How to decorate a bathroom - 13 stylish tips

08 March 2022

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6 min read

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From tiling bathroom walls to adding extra storage space, knowing how to decorate a bathroom is a pursuit of what's practical and stylish at the same time. It's well worth the effort and with some simple but effective tips, you can elevate your bathroom and experience the best of both worlds.

Bathroom decorating is sometimes seen as a whimsical activity but such assumptions don't do it justice. There are plenty of interior design techniques and strategies you can deploy to shift your bathroom from nice to stylish. Not only will impress your family and friends but it, more often than not, increase its functionality as well.

A floral touch at the Rose Bay Bathroom - Photography: Rebecca Lu

1. Bathroom tiling

If you’re renovating a powder room or master bathroom, tiling choices are a vital part of the decorating process. Tiles need to come from a good manufacturer as lower-quality tiles will leave your bathroom vulnerable to mould.

The tile's aesthetic appeal is also important. If it surrounds the shower space, and there's a wrap-around shower curtain, it’ll be the primary mood setter when someone is showering. It's also at the forefront of vision when someone is bathing and should encourage a calming and relaxing ambience.

Related article - How much does it cost to tile a bathroom in Australia?

Tribeca Sage Green Subway Tiles from Ultimate Tiles

2. Coloured bathroom walls

Bathrooms can be designed with pops of colour along with a neutral aesthetic, or they can be expressively vibrant spaces. They can also be quiet, understated affairs. It all depends on the preferences of the homeowner.

Amber interiors are a popular choice for bathroom walls at the moment because of the colour's warmth. Choosing amber interiors for bathroom walls means a soft glow will be created, something that will also be less harsh when visiting the bathroom in the middle of the night when the light has been switched on.

3. Themed hand towels

Hand towels aren't a permanent physical fixture in the bathroom but they are an everpresent feature nonetheless. Even though they rotated regularly, they should always match the decor of the bathroom when in use.

Selecting hand towels that match the colour and the feeling of the room is important. Fluffy, warming hand towels might be more appropriate for amber interiors. Efficient, white hotel-style hand towels might work better for black and white aesthetics. It's all about creating a theme and complementing it in a pleasing way.

Stylish towels blend in seamlessly on the ABI Cali Single Towel Rail from ABI Interiors

4. Shower curtain options

The shower curtain is another feature in a washroom that deserves more styling attention than it gets. Wrap-around shower curtains are particularly important as they become the main visual focus when the shower is in use. Shower curtains also bring an opportunity to add a pop of colour and show off a bit of personality.

Choosing a shower curtain is one of the easier bathroom decorating ideas to follow and by considering the other colours in the room you’ll narrow your search further. Consider what tones would be comforting or oppressive when the shower curtain is wrapped around the shower area.

5. Attractive cabinets and drawers

Extra storage space around the bathroom is never a bad thing but ugly furnishings are. Attractive cabinets and drawers create extra storage space while augmenting the stylish aesthetic of the room.

For amber interiors, consider muted, earthy tones to distinguish the warm cleaning space from the homely but functional storage space. For white tiles, white cupboards and drawers make an easy choice. The extra storage space should fit seamlessly with the rest of your design choices.

Related article - 18 neat bathroom storage ideas for Australian homes

Mardi Bathroom Cabinet 2 Doors from Mark Tuckey

6. A gallery wall

A gallery wall can be a great source of colour in a bathroom, not just in terms of tone but in terms of theme and storytelling. The gallery wall tells the story of the homeowner including photos and/or pictures that are meaningful to them.

A gallery wall is an excellent way to make a bathroom more vibrant. It’s an easy way to bring energy to a room that is unique and personal.

7. Classic white tiles

White tiles are a popular and timeless choice for the bathroom. There's a good reason for this. They're easy to clean, they create a calm, hygienic feeling and they're often very affordable.

White tiles on the wall or as tiled floors, work in most situations. If black or white checkered or mosaic tiles don’t seem to be working, have no doubts about falling back on white.

Tribeca Gypsum White Subway from Ultimate Tiles

8. An accent wall

An accent wall can add dynamism when a showering and bathing space remains neutral. An accent wall gives the room a vivacious, lively feeling without interrupting the tranquillity of the cleaning space.

Accent walls are a great way to style a bathroom without having to change the tile choice, as the accent wall can be opposite the showering area.

9. Black and white themes

Black and white is a trending and eye-catching choice for a bathroom. No two colours provide more contrast and it can be expressed in many different ways through tiling, patterned wallpaper, wall art, fixtures and fittings and more.

A stylish black and white theme features at Clareville Bathroom

10. The perfect bath mat

The bath mat may seem a little unglamorous but it's the first thing someone steps onto after they shower and one of the easiest ways to decorate a bathroom. There are many different colour choices available and the choice for you will depend on your bathroom's aesthetic as a whole. Dark and deep colours are popular and don't stain easily but bright colours can also add an element of fun too.

11. The toilet roll holder

The toilet roll holder is the unsung hero of any bathroom. From wall-mounted models to stands that hold multiple rolls, it's something that every bathroom needs. It is also noticed every time the toilet is used so has to look the part and be functional.

ABI Cali Toilet Roll Holder from ABI Interiors

12. Adding greenery

Plants and flowers are a great way to add elements of nature into the bathroom. They are a fantastic way of adding an organic serenity and style to a space that most people find calming. Many species also enjoy the moist environments that bathrooms offer and are able to thrive without much ongoing care and maintenance.

13. Hire an interior designer

Using an interior designer will obviously cost you a little bit more than not but many people find their professionalism a real plus. They are experts when it comes to style and can help you achieve the bathroom feel you desire, quickly and easily. If home decorating is not a natural talent you possess or one that you don’t have the time to develop then an interior designer will do the thinking for you creating a design plan that’ll meet all your needs.

Professional styling at Millers Point Home - Photography: Pablo Veiga

Decorate your bathroom with style

Knowing how to decorate a bathroom will give you the confidence to create a pleasant, hygienic atmosphere for all members of the household and guests alike. Whether it’s the tasteful use of tiles, themed hand towels, an accent wall or one of the other suggestions, you’ll give your bathroom a new stylised lease of life that will make it a better, more enjoyable space for one and all.

Related article: How long does a bathroom renovation take in Australia?

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