While we may not think of the bathroom as an extremely important room in our apartment, it can actually have quite an impact on us. We use it often, doing everything from getting ready in the morning to relaxing in the evening, so it should be a place we enjoy.
Here are 25 bathroom decor ideas to help you turn your bathroom into a relaxing private sanctuary. Just remember, you'll need to get permission from your landlord or property manager before making any paint, electrical or hardware changes!
Nobody wants to be in a filthy room, especially when you're in there to freshen up and get clean. Do light cleaning often, like wiping down the counters and cleaning the toilet, and deep clean the entire bathroom when it starts looking a little dingy. A little bit of cleaning and maintenance can go a long way.
Get rid of things you don't need or that don't belong in the bathroom. Try to keep all other necessary items off of counters and limit the items you keep on shelves.
Instead of putting your toothbrush cup on the counter for all the world to see, simply move it to a cabinet or drawer.
Make sure everything has a designated place. Keep all towels together on one shelf, put extra toilet paper in a cabinet, assign a specific drawer for hair styling products. For shelves, invest in baskets or bins for hassle-free organization.
Choose one color to paint your bathroom walls. Choose a light shade in a cool, earthy tone, such as gray, beige or white, to make the room feel big and clean.
Incorporate a few plants into your bathroom decor. Science says that plants can actually reduce stress and help you feel good.
Plus, the right plants will thrive in the bathroom since it tends to be more humid.
The bathroom isn't usually known for smelling good, so do what you can to change that. Use oil diffusers, scented candles or incense to easily improve how your bathroom smells.
Get a small speaker so you can listen to music or podcasts and unwind after a long day. Or sing in the shower. We're not here to judge.
Your bathroom should have at least one mirror (for obvious reasons), but adding a couple of other smaller mirrors will help brighten up the room by reflecting light.
Hang another small mirror on the wall or add a stand-alone mirror in the corner.
Take advantage of your bathroom's windows (if you have them) and let in as much natural light as possible. If you're afraid of people peeking in on you, simply frost your windows and you'll get all of the natural light while still maintaining privacy.
Choose simple, white light fixtures. This will help soften the harsh light from a lightbulb and distribute it more evenly throughout the bathroom.
Being able to control the brightness of your bathroom lights will help you set whatever mood you want.
Whether you're setting it up for romance or just want to take it easy, nothing sets the mood like candles.
Choose the right kind of light bulb to give your bathroom the vibes you want. The color of your walls and the natural light will affect which bulb you should use.
Showering is usually the quickest, most common way people clean themselves. But when you have the extra time to take a bath, you want it to be nice and relaxing.
Use calming, scented salts and bath bombs to enhance your bathing experience and help you loosen up after a long week.
Get yourself a soft, high-quality bath mat. Imagine stepping out of a long, hot shower and onto a rug that feels like a cloud. Your feet will instantly thank you.
Switch out the cheap, pre-filled plastic soap dispenser with a ceramic or glass one. Get rid of the brightly colored shampoo bottle and replace it with a wall dispenser. You can find chic bottles that fit in with the rest of your decor and getting rid of labels will make your bathroom feel luxurious.
Incorporate elements found in nature, like wood or stones.
Nothing ruins your day like wrapping yourself up in a cheap, itchy towel after a shower. Get soft, fluffy towels that will make you feel happy instead of uncomfortable.
Turn a normal shower into a pleasant massage by getting the right shower head. There are lots of options to choose from, ranging from those with adjustable settings to showerheads that improve water pressure.
Throw out the old faucet from the early 2000s and grab an updated one. Make sure it matches with the rest of your bathroom's hardware for a cohesive, aesthetically-pleasing look.
Don't settle for the cheap white bar of soap that leaves a bubbly mess on your counter. Instead, get scented liquid soap that will be less of a mess to use and leave your hands smelling delicious.
Using higher quality shampoo and conditioner at first doesn't seem like a big deal, but once you've started using it, you'll never go back to the cheap stuff. You'll look forward to washing and conditioning your hair instead of dreading it.
If you have a tub in your bathroom, a bath caddy will make your bathing experience so much better. It can hold your book or a few candles and a glass of wine, giving you easy access to whatever you need while you relax in the tub.
A loofah or bath brush will help you get rid of all that dead skin on your body and leave your skin feeling silky smooth.
The kind of artwork you display can have a huge impact on the mood. Just like the paint on the walls, choose art that contains cool, soothing Earth tones and soft lines. Avoid abstract art with harsh lines and bright colors
Creating a sanctuary may seem like a lot of work, but the key is to keep things simple. Implementing even a few of the above tips can have a huge impact on the ambiance of your bathroom.
Keep things simple and clean and you'll be relaxing in your tub in no time!
Morgen Henderson is a writer who grew up in Utah. She lived in the Dominican Republic for a year and a half, where she was involved in humanitarian service. Some of Morgen's work has appeared in State of Digital, The Next Scoop and TechPatio. In her free time, she loves to travel, bake, master DIY projects and improve her Spanish skills.