Bathrooms are essential, but often overlooked in home design. They’re the first and last rooms we use each day, yet they frequently receive less attention than living spaces. If your bathroom feels lifeless or unfinished, interior designers agree that small changes can make a big difference. We spoke to three professionals to find out where to start.
Hardware: The Jewelry of the Bathroom
Suhasini Rao Jones, founder of Rao Interiors, suggests updating the hardware as the first step. Hardware – including faucets, shower fittings, cabinet knobs, and drawer pulls – acts like jewelry for the space. Swapping out dated or basic fixtures for luxe finishes like brushed brass, gold, or matte black can instantly elevate the look.
This is a cost-effective way to make a significant visual impact. A simple change in hardware transforms a basic bathroom into something more considered and refined.
Lighting: Setting the Mood
Holly Nixon, founder of NXN Studio, believes lighting is the most crucial first fix. Poor lighting can undermine even the best designs. Harsh, cool-toned, or single-source overhead lights make materials look flat and sterile.
Nixon recommends warm white lighting with multiple sources to create a balanced, intentional feel. Correcting both color temperature and placement immediately changes how the space feels and how finishes perform. Good lighting makes any bathroom feel more finished and inviting.
Soft Furnishings: Adding Texture and Luxury
Zoe Grant, co-founder of DBD Lifestyles, highlights the power of towels and rugs. Old, worn-out, or generic linens can drag down the entire aesthetic.
Replacing basic towels with luxurious ones and swapping fuzzy bathmats for oversized woven wool rugs (which are naturally antibacterial) adds texture, color, and an immediate sense of spa-like quality. This budget-friendly swap makes a major impact, turning a cold, sterile space into something warmer and more inviting.
Ultimately, small adjustments in hardware, lighting, and soft furnishings deliver the biggest return on investment when refreshing a bathroom. These changes are accessible, impactful, and can transform a functional space into a more inviting and refined retreat.
