We spend so much time designing our living rooms, dining rooms and bedrooms, but when it comes to the bathroom we usually pick a shower curtain, a bathmat, and call it a day. It doesn’t help that the bathroom decor section of most stores consists of unattractive matching sets of soap dishes and toothbrush holders – neither of which I really need or use. But don’t give up too soon! There are a few quick fixes that can make your bathroom feel like a real room that is as well-considered as the rest of your house.
1. Bring in art. Yes, it will be subject to moisture and steam from the shower, but don’t let that keep you from giving your bathroom some personality. You won’t want to hang your most valuable pieces here, but print something from your computer or take pages from a book or magazine – once you frame them it doesn’t take much to have an impact. Don’t limit yourself to photos or paintings either, this is a great place to hang your summer beach hat now that we’re heading into fall (because hats just might be the new gallery wall).
2. Swap out your product packaging. Soaps and shampoos are kind of necessary, but they don’t exactly come in Instagram-worthy packaging most of the time. One super easy way to make your products look more expensive (without buying expensive products) is simply pouring them into new bottles. Muji makes containers with really streamlined design for just a couple dollars each, and you can even DIY your own labeling with this template from Go Forth Creative if you feel so inclined.
3. Get a new shower curtain. Shower curtains are one of the first places to show wear and tear because they are constantly being used. You could always toss it and your shower curtain liner into the washing machine with some baking soda, but if that doesn’t do the trick a new shower curtain is a quick upgrade that takes up a lot of visual space.
4. Upgrade your toilet paper storage. Take your cue from luxury hotels and store a few spare hand towels or rolls of toilet paper in a basket or tray. This will make even your most basic necessities look expensive.
5. Add furniture. This is totally space-dependent, but bathrooms generally come with very generic cabinets, and a piece of furniture can be just what your bathroom needs. A bench, shelf or (if you’re pressed for space) a small stool all work well, and pulling one from another part of the house is a free way to test and see if you like it – if not, move it back!
Products: Oyster painting Minted, DIY products Go Forth Creative, Lingerie print Anthropologie, Blue Pigment painting West Elm, Do Not Disturb Hat Eugenia Kim, shower curtain One Kings Lane, Catherine Deneuve print Art.com, silver basket West Elm, dining bench West Elm
inspiration photo from Marie Claire Maison
