The bathroom is often one of the most expensive rooms to renovate—right up there with the kitchen. So, it’s no surprise that most of us tend to leave it as is for as long as possible. But here’s the good news: you don’t need to tear everything apart to make your bathroom feel more luxurious.
Forget about splurging on a new vanity, a claw-foot tub, or a top-of-the-line shower. Instead, you can make a few small, thoughtful changes that instantly elevate your space without breaking the bank.
And yes, even if you’re renting, you can still add a touch of luxury! Simple updates like upgrading your storage, swapping out an old mirror, or even replacing your bath mat can completely change the vibe. Ready to create a bathroom that feels high-end? Let’s dive into 20 easy, budget-friendly ways to make your bathroom look expensive, luxe look!
How To Make Your Bathroom Look Expensive
1. Upgrade Your Hardware
Swapping outdated hardware—like faucets, drawer pulls, and towel bars—for modern finishes can have a huge impact. Brass, matte black, or brushed nickel not only look more upscale, but also make your bathroom design feel cohesive and intentional. Small changes like this offer a quick and affordable transformation.
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Erin Gates, author of Elements of Style, recommends switching out old cabinet hardware for more stylish and modern alternatives, like brushed brass or matte black knobs. This simple update can give your bathroom a high-end feel.
2. Add a Statement Mirror
A mirror is more than just functional; it can also be a stunning focal point in interior design. Replacing a basic mirror in powder room with one that has an ornate or modern frame can immediately elevate the space. Large mirrors, especially, reflect more light, making the room feel more spacious and expensive.
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Sarah Sherman Samuel, a minimalist designer, advises using mirrors with intricate or statement frames to create a focal point in the luxury bathroom. This small addition can have a large visual impact and make the space feel more refined.
3. Invest in Plush Towels
High-quality towels are an often-overlooked element that can make all the difference in luxurious bathroom. Plush, thick towels in neutral or deep, rich tones instantly add a luxurious vibe. Choose towels that coordinate with your bathroom’s color scheme to tie everything together.
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Amber Lewis, founder of Amber Interiors, is a big advocate for adding texture. She emphasizes that upgrading textiles like towels, rugs, and shower curtains to high-quality, plush materials can make a bathroom feel more luxurious.
4. Incorporate Greenery
Adding plants to your tiny bathroom not only introduces a natural element but also makes the space feel more inviting. Real plants like ferns or air-purifying options like snake plants thrive in humidity, but even faux plants can add that touch of greenery that gives the room a fresh, luxe feel.
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Justina Blakeney, designer at The Jungalow, believes that greenery plays a huge role in elevating any space. She suggests adding plants to your bathroom to bring life and a sense of freshness, instantly making it feel more expensive.
5. Use a Stylish Shower Curtain
A fabric shower curtain with a subtle pattern or texture can be an affordable way to inject style into your walk in shower bathroom. Opt for materials like cotton or linen that have a more luxurious look and feel compared to plastic.
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6. Install Floating Shelves
Floating shelves add both storage and aesthetic appeal. They give you a chance to showcase decorative items like candles, small potted plants, or neatly folded towels, all while keeping essentials easily accessible.
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7. Incorporate Art
Hanging art in your bathroom can elevate it from functional to stylish. Whether it’s a framed print, a stylish photograph, or a unique piece of accent wall decor, adding art brings personality and warmth, making the space feel curated and polished.
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Shea McGee, of Studio McGee, advocates for introducing subtle artwork into the bathroom. Hanging framed pieces above the toilet or next to the vanity can instantly make the space feel more thoughtful and personalized
8. Swap Out the Bath Mat
A worn or outdated bath mat can bring down the overall look of your bathroom. Replace it with a thick, textured rug in a neutral tone or rich color. Choose a bath mat made from materials like Turkish cotton or bamboo for a high-end feel.
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Orlando Soria, interior designer and blogger at Hommemaker, suggests incorporating high-quality, oversized bath towels and floor mats in rich textures and neutral colors to create a feeling of luxury and comfort in your bathroom.
9. Install Dimmer Lights
Lighting plays a crucial role in setting the ambiance of any room. A dimmer switch allows you to control the brightness and create a soothing, spa-like atmosphere during bath time, while still offering bright, functional light when needed.
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Bobby Berk, from Queer Eye, suggests layering lighting in the bathroom to create an ambient, spa-like atmosphere. He often recommends installing sconces or using dimmable lights for a softer, more relaxing glow.
10. Use Glass Jars for Storage
Functional items like cotton balls, Q-tips, and bath salts can look chic when displayed in uniform glass jars. It’s an easy way to declutter while giving your cluttered bathroom a more organized and upscale appearance.
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Emily Henderson, interior stylist and TV host, advises focusing on adding artwork and decluttering countertops. She recommends choosing decorative trays and sleek canisters to store bathroom essentials, giving the space a cleaner, more curated look.
11. Add a Tray for Counter Organization
A decorative tray on your vanity or countertop can serve as both a practical and stylish way to organize daily essentials. Use it to neatly arrange perfumes, skincare, or decorative accents, instantly making your bathroom look more polished and intentional.
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Nate Berkus, celebrity designer, emphasizes the power of a well-styled vanity. Adding decorative items such as small trays, candles, and vases can transform a basic vanity into a luxurious-looking space.
12. Upgrade the Lighting Fixtures
Outdated lighting can make even the nicest bathrooms feel drab. Replacing those fixtures with more modern or decorative options, like sconces or chandeliers, adds instant glamor and makes the space feel brighter and more open.
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13. Opt for Luxurious Soap Dispensers
Swap out the drugstore soap bottle for a sleek, refillable soap dispenser. Choosing one with a metallic or ceramic finish can give even the smallest details a more refined look.
14. Repaint with Neutral or Rich Tones
A fresh coat of paint is one of the most affordable and impactful changes you can make. Light neutral tones, such as soft grays or whites, create a clean and spacious feel, while rich, deep colors like navy or charcoal can add warmth and elegance.
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Shelby Van Daley, an interior designer, suggests that paint is one of the easiest and most budget-friendly ways to update your bathroom and make it look more luxurious. She recommends using calming, natural shades like sage green, which adds a timeless and serene vibe to the space. Darker shades of sage are perfect for creating a cozier atmosphere, especially in larger bathrooms.
15. Hang a Towel Warmer
If you want to truly level up your bathroom, a towel warmer is a luxurious yet practical addition. Not only will it provide warm, cozy towels after a shower, but it also adds a high-end touch that gives the space an upscale feel.
16. Declutter and Go Minimal
Less is often more when it comes to creating an expensive look. Keep countertops free of clutter and store items in cabinets or decorative baskets. A minimal, clean look helps the space feel larger, calmer, and more sophisticated.
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17. Incorporate Luxe Textures
Adding texture through materials like marble, velvet, or plush textiles can make your bathroom feel layered and thoughtfully designed. Think marble bathtub tray, soft bathrobes, or a thick rug—these touches create a luxurious environment without a hefty price tag.
Sally and Sarah Wilkie, founders of Home Barn, suggest adding neutral tones with textured materials: “Bathrooms should be about more than just functionality—they should promote well-being and relaxation. Incorporating calming, neutral colors and textured materials like linen towels or natural stone can elevate the overall experience and make the room feel more expensive”
18. Install a Frameless Glass Shower Door
If you’re ready for a slightly bigger investment, consider replacing your shower curtain with a frameless glass shower door. It opens up the entire room, making it feel more airy and modern, and gives your bathroom a spa-like appearance.
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19. Upgrade the Toilet Paper Holder
This small, often overlooked detail can make a surprising huge difference. A chic, metallic toilet paper holder in a matte black or brass finish complements other hardware upgrades and creates a more cohesive, polished luxury bathrooms.
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20. Add Candles or Essential Oil Diffusers
Fragrance adds another layer of luxury. Place a few scented candles or an essential oil diffuser in the bathroom to create a calming atmosphere. Not only will it smell amazing, but the soft glow of a candle enhances the overall relaxing ambiance.
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Allison Gustafson, a home fragrance expert, emphasizes the importance of choosing high-quality candles and diffusers: “Opt for luxury candles and essential oil diffusers for a more expensive ambiance. They may cost more, but the investment elevates the room’s overall vibe”
By focusing on small but impactful upgrades like these bathroom ideas, you can transform your bathroom into a high-end, luxurious space without the need for a costly renovation. It’s all about thoughtful details and clever design choices that make the room feel both beautiful and functional.
