How to Redecorate A Bathroom, According to Interior Designers

How to Redecorate a Bathroom?! 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.

How to Redecorate A Bathroom: Assess the Bones

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

“Plumbing is the silent boss of any bathroom—it sets the limits,” explains Kathy Kuo, designer and founder of Kathy Kuo Home. “Before moving things around, be sure it’s realistic for your contractor, not just a Pinterest fantasy.”

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

“Here’s where the little, unglamorous details suddenly turn into the most important ones—because you’ll see them every single day,” she explains. “Think about it: where will the towel hooks go (a detail people constantly forget)? And will that tallest shampoo bottle actually fit inside the 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 compact spaces, so every chance to blend beauty with function is a win,” says Noz Nozawa, principal designer and founder of Noz Design. “If your mirror area feels dim, invest in a decorative light fixture that also delivers stronger illumination.”

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 come in a variety of colorful options that add subtle charm,” Kuo explains. “For a touch of drama, I often tile the vanity wall behind the mirror. It’s bold, graphic, and suddenly even brushing your teeth feels glamorous.”

Want wallpaper in the bathroom, sans the maintenance it requires? “Use stencils to create the feeling of a patterned paper, but using paint,” Nozawa says.

How to Redecorate A Bathroom: 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.”

How to Redecorate A Bathroom: 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.”

How to Redecorate A Bathroom: 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.”