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Home » Bathroom Projects

How to make a small bathroom look luxurious

Published: Mar 22, 2022 · Modified: Sep 13, 2022 by Morgan · As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. This site contains affiliate links. ·

Bored with your bland bathroom? You can update it, easily and on a budget. Here's how to make a small bathroom look luxurious!

We just finished giving our main bathroom a one weekend makeover. This was a budget friendly, easy DIY project that really upgraded the space.

Vanity before makeover
Bathroom BEFORE
Vanity area after makeover
Bathroom AFTER

Last year, we did a similar one day (4 hour!) makeover on our half bathroom downstairs.

half bathroom makeover in four hours

I have learned a lot about the simple, DIY touches that you can add

Here are the best bathroom paint colors!

how to make a small bathroom look luxurious

How can I make my small bathroom luxurious?

How do you add luxury to a bathroom?

Luxurious bathrooms are all about keeping it clean, fresh, and adding small touches of luxury. Ideas include:

  • Swap out builder grade mirrors for something with a frame and/or an interesting shape
  • Trade out the cabinet hardware for something your style
  • Replace generic lighting
  • Add hooks instead of towel rods
  • Use similar finishes - like all gold - and repeat textures - like woven baskets - throughout the space
  • Add a bench or stool to the shower (if there's space)
  • Hang a wallpaper - even peel and stick - for a dramatic, high end look
  • Add a bathtub tray - here's how to build one
  • Swap the light switch for one with a dimmer

How do you make a small bathroom pop?

To make your small bathroom pop, give it a few "wow" moments. Maybe it is a beautiful piece of artwork, an interesting shaped mirror, or a bold paint color. You don't want too many focal points - but you do want something interesting for the eye to settle on.

shelving and shutters in half bathroom

How can I make my bathroom look beautiful?

My top tips to make a bathroom instantly look beautiful:

  • Declutter - hide small items in drawers, baskets, or bins
  • Brighten the space with light fixtures or large mirrors
  • Deep clean the grout of any tile to make it look fresh, consider using a bleach pen
  • Create a focal point with paint, color, art, or something dramatic for the eye to settle on
  • Hang a plant - we hung one from a ceiling hook in our shower!

How do you brighten a dull bathroom?

Here are a few ways to brighten a dull or dark bathroom:

  • Use a light and bright paint color
  • Remove curtains to let the natural light in
  • If you have dark flooring, cover it with a lighter rug
  • Remove clutter
  • Add mirrors
  • Have at least 3 light sources (IE overhead light, sconces, window)

Also consider brightening up the grout by using a grout pen on old, faded grout!

How do you update a small bathroom?

The easiest ways to update a small bathroom is with paint, a new mirror, new vanity hardware, and some simple new accessories.

Another great way to update a small bathroom is by organizing it. If you have a cabinet style vanity, try to get as much stuff as possible off the counters and into the cabinet or drawers. Here are our tips for organizing under a bathroom sink and how to organize bathroom drawers.

How can I make my shower look expensive?

Adding a shower bench is a great way to make your shower look more expensive. Organize your soaps and shampoos and if you are really extra, put them in matching containers. Finally, consider hanging a plant in the shower for a dramatic look!

How can I make my bathroom look less clinical?

Stark white bathrooms can feel clinical. Consider painting the walls a color - or at least a warmer white. Using gold or brass hardware feels homier than shiny silver or nickel.

Add art to the walls and textiles like rugs or shower curtains to additionally soften the space.

half bathroom after

How to make an apartment bathroom look luxurious

Usually you can't paint apartments or do anything permanent. Instead consider:

  • Using interesting rugs to cover outdated flooring
  • Use removable contact paper to cover outdated countertops
  • Hang art that reflects your personal style
  • Change out the knobs (here's how, save the original ones in a bag and replace before you move)
  • Use baskets to corral clutter

How do you accessorize a bathroom?

Skip the toilet seat covers and use these bathroom accessories instead:

  • Cups or organizers for toothbrushes
  • Glass soap/lotion dispensers
  • Tiered steps (like for spices) for countertop toiletries
  • Turntable/lazy susan for under the cabinet organization
  • Bath rugs - don't need traditional bath mat, other runners can work
  • Artwork
  • New knobs or hardware
floating shelves in bathroom

Expensive looking bathroom accessories

You don't have to spend a ton to get good looking bathroom accessories - target and homegoods are my go to shopping places.

Stone pieces usually look high end - you can get a slate looking gray stone or a stone with a marble look.

Cut glass also can look dainty and almost antique and works great for more vintage style homes.

I prefer a matte finish on metals rather than glossy and think that it looks more high end.

How can I make my bathroom feel like a hotel?

Hotels usually have light, white bathrooms, very bright lighting, and minimal accessories.

To go the extra mile, consider buying extra plush white towels, marble finishes, and an upgraded shower head.

Arched mirrors and new bathroom vanity light in bathroom

How to make a small bathroom look bigger

There are a few easy ways to make a bathroom look bigger. They are similar to my ideas for making the room look brighter, because a bright room usually looks bigger than a dark one!

  • Hang a large - or multiple - mirrors to bounce light
  • Remove curtains and let natural light in
  • Hang art or shelves that go up high on the walls, drawing the eye up
  • Use the largest rug that will fit in the space
  • Be minimalist with accessories and countertop clutter
  • Choose a simple color palette of light and bright colors
  • If you have a shower curtain, consider adding a curtain tie back to open up the space when not in use
  • Hang shower curtains up as high to the ceiling as possible - get an extra long shower curtain!

Bathroom decorating ideas on a budget

You don't have to spend a ton to get your bathroom updated!

  • Consider using spray paint to make mismatched accessories or decor all one color.
  • Check out the dollar tree for really cute bathroom and organization accessories
  • And always remember - less is more. Cluttered bathrooms always look a mess. Save money by doing less!

Small but beautiful bathrooms

Here are some real life small but beautiful bathrooms to inspire you!

Small luxurious bathrooms

Here are some real life small but beautiful bathrooms to inspire you!

A one day half bathroom makeover

We made over this half bathroom in just four hours with paint, shelves, a new mirror, and a new light fixture!

Our weekend owner's suite bathroom makeover

We made over our main bathroom on a weekend with paint, mirrors, a new light fixture, and organizing all of our toiletries.

Half Bathroom $100 Makeover Reveal

We upgraded the half bath in our old house by painting the walls, spray painting the light fixture + accessories, hanging a shelf, and adding a rope frame to the existing mirror!

Two Day Bathroom Makeover

Sean gave his mom's bathroom a weekend makeover with paint and new accessories!

Photo Credit: myweeabode.com

Modern Coastal Bathroom Makeover Reveal -

Soothing colors and coastal accessories give this bathroom a cozy, beach house feel.

Photo Credit: southernhospitalityblog.com

Guest Bathroom Renovation!

This is a great before and after showing how adding custom touches can really make a bathroom feel more high end.

Photo Credit: www.2thesunnyside.com

Inexpensive Master Bathroom Makeover

The black wall and unique gold mirrors really make this bathroom feel glam!

Photo Credit: www.2thesunnyside.com

The Ultimate Jaw-Dropping Modern Bathroom Reveal that’s Actually...

There are so many special touches in this bathroom and great uses of the space!

Photo Credit: www.peacockridgefarm.com

Beautiful French Country Powder Bathroom Makeover

French country is a style that often feels opulent and luxurious. Here's how to incorporate that into a bathroom!

Photo Credit: www.artsychicksrule.com

Coastal Bathroom Makeover Reveal (all the details!)

This bathroom isn't huge but it makes a great use of the space and has a lot of eye catching features!

Photo Credit: thelivedinlook.com

Glam Powder Room Inspiration and Reveal

The wallpaper in this bathroom instantly makes it feel high end!

Photo Credit: www.martysmusings.net

How to Make a Small Bathroom Look Larger : 7 Tips and Tricks!

Love these tips for helping small bathrooms feel larger!

Photo Credit: momcrieff.com

HGTV style total bathroom renovation. See how my 5 x 8 bathroom looked at the end!

If you are dreaming of gutting your bathroom, this project is sure to inspire you!

Photo Credit: www.girljustdiy.com

Master Bathroom Makeover Reveal – on a $100 Budget

Low budget? No problem! Check out this $100 bathroom makeover.

Photo Credit: www.2thesunnyside.com

DIY Bathroom Remodel on a Budget

The lighting, accent wall, and tile in this bathroom all make it feel high end - on a budget!

Photo Credit: stacyling.com

Renovating the Bathroom

This bathroom is simple but chic.

Photo Credit: www.artsychicksrule.com

Coastal Guest Bath Refresh

This bathroom has a bit of a boho look with raw wood and simple finishes - and a plant!

Photo Credit: myhomierhome.com

The Next Step in the Powder Room Makeover

Just take a look at this statement wall paper! It really makes this bathroom pop.

Photo Credit: craftedbythehunts.com

Modern Powder Room Reveal

People say don't use a dark paint color in a small room - but this powder room proves that idea wrong!

Photo Credit: lovecreatecelebrate.com

DIY Modern Small Bathroom

This bathroom has a sleek, modern look.

Photo Credit: greenwithdecor.com

The $100 coastal bathroom makeover reveal

Another $100 bathroom makeover, this one with a coastal feel.

Photo Credit: smallstuffcounts.com

Modern Green Bathroom Makeover

This luxe green bathroom is modern and bold and so luxurious!

How do you like to decorate your small bathroom?

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Hello, I'm Morgan, half of the creative force behind CharlestonCrafted.com! With a passion for DIY that dates back to 2012, I've transformed three homes and now I'm dedicated to helping others craft their dream spaces. Let's turn your house into a home together!

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