Small Bathroom Decorating Ideas On Tight Budget

11 tips for making a small bathroom look elegant

Transform your small bathroom with these simple changes that will instantly add sophistication and style.

Feb 19, 2021 5:10am

small-bathroom-elegance

Just because you have a small bathroom doesn't mean you can't have a beautiful bathroom. To help you transform your bathroom, we've pulled together 11 easy tips for making a small bathroom look elegant.

Bathrooms are one of the hardest working rooms in the house, packing a whole lot of functionality into one compact room which is made more challenging the less space you have.

From shower to bathtub, and vanity to toilet, it can be overwhelming to think about how to up the luxe factor without breaking the bank or knocking down some walls.

Luckily, there's a number of simple tips and tricks that will help you transform your small bathroom into the luxurious oasis you've always dreamed of.

Here are some of our favourite ideas...

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Add some warmth

Wooden accents - even something small, like a wooden bath tray, or something more impactful, like timber plantation shutters - look luxurious and chic in a bathroom. Timber and white is classic combination, after all!

Paint the tiles

Give your tiles a refresh by painting them (use tile paint) and updating the grout. If you're (extremely) patient, you could even try a black and white checkerboard effect.

Float your vanity

A floating vanity looks elegant and also makes a small space look more open.

Open the vanity

Open shelving in your vanity looks incredibly chic, as long as the items within it are organised neatly. Let this be a warning to you!

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Go for glass

If your budget extends to a new shower, consider going for a totally glass (ie no steel frame) shower.

This not only looks stunning, but it also offers the illusion of more space – particularly when creating a walk-in shower.

Install dimmer lights

Give your bathroom a spa-like feel with dimmer lights to soften the feel of the room.

An electrician should be able to knock this over in a day (meaning you could potentially be having a bath under your newly dimmed lights this weekend).

Don't forget the little touches

An oil diffuser, soft white towels, candles for ambience - these are small, simple fixes that can really help your bathroom look (and feel) more luxe.

Update your fixtures

Rose gold, copper and matte black fixtures are all having a moment, and we get it: they're stunning.

Switching out your default bathroom tapware for something more chic is a simple, effective way to add elegance to your bathroom.

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Add a large artwork

Art, in the bathroom? It's surprising - and that's why we like it. An oversized artwork, or mirror, looks great over a tub.

Think about storage

If you're renovating, consider recessed niches - in your shower, and near the bath - to add sleek bathroom storage without compromising space.

Add more lighting

Battery-powered stick-on LED lights are great for under the kitchen cupboards, but they also work in the bathroom. Add some under your vanity mirror for extra task lighting.

ADD STYLISH ACCESSORIES LIKE...

Sweet Cheeks Pink and Multi Bath Mat, $39.99, Adairs.

Add a playful personality to your bathroom with this adorable bath mat that's sure to bring a smile to any visitor's face. Available in a dreamy pink, vibrant mustard, soft blue, and an irresistible eucalyptus green, this bath mat is an easy way to introduce a pop of colour to your bathroom, while also keeping your feet dry and squeaky clean.

Paros Hand Towel in Slate, $24.95, Aura Home.

A high-quality absorbent hand towel is a must in any bathroom, from powder room, to ensuite, to the family bathroom. Aura Home's Paros hand towels are made from sustainably sourced cotton and features a timeless tasseled design. With fourteen different colourways to choose from, Paros will fit in perfectly no matter your interior design style.

Loft Marble Soap Pump, $49.95, Country Road.

One of the easiest ways to add elegance to your bathroom is to dispense with mis-matched bottles and invest in a statement set of counter pieces that ooze luxurious appeal. The Loft Marble set from Country Road includes a soap pump, tumbler for toothbrushes, and a varying set of trays that will help you keep your vanity organised in style.