How to Redecorate Your Bathroom, According to Designers

Bathrooms are often an afterthought when it comes to designing a home; however, they’re the perfect place to infuse your personal style. Since they’re enclosed spaces, bathrooms can feel like their own world, so you can really get creative with your décor choices.

Naturally, there are many ways to redecorate a bathroom and breathe new life into it, even if you’re starting with an all-white tile base. Here, we tapped four interior designers to put together a step-by-step guide on bathroom revamping. Whether you’re looking to add some botanical wallpaper or a splashy zellige tile, there’s something here for every sense of style.

Assess the Bones

From the jump, it’s important to get into the nitty-gritty—especially if you’re moving fixtures.

“Plumbing is like the quiet boss of the bathroom; it dictates what’s possible,” says Kathy Kuo, designer and founder of Kathy Kuo Home. “If you’re shifting things around, make sure it’s not just a Pinterest dream, but something your contractor can actually pull off.”

Kuo notes that, like kitchens, a bathroom should maximize functionality first.

“This is where the unglamorous details suddenly become the most glamorous, because trust me, you’ll notice them every day,” she says. “Where will the towel hooks go? (People always forget this one!) Will your tallest bottle actually fit in that drawer?”

From there, you can zoom out and focus on decorative finishes, like the countertop, tile, trim, and paint.

Combine Functional and Aesthetic Elements

Since bathrooms are such practical spaces, it’s helpful to take stock of what you can elevate with stylistic features.

“Bathrooms are such small spaces, [so] anywhere you can combine aesthetic joy with utility will be a big win,” says Noz Nozawa, principal designer and founder of Noz Design. “For example, if you don’t have enough light at your bathroom mirror, prioritize upgrading to a decorative light that emits more lumens.”

Nozawa also suggests opting for chic medicine cabinets with interior storage in lieu of a mirror. That way, you’re not left with crowded counters.

“There are even full-length medicine cabinets that maximize vertical storage and give you an outfit check!” she says.

Bring in Color

Modern tastes are shifting away from minimalism and toward bolder spaces; your bathroom doesn’t have to be left in the dust.

“Consider painting the walls [or] even adding wallpaper,” says Jet Hruby, founder of Hruby Studio. “If you enjoy long soaks in the tub, wallpapering the ceiling can provide a pleasant focal point while you relax.”

Tile and stone are also available in an array of colorful accents to sneak in charm. “For more drama, I’ll tile the vanity wall behind the mirror,” Kuo says. “It’s bold, graphic, and makes brushing your teeth feel downright glamorous.”

Get Creative With Artwork

Artwork adds an unexpected dose of joy.

“Bathrooms are the most honest rooms in the house; they’re where guests pause and take in the details,” Kuo says. “A sketch above a towel bar, a playful nude, or even a water-inspired piece makes the space feel considered.”

However, due to the humidity of bathrooms, Nozawa cautions against using art on exposed paper, like watercolors or prints.

Go Vintage

If your fixtures are starting to feel stale, then a trip to the secondhand store can solve your woes.

“Bring in a vintage furniture piece where you least expect it, like a tall display cabinet for towels instead of a standard wall unit,” Kuo says. “It adds soul, a wink of humor, and the sense that the bathroom is every bit as curated as the rest of the home.”

Swap Out Accessories

Subtle swaps can make all the difference in your daily routines.

“Mini splurges like cabinet knobs or fun towel rings are items you might be interacting with multiple times a day,” Nozawa says. “My hand-shaped, porcelain-and-lucite towel rings are one of my favorite objects in my own bathroom.”

Playful accents don’t have to involve busting out a toolkit or ladder, either. “These days, brands like Dusen Dusen and Quiet Town are designing beautiful, functional objects, from lidded waste bins to shower curtains to the most chic shower caddy I’ve ever seen,” she adds.

Experiment With Warm Materials

“Over recent decades, bathrooms have become warmer,” says Hruby. “To create a more inviting, lived-in feel, I often prefer using wood flooring instead of stone or  tiles—it instantly transforms the atmosphere.”

However, there are always fresh applications of stone and tile to get inspired by, too.

“It might be a tiled wall finished with a pencil trim, a marble threshold that quietly announces the shower, or a vanity with a stone edge detail that feels more sculptural than utilitarian,” Kuo says. “In [one] project, we clad the entire shower surround in stone, and it transformed a simple bathroom into something almost architectural.”

Choose the Jewelry of the Space

Anything shiny—whether it’s mirrors, lighting, or hardware—acts as the jewelry of a bathroom.

“These are the frosting and glamour to the room,” says Brittny Button, interior designer and founder of Button Atelier. “For lighting, the inclusion of color—such as a soft yellow glass sconce—can be a beautiful way to build calm.”

Meanwhile, existing mirrors can often be reworked by upgrading the frame. Kuo loves ones that are trimmed in metal or wood.

“For hardware, I’ve been leaning into living finishes like natural brass and nickel,” she says. “They’re like leather—they only get better with age.”

Pay Attention to Edges and Feet

If you can’t swap out an entire fixture, then adding detailing on vanities through custom trim, feet, or tile edge details can still make a piece feel like it’s made to measure.

“Lately, I’ve also loved designing custom vanities where the countertop flows right into the cabinetry,” Kuo says. “It softens the silhouette.”