How a Stager Would Transform a Cramped Bathroom with $206

published Sep 29, 2025
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Two sconces above gold frame mirror hung above wooden vanity with marble top in newly renovated bathroom with a grey tiled bathroom.
Credit: Viv Yapp

Whether you’re selling your home, moving to a new one, or simply bored with how things look around the house, it can be nice to switch things up. Rearranging your furniture, decluttering old boxes of stuff, or adding an accent piece or two can be nice, but sometimes you just want to start over completely. That can feel both financially and logistically daunting — even in a smaller part of the house like a bathroom, whether it’s an en suite or the half bath next to the kitchen.

If your bathroom is especially small or unusually shaped — something I’m very familiar with as a longtime New York City apartment dweller — it can feel even more challenging to find items that are practical, good-looking, and actually fit the space you have. Fortunately there are plenty of people out there, like interior designer and home stager Jalessi Aviles of Boston Modern Staging, who have made it their life’s work to ensure every room in a home lives up to its potential — even on a smaller budget. Below, Aviles shows how she’d transform a cramped bathroom for less than $250 using only items found at Walmart.

Better Homes & Gardens Juliet Over-the-Toilet Space Saver Cabinet
$119

Over-the-toilet storage units are relatively common (I have one myself), but they tend to look utilitarian at best. This one, however, gives the space warmth and elegance, thanks to light wood and arched cabinets. “This gorgeous over-the-toilet cabinet makes use of vertical space, adding concealed storage in a cramped bathroom without taking up any extra space,” says Aviles.

$119 at Walmart
Beautiful Fluted Stoneware Bath Accessories 3-Piece Set by Drew Barrymore
$28

One simple way to enhance the look of your bathroom is by putting your soap in a dedicated soap dispenser instead of keeping it in the plastic pump bottle it came in. Aviles says this set, which comes with a soap dispenser and matching toothbrush holder and tray, has “a sleek yet modern design with fluted stoneware and gold accents that will instantly elevate any vanity.” Use the tray to contain the two other pieces (and any stray water drips), as a soap dish, or whatever you want.

$28 at Walmart
SIXHOME Bathroom Rug
$18$9

Having a small bathroom can be frustrating — especially if there isn’t a lot of counter or cabinet space, which means not a lot of room to add eye-catching elements. So, work on upgrading the elements you already have. “In a small bathroom, the right bath mat should ground the space,” Aviles says. “This neutral woven option adds warmth and texture, while also being a functional fast-drying bath mat.”

$9 at Walmart
Mainstays Beige Ribbed Trash Can
$8

When was the last time you remember seeing a bathroom trash can that caught your eye in a good way? I thought so. But it doesn’t have to be that way. “Even the smallest details like a waste basket should feel intentional,” Aviles says. This beige one is her pick. “The ribbed design adds texture and visual interest, while the neutral color makes it versatile enough to work in any bathroom.”

$8 at Walmart
Better Homes & Gardens Artificial Olive Plant
$17

“In every bathroom we complete [as home stagers], we make sure to include a plant,” Aviles explains. What if you’re always forgetting to water plants, or have pets who just won’t stay away from them? It’s OK — this greenery doesn’t have to be the real thing. “Even a faux plant adds life and freshens up the space,” she adds.

$17 at Walmart
The Home Edit 10-Piece Modular Storage System
$25

“This storage system makes it easy to keep even the smallest bathrooms organized,” Aviles says, and it’s easy to see why. It’s simple — a set of clear plastic bins in various sizes — but also super versatile. Arrange the bins together in a drawer or on a shelf to create dedicated stations for all your bathroom clutter, use them separately throughout your bathroom (or even other parts of your house), or stack them for even more space-saving power.

$25 at Walmart

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