Avoid Overlooking Bathrooms

By Tabassum Sayeka

The bathroom is more than just a maintenance room for life where we, often-times, both start the day as well as end the day. In answering the question of why remodeling your bathroom should be taken seriously, let’s first discuss why the bathroom is so darn important. Well, other than obvious reasons, there’s more to the bathroom than we might give it credit for. The bathroom, quite frankly, is also probably the one room in the house that we take most for granted.

Think about it, when you have guests over, where are they most likely to go? Of course, they’ll probably be in your hallway or living room, maybe even your kitchen/dining area if you’re having a dinner party. But then there are the few brave ones that decide they don’t care or really have to go, that sneak into your bathroom. Everyone needs to use the toilet at some point, and you need to ensure your bathroom is in tip-top shape. So, your bathroom, really isn’t the one space that you should neglect design-wise.

Other than our bed, the bathroom is where we essentially begin and end each day. Often, what happens in the bathroom will set the tone for what will happen the rest of the day. For many, their best ideas come to them in the shower. It’s that sacred space where you can also rehearse that big presentation you are giving later that day or even to prepare for your job interview.

How a bathroom is put together aesthetically can play a major role in setting the tone for the rest of your home. For certain, accenting the bathroom design with candles, artwork, and matching towels can be just the exclamation point for the look and feel that you are wanting to project with this all-too important room in the house.

What is the one room in the house where most people understand that if someone is in the bathroom, this means, do not enter. The bathroom can offer that momentary space of solitude as well as a great place to unwind from the stresses of the day with a nice hot shower or warm bath. In this, the bathroom becomes much more than just another room in the house, it becomes a safe space.

So, as you can see, we do take the bathroom for granted a lot more than we would like to admit. And, if the bathroom is so important, the question is, what’s the state of your bathroom?

Unless you’ve won the real-estate lottery, odds are, your bathroom isn’t perfect. Sure, it might get plenty of natural light, but those unsightly tiles, cheap linoleum floors, and lackluster light fixtures are likely holding you back. Luckily, a little creativity can help you transform a ho-hum bathroom without a major overhaul — whether you’re a renter who can’t make extensive changes without losing your security deposit or a homeowner who’s on a strict budget.

The three biggest, most impactful things you can do to your bathroom are: paint, switch out lighting, and swap out hardware. Then, depending on how handy you are, you can swap out your faucets too. But honestly, those first three will really change the look and feel of the space an insane amount. Also, never underestimate the power of some great accessories.

Ready to improve your bathroom without stripping it down to the studs? Scroll on our easy bathroom upgrades that don’t require a gut job.

Don’t Settle for Basic Lighting

Overhead lighting is so often overlooked that someone should write a song about it. Perhaps because it’s usually there when we move into a new home, so we never get around to updating it. Regardless, there are some really handsome lighting options available that don’t cost a ton of money. Swap your builder-grade fixture for a chandelier over the tub or vanity to see your space transform with just a little elbow grease.

Liven Up Your Bathroom with a Potted Plant

Take a cue from interior designer Jessica Helgerson of Jessica Helgerson Interior Design and liven up your bathroom with a potted plant. Opt for a tall variety like a guiana chestnut (a.k.a. money tree) to draw the eye up and make your bathroom look and feel larger than it is.

Better Storage in Your Bath

De-cluttering and organizing your bathroom will instantly give it a fresh look. If you have a small bathroom, think about how you can improve on existing storage. Adding pull-out drawers (that sort items easier) into a cabinet is an easy weekend upgrade. Standard sizes of pull-out drawers are available at most home improvement stores.

Fresh Bathroom Paint

Once you’ve upgraded the lighting quality of your bathroom, paint is the next quick and easy update. Pick light colors for large surfaces like the walls and save the darker, richer tones for accents. Check to see how your color choices look in your new lighting before you paint, since the color temperature can change a color’s shade. Improve your bathroom wall decor by painting your walls with the perfect color. Light colors will make a small bathroom look bigger. Dark or vibrant colors add a touch of drama to any size bath. It’s no longer necessary to choose gloss paint in a bathroom to combat moisture. Ask the paint shop to mix in an additive to matte paint to keep it from getting mildewed. Don’t stop with painting the walls — purchase an eggshell or semi-gloss paint and paint the cabinets, too!

Replace Your Bath Mat

A dirty or tired bath mat is a surefire way to make your bathroom look unkempt. If you have one, there’s no question that it should be swiftly replaced. But the fanciest bathrooms have taken this a step further by replacing terry cloth mats with Turkish and Persian rugs. The tufted wool rugs are both soft and the perfect substitute for a bath mat. Better yet, with beautiful patterns and colors that only get better as they fade, they can add so much personality and sophistication to your bathroom. Usually these types of rugs are a major investment, but thanks to a bathroom’s small footprint, owning a little piece of handwoven luxury is totally possible.

Hang a Mirror with Flair

It’s sad how many of us settle for contractor-grade mirrors from the bathroom aisle at the local hardware store. By choosing a mirror with a little more personality and getting clever with storage rather than resorting to the standard medicine cabinet, you’ll elevate your space to something far from basic. Look for interesting shapes, antique or vintage detailing, or a grand size to add plenty of light. If you’re on a budget, browse flea markets for affordable options.

So, you don’t need a gut renovation to make your space feel luxe. If installing marble tile, acquiring a lust-worthy claw-foot tub, and splurging on a rain shower aren’t in the cards, you can try these simple ways to give your bathroom an expensive look without breaking the bank. So set a weekend aside, invite friends over and try these bathroom decor ideas to give your bathroom a facelift!