In lockdown, it seems there were two types of people. Those who reinvented their skincare regime had time to shave every day, used face masks and did their nails twice a week. And those who barely showered. Obviously, I fall into the latter, along with every other woman who was forced into full-time motherhood with no notice. I hardly had time to clean myself so I certainly didn’t have time to clean the bathroom. As a result, I’ve harboured an impressive collection of mould, limescale and whatever that weird orange staining is on the grout. We are also currently using our bath as a kitchen sink as we still don’t have one. The bathroom is far from the spa-like experience it once was.
Photo by Amira Aboalnaga on Unsplash
So, as a treat, I’m re-grouting my shower this week. And, once I stop doing the washing-up in the bath, I’m planning a little bathroom makeover. It was renovated six years ago so nothing major needs doing but I want to make it feel a bit more fresh and homely.
So here are my 5 easy ways to style and accessorise a bathroom.
1. PLANTS
Never underestimate the power of plants when it comes to interiors. I know I bang on about it all the time but there is nothing quite like a plant to literally bring your room to life. They add texture, colour, depth and interest to the room plus they are a great excuse to buy some beautiful ceramic pots. And now that Homesense are reopening its doors you can buy pots galore.
I am the first person to admit I am shit with plants. I mean really shit. I’ve lost count of the number of plant deaths I’ve been responsible for. But even I am now successfully keeping a collection of about 6 plants out of death’s reach. The others are all fake. It’s taken time but I’ve learnt where they will thrive and where they will weep and die. So make sure your bathroom has some natural light and if it’s a small north-facing window go fake. They can still have the same aesthetic impact. And if you are going for a collection of plants try to vary the height. Plants look great in planters on the floor, at countertop height and also up on shelves.
2. RUGS
To make your bathroom feel more like any other room in the house, and less like a functional bathroom, add a rug. And I don’t mean just a bathmat I mean a rug! Obviously only if you have room. A rug will add warmth and texture and bring a sense of luxury particularly if you have pretty mediocre floor tiles, which I definitely do. I know some people are totally grossed out about rugs and bathmats because of all those pesky pubes and bodily fluids (puke). So if you are a clean freak this one probably isn’t for you. But I’m one of those people where if I can’t see it it doesn’t bother me. Blindly ignorant. I’m still to find my perfect rug but I am loving the collection at Maison Du Monde and Zara Home right now.
3. ARTWORK
If you’ve got some wall space get some artwork up on them. And I’m not talking about those tedious typography prints about washing your hands or having a nice poo. I mean some artwork you love. Something you find inspiring or something beautiful you want to look at every day. Your bathroom is normally a pretty personal space that guests don’t see so you can really express your personality. Artwork will certainly add a sense of homeliness to the space rather than it just being basins, taps and tiles. It’s a great way to pull a colour scheme together to add more warmth and interest.
4. PRODUCTS
If you really want to create that spa-like feeling in your bathroom then you need to take a long hard look at your products. Most of the packaging is really ugly. To stand out on shelves brands will often use eye-catching colours and massive fonts that might convince you to buy their product but will look shit on your shower caddy. So you can either buy products based on their spa-like packaging which will cost the Earth. Or you could invest in some glass bottles you can decant your products into, they will look so much prettier than your pink plastic Loreal bottle.
If you really want to go for it you can get a label machine and create waterproof labels so everyone knows what’s what. And better still, you can take them to eco-shops where they sell refills of generic bathing products. That way you can help rid the planet of discarded Head and Shoulder bottles too.
5. PAINT
Probably the easiest and cheapest way to transform your bathroom. This is where having a small bathroom can be a real advantage. A total repaint should only be two days work, happy days. Blues and greens are probably the most generic colours for bathrooms but you should go with whatever colour you love. Try oranges or pinks for a warmer look. Or go dark for a more theatrical feel in a small space. A bathroom isn’t a place we spend a lot of time hanging out so you can afford to be a bit braver with your colour choice.
It’s gonna be a while before my mini makeover will be ready for a reveal, I’ve got a kitchen reno to complete first, but watch this space! I’ll certainly be practising what I preach on this project and am looking out for the perfect rug and artwork. What changes would you like to make to your own bathroom?
If you would like help transforming any rooms then why not give me a call? I offer my interior design services across Hampshire, Bournemouth and Poole and would love to help you.
Sarah x
