In real life, many of us live with less-than-ideal bathrooms. While we try to focus on the positives—"We have indoor plumbing and hot water!"—those builder-grade basins and depressing tiles can get to us after a while.
Fear not, Possums! We can help with that. There are plenty of things you can do to cheer up a dreary bathroom situation when you can't afford to renovate or even if you are renting.
You already know the obvious things: A lick of fresh paint and removable wallpaper can do wonders, and swapping out the cabinet hardware always helps.
And don't be afraid of the dark! Contrary to popular opinion, using a dark colour in a small room can make it feel more cozy and opulent.
Other clever ideas can elevate your blah bathroom. Why not...
Install a cute shower curtain in front of a sad glass shower door. I KNOW. Weird.
The best part? You don’t have to restrict yourself to traditional "shower curtain" options and opt instead for a regular curtain panel because it won’t get wet!
Improve Flooring. If rental floors are sad, rental bathroom floors are tragic. When I was a newlywed in Singapore, I covered an ugly bathroom floor with loose river stones (admittedly, it was my Husband's bathroom). It was probably not the most practical option, but I was trying stuff!
If your budget (and Landlord) permit, there are some great peel-and-stick tile options now.
If not, real rugs (as opposed to chunky bath mats) are a great option for Bathrooms.
There are infinite options to suit all styles and budgets. You can still layer them with a simple bath mat, hide that uggo tile, and warm up the space. Win-win!
Update light Fixtures. You can easily swap out those builder-grade, landlord-special lights from the early aughts for something more up-to-date, but why stop there?
I lovelovelove cordless lamps for entertaining, but these new lamps have a solid aesthetic that can work into your daily rotation (not to mention soften the lighting at night when you might not want an overhead). They are rechargeable, cordless, and go anywhere (even tub side).
Get some art. Hang something—a vintage poster, a photograph, an old oil painting, or even your child's latest art project—in a nice frame in the bathroom. Art in the bathroom is always a good idea.
5. Plants. Everyone loves them when they're there, but so few of us actually bother to use them. A little greenery in a small space breathes life into a space, to say nothing of improving the air quality. A fresh-cut bouquet is always lovely, but a living plant is even better (and will last much longer). Get yourself a cute planter and place a moisture-loving plant in it (ferns or orchids are perfect). They make a big impact in a small space.
6. Vertical thinking. In another life, I owned a cute one-bedroom condo in West Hollywood. It was tiny, but it was mine. The first thing I did was change the carpet to a (then fashionable) wool Berber. I also installed a telephone and vertical shelving in the tiny bathroom. It was the nineties. My father helped me build and install some basic vertical shelves that held everything from neatly arranged rolls of toilet paper to folded towels and washcloths rolled into galvanized tubs (I did say the 90s). While the materials might have changed, the thinking is still valid. In a small space…look up!
Now, I would vertically stack several sets of these nursery shelves to hold my skincare essentials. While the materials might have changed, the thinking is still valid. In a small space, always look up!
1. Better Bathroom Products. Investing in better products is by far the easiest upgrade. A great-smelling room spray and a bathroom cleaner that's pretty enough to leave out on the tank are practical and easy ways to elevate your bathroom.
I've spent years going in and out of rentals, testing many tricks to make them look and work how I need them to work. Of course, there is a limit to what you can do in a space you don't own, but a few minor upgrades to the bathroom can make it feel much more like yours.
Xx, mlk.
