The bathroom is one of the most expensive rooms in the house to renovate, second only to kitchens. But 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 is not in the cards, there are still numerous ways you can give your bathroom an expensive look without breaking the bank.
Here are nine affordable decorating ideas for elevating your bathroom.
Add a place to perch
Photo: Tessa Neustadt. Design: Amber Interiors
Nearly every high-end bathroom we’ve stepped into is equipped with seating of some sort – be it a simple garden stool, a tufted ottoman, or an ornately carved armchair. Not only does the accent look expensive, but it also feels grand. Why do your pedicure on the toilet seat when you could do it on your very own throne?
Contain yourself
Photo: Elizabeth Roberts
We often see jars filled with cotton balls in the most well-appointed of bathrooms. The traditional look isn’t for everyone, and some of us like our toiletries more concealed. But one of the most tried-and-true tricks for giving your space an elevated aesthetic is to contain your odds and ends. Store your soap in a dish rather than on the sink, stash your toothbrush in a beautiful tumbler, or keep your cotton swabs in a box. Trust us – doing so will instantly neaten your space.
Replace your bath mat
Photo: Elizabeth Roberts
A dirty or tired bath mat is a sure-fire way to make your bathroom look unkempt. If you have one, there’s no question that it should be swiftly replaced. But the most fancy 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 colours that only get better as they fade, they can add so much personality and sophistication to your bathroom.
Hang a mirror with flair
Photo: Studio McGee
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. If you’re on a budget, browse flea markets for affordable mirrors or try DIY’ing one.
Input a monogram
Photo: Nicole Cohen; Design: Sue de Chiara
A monogram is a staple of practically every classic sophisticated bathroom we’ve seen. Monogrammed bath towels are a no-brainer, but you can make your mark on hand towels in a powder room, a tissue box, or even the back of an upholstered chair.
Get the hang of it
Photo: Space Exploration
Ever heard the expression, “A place for everything, and everything in its place”? Placement is one thing that great designers are always successful at. A bathroom can easily look messy if there’s clutter or no place to hang your towels and robes (or if linens are tossed on the floor). So hang a small hand-towel ring right by the sink where it’s needed, install a hook for your bathrobe, and make sure you have a rod to hang your bath towels on. These simple additions may be virtually unnoticeable to the average guest, but they can make a drastic impact on the look of the room.
Bring in a touch of brass
Photo: Space Exploration
We’ve been seeing brass and copper everywhere lately, and especially in the most luxurious of bathrooms. The fact that it’s not chrome (the most basic of finishes) instantly gives it a leg up on the average look. You don’t need to replace all of your faucets (trust us, hardware can add up), but a new soap dish, magnifying mirror, or a little jar might just do the trick.
Dress your walls up
Photo: Katherine Carter
Even though wallpaper can be costly and time-consuming, the payoff is definitely worth it. It’s not as cheap as a new soap dish, but compared to paying a contractor to install a new shower and tiles, it’s a bargain. If your space just needs some pizzazz or if it’ll be a while before you can tackle a full renovation, spending a couple hundred bucks on a roll or two can be transformative.
Don’t settle for basic lighting
Photo: Space Exploration
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.
– Originally published on My Domaine Home
