A clean and serene sanctuary, a bathroom is ironically one of the hardest spaces in a home to maintain decor-wise. Bathrooms fall victim to fast trends, low-quality materials, and decor stores’ ‘quick-win’ options that do little more than add clutter and a tacky feel. This holiday season, as many of us gear up for renovations or spruce up our main powder rooms and end suites, get shower leak repair, shower tile repair, and take note of what interior designers specifically urge us to bypass
Bathroom Accessory Sets of Shower Leak Repair
The cheapest and surest way to tank your bathroom’s aesthetic is to purchase an identical set of accessories, usually a toothbrush holder, a liquid soap dispenser, a dish soap dispenser, and sometimes even a matching soap dish and bin. “Buying boxed matching accessory sets screams ‘hotel bathroom!’ in a super basic and obvious way. It immediately signals no design thought was involved,” says Maya Kogan. Maya Kogan Interiors is on the cheap bathroom accessories trend.
Instead, try layering unique finds. “Mixing and matching items such as one organic, handmade ceramic toothbrush holder and a concrete soap pump allows your bathroom to feel more considered,” says Kogan.
Cheap Shower Curtains
The cheap, clingy plastic shower curtain is the embodiment of tackiness; they attract mold and mildew and generally look tacky. Instead of those thin plastic coverings, designers suggest you opt for heavy-duty, double-layered curtains, either an expensive canvas cover with some of a liner that will repel water more successfully, or even better yet, a beautiful custom-made glass shower enclosure to add a touch of high-end luxury and increase the spacious feeling of a bathroom.
Poor Overhead Light
Most people fail to plan for layered lighting; we’re guilty of it, too!” admits Jessica Gaffney of J. West Interiors.
If there’s no other light in the room, using anything other than a really soft glow overhead can come across as harsh and quite sterile.
For example, when designers replace builder-grade bathroom lighting with modern alternatives-such as hanging pendant lights over vanities, an attractive flush-mount style on the ceiling, and strategically positioned wall sconces for ambient light-they get rave reviews from clients because it feels a thousand times better than any ceiling light by itself.
A themed toilet
A bathroom should be a calm space for people to get themselves clean not a theme park! Overly kitschy bathroom themes (think a toilet that looks like a character from some popular Disney film) are nothing if not completely tacky. “I don’t really care for a specific, overly thematic bathroom design just some kind of clean motif is nice, but I really avoid the themed items because they’re just really tacky and often just really distracting,” shares Jessica Kloss. Of JWK Design.
It may come as little surprise to learn what one very common decorating item, even found at stylish retail outlets, can make your beautifully decorated bathroom space feel instantly less elegant and more of what people associate with cheap decor.
That item: signs and words, whether that’s on a wall sign, written on the toilet paper, embroidered into towels, or on display as an accent to an art piece you name it, many designers find the decorating of spaces with written words, such as “Relax,” “Breathe,” “Wash Up,” or the like, completely tasteless.
While many homes are moving back towards minimalism after a decade or more of highly personal style, words and phrases often found in bathrooms are a particularly glaring and obvious piece of the past. And you know what? This kind of decor looks dated and, quite honestly, incredibly tacky.
A matching countertop tray or organizer
Similar to accessory sets, any grouping of items like shampoo, soap, and cotton buds sitting on an exact-match countertop organizer, while seemingly put-together at first glance, actually undermines the intentionality of your design. The makeup for this is investing in higher-quality materials that serve a real design purpose. This means investing in quality vanity, good flooring, and thoughtful touches, whether it’s luxurious hardware or beautiful lighting. Or if your budget doesn’t extend to high-quality bathroom improvements, go minimal and be really deliberate about the few products that sit out. Even your shampoo bottle should complement the rest of the decor.
Plastic Everything
From cheap toothpaste dispensers to basic plastic towel hooks, it’s time to ditch all the cheap plastic. While sometimes unavoidable, plastic has no place in truly well-designed bathrooms, as it can feel flimsy, scratch easily, and simply cheapens any space it occupies. Designers prefer to incorporate natural materials and metals to add depth and warmth. Think timber floating shelves, a stone or marble sink, high-quality brass taps and hooks, or ribbed or frosted glass for a bit of privacy. Even basic toiletries can look a hundred times better stored in elegant glass jars or sleek, stylish dispensers.The bathroom is still one of the smallest spaces in most homes, but with thoughtful design choices, it can be one of the most satisfying and functional spaces to spend time in.
FAQs:
What is the biggest mistake people make when decorating a bathroom?
Buying boxed, matching accessory sets and displaying literal word art signs are the two most common decorating mistakes that instantly make a bathroom look cheap.
Are shower curtains considered tacky?
Basic plastic shower curtains hung low look cheap. However, double-hung fabric shower curtains mounted close to the ceiling can look chic and custom.
How can I make my bathroom look more expensive on a budget?
Decant bath products into sleek containers, replace matching plastic sets with mixed ceramic or glass pieces, and swap harsh overhead light bulbs for warm-toned lighting.
Are toilet contour mats out of style?
Yes. U-shaped rugs that wrap around the base of the toilet are considered outdated and unhygienic by designers. Opt for a single plush bath runner instead.
What tile choices make a bathroom look dated quickly?
Overly busy mosaic patterns, starkly contrasting grout lines, and cheap plastic trims date quickly. Soft tonal palettes and larger format tiles offer a more timeless look.
