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There's no denying that bathroom renovations can be costly. But good style doesn't have to have a high price tag, which is why we came up with a fresh batch of budget-friendly decor ideas that actually make a difference. Just because we can't splurge on the clawfoot tub of our dreams doesn't mean we can't give our bathrooms a major design upgrade. From simply adding a plant or swapping cabinetry hardware, these bathroom decorating ideas only cost $100 or less. Whether you implement one or a few, any of these tips will give your bathroom the high-quality look and refreshed feeling you're after.
Ensure your bathroom gets natural light and privacy by installing café curtains. Go for a patterned option to enhance the overall character of the room, as Avery Cox Design did in this space. If you want to get crafty, you can even DIY them with your fabric of choice.
BUY NOW Etsy Toile Café Curtains, $98
If you're tired of bare bathroom walls, fill them with framed art as designer Alexander Reid did in this space. Source cheap frames from places like flea markets, HomeGoods, and Facebook Marketplace. Take pages from coffee table books you already own, or invest in a new book, for artwork to fill the frames with.
BUY NOW HomeGoods Chanel Coffee Table Book, $30
Take inspiration from the cabinetry in this bathroom designed by Toledo Geller. If you have plain inset cabinets, use peel-and-stick wallpaper to fill the inset surfaces of them. If you're artsy, you could even paint designs directly onto the cabinets yourself for a unique touch.
BUY NOW Peel-and-Stick Wallpaper By Novogratz, $43
A vase with a beautiful bouquet of fresh flowers can instantly enhance a bathroom's luxury atmosphere. Just take it from this bathroom designed by Lucy Harris, which features flowers near pottery and art on a floating shelf. If you want the look to last longer, go for an artificial arrangement.
BUY NOW HomeGoods Artificial Cherry Blossoms, $30
The next time you're considering tossing or selling a piece of furniture, consider bringing it into your bathroom instead. For instance, you could forgo built-in shelves and create more storage space with an armoire. Both traditional and quirky, this unexpected item will make your bathroom feel homier. It's especially unique when paired with Fornasetti's cloud-print wallpaper and a modern aubergine stool, as done in this bathroom decorated by Arent & Pyke.
Nothing screams luxury like a fully stocked towel display. The one in this bathroom designed by Hecker Guthrie puts all linen closets to shame. Of course, the fresh flowers and sleek mirror enhance that effect.
BUY NOW Hammam Linen White Hand Towels 4-Pack, $17
Brass features add “a hint of luxury and a nod to older styles,” designer Shari Francis says of this bathroom she gave a cosmetic upgrade. Any easy yet cheap way to do that? Incorporate brass accessories. If not with a faucet or mirror, use a brass soap dispenser, tissue box, toothbrush holder, or even a set of hardware for hanging towels and robes.
BUY NOW Brass Bathroom Hardware Set, $43
Enjoy a regular bubble bath? Put a small table next to your tub, as designer Elizabeth Georgantas did here. A wood stool or small slim side table will not only make your space look more luxurious, but it's perfect for hosting your glass of wine, book, speaker, or candles.
BUY NOW Teak Stool, $78
Add a tree in the corner for a low-lift update that has a ton of transformative power. As seen in this bathroom designed by 2LG Studio, the palm leaf tree truly brings it to life.
BUY NOW Costa Farms Majesty Palm Grower Pot, $39
Picking one color and sticking to it will make things a lot easier, and this tonal look is both on-trend and visually interesting (even—no, especially—if you go for something as simple as white). In this bathroom designed by Leanne Ford Interiors, even the faucet is painted white.
BUY NOWRust-Oleum Ultra Matte White Paint, $23
One of the only ways to bring warmth into a bathroom with affordable decor is an area rug. It's also a fun way to add color, print, and texture. The fringe and pops of neon featured in this mostly-marble bathroom by Regan Baker Design is the perfect case study. A bath mat will do, too.
BUY NOWWest Elm Landscape Stripes Bath Mat, $40
Always remember that extra storage is your friend in a bathroom, where you'll want to tuck away unsightly essentials. Eye-catching hardware, like the rose gold handle pulls in this space by Hecker Guthrie, make the cabinets look a lot more expensive. And instead of installing custom marble countertops, you can just shop for an affordable marble tray to stack your items on.
BUY NOW Pink Marble Tray, $17
When you can't afford to renovate the bathroom, focus on minor additions that can make it feel a touch more elevated. Spending thousands on installing a new marble sink, for example, may be out of the question, but a fancy soap for guests can do more good than you'd think, and it's a fraction of the cost. Aesop is always a good call, as seen in this bathroom designed by Arent & Pyke.
BUY NOWAesop Aromatique Hand Soap, $40
This bathroom designed by Hecker Guthrie proves that you don't need a huge space to make an impact, especially when plants are involved. Love plants but can't keep them alive or don't think the ones that eventually die are worth the money? There are actually some pretty great artificial plants and leaves that don't look totally fake, whether you display them together in a vase or bolster a bouquet of flowers with them.
BUY NOWIKEA Smycka Artificial Leaf, $5
Adding a dash of metal can make the bathroom feel a little fancier and more polished. Even something as nondescript as a catch-all or soap dish will do the trick, but we're partial to that round stool in Leanne Ford's bathroom.
BUY NOWAnthropologie Bridgette Toilet Paper Holder, $48
Even something as simple as hanging a robe can make all the difference. As seen in this Arent & Pyke-designed bathroom, it makes the space feel spa-like. The small Art Deco area rug also plays up the blue tones throughout while introducing pattern and a pop of coral.
BUY NOW Brooklinen Bathrobe, $84
Leanne Ford is the master of reclaiming old items and making them feel brand new again, like the shelf, mirror, and antique knick-knacks in this bathroom. The schoolhouse-style sink fits in with the retro look while the fresh white paint and oversized dome pendant polish things off.
BUY NOWVintage Brass Pendant, $100
Not only is it a good idea to keep wallpaper out of splashing range, but it can also cut your cost in half if you only buy enough for half the square footage. The white tiles in this bathroom designed by Arent & Pyke keep things feeling fresh while the wallpaper adds a little more personality.
BUY NOWWild Grass Removable Wallpaper, $45
Design firm Alexander DB softens up the large factory-style windows and gritty concrete floors in this industrial space with a plush area rug and striped hand towels. Though they're decidedly more bohemian, they fit in with the modern black tub and warehouse vibes because they stay within that monochrome palette.
BUY NOWCost Plus Black Villa Stripe Kitchen Towel, $2
Give your walls some oomph and treat them like a canvas for a collage project. Think vintage ads and magazine articles and a few records for some contrast. In this bathroom designed by Leanne Ford, the vintage magazine scraps play up the retro feel of the tiles.
BUY NOWVintage Life Magazines, $28
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