6 Quick But Luxe Ways To Glam Up Your Bathroom (+ What To Avoid)
Often, our bathrooms end up being the least glamorous parts of our homes despite being so important. It's time for a glam-up change!
Bathrooms are the ultimate haven to relax, rejuvenate, and recharge oneself after the day's adventures or to have a good night’s sleep.
Updating your bathroom with inclusions like a luxury bathrobe and dedicated shelves to hold all your haircare and skincare products, as well as plants, is a great way to add more life without reducing functionality.
If you have been looking to make walking into your bathroom a more refreshing and instantly uplifting experience, here are the six best ways to do it:
1. Splurge on Fabrics
If the towels in your bathroom have started to look tattered and threadbare or are of different colors, it's time to change them. Here are some things you can do:
Consider opting for towels that are thick but not overly dense, as the dense ones will take longer to dry. Make sure not all towels are of the same size.
Keep two (at least) full-size towels and one medium or small-sized towel to ensure there are ample towels to wipe the body or the face.
Neatly stack them on top of each other to create a put-together look. Avoid storing them in an open space, as the bathroom is frequently exposed to bursts of germs and bacteria. Instead, keep them placed in a drawer away from the damp area.
Choose cotton bath towels as they are easy on the skin, eco-friendly, and dry quickly.
You can consider using a fabric softener to add a delightful scent to the towels without an overwhelming strength.
2. Let the Light in
Lighting plays a vital role in elevating your bathroom’s look. Even the most spacious bathrooms can look congested if the lighting is dull and placed incorrectly. Here’s what you can do:
Consider investing in LED lighting as they emit bright, clear light that is not too overpowering.
You can opt for ceiling lights, wall lights, cove lights, or LED strips, which are a few practical options to try. Or try adding a mirror with lights and storage.
Look for lighting with a color rendering index (a measure of how an object looks under light to how it will look under sunlight) above 80. Below this point, the colors may not be clear.
When looking for soothing and soft light that helps unwind after a long work day, opt for warm white light in the range of 2000K – 3000K, where K is Kelvin.
If you want the bathroom to feel bright and refreshing, opt for cool white light in the range of 3100K – 4500K, where K is Kelvin.
3. Make it Smell Great
A good-smelling bathroom is an instant mood lifter that can help you unwind and feel relaxed. Here is how to make your bathroom smell good:
Use essential oils like lavender or lemongrass to add an earthy, refreshing, and clear scent to your bathroom without going over the top. Consider using a potpourri of aroma diffusers to achieve this.
Frequently clean the sink using a mild odor and germ control cleaner. As the sink gets used often, it will likely become a hotspot for germs and bacteria to accumulate and grow.
Clean the toilet sets every 4-5 days, alongside cleaning the whole unit. Make sure you are keeping the lid closed while flushing the toilet.
Keep the bathroom floor dry at all times to prevent the mushy smell of stagnant water from arising.
Occasionally, light a scented candle as it can instantly uplift the mood by creating a spa-like atmosphere.
4. Declutter Often
A cluttered bathroom can instantly stress and create room for bacteria to hide & grow. If your bathroom has everything out for display, here are some ways to organize it:
Invest in practical and sturdy containers to store all your belongings. Make sure these containers have a lid.
Allocate space to every item based on the sequence they are used. For instance, shampoo and conditioner can be in the shower along with body wash gels. If you use soap, using a soap holder with drain holes will ensure your soap doesn’t melt into a puddle of soapy mush.
Invest in shelves that can withstand exposure to water, moisture, and humidity all year long.
If you have cabinets in your bathroom, ensure they are lined with plastic mats to prevent products from reaching the material in case of a leak.
Wash your doormats frequently by soaking them in hot water, baking soda, and vinegar solution. Proceed to wash it using a strong detergent to remove grime, stains, and moisture.
5. Add Some Greens
Houseplants are becoming an essential part of home decor, and your bathrooms, too, can leverage a hint of greenery. Here’s why they are good and the resilient plants you need to get for your bathroom decor:
The high humidity levels in the bathroom can benefit a plant by providing an ideal environment for it to thrive.
They absorb moisture in plenty, allowing you to have a longer, more relaxing bath time.
Their ability to purify air will make the bathroom feel less congested, allowing you to take adequate time to do your skincare routine without rushing.
Needless to say, they add to the bathroom's aesthetics by introducing a touch of natural elements.
The plants you can consider keeping in your bathroom include pothos (Epipremnum aureum), Palm Majesty (Ravenea rivularis), bromeliads, and Monstera deliciosa.
6. No Cliché Artworks
Your bathroom is a place nesting humidity, and hanging artwork can create room for moisture to creep into the frame, resulting in mold formation. Here’s what to do instead:
Invest in a bathroom set that comes with a tray, vase, trinket box, toothbrush holder, soap dispenser, and tissue holder. Place them far away from the toilet and bath area.
Add laundry baskets that allow you to store clothes that are to be cleaned in the upcoming days. These offer a dedicated space to keep your worn clothes, preventing clutter.
Wall-mounted hooks and shelves in different dimensions provide space to keep a wide range of products.
A stylish mirror that aligns with your home’s decor. If your bathroom has limited space, you can opt for mirror cabinets to add more storage space.
A sturdy toilet paper holder and rust-proof dustbin are also needed, and they are easy to clean and maintain.
4 Things That Can Make Your Bathroom Look Cheap
When remodeling your bathroom to look luxurious and spa-like, there is always a possibility that you may end up adding too many elements that can dilute the initial efforts while making your bathroom look cheap. Here are some common mistakes to avoid:
Having too many colors and multiple patterns on flooring and installations that do not go well together. Too many elements make it challenging to create a symphony with consistency.
Too many storage shelves that leave minimal to no room to freely use the bathroom without bumping into one. Instead, categorize the products you store in the bathroom and allocate shelves or cabinets accordingly. The excess installations can be removed.
The bathroom, regardless of its significance, is a room that should have a personality of its own. Avoid using the leftover decor items; rather, mindfully decide the theme you want to follow and accordingly invest in items that can elevate the overall aesthetics.
Poor lighting can prevent the best parts of your bathroom from being seen and, in some cases, utilized. It can also make it challenging to use the bathroom safely.
Adding a Dash of Style and Luxe to Your Bathroom
Bathrooms are neglected spaces in our homes that can easily be styled with a plethora of accessories and mindful upgrades.
However, if you are looking to add a spark of luxury to them, it is essential to be careful and opt for elements that align with your home’s overall aesthetic and theme.
Pay close attention to the fabrics you are investing in, and make sure you are adding ample storage space to prevent clutter from taking over. Lastly, introducing scents of your choice will ensure you are stepping into a spa-like bathroom and getting out feeling your best!
Jenny Kakoudakis likes to blog about interiors. She launched award-winning Seasons in Colour in 2014. When she is not chasing criminals out of the financial system (her day job), she gets creative by redecorating her own home.
Download her free bathroom renovation guide here.
