Ideas on How to Decorate a Small Bathroom

Rose Morrison

Feb 15, 2023

Ideas How to Decorate My Small Bathroom

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Who says a room has to be big to be bold? Even if your bathroom is short on space, you can still turn it into one of the nicest rooms in the house with the use of color, light and decor. Here are some ideas on how to decorate a small bathroom.

1. Use Plants

Greenery can transform a bland view into a lively, fresh space. You can use a variety of plants to liven up a small bathroom. Some ideas include succulents on the counter, Pothos vines overflowing hanging baskets and even plants on the edge of the tub. 

Choose plants that do well in humid environments. If your bathroom doesn’t have a window, you should also look for plants that thrive in low-light conditions. Use colorful potted plants to cover up unsightly drains or pipes that might otherwise be exposed. 

If watering plants isn’t your thing, you can even use artificial greenery to achieve the same effect without all the care requirements, or to choose a plant you love that might need more light or space. 

2. Brighten it Up

Make the bathroom feel more cheerful and spacious by painting one wall a bright color. Bright colors tend to make a room look larger. Painting the whole room a deep green, red or brown creates the illusion of a smaller space.

You could also opt for a neutral white or light gray room with colorful accents, like painted baseboards, trim and cabinets. Some nice cabinet colors include deep blue, warm gray and olive green tones. Then, top it off with a white counter and perhaps a colorful backsplash.

3. Put Up Wallpaper

Decorating the walls doesn’t take up any space, and it can beautify a bathroom. An otherwise blank wall can have any color or pattern on it you desire. It’s also tidier than painting.

If you’re going to use a lot of accent decorations on the walls, stick to bright wallpaper colors but subdued patterns to create a more neutral backdrop. Or, choose one wall to plaster with bold, colorful wallpaper, and leave the rest uncovered. Busy wallpaper has a tendency to make rooms look smaller, but if you’re just going for a charming look, it does a great job. 

4. Pick a Shower Curtain 

Like wallpaper, a decorative shower curtain doesn’t take up any real space, but it does have a strong visual presence. Pick a long, flowy shower curtain. Then, hang it up higher than normal to create the illusion of a high ceiling. You can use a light or even clear curtain to make the space appear bigger, or you can choose a bold, patterned fabric for a cheerful atmosphere. 

5. Lay Down Tile

Tile is a classic bathroom building material because of its durable, waterproof qualities. You can adorn your shower, tub, floor or countertop with patterned tiles to beautify the bathroom. A faux tile backsplash behind the sink can achieve the same effect as its real counterpart, just without the installation time or cost. 

6. Choose a Decorative Sink

Swap your white sink for a gorgeous, decorative basin. You can use an engraved copper bowl for a rustic vibe, or a hand-painted talavera sink if you’re going for a Mexican decorating style. This is a surefire way to bring vibrance into even the smallest bathroom.

7. Utilize Hanging Storage

Short on shelf space? Hang wicker or wire baskets from the ceiling to hold your plants or stacks of towels. Then, set up a decorative shower caddy to double as storage for things like razors, extra soap and shampoo. Finally, use the back of the door as an extra storage spot. Adorn it with towel hooks or an over-the-door rack to hold your toiletries. 

8. Install Floating Shelves

Floating shelves are small storage spaces that have no visible means of support, like brackets or screws. Their simple, minimalist design pairs perfectly with a small bathroom — they don’t stick out too far, and you can install them above the sink or toilet so they’ll never be in the way. Use them to store all your odds and ends that would otherwise take up counter space. 

9. Use Mirrors Wisely

A well-placed mirror can make a room look bigger by reflecting the opposite wall, brightening up the space. You can choose a decorative mirror with multicolored tiles or a unique shape to add visual interest, too.

A mirrored cabinet serves the additional purpose of creating hidden storage space. Do you have 100 different makeup brushes? For all your guests know, you don’t. 

10. Put Pictures on the Walls

Photos and framed artwork are a great decorating choice because they essentially don’t take up any space. You can create a botanical or ocean theme in your bathroom with coordinating art pieces. Hang them close to the ceiling to make the room look taller. 

11. Paint the Door

A colored door can make your bathroom more visually interesting. Paint your door turquoise or antique green for a bold look. Then, add a vertical mirror on the door to create the illusion of more space. 

12. Get a Toilet Tank Tray

If you’re running out of room on the counter, use the toilet tank lid for additional space. An antique wooden tray or colorful metal basket can hold your soap, towels, toilet paper and accessories.

13. Buy a Unique Towel Rack 

You might not think of a towel rack as decorative, but it can be. Bronze is a classic, sophisticated material for a towel rack that’s easy to clean. Or, use an antler or driftwood branch outfitted with hooks to hang up your towels and robe. You could also repurpose an antique ladder leaned against the wall for the same purpose. Then, fold and hang your towels on it in a visually appealing way.

14. Choose Bright, Bold Towels

Even your linens can be part of the decorating scheme. Going along with your overall color palette, use your towels and bath mat as accents. You can create a more unified appearance by sticking with one color for all of them.

15. Employ Storage Baskets

Wicker baskets and wooden crates can double both as decorations and storage space. Place them under the sink, next to the toilet or on a shelf to hide clutter. 

16. Decorate the Counter

Another idea for how to decorate a small bathroom is by beautifying the countertop. Use decorative soap dishes and dispensers next to the sink. Then, buy wooden toothbrushes and put them in a glass jar or decorative toothbrush holder. 

Next, adorn the counter with candles, scent sticks or a vase of fresh, dried or artificial flowers. Put your cotton balls and swabs in glass jars with wooden lids. Even air freshener can be decorative if you choose a nice-looking bottle.

Beautifying a Small Bathroom

You don’t need a lot of space to create a gorgeous, refreshing room. Hopefully, these ideas on how to decorate a small bathroom will inspire you to start renovating. 

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