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ERIC PIASECKI

82 Best Bathroom Decorating Ideas to Add Some Soul to Your Bathroom Remodel

Yes, you do need a bathroom library!

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Despite its daily use, the average bathroom can feel as cold as bare feet on a tile floor. If you’re in the midst of a planning a bathroom renovation and want to imbue the space with a distinctly country warm-up, look no further than these design ideas inspired by your home’s more linger-friendly living spaces.

But with so many creative ideas to choose from, where should you even begin? We suggest starting from the ground up. From fresh spins on bathroom tile to tips on picking out the best art for a bathroom, small changes can make a big impact without breaking the bank. If your budget allows for a more in-depth reno, we’ve got leads on how to refurbish your favorite antique clawfoot tub and expert tips on installing wallpaper—yes, bathroom wallpaper!

For More Bathroom Renovation and Decorating Inspiration:
20 Best Small Bathroom Ideas to Spruce Up Your Space
30 Creative Clawfoot Tub Ideas for Every Bathroom
25 Bright Bathroom Lighting Ideas

1

Bring in the Old

vintage furniture in bright blue bathroom with painted dark blue and white checkered floors
Erin Conway

From storage-friendly case goods to perch perfect stools, vintage furniture adds layers of soul. Opt for an antique cupboard or china cabinet over expensive built-in storage to make your space feel a little more lived-in.

Painted floors also help enhance that dreamy, old-school charm. Not sure where to start? Check out our guide to painted floors!

2

Hang a Collection

botanical prints hang above a bathtub with a blue wood surround in a country home
Christopher Horwood

Calling all renters! Simple decor changes such as new knobs or a fresh set of matching monogrammed towels can make a bathroom feel totally new in a single afternoon (and won’t risk your security deposit). For a quick update, channel your love of antiques and hang an arrangement above the tub. From botanical prints to vintage china—it’s all fair game.

RELATED: Check out our favorite antique tips and tricks here.

3

Create a Bath Library

bathroom decor ideas
Paige Rumore

You’ve heard of wash, rinse, repeat, but what about read, rinse, repeat? Bath libraries are bubbling up more as of late, with designers and bibliophile homeowners taking a page from reading rooms and studies when it comes to the bath. “It definitely makes the space feel more like a room,” says designer Stephanie Sabbe, whose reading respite pictured here feels like an ideal spot to while away the hours—or, even better, The Hours. (Fun fact: Author Michael Cunningham boasts quite the bath library himself.)

Drop-in, alcove, or undermount tubs like the one shown here are best suited for this look, as they provide a natural base for built-ins, but any open shelving serves up space for a condensed collection. Worried about water? Consider a tub-friendly reading rack, or let the books remain an aesthetic choice while soaking up an audiobook via speaker. Whatever you do, leave the Kindle by the bed.

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4

Add Whimsy with Wallpaper

bathroom with green botanical wallpaper
Kirsten Francis

“Wallpaper is more durable than you would guess,” says designer Emily C. Butler, who covered this bath in a fanciful forest motif. Emily does, however, recommend shielding water-prone edges with a tile border or high backsplash. And as fun as a wallpapered ceiling can be, skip it in this case, because steam rises. Still skeptical? Peel-and-stick styles have come a long way. Check out Chasing Paper and Tempaper for options.

RELATED: 28 Inspiring Ways to Use Wallpaper in Your Bathroom

5

Have Fun with Tile

farmhouse bathroom with green floor tile
Kaitlin Green

When designer Emily Henderson set out to revamp her 1910 farmhouse, this bathroom was marked for cosmetic upgrades only. It wasn’t until her team of architects discovered some less-than-desirable previous electrical and plumbing work that she decided to give it a complete re-do. Emily decided to play up the country feel by layering in a mix of green tile from Pratt + Larson. The ceramic herringbone tile helps ground the airy space, while a picket tile border brings in a playful spin. (Emily only realized after the reno that the pickets look similar to blades of grass—a comparison she welcomes!)

RELATED: 37 Bathroom Tile Ideas That'll Liven Up Your Washroom

6

Add Architectural Interest

a bright and airy bathroom with a drop in tub, walnut wood vanity, and mirror
Tony Hughes

When Ohio-based designer Halle Baran was tasked with turning a dated 55-square-foot bathroom into a roomier, family-friendly retreat, she focused on bringing back some charm to the 1950s Cape Cod-style home. A new eyebrow arch shower surround and wood paneling create some period-accurate character. To make the space more friendly for three children under age seven, a drop-in acrylic tub was a nonnegotiable.

RELATED: 20 Kids Bath Ideas That'll Make Them Excited for Bath Time

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7

Put Your Best Claw-Foot Forward

bright white bathroom in country home with a white cast iron tub and tan painted wood floors
Sara Ligorria-Tramp

Nothing invites everyday escapism like a classic cast-iron tub. A staple of country bathrooms since the 1700s, there’s a style to suit every space, from refurbished antiques (more on those below) to modern mainstays. Just make sure your floors can handle the heft, as some weigh in at 500 pounds even when empty.

How to Find Your Salvaged Soaker: Start the hunt at your local architectural salvage yard. Antique plumbing expert Jill Wilson advises touching the bottom of every tub. “If it feels like suede, that means the finish is too worn,” she says. While interior stains can easily be removed (Jill recommends an old-fashioned scrub with mild soap and water and finish with a Magic Eraser), damage to cast iron—think hairline cracks—is harder to fix. For a more extensive overhaul, use professional refinishers such as Miracle Method. Jill also recommends only buying tubs with existing feet, as claw-foots were made by manufacturers who had their own specific fittings.

8

Go Vintage with Your Vanity

natural wood vanity in bathroom of country home
Kaitlin Green

According to the 2023 Houzz Bathroom Trend Survey, natural wood vanities overtook white vanities in popularity for the first time. By repurposing an old dresser or table into a base, you’ll create a one-of-a-kind statement piece. (Psst: If you’re looking to embrace more color, antique wicker is a good option, too.) But, DIYer be warned: Outfitting an old piece of furniture for a sink requires skilled carpentry and plumbing precision. In other words, this isn’t your average one-hour install. Keep in mind that the standard vanity height is 30–34 inches, so choose your piece accordingly.

“It’s also best to opt for flat-top furniture that can be arranged flush against the wall,” says Katherine Jones, director of contractor operations at Sweeten.

For sinks, sit-on-top vessels are simpler than insets. You may also need built-in supports to carry the weight of a sink or countertop. (If you don’t add a countertop, protect your wood with a waterproof sealant.) Before making any plumbing changes, consult with sites like Sweeten or the Plumbing- Heating-Cooling Contractors Association to connect with a qualified plumber or contractor.

RELATED: 20 Best Make Up Vanity Options for Every Style and Budget

9

Tap Into Texture

bathroom in country home with a wicker valance, wicker tub surround, and wicker chair
Joanna Maclennan

Woven materials in particular go a long way toward balancing out all of the sleek surfaces to be found in a bathroom. Here, wicker purveyors Benoît Rauzy and Anthony Watson of Atelier Vime chose to extend their craft to the tub with this custom surround. To add your own textural touch, consider bamboo shades, jute storage baskets, or a splurge-worthy scalloped window valance.

Get the Look
Window Shades: For similar, Cordless Woven Roman Shades.

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10

Drench the Room in Color

blue checkered bathroom
Courtesy of Jenni Yolo

When designer Jenni Yolo, host of Makeover by Monday on the Magnolia Network, embarked on a reno of a circa-2003 fixer-upper, she knew she was in for an uphill battleto start, the walls were concrete. To keep costs low and timelines on schedule, she worked within the bathroom’s existing framework (aka, no walls torn down here!). Color became her best weapon to turn this room around! Deep blue walls and 44-inch-high blue ceramic tile wainscoting create a blanket of blues in the space. The same blue tile extends to the shower in a checkered motif.

Get the Look:
Wall Paint Color:
Waterloo by Sherwin-Williams

11

Install a Trough-Style Sink

bathroom decor ideas sink
Sarah Elliott for Chango & Co.

Trough sinks are great for bathrooms that will play host to more than one guest. Installing multiple faucets and soap dishes, like in this farmhouse bath by Chango & Co. also ensures no one will be fighting for elbow room when it comes to bedtime.

12

Lean Into Asymmetry

bathroom decor ideas asymmetrical
DAVID TSAY

Working with a sloped ceiling or an oddly shaped room? Go with the flow—and add a ton of fun and quirkiness!—by utilizing an asymmetrical shower design.

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13

Go Moody & Rustic

Black Bathroom Decor Ideas
DANA GALLAGHER

Keep things interesting, textured, and rich with a few deep colors. We love that the weathered look of this painted wood provides warmth and drama all at once.

Get the look:
Wall Paint Color: Newburyport Blue by Benjamin Moore

RELATED: See more of this cozy Wisconsin cabin. The kitchen is one of our all-time favorites!

14

Skirt Your Sink

bathroom decor ideas skirt
DAVID TSAY

Keep things feminine with a skirted sink! You can easily hide unsightly plumbing or clutter cabinets in a pinch with a few yards of fabric. Just be sure to pick performance fabric so it holds up to the water and wear!

15

Embrace Weathered Whites

white bathroom weathered
DAVID TSAY

White and bright does not mean have to mean modern. In this all-white bathroom, vintage-inspired materials and an antique stool keep the entire room grounded and oh-so-nostalgic.

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16

Coordinate Your Colors

bathroom decor ideas chandelier
Aaron Colussi

Stick to tried and true color combos, like gold and navy, to bring your bathroom together with ease. Here, a blue tub and gold mirror set the stage, while art, curtains, and a vintage rug pull it together. And, don't forget the chandelier for an extra touch of luxe!

17

Go for Exposed Bulbs

bathroom decor lighting
LISA ROMEREIN/ RIZZOLI

In Diane Keaton's luxurious bathroom, a beautiful light fixture complete with exposed Edison-style bulbs illuminates the room without feeling too bulky.

18

Lay a Multicolored Runner

bathroom decor rug
ERIC PIASECKI

Add some vibrance to a neutral bathroom by swapping out a typical bath mat with a beautiful rug like Alison and Jim Luckman did in their Idaho farmhouse designed by Historical Concepts.

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19

Convert Your Farm Staple Into a Sink

bathroom decor ideas leanne ford
TREVOR SMITH

Here, a rustic feed trough got upgraded to sink status designer Leanne Ford’s bathroom. Lean into the rustic look like Leanne did by keeping finishes rustic and decor to a minimum.

RELATED: Get More of Leanne Ford's Cottage-Style Decorating Tips

20

Embrace Exposed Brick

bathroom decor brick wall
Brian Woodcock

The exposed brick wall, repurposed metal ceiling, and claw-foot bathtub come together for the ultimate vintage-inspired space in this Tennessee fixer-upper. A vintage rug and gauzy shower curtain helps soften the space.

Headshot of Anna Logan
Anna Logan
Senior Homes & Style Editor

Anna Logan is the Senior Homes & Style Editor at Country Living, where she covers design and decorating trends, home features, and gift guides. She also produces home features and styles content for the print magazine. When she isn’t working, can often be found digging around antique shops for the perfect find. Follow her adventures on Instagram!

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Genius Decorating Ideas for Every Room in Your House

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