Giving Your Bathroom a Facelift, One Small Change at a Time
As a self-proclaimed interior design enthusiast, I’ve had the pleasure of helping my sister and brother-in-law revamp their beach house, room by room. From the living room to the dining area, we’ve been working together to breathe new life into their cozy coastal abode. And now, it’s time to turn our attention to one of the most frequently used spaces in the house – the bathroom.
You see, they have two full bathrooms in their home, and the one on the lower level is the go-to spot for guests and party-goers. While the tile, sink, and wall color were already in great shape, the overall decor felt a bit lackluster. So, I knew it was the perfect opportunity to work my design magic and give this bathroom a much-needed refresh.
Mastering the Vanity Mirror
One of the first things I noticed when I walked into the space was the size of the mirror. It was significantly smaller than the vanity, which can make the whole area feel a bit off-kilter. As a general rule of thumb, I find that the mirror should be around the same width as the vanity, or just a few inches narrower. And when it comes to the height, aiming for about three-quarters the distance between the vanity and the light fixture above tends to create the most visually pleasing proportions. [1]
In this case, the existing mirror was only 16 inches long, while the distance from the vanity to the light was a whopping 32.5 inches. To remedy this, I selected a 24-inch mirror, which hits that sweet spot of being three-quarters the height of the light fixture. The difference it makes is truly night and day – the space instantly feels more cohesive and well-thought-out.
Rethinking the Towel Situation
Another area that needed some attention was the towel situation. The existing towel bar was positioned in a rather awkward spot, almost intruding on the main walkway into the bathroom. To open up the flow of the space, I decided to swap out the bar for a simple hand towel ring mounted right next to the sink. This not only clears up the entryway but also creates a more streamlined look.
As for the bath towels, I recommended that they use some wall hooks behind the door to keep them neatly tucked away. This way, they can maintain the clutter-free vibe while still having easy access to their towels.
Bringing in Natural Textures
To add a bit of warmth and character to the space, I knew we needed to incorporate some natural textures. Enter the bamboo Roman shade! Not only does this beautiful window treatment inject an earthy, coastal feel, but it also helps to soften the hard lines of the tile and vanity.
To further the natural theme, I couldn’t resist adding a small Turkish rug to the mix. Since this bathroom has a pretty tight footprint, I opted for a petite version that wouldn’t overwhelm the space. The rich, jewel-toned hues and subtly distressed pattern instantly elevate the entire look, creating a cozy and inviting atmosphere.
Curating the Wall Decor
With the major furniture and fixtures sorted, it was time to turn my attention to the walls. Given the narrow walkway leading into the bathroom, I knew I needed to be strategic about what I placed on the walls.
Rather than going overboard with a gallery wall or elaborate shelving, I decided to keep things simple and streamlined. A few pieces of framed mudcloth fabric, along with a small ceramic wall planter and a simple landscape artwork, are all it takes to add a touch of personality without making the space feel cluttered.
The key here was finding the right balance – enough visual interest to make the room feel intentionally designed, but not so much that it feels overwhelming in the confined quarters.
The Final Reveal
After sourcing all the perfect pieces and putting the plan into action, I have to say – I’m absolutely thrilled with how this bathroom refresh turned out. What was once a somewhat lackluster space has been transformed into a warm, inviting, and cohesive oasis.
The new vanity mirror makes a world of difference, instantly elevating the entire vanity area. The natural textures from the bamboo shade and Turkish rug add depth and character, while the thoughtfully curated wall decor ties the whole look together.
Most importantly, though, this bathroom refresh proves that you don’t need to undertake a full-blown renovation to breathe new life into a space. Sometimes, all it takes are a few strategic decor tweaks to completely change the vibe. And I can’t wait to see the look on my sister and brother-in-law’s faces when they see the final result!
As you can see, the power of small changes should never be underestimated. So, if you’re feeling like your bathroom could use a little refresh, I encourage you to take a step back, assess the space, and start dreaming up how you can breathe new life into it – one easy decor tweak at a time.
References
[1] Meredith Lynn Designs. “Easy Bathroom Makeover: How to Quickly Give Your Bathroom a New Look.” Meredith Lynn Designs, 29 Aug. 2019, www.meredithlynndesigns.com/blog/2019/8/29/easy-bathroom-makeover-how-to-quickly-give-your-bathroom-a-new-look.