6 No-Tool Ways to Make a Bland Rental Bathroom Look Cute, According to Designers
The bathroom isn’t the first place people prioritize in their homes, but that doesn’t mean you have to live with a space that feels blah either. If your bathroom could use a little revamp and you’re not looking to spend too much along the way, I’m here to help. You can majorly jazz up this part of the home with a few simple hacks and products, designers say. These six favorite bathroom decor tips will make your space sing. The best part? You don’t even have to use power tools, and all of these fixes can be reversed so they’re 100% rental-friendly.
Go High with Your Shower Curtain
You already have a shower curtain … so put it to work! “To make any bland bathroom cute and chic, I take every shower curtain to the ceiling,” explains designer Evan Millárd, founder of Millárd. “Not only does this create volume, it also lets you show off your favorite shower curtain!” Having trouble finding a curtain that speaks to you? You may want to think outside the box. “From time-to-time, I’ll have a window curtain turned into a shower curtain for that one-of-a-kind touch,” Millárd shares. Can’t change the height of your rod? Use a tension rod. That’ll make this idea instantly renter-friendly.
Buy: Mariya Shower Curtain, $39.00 from Urban Outfitters
Incorporate Little Luxuries
While the bathroom isn’t really a place to go all in with decor, you can work some strategic upgrades into the space. Designer Brit Nelson, the founder of Brit Nelson Interiors, suggests opting for a marble soap dispenser, monogrammed towels, and a mini sculpture if you have the room. Designer Sandra Asdourian agrees new linens can make all of the difference. “It’s surprisingly simple to give your bathroom a fresh look by buying new bath towels in a new color,” says the founder of Sandra Asdourian Interiors.
Dress Up the Walls
By no means do you need to commit to traditional wallpaper or fancy tile to transform your bathroom walls. “There are so many great peel-and-stick wallpaper options nowadays, it’s easy to use it in an apartment as a temporary way to add character,” shares designer Rachel Gendrolis, the founder of Penny & Pearl Design. She particularly likes scoping out offerings from Tempaper, Chasing Paper, and Spoonflower.
Buy: Soft Blue and greens on white Wallpaper by danika_herrick, Starts at $96.75 $129.00 from Spoonflower
Switch Out Your Knobs
Say goodbye to builder-grade vanity hardware and swap in some more stylish knobs that reflect your design taste instead — this barely requires a wrench! Nelson is partial to these from Anthropologie, which she says “look like a gorgeous pair of earrings!” If you’re renting, be sure to keep the original knobs somewhere safe so that you can reinstall them prior to moving out. You won’t get penalized for having made the change and then you can take the pretty pulls with you to your next place!
Buy: Eleanor Knobs, $39.00 from Anthropologie
Have Fun with Color
The bathroom provides an excellent place to veer off the beaten path a bit. “Don’t be afraid to take a risk here and introduce a really fun hue,” says designer Lisa Gilmore, the founder of Lisa Gilmore Design. “Bathrooms can be wonderful little jewel boxes.” Just make sure there’s some cohesive thread tying the space together. “Before choosing a new color, consider the existing fixtures in the space, such as the sink, tile, and flooring,” Asdourian recommends. Whether you use this new hue to create an accent wall, paint the ceiling, or stencil a unique design all over the walls is entirely your call.
Thrift Some Furniture
Need a new storage system for the bathroom? Go the secondhand route, Gilmore suggests. Adding a one-of-a-kind piece into your space will add major character.