Designer Secrets to a Perfectly Styled Bathroom
Nail your style and avoid a cluttered look with these expert tips, while still enjoying a well-functioning bathroom
tidgboutique
29 December 2019
Toronto Interior Design Group is a trusted one-stop-shop residential interior design concierge boutique-style firm crafting timeless interiors.
Toronto Interior Design Group is a trusted one-stop-shop residential interior design... More
Sure, it’s easy to create a clean and clutter-free bathroom for a photo shoot. But in reality, bathrooms inevitably get taken over by toothbrushes, towels and more. It doesn’t have to be this way. If you’re aiming to get your bathroom looking great, whether it’s for guests, to sell your home, or just to enjoy a well-designed space every day, here are a few designer secrets to creating beauty and function – even off-camera.
Eliminate the non-essentials
It’s easier said than done, but getting rid of unnecessary items from your arsenal of products and toiletries is the most important step to keeping your bathroom sleek and stylish. That free sample of face mask you keep meaning to use? Hoarding it isn’t helping anyone. Instead, toss items that don’t get used, and move those that are used only rarely to a nearby cupboard with more free space.
If possible, have an electrician install a power point inside your bathroom vanity or cabinet so electric toothbrushes, hair dryers and curling irons aren’t on display.
It’s easier said than done, but getting rid of unnecessary items from your arsenal of products and toiletries is the most important step to keeping your bathroom sleek and stylish. That free sample of face mask you keep meaning to use? Hoarding it isn’t helping anyone. Instead, toss items that don’t get used, and move those that are used only rarely to a nearby cupboard with more free space.
If possible, have an electrician install a power point inside your bathroom vanity or cabinet so electric toothbrushes, hair dryers and curling irons aren’t on display.
Cover up
The next step to boutique bathroom bliss is to cover up product packaging. Using a nice refillable soap dispenser and a matching lotion dispenser may take an extra moment, but it’s worth the effort to enjoy a streamlined look. Plus, you can often buy products such as liquid soap in bulk to save money and avoid wasteful packaging.
Need an expert hand getting your home well-styled? Find a local decorator near you on Houzz for a professional touch
The next step to boutique bathroom bliss is to cover up product packaging. Using a nice refillable soap dispenser and a matching lotion dispenser may take an extra moment, but it’s worth the effort to enjoy a streamlined look. Plus, you can often buy products such as liquid soap in bulk to save money and avoid wasteful packaging.
Need an expert hand getting your home well-styled? Find a local decorator near you on Houzz for a professional touch
Show off
When you have pared back your surfaces to the essentials, don’t forget to include decorative pieces to keep the space from feeling purely functional. Try unexpected items such as a clock, a framed picture or a jewellery box (even if it really holds cotton balls).
When you have pared back your surfaces to the essentials, don’t forget to include decorative pieces to keep the space from feeling purely functional. Try unexpected items such as a clock, a framed picture or a jewellery box (even if it really holds cotton balls).
When in doubt, fresh flowers always add life to a bathroom. Use a few humble blossoms in a small vase, or add an indoor plant that thrives in moisture, such as an orchid.
Aim for about one-quarter of the pieces on display to be decorative rather than functional for the look to feel ‘styled’. If it’s hard to reach this ratio, you probably have too many pieces.
How Do I… Choose Plants for My Bathroom?
Aim for about one-quarter of the pieces on display to be decorative rather than functional for the look to feel ‘styled’. If it’s hard to reach this ratio, you probably have too many pieces.
How Do I… Choose Plants for My Bathroom?
Consider your style
When deciding on how many products and artistic objects to feature, consider the overall style of your bathroom. If you like an eclectic or shabby-chic look, a bit of clutter can become part of the style.
If you like a clean spa-like feel, however, don’t lie to yourself that a plethora of piled-up soaps is adding to the image.
When deciding on how many products and artistic objects to feature, consider the overall style of your bathroom. If you like an eclectic or shabby-chic look, a bit of clutter can become part of the style.
If you like a clean spa-like feel, however, don’t lie to yourself that a plethora of piled-up soaps is adding to the image.
Coordinate colours
Consider buying toiletries that have the same colour packaging to get a coordinated hotel-like palette if that’s your desired aesthetic. Mix in a stylish hand soap, vase or even towels in the same hue, and those products will become part of the decor scheme.
Consider buying toiletries that have the same colour packaging to get a coordinated hotel-like palette if that’s your desired aesthetic. Mix in a stylish hand soap, vase or even towels in the same hue, and those products will become part of the decor scheme.
Bring in baskets
Open baskets are terrific for storing often-used items, especially small products such as make-up, because you can pull the basket out and place it on your vanity top while you hunt for something, then tuck the entire assortment back into place when you’re done.
Put the items you use on a daily basis in one basket, rather than separating everything strictly by type. The less work it is to find essential products, the less likely you are to make a mess on your bathroom bench.
Open baskets are terrific for storing often-used items, especially small products such as make-up, because you can pull the basket out and place it on your vanity top while you hunt for something, then tuck the entire assortment back into place when you’re done.
Put the items you use on a daily basis in one basket, rather than separating everything strictly by type. The less work it is to find essential products, the less likely you are to make a mess on your bathroom bench.
Keep in mind that open baskets don’t actually make clutter magically invisible unless you tuck the basket away. Open baskets are best for products that are still attractive, such as sea sponges or a sleek skin-care line. An open basket with toilet paper spilling out is still a messy sight.
I like mixing different types of grassy woven baskets in similar and complementary – but not matching – tones to add natural variety without clashing. Use baskets without lids for items including fresh towels, and a few with lids for toilet paper, used towels or garbage.
I like mixing different types of grassy woven baskets in similar and complementary – but not matching – tones to add natural variety without clashing. Use baskets without lids for items including fresh towels, and a few with lids for toilet paper, used towels or garbage.
Keep a low profile
As for pieces that you want within easy reach but that don’t readily fit in baskets or bins (such as a back scrubber), consider keeping them on low shelves rather than on the vanity or floating shelves. This open-front vanity lets it all hang out, but the pieces aren’t right in your eye-line, so the room doesn’t feel cluttered.
As for pieces that you want within easy reach but that don’t readily fit in baskets or bins (such as a back scrubber), consider keeping them on low shelves rather than on the vanity or floating shelves. This open-front vanity lets it all hang out, but the pieces aren’t right in your eye-line, so the room doesn’t feel cluttered.
Wash and fold
Storing towels, especially in crisp white or solid colours, is one of the best uses for open shelves. Towels look hotel-chic when stacked perfectly, but they still appear stylish even when piled loosely or rolled up spa-style. Open shelving in an ensuite bathroom can also be a good place for storing extra sheets and other bedding.
Storing towels, especially in crisp white or solid colours, is one of the best uses for open shelves. Towels look hotel-chic when stacked perfectly, but they still appear stylish even when piled loosely or rolled up spa-style. Open shelving in an ensuite bathroom can also be a good place for storing extra sheets and other bedding.
Hand towels and washcloths look great stacked on a floating shelf or right on top of the vanity. For more interest, roll some and tuck them in a floppy basket to add a casual style and introduce some texture.
High and Dry: 13 Questions to Help You Choose the Right Bath Towel
High and Dry: 13 Questions to Help You Choose the Right Bath Towel
Add a niche
Items set in a niche automatically feel tidier and more like a gallery display than loose items on an open surface, so consider adding a niche to an empty wall space to allow for quick access to products (especially those for the bath or shower).
End Morning Madness! 4 Steps to Organised Bathroom Storage
Items set in a niche automatically feel tidier and more like a gallery display than loose items on an open surface, so consider adding a niche to an empty wall space to allow for quick access to products (especially those for the bath or shower).
End Morning Madness! 4 Steps to Organised Bathroom Storage
Let your eyes betray you
The human eye automatically reads items that are tucked together as being a group, which makes them feel like one object rather than a mess of many items.
This is a strategic way of pointing out that placing a few items on a tray (rather than directly on your vanity benchtop) makes them appear much more neatly organised, even if you have the same number of pieces taking up the same space. Try a vintage serving tray for traditional flair, or match your tray to your other products for a modern look.
The human eye automatically reads items that are tucked together as being a group, which makes them feel like one object rather than a mess of many items.
This is a strategic way of pointing out that placing a few items on a tray (rather than directly on your vanity benchtop) makes them appear much more neatly organised, even if you have the same number of pieces taking up the same space. Try a vintage serving tray for traditional flair, or match your tray to your other products for a modern look.
Do the unexpected
Sometimes, doing something a little out of the ordinary can make all the difference. For example, any bathroom can have bath soaps perched on the edge of the tub, but gathering such items on a charming stool suddenly turns them into a fun and stylish vignette.
Also, don’t forget one of the biggest surfaces in your bathroom: the floor. A colourful rug (as opposed to a typical bath mat) draws attention without getting in your way.
Your turn
How have you styled your bathroom to create a bathing sanctuary? Tell us in the Comments below, like this story, save the images, and join the conversation.
More
Need some more bathroom design advice? Take a look at these 4 Great Small Bathrooms… and How They Did It
Sometimes, doing something a little out of the ordinary can make all the difference. For example, any bathroom can have bath soaps perched on the edge of the tub, but gathering such items on a charming stool suddenly turns them into a fun and stylish vignette.
Also, don’t forget one of the biggest surfaces in your bathroom: the floor. A colourful rug (as opposed to a typical bath mat) draws attention without getting in your way.
Your turn
How have you styled your bathroom to create a bathing sanctuary? Tell us in the Comments below, like this story, save the images, and join the conversation.
More
Need some more bathroom design advice? Take a look at these 4 Great Small Bathrooms… and How They Did It
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@rhondalicata I am the same. I usually have a hard time keeping them permanently clean no matter what I do. So this time I put in recessed LED medicine cabinet mirrors. Now it is super simple to keep my counter clean. Even the toothbrush plugs inside the medicine cabinet. That contains all the stuff I use daily, then the rest is in the vanity. I also got rid of at least half the crap that I had and never used, so now it's easy to find a space for everything. I was originally planning to add another set of drawers on the end of the bathroom to hold the rest, and now it's not even needed.
I'll look into that. If it's an approved single unit, that may work. Thanks for the idea. I really don't like having the electric toothbrushes and waterpik out on the counter, not just because of the visual clutter, but for sanitiation reasons as well.
Those shower dispensers work pretty well, at least for awhile. Be sure to clean and dry their interior every so often, or mold may happen.