12 Small Updates With Big Impact in a Bathroom

Leveling up your bathroom might sound like a huge undertaking, but the truth is, giving this space a new look you love doesn’t have to mean a major reno — or maybe even any reno work at all. (And how nice would it be to get ready every morning with better lighting or an uncluttered countertop?)

The key is to focus on little switch-ups that make a surprisingly big difference and to rely on a solid all-in-one source, like The Home Depot, where you can find all the elements you need to pull it off: vanities, cabinets, lighting, hardware, accessories, and more. Still not sure you’re ready for a revamp? These 12 easy ideas will inspire you to spruce up your space.

Go for the Bold

Your vanity is the visual focal point of any bathroom (and key to your grooming and storage needs), so it deserves to be a truly standout piece. Consider a sleek floating version for a modern, boutique-hotel look, or choose one with a brightly colored finish as an unexpected statement piece in the room.

Get Reflective

Here’s a no-fail way to add instant sparkle to your space: Trade out your tired medicine cabinet for a pair of clean-lined mirrors above your vanity. (The supplies you stored there can find a new home in the cabinet below, in stackable organizers to max out that space.) Keep the room’s look cohesive by opting for mirrors with frames in the same finish as your lighting fixtures and hardware.

Brighten Things Up

Sconces on either side of your medicine cabinet or mirror will illuminate your vanity and mirror area evenly — no unflattering overhead shadows! — and give the bathroom an updated look too. If you want to avoid electrical wiring, go with plug-in versions.

Refresh Your Walls

Want the chic look of tile but not the tricky DIY work that goes with it? Bring in peel-and-stick wallpaper that looks just like tile but takes a lot less time and effort to install. Bonus: It’s a simple element to switch out later if you decide you want to change things up.

Get the look! Perfect picks for a wow-worthy bathroom.

Home Decorators Collection Sandon Vanity

Home Decorators Collection Modern Mirror

Progress Lighting Carisa Gold Bath Light

Now 13% Off

Tempaper Peel and Stick Chrome Tile Wallpaper

"306080848 boswell quarter 4 light brushed nickel vanity light with painted weathered gray wood accents308461080 azila 8" x8" glazed porcelain floor and wall tile 516 sq' case303096195 everly 8" 2 handle bathroom faucet303569819 everly 24" towel bar303569810 everly double post toilet paper holder303569830 everly towel ring205840982 tofino complete 1 pc elongated toilet w slow close seat309903256 egyptian 18 pc towel set306080941 3 light brushed nickel semi flush mount with clear glass shade301165221 calacatta cressa herringbone 12 in x 12 in x 10 mm honed marble mesh mounted mosaic tile 94 sq ft case205138045 carrara glazed polished porcelain floor and wall tile305860873 passage 60" x72" frameless sliding shower door clear glass303656335 everly h2o kinetic single handle 3 spray tubshower sprayer206487128 naples 37" bath vanity310822770 round wicker baskets s3309429513 water leaves i framed wall art 30x24203869005 "tribal etched lines d" wall art 20x201320057 thd 2020 summer bath event interconnected pirrello"

Amp Up an Alcove

Retiling an entire bath is a chore — and potentially a hefty expense — but spotlighting a smaller area with a special tile treatment? Way more doable — and a great way to get a custom look. Find step-by-step advice right here.

Try a Little Rustic Charm

Few things warm up a space the way wood elements can. That’s why a vanity, mirror, or storage piece in a wood finish can be the ideal cozy counterpoint to a bathroom’s smooth, cool surfaces (like tile, porcelain, metal, and glass). Just be sure the pieces you pick are finished with a treatment that withstands water exposure.

Freshen Up Your Fixtures

A hardware update is low-hanging fruit — swapping out your old or mismatched towel bars, toilet paper holders, robe hooks, and other fixtures for sleeker styles in the same finish is one of the simplest moves you can make to streamline your space. Tip: Measure your old hardware first so you find replacements that won’t require you to drill new holes.

Elevate the Essentials

Because a bathroom is typically a small space, every element within it is important — and each one contributes to the room’s overall aesthetic. That means that upgrading even your most basic accessories, like a trash can or tissue box, can give your space a higher-end vibe. Your best bet? Look for clean-lined pieces that play up your personal style.

Get the look! No-fail finds that infuse a room with style.

MSI Azila Encaustic Matte Porcelain Tile

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Home Decorators Collection Naples Vanity

Delta Everly Towel Bar in Polished Chrome

LR Resources Natural Jute Decorative Storage Basket

315686979 30" beaufort single vanity 315686871 24x32" mirror 308105327 nextile 30 in x 60 in x 60 in 4 piece direct to stud alcove tub surround in white 312734979 pierce 4" centerset 2 handle bathroom faucet 314614199 aloha 60 in right drain rectangular alcove soaking bathtub in white 205704743 luxury spa waffle 70 in x 72 in fabric shower curtain in white 312999736 pierce tubshower 313972570 chalk metal outdoor patio garden stool 204850460 driscoll 245 in w 3 light brushed nickel wallbath vanity light with inside white painted etched glass 308183915 100 cotton reversible 24x40" large mat 312825961 egyptian cotton bath sheet in shadow gray set of 2 312586000 delta chamberlain 24in towel bar 309749140 round water hyacinth basket s2 308906092 contemporary 4 pc bath accessory set 303068995 garden flow i wall art 33"x27" 311522212 5" gladiator ceramic pot w macrame hanging planter 308217701 msi bianco dolomite pencil molding 34 in x 12 in polished marble 302872669 daltile restore bright white 310122230 msi la fleur 992 in x 89 in x 8mm polished marble mesh mounted mosaic tile behr clear pondthd 1976212 summer bath event 2021 pirrello

Change Up Your Wall Color

White may be the most popular pick for a bathroom, but painting the walls a fun or dramatic color can be a beautiful option too. You’ll want to find a shade that makes both the room and you look good, of course. (Keep in mind: peachy shades are considered universally flattering, while a fresh blue-green can feel invigorating.) The Home Depot’s ProjectColor App can help you find, and virtually try out, your just-right hue.

Swap Out Your Towels

Even the most striking bathroom comes off as lackluster when the towels are tattered. When in doubt, spring for a fluffy new set in bright white, a soft neutral, or a richly saturated shade – or go with a mix of patterned hand towels and solid bath towels.

Think About the Big Picture(s)

Without framed photographs or prints, a bathroom can feel cold and impersonal. Choose images that make you feel soothed and happy – it’s your sanctuary, after all — and if you’re looking to give a big mix of artwork a cohesive look, hang them in matching frames.

Sprinkle in Some Finishing Touches

A carefully curated grouping of countertop accessories gives your bathroom a polished, pulled-together look. And there’s no need to be a pro at styling a vanity surface — you can’t go wrong with a matching set in rich bamboo or sleek ceramic.

Get the look! Artful updates for a totally serene space.