Q: My boyfriend and I are about to move into the garden apartment of a Brooklyn brownstone, which is lovely, but the bathroom leaves a lot to be desired — it's completely stark white and the walls are covered, floor to ceiling, with tile. It's a rental, so we can't do much in the way of renovation, and the tile is going to make it tough to do anything like paint or hang shelves. The storage situation in particular is pretty dire in there. We'd love to get some creative ideas in the way of storage solutions and decoration!
Sent by Christine
Editor: This bathroom looks clean and well-cared for — so you've got a great jumping off point. Who has advice for Christine?




Z2 iPod Dock and Wi...
Can't see if there are other suggestions, but shower curtain, rug, towels are the most obvious. It appears that there is no room at all for storage, so maybe you could find a small cabinet to place just outside the bathroom for supplies.
A towel rack on the back of the door?
Maybe a simple, clean room is your best bet.
first
i would get a toilet seat
with a lid
that closes
i know this doesn't help with decorating
but it may help
with hygiene
http://msgboard.snopes.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=35;t=001754;p=1
but
it does look like a nice clean bathroom
In this case it's really not as bad as it seems. It makes the bathroom look cleaner almost. I'm in the same situation except the tile and tub are a yucky yellow and a weird pinkish brown - arrrgh! And I can't do anything about it since I'm renting. Consider yourselves much luckier than that! ;)
The bathroom is really cute - a black toilet seat would look great as would some colorful towels. Muji (there's one on B'way in SoHo) sells nice suction cup towel racks for hand towels and 3M has big Command hooks for larger towels. You can get these in hardware stores. Agree that an over the door solution might be easiest for additional storage, or you *might* be able to fit in something over the toilet if it has adjustable shelves.
http://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/product.asp?order_num=-1&sku=11784780
PS - the tub floor will probably come clean with any scrub powder that has some bleach in it, and a little elbow grease.
The stark white bathroom is really beautiful almost as is!! I would hang a large, overscale piece of art from the ceiling (eyehooks close to where the wall meets the ceiling and suspend art from there) on the wall with the entrance door. Honestly, I would keep it shades of white...cream towels and rug, clear interior shower curtain with maybe a cream eyelet type fabric exterior curtain pulled back. Or bring basic black in the same way.
Toilet lid.
Shelf over the sink, just under the mirror/cabinet
Keep it simple, functional, and clean.
there really isn't much room for storage with the tile but maybe you could replace the vanity with a garage sale find? One that has more storage? And not really aesthetically pleasing but you could hang on the shower rod one of those shoe bags and use each compartment for diff. toiletries?
TOILET LID
omg all i can think of is the american inventor show and they showed how a toilet sprays up like a whale hole every time you flush and im just skeeved out ever since.
Just give in to the black and white. I'd get a black toilet seat, a feminine white shower curtain (like this http://www.anthropologie.com/anthro/popups/popup_zoomviewer.jsp?productid=983340&color=010&viewCode=b ), white towels and black accessories. Glamorous!
I also just moved into a rental in Brooklyn and have the same problem with storage: the walls are entirely tile so we can't mount shelves, and there is no cabinet under the sink. On the one hand, I do agree that it makes it look simpler and cleaner, but there is also the storage issue.
I found these on the Container Store website. They're shelves that mount to tile/non-porous surfaces without screwing in (I guess some kind of high-power suction type thing).
http://www.containerstore.com/shop/kitchen/magicLocSuctionCupRailSystem?productId=10025811
They've been out of stock for a while, but as soon as they come in I'm going to try them. They have two-tiered versions, as well.
Other thoughts: an over-toilet etagere (although I hate the way those look and they take up TOO much sapce); a toilet paper roll holder (one of those long spindle-y things; we have one we bought at IKEA for $10, it avoids having to figure out where to stash extra TP rolls)...also, pare down on unneccessary bathroom supplies! We were forced to do this b/c of the storage issue and I realized how much crap I had that I didn't need...extra body lotions I hand't used in years, hotel shampoos, etc.
Good luck!
Are you willing to renovate? I suppose it depends on how long you plan on staying there and how important it is to you.
If so, ask the landlord. If you let them know what you're doing and they agree, both parties will be happy in the end. You're not investing in anything -except your happiness for the next X years so, it's not always a loss. Maybe you can work out a deal to reduce rent until the bills are paid?
I know if I was renting and I had tenants who took care of/updated the property i would be happier -so long as I agree on the plan!
I agree, it seems fine as is although I'd get a toilet lid. Clean, no mold that I can see, no ugly colors, really pretty great actually! A cabinet in the hall outside might help with storage. I also like the black toilet lid idea.
Umbra makes suction shelves that really stick. They come in a couple of sizes. You can add a u-shaped shelf unit under the sink (check bathroom and storage stores).
I have to agree on getting a toilet lid. It's a chance to add color plus, if you're anything like me, sooner or later you'll drop something in the toilet.
you could try that under-sink curtain idea that floats around here from time to time, though it usually looks tacky. One trick that isn't helpful for storage but might help to pretty it up--glue/tape a painted balsa wood "frame" around the mirror. The wood is so light you can affix it pretty easily, and you could do a wide black frame or something really interesting if you wanted. Good luck!
Wow, people are really concerned about you guys not having a toilet lid. Yeah, flushing sprays bacteria, but don't you know that there are fecal coliform bacteria all over your house? Just wash your hands, and chill out a bit.
Hi! I'm also moving into a similar situation with my bf. Here's what we've been thinking.
To spice up the tile, http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/la/wallpaper-graphics/mibo-tile-decals-032688
Also, we bought a cheap, short curtain, sewed it into pleats, bought some heavy duty velcro and attached it to the base of the sink so that it touches the floor. That way you have all the under sink storage space. The base of your sink is prettier than ours so maybe you don't want to cover it up, but it's a good way to add color and storage at the same time! The velcro there is so you can remove it to be washed.
Good luck!
In my last rental bathroom, there was no room for storage and no space for a shelf, so I used my linen behind-the-door shoe rack for storage and placed it behind my bathroom door. It worked great and was very inexpensive.
1. Elegant, matching set of shower curtain, bath mat and towels. This is a great way to introduce some color, but I would go with something soft and subtle, personally.
2. Toilet seat lid.
3. Here is another suction cup storage solution:
http://www.containerstore.com/shop/kitchen/magicLocSuctionCupRailSystem
It is designed for kitchens but there is no reason you couldn't use it in a bathroom.
4. Put one of these:
http://www.containerstore.com/shop/kitchen/drawerOrganizers/modular?productId=10012612
or one of these:
http://www.containerstore.com/shop/bath/countertopCollections/metal?productId=10006434
On the back of your toilet tank and you can use it for storage of prettier items.
5. Get the matching toothbrush cup and soap dish and always have a good looking hand soap in it:
http://www.containerstore.com/shop/bath/countertopCollections/metal?productId=10009231
You'd be amazed what a difference a nice looking soap makes on a sink.
6. This will add a ton more storage to your shower:
http://www.containerstore.com/shop/bath/showerTub/shelvesBaskets?productId=10022356
It works like a tension curtain rod, so no damage to your tile or tub.
Or you could always go with the over-the-showerhead caddy:
http://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/product.asp?order_num=-1&SKU=11418635
Or you could use both if you really need that much storage.
7. To hold extra toilet paper rolls, use a large, cylindrical glass vase on the floor. It looks more elegant than one of those pole solutions.
8. You can hang lightweight artwork on tile bathroom walls by using either suction cup hooks or the removable 3M command hooks.
Hope that helps!
Fist: be super-grateful that your floor is tile rather than linoleum!!
The place is adorable and congrats on moving in with your boy. One of the best storage trick my boyfriend and I use is keeping two small plastic trash cans in under our renter's pedestal sink: one for trash, and one for shampoo, shaving cream, my inability to pass up a buy-on-get-one deal. Or use a pretty basket like the one pictured, same purpose.
You really can't do an etarge or much vertical with those existing shelves. I'd use the skinny shelf for hair/shave product, and corral lotions/potions in a white/chrome tray on the top of the toilet. Basically, anything that you think has pretty packaging should be on display, since your closed storage is so limited. If you want to introduce natural materials to warm the room, get a bamboo tray.
Also: only buy "flat" packs of TP (i.e. 4-pack or 6-pack, where there's only one row of rolls), and keep it between the wall and the toilet. It ain't pretty, but it's great small-space storage.
Think of the deco as high 1930s/40s retro glamour: watch My Man Godfrey or Thin Man movies or Busby Berkeley musicals. Your color scheme is black, white, silver, and one bright fun color that makes you smile everytime you see it.
p.s. I'm glad I'm not the only person skeeved out by flushing with the lid open. Ick!
The space over the toilet would be perfect for some shelves if only there was a way to mount them.
A quick Google of ceiling-mounting options isn't giving me much -- mostly bike/garage racks or swiveling TV brackets. But, if you guys are up for a little DIY, I'm sure you can make something work there.
With some anchors or toggle bolts, you can rig something up to safely hang from the ceiling. Use this as inspiration. Have a few pieces of wood and some cast iron piping cut to size at Home Depot, stain and seal the shelves, and mount it all with toggle bolts.
http://www.novadisplay.com/Hardware/cable_supports02.html
If you're looking for storage, you might consider suspending shelves from the ceiling with cables. Obviously you won't be able to hammer nails or drill into the tiling.
I'm not a big fan of over the toilet shelving, (not that my opinion matters in your bathroom) nor does it look look you could pull it off. The sink is so close to the toilet.
Depending on how tall your ceilings are, you could use the tension pole caddies intended for showers out in the main space. This one goes to 9-feet, and you could probably add a "foot" out of a piece of 4x4 if you needed it to be longer.
http://www.containerstore.com/shop/bath/shelving?productId=10022356
I had a bathroom almost exactly like this in my old apartment. I got a wonderful little cabinet from Target for storage across from the sink (now discontinued) and, admittedly, the place was kind of a pigsty for the year my roommate and I (and our occasional couch-surfing friends) shared the apartment.
We had a lot of towels - hooks on the back of the door and a bar over the toilet was barely enough to hold them all.
My roommate had a bathroom set that we used - all rubber duckies. It was kind of ridiculous, but for your place, you could do a lot with a nice cotton/poly shower curtain.
I don't really have an eye for space, but if there's enough, you could certainly put a nice hamper under the sink for dirty towels and clothes.
Storage matters aside, if you want to add a little color to your stark bathroom tiles you could try these:
http://www.huset-shop.com/allrum39s-tile-stickers-p-492.html
or
http://www.whatisblik.com/shop/explore?size=149&p=1&limit=1000
You can still drill to mount shelves or what have you. Just make sure you do it on the grout lines. If you have to move just mix up a little grout and rub it into the holes. Good as new.
Over the door hooks are a miracle and I think are more reliable than suction cups. What about hanging some fruit baskets from the ceiling to hold things like towels and toilet paper? http://www.target.com/gp/detail.html/189-2241150-8152101?asin=B00160NIL6&AFID=Performics_Google%20Product%20Listing%20Ads&LNM=Primary&ref=tgt_adv_XASD0001
I also dig keeping the black and white theme. good luck!
It's very small, but at least it's clean and attractive. I like black and white bathrooms. I'd run with the black and white.
For storage -- look for a cabinet of some kind that is a little bit taller than the pedestal portion of the sink. Cut a hole in the cabinet to match the outline of the sink, about 2/3 or 3/4 way down the sink. Slide the cabinet into place under the sink. It will resemble a vessel sink and give you a little extra storage space.
I think the mirror would be a little less stark if you put a frame around it. If it's recessed into the wall, use Velcro to mount a real picture frame around the outside of the mirror - it will look like it's framing the mirror and be removeable when you move.
If it's not recessed, you might mess around with tape or that plastic privacy film or even faux etching to create some kind of interest right on the mirror.
I'm pretty sure that shelves could be added over the toilet - you can drill holes in tile. I have tiles to my ceiling and I have several things mounted to the wall. I can't see why your landlord would object to some nice permanent floating shelves there. Ask him.
last year when we were living in manhattan, we had a TINY bathroom (seriously, the door didn't even open all the way, it actually HIT the toilet).
it came with very little storage (the cabinet that held the sink thankfully came with some very small drawers). to mitigate this oversight, we put up some shelves near the ceiling, well above head height, where we could store a few extra towels and a basket filled with bathroom items that we felt we needed but didn't need *all the time*. when we needed to get things out we just briefly stepped on the toilet lid to access them.
not the most ideal solution, but it worked for us at the time.
good luck!
plush brown towels! silver accessories!
ghunt
it is not necessarily about germs
you are right
germs are everywhere
but
some households save flushes
to conserve water
and this way
the next person
won't immediately see it
upon entering the bathroom
and
people do
accidentally drop things into it
I've always had pedestal sinks and little storage. I wonder if an over-the-toilet storage cupboard would work here? One that stands on the floor. Those can often provide a reasonable amount of storage.
It looks like you have a ledge there, so perhaps you can find some aesthetically-pleasing boxes of some kind to balance on it.
I also second the use of the door -- try over the door hangers and storage solutions.
Fill your (EASY to KEEP) great RENTAL bathroom with your own colorfull ACCESSORIES !!!
DO NOT SPEND your TIME to fix something, that DO NOT BELONG to you ....
Be SMART :
SAVE you MONEY - buy only the stuff you can TAKE with you ...
Xandra
Get a lid for the toilet.
Put me down as a vote for any kind of suction-cup chrome storage units, black toilet seat and that Anthropologie shower curtain with the large ruffles. The nice thing about not having to renovate is just stay on top of cleanliness and splurge on nice accessories. Go for the hotel look and get sets of Kiehl's products, get really nice cotton towels and maybe put a small chrome rolling basket somewhere for extra storage.
Cute stickers Rdeol!
A really nice-looking shower curtain would help a lot. Towels in a coordinated color, too. Something like a hotel towel rack that has a shelf, or a this one from PB would add some storage. It's in great shape and won't take much to personalize it.
I think the bathroom looks fine - white's always good. You've got black and white working here, which reminds me of art deco. And isn't that a marble shelf?
Get some outstanding bathroom accessories: wastebasket, toothbrush holder, beautiful containers for cotton balls, etc., maybe a beautiful tray to place containers on. Dwell for Target makes a gorgeous black and white shower curtain. Ditto on the toilet seat with a cover. Glam it up.
I would just keep this room white bright sleek and simple.
What a cute bathroom! Mine is also tiny, so my question is "storage for what, exactly?" Do you have a hallway linen closet outside the bathroom? My roomie and I keep our "product stuff" in separate baskets/traincases that you take in & out with you. I do my hair/makeup in my room at an oldfashioned vanity. I think the old bathrooms were just meant for quick in & out. What about a small white bedside Kartell table w/ those little drawers. would that fit?
I'd get some Command hooks of various kinds. The large faux nickle ones would work well to hang a few colorful towels up (choose a color for your accessories and go with that for everything.)
The flat picture hooks could hold a few decorative items on the walls.
I suggest a graphic shower curtain and something other than the standard issue bathmat - and completely agree with the black toilet seat suggestion above (or even dark stained wood one). In our bathroom, we have a little cabinet above our toilet I use for extra storage (it was white and I painted it black) - you'd have to set yours pretty high to clear the electrical outlet...but it's better than nothing. I completely agree with almost all the comments above - you're lucky you have a clean palette to work with! Your question inspired me to do a blog post of my own on white bathrooms!You can see the cabinet and shower curtain ideas I mentioned in the pic link below.
http://su.pr/3hVwhf
Oops - here's a better link to all the other white bathroom pics. The first one has a really great shower curtain.
http://su.pr/2092OW
Check Restoration Hardware for a hotel style towel rack, or if you don't want to drill any holes Urban Outfitters has a rack that hangs over a door. Also, what I have in my bathroom is a shelf over my shower curtain rod. I'm surprised I can't find an image of it. So I will try to explain what it looks like and how you might add something like it to your bathroom.
This has been a great storage solution for us. I put stuff in baskets (I use Elfa white wire baskets from the Container store because they are narrow and go with the style of my bathroom) and put them up on top of the shelf.
Originally our bathroom had a shower/tub like this one:
http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/la/bathroom/one-bathroom-3-different-uses-083537
When our kids were born we decided to take out the glass shower doors and put in a curtain.
The shelf had been installed over the glass shower door. It's basically a large molding, like what you might use for a deck handrail with a groove underneath so it kind of covered the the top portion of the shower doors and now our curtain rod. Like this: http://www.wickes.co.uk/Modern-Deck-Handrail/invt/189583 Only our was handmade and is more substantial. When we took the doors out we didn't know if we would be able to keep the shelf, thinking the doors held it up but it's actually in there really snug; tension fitting. We used a high grade epoxy and glued in two shower rod holders like these: http://www.thehardwarehut.com/catalog-product.php?p_ref=17959 to hold up the shower rod and to provide extra support for the shelf.
A 2 x 6 with two 1x1 strips on either side underneath could work. Once painted it looks nice.
how about a small leaning shelf. just a board with shelves mounted to it that you lean against the wall. It would have to be really small to fit in there, but it may give you some added space for small toiletries or washcloths.
I totally understand you wanting color and visual interest. Walking into a bleak white bathroom every morning can be a downer. Give it some energy.
For storage you could--
Get some over the door storage you'd use in a pantry for hair and beauty supplies: http://www.containerstore.com/shop/kitchen/pantryOrganizers/doorWallRacks?productId=10016912
Buy a hanging fruit basket and hang it from the ceiling over the toilet. You can spray paint it for color. Store things like extra toilet paper and hand towels/washrags in it.
Also, since you can't drill into the tiles (I assume you aren't allowed), use suction cup storage and hooks. It's not my fave cuz in my experience they don't always stick, but you could try it.
For color, the easiest would be buy a colorful shower curtain and matching trash can. Put in a rug if there's enough clearance under the door to do so. If you want to stick with the white look- find a white or light gray curtain with a pattern.:
http://www.target.com/Tree-Shower-Curtain-Set-Brown/dp/B000Y9YT7W/ref=br_1_2?ie=UTF8&frombrowse=1&searchView=grid5&searchNodeID=16051381&node=16051381&sr=1-2&searchRank=salesrank&searchPage=1&searchSize=30&id=Tree%20Shower%20Curtain%20Set%20Brown&qid=
http://www.urbanoutfitters.com/urban/catalog/productdetail.jsp?itemdescription=true&itemCount=60&startValue=1&selectedProductColor=&sortby=&id=17950528&parentid=A_FURN_BATH&sortProperties= subCategoryPosition,&navCount=182&navAction=poppushpush&color=&pushId=A_FURN_BATH&popId=APARTMENT_FURNISH&prepushId=&selectedProductSize=
On that little ledge over the toilet, put a candle holder like this-- http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/20122996 with some colorful tealights that match your decor-- http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/10135329
I like it, it is clean and the tile is much much better than some of the vinyl flooring I have had to deal with in rentals. I would put a storage chest outside in the hall if it fits and bring in some wood or metal storage accessories as others have mentioned here. Would a slim shelf fit on that wall behind where the door opens? I love a black and white bathroom with a sleek white textured curtain and a couple of accessories.
http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/chicago/inspiration/white-bathrooms-051041
I'd invest in a cabinet that you can place behind the toilet for storage. You can use little canisters and things to pretty it up a bit and no wall mount necessary -- bonus!
On top of that I'd get a lid that closes for the toilet then focus on fun accents like towels, rugs and a shower curtain.
This is really similar to my bathroom. I live in a building built in the early 30's and I'm pretty sure the tile is almost exactly the same. I was initially stumped trying to pick a nice but not overbearing accent color. In the end I loved the crisp white feeling so much (and the natural light from the frosted window in the shower wall) that I ended up getting a cute white shower curtain from Target that has a subtle but pretty silver Art Deco pattern at the bottom. I got a silvery grey bath mat and silver and verrry light robin's egg blue accesories and towels. The only trick is that a lot of my hardware is a creamy color, so I'm trying to decide what to do with that.
The point is, I think, that I'm glad I didn't get some heavy and dark shower curtain just to bring some color in-I love having a soothing and bright bathroom to shower in every morning with a hint of muted color. It's helping in my life long quest to be Daisy Buchanan :)
I second Cindy's suggestion to use a shoe rack on the back of the door. I have a fabric-backed one with clear plastic pockets in my tiny bathroom and it is wonderful for storing my straightener, brush, lotion, air freshener, etc.
There are some nicer over-the-door organizers now that could definitely help with the storage problem, but lol I feel like it might hit you in the knees when you're using the WC....if you do go this route I highly recommend fastening the bottom of the thing to the door with a little screw so it doesn't clunk around when you open and shut the door. (you can use wood putty and a little touch-up paint when you move out)
Muji sells lovely white translucent stackable bins with rounded corners and lids that are perfect for holding toilet tissue and other small things. They are narrower than wide so they they would fit in the narrow space between the pedestal and the tub or the toilet. They cost about $8 for a full sized bin, which holds 2 rolls of tissue, to give you a sense of the size. All the sizes can stack together. Or you can get one of their long, narrow translucent floor units, but I think the stackers are more elegant.
I'd buy a black mini-wastebasket at Bed Bath and Beyond for $6 and use the space you save for these stackers - and it would look better too.
You can see both of these here http://tribecatribal.typepad.com/photos/house/house-bath_2w.html
It doesn't look like you have enough room to put one of those over (and around) toilet shelf units - it looks like the sink abuts the tank in a way that prevents this.
IF there is a way to anchor this into the ceiling above the tub, because I wouldn't trust the rubber feet at all, I'd look to see if this gives over the toilet tank helps with any type of storage - or gives you design options. I think it comes in more than just white. http://www.cb2.com/family.aspx?c=598&f=5501
Check to see if the door is hollow core before you mount anything on it. If it is, you either need to mount it into the frame, see if the right type of inside the wall fastening will give you the support you need, or reinforce the wall with some wood. Hollow core doors are as solid as, oh, a good cardboard box...
try a spring mounted shelving unit for inside the tub to hold shampoos etc....Bed, bath and beyond carries them...don't forget to use a 20% off coupon that you can get online.
the BEST way to add character to this bathroom without making it look like you're trying to hard is to add a VINTAGE POSTER to one of the walls, or above the toilet. Adds color and personality!!!
I live in Brooklyn and have an almost identical bathroom (though I have to say, I think yours is a little nicer). Had the same problem with storage.
I can't tell from your picture, but do you have a few inches of wall to the left of the door frame? I have about 10" there and so I bought this elfa drawer system (the 10" one) and it fits perfectly: http://www.containerstore.com/shop/elfa/components/drawerComponents?productId=10001852
I can't tell you how much of a relief it was to fit some storage in that bathroom.
As far as other components, I agree with the previous posters: colorful shower curtain, towels, and bathmat. I think it is actually a very lovely bathroom, especially the floor tile/linoleum pattern. Good luck!
Taureg, that bathroom has real charm, and I love the Muji containers. They're a great company. I have their 2010 day planner, and it keeps me organized and entertained.
So, my favorites in this thread:
1. Over-the-door hanging storage units
2. Allrum's tile stickers
3. Anthropologie's white ruffled shower curtain
4. black toilet seat lid
5. Muji storage containers for under the sink
6. Keihl's products along the marble shelf
7. black mini-wastebasket at Bed Bath and Beyond for $6
8. tension type extra shower rod for towels
9. bath mats and towels on sale from ABC home
http://www.abchome.com/store/store/pc/viewCategories.asp?idCategory=24
10. spring mounted shelving unit for inside the tub to hold shampoos etc.
@Ghunt- A lot of people cite the toilet spray problem being fixed by a lid, but I'd contend that a toilet lid is MORE necessary because in tiny bathrooms like that the toilet seems to have it's own gravitational field- in my experience, every fumbled eyeliner, knocked over bottle of lotion and dropped contact lens case is somehow magically pulled into the LAST place you want to fish it out of!
what about painting the ceiling a glossy black? maybe with some sort of border or pattern? you could also probably paint the door to add some pop. but I could see this going in an art deco direction. strong black and white elements, maybe a gold/bronze. I'd probably swap out the mirror for something flush against the wall or a medicine cabinet with a heavy looking frame. and a slim tall plant tucked into a corner.
Oh my goodness! I didn't even see that this had been posted until now. Thanks for all the suggestions, everyone, this is really great.
Re: the toilet lid -- it's coming! We haven't moved in yet and our landlord said he'd be replacing it before we do. To whomever suggested a black toilet seat, I would have never thought of that. Love it.
Thanks! Christine
I know I am posting this really late but I came across it and had to put my 2 cents in! Hopefully you have made progress since march.
ok: I think the best thing this bathroom has going for it is that it is white, clean, and simple looking and vaguely deco-ish.
1. clean bathroom within an inch of its life untill it sparkles
2.get toilet lid and toilet paper despencer
3. ask land lord if you can replace the mirror with one of thos medicine cabinets that have a mirror on the door and perhaps replace the door handle with something prettier
4. display pretty things like perfume and lotion on the cute marble ledge including a pretty glass cup to put the toothbrushes in.
5. If you want to add colour, get a purple bathmatt or paint the door (the only thing in there that isn't tile) a bright colour.
eh, for some reason I was drawn to this post and when I really thought about it, it seems like the only logical conclusion is to keep it simple since it's best feature is it being white and clean and pretty. Don't worry, it's just the bathroom. good luck :)