing it up is a lot more interesting. Let your eye be the judge.
Replacing a knob with a knob is a cinch. Replacing a pull is easy, too, if you choose a design with the same hole center (the distance between the screws). Replacing a knob with a pull is a little more involved, but a backplate can eliminate the need to patch old holes and touch up the paint.
Shop for cabinet hardware
Knobs and pulls are small in size compared with the other elements in a bathroom. But they can revive a tired vanity and lend the entire room personality— and they’re so fun to pick out!
Consider polished chrome, natural brass or brushed nickel for a classic look that complements most design styles. Glass adds a vintage feel as well as a bit of glam, while matte black or gunmetal have a more modern edge. Try to stick to all the same finish (both metal and texture) for your cabinet hardware, but don’t be afraid to contrast it with your plumbing fixtures or lighting. Using just one finish can tie a room together, but sometimes mixing it up is a lot more interesting. Let your eye be the judge.
Replacing a knob with a knob is a cinch. Replacing a pull is easy, too, if you choose a design with the same hole center (the distance between the screws). Replacing a knob with a pull is a little more involved, but a backplate can eliminate the need to patch old holes and touch up the paint.
Shop for cabinet hardware
10. Level Up Your Lighting
Lighting is often called the jewelry of a room, but given its functional importance, especially in a bathroom, that analogy might be selling it a bit short.
One easy way to improve the functionality, safety and look of a bathroom through lighting is to add hidden LED strips. They can be placed under toe kicks, shelves and cabinets, boosting ambient light during the day and providing soft illumination at night. Waterproof versions can illuminate your shower niche or threshold, improving visibility. The strips can be hardwired by an electrician, but they’re also available in plug-in and rechargeable versions.
Some light fixtures are designed to be virtually invisible. The rest, including your vanity sconces, should work hard and also look great. The easiest approach is to keep your new sconces in the same locations as the old ones, but if your vanity sconces are overhead, you may want to hire an electrician to move them to either side of your mirror. This will provide more even lighting and an up-to-date look.
Tip: Be sure to check whether fixtures are damp- or wet-rated and to adhere to local code when replacing or moving fixtures.
Your Guide to Perfect Bathroom Vanity Lighting
Tell us: What small updates made a big difference in your bathroom? Share in the Comments.
More on Houzz
Read more stories about bathroom design
Find a bathroom remodeler
Shop for bathroom products
Lighting is often called the jewelry of a room, but given its functional importance, especially in a bathroom, that analogy might be selling it a bit short.
One easy way to improve the functionality, safety and look of a bathroom through lighting is to add hidden LED strips. They can be placed under toe kicks, shelves and cabinets, boosting ambient light during the day and providing soft illumination at night. Waterproof versions can illuminate your shower niche or threshold, improving visibility. The strips can be hardwired by an electrician, but they’re also available in plug-in and rechargeable versions.
Some light fixtures are designed to be virtually invisible. The rest, including your vanity sconces, should work hard and also look great. The easiest approach is to keep your new sconces in the same locations as the old ones, but if your vanity sconces are overhead, you may want to hire an electrician to move them to either side of your mirror. This will provide more even lighting and an up-to-date look.
Tip: Be sure to check whether fixtures are damp- or wet-rated and to adhere to local code when replacing or moving fixtures.
Your Guide to Perfect Bathroom Vanity Lighting
Tell us: What small updates made a big difference in your bathroom? Share in the Comments.
More on Houzz
Read more stories about bathroom design
Find a bathroom remodeler
Shop for bathroom products
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Visualizing what your “after” bathroom could look like is much harder if your “before” is cluttered with products, tools and “organizers” that just attract more stuff. Plus, clutter doesn’t just make a bathroom look unattractive — it hogs storage and work space and makes it harder to clean.
Before purchasing anything for your bathroom, clear every surface and go through every drawer, throwing away any expired or nearly empty products. Try to reduce the products you keep to those you love and use daily.
Once surfaces and storage areas are empty, give the bathroom a thorough cleaning. That includes your grout and your glass shower door, if you have one. This is the time to recaulk, too, if you notice gaps or mildew stains.
How to Create a Joyful, Clutter-Free Bathroom
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