It’s surprising what a difference a nice bathroom makes. Unfortunately, many renters (like myself), have to work with whatever setup our leased homes offer. Usually this is a very standard, neutral, easy-to-clean but very boring space, with minimal function — certainly nothing special. Luckily, there are a few things that you can do to make a bathroom slightly more useful for your needs, and even slightly more stylish.

Unless you’re talking about a new fabric, there usually isn’t much to talk about when it comes to shower curtains. (Though we could go on about the pros and cons of curved vs. traditional curtain rods.) However, there’s one decor element that can upgrade any shower curtain into a focal point: A valance, cornice or pelmet.

There's even one trick that gives you a whole new look for free.

Older homes deserve to be celebrated. They usually have a bit more character, were often made with better materials and they just have that sense of history that makes you feel a part of something bigger. These qualities were especially true for The Cardinal House, a home that was renovated by Lanie and Brent, the very talented husband-and-wife team behind the Kansas City-based RootedKC.

Though white subway tile still reigns supreme in kitchens and baths, but on the floor, it’s another story. If you can’t help but notice that your Pinterest and Instagram feeds have a lot of medallion-style floor tiles lately, we’re here to tell you that you’re not alone. Studio McGee‘s take on the trend (above) is the focal point of a seriously impressive kitchen makeover (the counters were originally black and very glossy).

A good bench can be difficult to find, especially if you need one that’s just the right size for an awkward space. The available options tend to be too big, too small, or just too utilitarian. These DIY benches solve this common problem, letting you customize a bench that literally fits in better with your decor.

Good hardware can make everything from dressers to cabinets look so much more stylish. While it’s easier than ever before to find cool hardware, authentic period hardware can be difficult to sort from the reproductions. Though there’s nothing wrong with a repro in many cases, sometimes you just want the character that a real piece of vintage or antique hardware brings to a project.