Beyond the utility of our bathrooms, opportunities abound that provide potential to make this room a delightfully inspiring space. After all, this is the room that jumpstarts our day, where we look in the mirror and give ourselves our best slay-the-day speeches, so inspiration and motivation is key. Perhaps this accounts for the current trend to rid our bathrooms of boredom, and fortunately, it does not require ripping out its larger fixtures or upsizing its footprint.
A Perk of Fresh Paint
Yes, changing a room’s color is the quickest and most obvious way to update a look, but it’s not just about the medium anymore, it’s about the method. Getting creative with where color is applied can be just as important as the color you choose. When deciding where, take a moment to stand in your bathroom and simply look up. While the ceiling may be the very last place you would think to upgrade about this room, interiors experts often see this surface, or “fifth wall” as one of the most missed opportunities when it comes to making a statement in décor and design. Combining a bold color choice that incorporates a matching splash of the same color below as reflected in the vanity and tiles turns what could have been a standard neutral bathroom into a bright and optimistic way to start the day. Other ways to creatively use paint without an entire wall re-fresh is updating your vanity with a sunny shade or perhaps even your tub, should you be fortunate enough to have an antique clawfoot style. Expertly painted vintage tubs like these make a style statement all on their own. If you’re thinking a complete hue refresh is in order, neutral colors and white remain the most popular option as well as softer greens and blues. Use your décor pieces as a base to build off of when choosing you new hue and when it comes to finishes, experts recommend a moisture-resistant satin, semi-gloss, or high-gloss finish.
A New Role for Texture
Smooth, sleek, curvy—all common terms associated with the vibe of a bathroom. Enhance your bath’s vocabulary and vibe profile with an accent wall that is far from flat. These chunky tiles in random depths and subtle tonal variations add a layer of interest and even intrigue to an otherwise monochromatic bathroom. Fortunately, there are many easy-to-install varieties of tiles available now that possess these three-dimensional qualities. And, the textiles associated with the bath are the easiest aspects to swap out to create a new vibe. “A new shower curtain alone can make a drastic difference in any bathroom—bonus points if you swap out your rod and rings, too!” says Kelley Gable of Gable Interiors. “Right now, we’re loving waffle knits and soft linens for that spa-like look and feel in the bath. Another way to upgrade your textiles is to swap out your bathmat. And don’t be afraid to think outside the box …we’re gravitating towards vintage minis or runners if your space allows. And lastly, don’t forget about your everyday items like bath and hand towels. Super-plush Turkish cotton towels will not only aesthetically upgrade your space but will also upgrade your daily experience.”
Common-Sense Upgrade: Out with Old Grout
Nothing makes a bathroom look more dated than dingy, cracked grout that’s past its prime. If you’re ready for a re-grout and re-seal, experts recommend replacing traditional white with a dark-colored grout which provides a crisp, modern look.
Wallpaper that Wows
A small swatch of wall and even a smaller bathroom are a non-issue when an auspicious use of wallpaper is employed. While opinions on the yay or nay of using this material can be as sticky as its backing, at the end of the day, it’s hard to dispute the game-changing impact of a perky paper in the proper space.
Mirror, Mirror
Frame that morning pep talk you’re having with yourself with a mirror style that sparks interest. Upgrade that static, flat vanity mirror for a gilded vintage look, or take the modern route and install a Smart mirror that can help you get a jump start on your day. Another creative approach is adding several to the same wall as your main mirror for an eclectic collection of functional, light-reflective, and an interest-grabbing aspect to your bathroom’s overall look. “Think of your mirror as artwork and allow for it to be a creative upgrade to your bathroom,” says Gable.
Hardware: The Easy Upgrade
“We love swapping out vanity knobs and pulls with more decorative pieces that can immediately change the look and feel of your bathroom,” Gable says. “When it comes to bathroom accessories, think towel bars, hooks, and toilet paper holders.” Gable adds that they advise their clients to match their bathroom accessories to their plumbing fixtures for a more streamlined look. “But that doesn’t mean they have to be boring!” she says. “Look for accessories that have updated edging details, closure systems, or two-tone variations. And bonus tip: Don’t forget to update your toilet lever to match your new hardware and accessories. This is one detail that is often overlooked but shouldn’t be because it offers big impact!”
Crowning Jewels
“We often share with our clients that lighting is the jewelry of any space,” Gable says. And that can certainly be true for bathroom lighting. This is where you get ready for the day, and perhaps apply makeup, so a well-lit space is essential and most often, we find that lighting is either outdated or poorly placed in bathrooms.” Gable recommends swapping out over-the-mirror fixtures for fresh sconces that flank the mirror at about eye-level or between 60 to 65 inches from the floor to the center of the sconce backplate to avoid any unwanted shadowing of your face in the mirror. Updated lighting can not only take your bathroom from drab to fab, but it also provides an excellent opportunity for personalization and self-expression.
Designer Tip:
Thinking of mixing your metals? Designers weigh in with a resounding, “Yes!” A good rule of thumb is to have the major fixtures match, and then add in a second finish for additional knobs and accessories to take your design to a more curated and clever level.
That First and Last Touch
Gable offers a designer hack for that last bit of powder room polish. This small detail, she says, requires zero construction or renovation, but makes a huge impact. “Update your lighting switch plates and electrical backplates! Swapping out boring white plastic backplates to metal-finish or other complementary plates will be the best $10 upgrade you’ll ever make!”
