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Bathroom Interiors: Best Decorating Tips for a Better Bathroom

Updated on November 15, 2012

Old, unattractive bathroom before décor

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Dull, unattractive bathroom before fixing upOutdated sink with small storage underneathOne single, hand towel holder is what is provided in this bathroom.Outdated tile colors: green/yellow Dull painted walls and neutral color sink and toilet make for a colorless room.
Dull, unattractive bathroom before fixing up
Dull, unattractive bathroom before fixing up | Source
Outdated sink with small storage underneath
Outdated sink with small storage underneath | Source
One single, hand towel holder is what is provided in this bathroom.
One single, hand towel holder is what is provided in this bathroom. | Source
Outdated tile colors: green/yellow
Outdated tile colors: green/yellow | Source
Dull painted walls and neutral color sink and toilet make for a colorless room.
Dull painted walls and neutral color sink and toilet make for a colorless room. | Source

Turning a dull bathroom into a better bathroom

My ideal bathroom would be very large, roomy, with lots of sunshine pouring in from a skylight and side window over looking a garden. It would hold a jacuzzi or whirlpool bath and a separate shower. There would be a set of double sinks and a large mirror. The lighting would be soft when desired and bright enough when needed. It would be so spacious that I could set a small reading chair in it-no, I don't mean the toilet, I mean a comfortable sitting chair. Don't ask me why this is important, it is my fantasy bathroom.

My current bathroom is as far from my fantasy and just short of a trip out back to the outhouse. It is small, has an old, outdated washstand and limited storage. The walls are painted a muted yellow, and the tiles are obviously from the late 50's or early 60's-yellow and green. The floor is dull, and of a cheap linoleum that has cracks and is curling at the edges of the wall.

For many people this is unacceptable and a living nightmare. But, for me, I see it as a challenge to beat. This is not my house, it is a rental while I am living in North Carolina. If it were my house I would be knocking down some walls and expanding the size of the bathroom, not to mention adding another bathroom in this tiny, 1400 square foot home.

So, what to do when you want to turn a small, dull area into something that is appealing and acceptable-accessories and color.

Color and Theme coordinate to bring aesthetic beauty and serenity to a room

My bright new butterfly shower curtain brings color to the room in contrast to the dull walls.
My bright new butterfly shower curtain brings color to the room in contrast to the dull walls. | Source

Bathroom Decor: Theme and Color Schemes

There are so many easy and inexpensive ways to brighten a dull, small space. One of the first things you will want to do is to pick a theme. Now, I'm not saying that you have to create a theme in your bathroom by subject matter. But, even a coordinating colors via a color palette or color wheel will help 'pull' the room together. One thing you do not want to do is to make the small space appear to close in on you. This can happen if there is a hodgepodge of disorganized color and busyness.

A color wheel shows the various primary colors and complementary colors that can aid in matching various shades for curtains, towels, shower curtain, and rugs. You can find this at a paint store, or in books in the library on interior decorating. Also, you can google a color wheel and find images online.

As for a theme: Well, if you have a favorite interest or hobby you can add it to the walls via pictures, or reflect this in well chosen accessories, such as a toothbrush holder, soap dish and trash can. There is a plethary of eyecatching themes in any home decorating department store.


Bathroom Update and Decoration

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Decorations to enhance a dull room

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Four coordinating colors brighten the room and work together for a variety of contrasts.A butterfly candle holder accents the sink area and coordinates with the butterfly themeBeach motif for the toilet bowl scrubberJar of shells from the ocean brings an aesthetic and serene feeling to the room
Four coordinating colors brighten the room and work together for a variety of contrasts.
Four coordinating colors brighten the room and work together for a variety of contrasts. | Source
A butterfly candle holder accents the sink area and coordinates with the butterfly theme
A butterfly candle holder accents the sink area and coordinates with the butterfly theme | Source
Beach motif for the toilet bowl scrubber
Beach motif for the toilet bowl scrubber | Source
Jar of shells from the ocean brings an aesthetic and serene feeling to the room
Jar of shells from the ocean brings an aesthetic and serene feeling to the room | Source

Ways to design your bathroom: Popular themes

In my home, I love to add a few accessories, such as candle holders, with a butterfly motif. Butterflies have a special meaning of transition for me, and by surrounding myself with images of them they serve as a gentle reminder of my own transition.

Therefore, instead of hanging a solid colored shower curtain I was delighted to find one that was covered with brightly colored butterflies of four dominant colors: green, blue, beige and lavender. By making the shower curtain a primary focus I now have: 1). a theme and 2). a color scheme. In fact, it's probably one of the best color schemes I could have chosen.

If you have young children under the age of six any number of their favorite animated characters can probably be found on a shower curtain, towels or rugs. If you have teenagers or tweens and they have their own bathroom, something that shows their interest, i.e. sharks, or frogs, may be one suggestion, or let them choose a bright, bold pattern that appeals to them.

Other themes include: underwater exploring, black musical notes on a white background, pink flamengos or other birds in flight, dancing ballerinas, splashes of color or serene bamboo shoots climbing the curtain. Well...you get the idea.

Challenging storage areas for small spaces

A small space approximately two feet wide between the sink and the entrance wall.
A small space approximately two feet wide between the sink and the entrance wall. | Source
Wicker storage: just the right size and price: FREE
Wicker storage: just the right size and price: FREE | Source
Fits right into the empty space in the bathroom
Fits right into the empty space in the bathroom | Source
Easy to add storage space with wire stands bought for less than $10 at Walmart
Easy to add storage space with wire stands bought for less than $10 at Walmart | Source

Storage ideas for small spaces

My bathroom is so small and closed in that my toes almost touch the bathtub when I sit on the toilet, and I am short. In addition to the claustrophobic feeling, there is also very little built in storage. In fact, only the cabinet under the sink is available; no shelves, no closet, and no additional cabinet. Because the mirror takes up almost the entire wall opposite the bathtub, there is no way to put up either a shelf next to it, or a corner shelf, due to the light fixture.

The solution: use the available space at hand and make it work. In the tub: hang a metal or plastic shower caddy on the shower head. A bathtub tray that sets across the width of the tub is also a handy holder if needed.

Although some people like a 'clean' and uncluttered look on top of their toilet, I set a few things for aesthetic appeal, (jar of shells), practicality, (miniature lamp for nighttime), and storage, (a basket filled with guest soap and sample sized shampoo, conditioner and lotion).

Adding storage from the ground up can also be possible by installing an 'over the toilet' shelving system. This increases the area for towel and washcloth storage, shampoos, blow dryers and curling irons, etc. They are simple to set up with a few tools to put it together, and erected on spring poles that go from floor to ceiling.

Depending on your bathroom layout you may be able to add a small dresser or cupboard into the room for storage. In my home I was offered a slim, white wicker three shelf stand and I took it. This was my good fortune because not only was it free, but it exactly fit into the space that I had on the other side of the sink, opposite the toilet. It was actually pretty amazing, because it appeared as if it was made for that space. The top shelf holds the extra products, shampoos, and blow dryer; the second shelf holds extra towels and face cloths, and the third shelf just magazines due to a hot and cold vent that would be blocked if I piled it up with towels.

Use large towel hooks behind the door for items like a towel, bathrobe, or even a travel kit that holds the essentials. Wall shelves are another possibility if you happen to have that wall space. If I owned the house I woud remove the large mirror and replace it with a smaller one to allow for wall shelves.

The cabinet space under the sink can be doubled with the right shelving. I placed two wire shelves on either side and quadrupled the space for items such as toilet paper, soap bars, hair products and cleaning products.

Décor: Accents and Accessories for simple solutions to brighten a room

Click thumbnail to view full-size
Candles, colorful and fragrant, add to the ambience of a bathroomBright colors in matching or coordinating colors enhances the room's styleBaskets help two fold: with aesthetic appeal and for simple storage solutionsA small 'nightlight' can bring a soft light to the room and enhance safety.Small wall pictures can be hung to add to the theme of your room.  A shell shadowbox fits in with a beach or ocean theme.
Candles, colorful and fragrant, add to the ambience of a bathroom
Candles, colorful and fragrant, add to the ambience of a bathroom | Source
Bright colors in matching or coordinating colors enhances the room's style
Bright colors in matching or coordinating colors enhances the room's style | Source
Baskets help two fold: with aesthetic appeal and for simple storage solutions
Baskets help two fold: with aesthetic appeal and for simple storage solutions | Source
A small 'nightlight' can bring a soft light to the room and enhance safety.
A small 'nightlight' can bring a soft light to the room and enhance safety. | Source
Small wall pictures can be hung to add to the theme of your room.  A shell shadowbox fits in with a beach or ocean theme.
Small wall pictures can be hung to add to the theme of your room. A shell shadowbox fits in with a beach or ocean theme. | Source

Bathroom Decor: How to create ambience in small spaces

Small and enclosed doesn't have to make you feel crowded and agitated. Above all, your home furnishings should bring a sense of calm and serenity. This includes in the bathroom where you will shed your days stress under steamy showers or relaxing bathwater and let everything else go down the drain.

Color helps to achieve a sense of quiet, contemplation. Warm colors or cool will depend on what your preference is. The walls of my tiny bathroom are a dull yellow. I brighten the room with a summer color scheme of brighter yellows and reds, oranges. In the fall and winter I may choose a different color scheme. That's the fun part about decorating-you can easily change it up, for a change of pace, or to go with the seasons.

Another favorite place of mine is the beach. I love the ocean and have a small jar of various shells I have collected over the years. I display them in the bathroom and have a shell painted toilet brush holder to add to the theme.

Easy ways to add color and ambience: towels-hand and bath towels; candles-aromatic fragrances to soothe the soul; soaps that emit a particular fragrance that brings peace or good memories, such as vanilla, or cinnamon; color schemed rugs that contrast or are complement the colors you've chosen; bath mats that match or are a shade in contrast can also create a sense of unity, tying the whole package together to present a simple, and well organized bathroom.

Where to find decorating bargains

There are many ways to find free or inexpensive bargains to decorate with. Second hand or consignment stores, yard sales, or charity organizations are some of the places that might hold a treasure or two.

Also, checking the dollar stores, or keeping an eye out for clearance sales in a department store home furnishing department are other ideas to consider.

By using color, themes, and a few soft touches, your bathroom can go from dull to pizazz. Why settle for mediocrity when, with a little effort, you can bring joy to your home.


BEFORE and AFTER decorating the bathroom

Click thumbnail to view full-size
Dull and unattractive environmentBrightness, beauty and appealSimple, coordinating solutions help to keep the small space organized and functional
Dull and unattractive environment
Dull and unattractive environment | Source
Brightness, beauty and appeal
Brightness, beauty and appeal | Source
Simple, coordinating solutions help to keep the small space organized and functional
Simple, coordinating solutions help to keep the small space organized and functional | Source
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