Calling All Renters: Easy & Reversible Ways to Add Style to Your Bathroom (This Weekend!)

published Jul 8, 2016
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(Image credit: Lauren Kolyn)

Rental bathrooms are notoriously plagued by ugly (or just plain dated) design decisions. The good news is, there are some simple, reversible ways to cover up what you hate most about this room and add your own style to the space. Introducing color and pattern where you can, and choosing attractive storage lets you put your own touch on a temporary home.

Put Up a Punchy Shower Curtain (above)

It may sound obvious, but in a small rental bathroom, the shower curtain is the first thing you should switch out. It takes seconds to clip a new curtain into place, and a brightly colored or patterned one will distract from un-fixable things, like the dingy tile hiding behind it.

(Image credit: The Curtis Casa)

Add a Statement Rug

A pretty rug ups the style quotient in any room, but it’s especially useful in a rental bathroom that has unattractive floor tiles that you’d prefer to cover up. The gorgeous rug above, spotted on The Curtis Casa, adds rich color and pattern to a neutral room.

(Image credit: Kristan Lieb)

Stick On Wall Decals

If you can’t paint or wallpaper, play with removable wall decals, like the plus-sign ones above in Kristen’s Chicago Loft. Look for wall decal sources on Etsy, including UrbanWalls, which offers sets of 50 stickers for less than $30.

(Image credit: Brooke Gianetti)

Arrange Some Art

A collection of art warms up this oftentimes impersonal room, giving it a homey feeling. Take a cue from the collection above from Brooke Gianetti of Velvet & Linen and look for pieces that follow a theme. If your bathroom doesn’t have great ventilation, make sure your pieces are protected behind glass in a moisture-proof frame.

(Image credit: Photos by Rafael Soldi)

Get a Plant (or Two)

Adding some greenery to this room gives it an instant bohemian vibe. When choosing plants, consider the amount of light your bathroom gets. Shop from our list of low-light varieties, or be sure to periodically move your plant to a windowsill in another room.

(Image credit: Adrienne Breaux)

Choose Colorful Hand Towels

Introduce color in non-permanent places, like on hand towels or bath towels that you can afford to switch out whenever you want a change of palette. The red and orange Turkish towels in Ann and Jack’s abode give the room a hit of summery color without painting or putting holes in the wall.

(Image credit: Pablo Enriquez)

Don’t Forget the Details

Even the tiniest of studio apartment bathrooms typically has a ledge for some small yet stylish storage. Look for small baskets or vessels that are cute enough to leave out in the open, and use them to hold toiletries, cotton balls, and other essentials.

(Image credit: Hollin Brodeur)

Store Things in Style

To stash larger items, look for big woven baskets, like the pair above spotted on Design Sponge. Not only do they look great, but they also hide dirty laundry and rolls of toilet paper.

Re-edited from a post originally published 7.8.16-NT