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A Renter's Life: Swish Bathroom Upgrades That Are Easy on the Pocket
Add some pizzazz to your bathroom with these easy and economical renter-friendly decor ideas!
Vaishnavi Nayel Talawadekar
23 October 2020
Houzz India Contributor. Internationally published architecture, design and art journalist. www.mangomonk.com
Houzz India Contributor. Internationally published architecture, design and art journalist.... More
Boring tiles, grimy hardware and mundane mirrors can make even the loveliest of rental bathrooms look dull and uninviting. And yet, if the thought of spending big bucks on a home that isn’t your own has kept you from giving your bathroom a much-needed facelift, it’s time you did a double take. With a little imagination, you can turn your rental bathroom into a welcome retreat without overstepping the budget or the terms of your lease. Take inspiration from these renter-friendly decor ideas.
1. Aesthetic lighting
Exposed bulbs, cold lighting and uninspiring fixtures can suck the light and lustre out of your bathroom. Swap out your existing lighting sources with luminaires that take centre stage in your bathroom. Consider a statement wall lighting display, like the one shown here to give your space a glam avatar. (Note: This can only work if your wall is not tiled and if the fixture is a safe distance away from the bathing area.)
Exposed bulbs, cold lighting and uninspiring fixtures can suck the light and lustre out of your bathroom. Swap out your existing lighting sources with luminaires that take centre stage in your bathroom. Consider a statement wall lighting display, like the one shown here to give your space a glam avatar. (Note: This can only work if your wall is not tiled and if the fixture is a safe distance away from the bathing area.)
…Or take the minimalist route with an overhead pendant lamp or two, to conjure a warm and understated aura.
Need more lighting inspiration? Here are 15 outstanding bathroom lighting ideas
Need more lighting inspiration? Here are 15 outstanding bathroom lighting ideas
2. Spiffy wall art
Turn your bathroom into an art-filled cocoon with eclectic pictures. If you have a narrow area to work with, arrange your frames in a column. Alternatively, if you have oodles of wall space at your disposal, go for an art-gallery-style wall display.
Tip: If you have a tiled wall, drilling holes in the tile can cause it to break. Instead, mount your pictures using removable hanging strips (such as 3M’s Command picture hanging strips, easily available online). These can be cleanly removed, so when it’s time to move out, you can take them down in a jiffy.
Looking to renovate your bathroom? Find a designer near you
Turn your bathroom into an art-filled cocoon with eclectic pictures. If you have a narrow area to work with, arrange your frames in a column. Alternatively, if you have oodles of wall space at your disposal, go for an art-gallery-style wall display.
Tip: If you have a tiled wall, drilling holes in the tile can cause it to break. Instead, mount your pictures using removable hanging strips (such as 3M’s Command picture hanging strips, easily available online). These can be cleanly removed, so when it’s time to move out, you can take them down in a jiffy.
Looking to renovate your bathroom? Find a designer near you
3. Countertop vignette
A spa-inspired vignette can turn your bathroom into a restful sanctum. The best part? It doesn’t take much to create. Sift through your existing decor collection for little treasures that you can reuse. Candle holders, vases, trinkets and tchotchkes can elevate your aesthetic by several notches. See how artfully arranged tea lights, a pretty vase, a decorative soap dispenser and a basket of bundled towels breathe calming vibes into this bathroom.
A spa-inspired vignette can turn your bathroom into a restful sanctum. The best part? It doesn’t take much to create. Sift through your existing decor collection for little treasures that you can reuse. Candle holders, vases, trinkets and tchotchkes can elevate your aesthetic by several notches. See how artfully arranged tea lights, a pretty vase, a decorative soap dispenser and a basket of bundled towels breathe calming vibes into this bathroom.
4. Cheery shower curtain
If your bathroom perpetually looks dull and dreary, give it a colourful spin with a bright and beautiful shower curtain (remember to seek permission from your landlord before installing a curtain rail). This is an instant way to inject a cheerful pop of colour into your bathing chamber. What’s more, you can do it without breaking the bank or your landlord’s trust!
If your bathroom perpetually looks dull and dreary, give it a colourful spin with a bright and beautiful shower curtain (remember to seek permission from your landlord before installing a curtain rail). This is an instant way to inject a cheerful pop of colour into your bathing chamber. What’s more, you can do it without breaking the bank or your landlord’s trust!
5. Statement mirror
If your bathroom hosts a bare-minimum, contractor-grade mirror, it’s time you considered a little upgrade with a big difference. Make a dazzling statement with a head-turning mirror that channels style and sophistication into your bathroom. There is a plethora of designs available in the market – from gilded, foliated and sunburst borders to more restrained styles that straddle modish minimalism. Choose a mirror that speaks to you and fits into your bathroom’s existing decor scheme.
See spaces transformed with mirrors
If your bathroom hosts a bare-minimum, contractor-grade mirror, it’s time you considered a little upgrade with a big difference. Make a dazzling statement with a head-turning mirror that channels style and sophistication into your bathroom. There is a plethora of designs available in the market – from gilded, foliated and sunburst borders to more restrained styles that straddle modish minimalism. Choose a mirror that speaks to you and fits into your bathroom’s existing decor scheme.
See spaces transformed with mirrors
6. Waterproof decals
What better way to give your bathroom an instant overhaul than with delightful decals?
From petite mosaic patterns to larger-than-life wall murals, you’ll be spoilt for choice when it comes to waterproof and peel-and-stick decals. Decorate an entire accent wall or restrict your design to the border of your bathroom.
What better way to give your bathroom an instant overhaul than with delightful decals?
From petite mosaic patterns to larger-than-life wall murals, you’ll be spoilt for choice when it comes to waterproof and peel-and-stick decals. Decorate an entire accent wall or restrict your design to the border of your bathroom.
Why restrict your design to your tiles? Go ahead and accessorise the exterior walls of your shower enclosure instead.
7. Glam hardware
Grimy, unattractive hardware in the bathroom can be a dreadful eyesore. Give your hardware a thorough polish to recover its shine and sparkle (get professional help if required). Alternatively, if you’re feeling inspired enough, consider upgrading your hardware entirely. Invest in gilded towel rings, rails, taps and shower heads to give your bathroom a quiet royal air. When it’s time to leave, you can reinstall the original fittings and carry your hardware with you (these usually come in standard sizes that can be fitted anywhere).
Read more:
Renter’s Dilemma: How to Update an Indian-Style Kitchen Design
7 Decor Tips to Make a Rented Apartment Feel Like a Home
Tell us:
Which of these renter-friendly bathroom decor ideas do you see yourself replicating in your home? Tell us in Comments below.
Grimy, unattractive hardware in the bathroom can be a dreadful eyesore. Give your hardware a thorough polish to recover its shine and sparkle (get professional help if required). Alternatively, if you’re feeling inspired enough, consider upgrading your hardware entirely. Invest in gilded towel rings, rails, taps and shower heads to give your bathroom a quiet royal air. When it’s time to leave, you can reinstall the original fittings and carry your hardware with you (these usually come in standard sizes that can be fitted anywhere).
Read more:
Renter’s Dilemma: How to Update an Indian-Style Kitchen Design
7 Decor Tips to Make a Rented Apartment Feel Like a Home
Tell us:
Which of these renter-friendly bathroom decor ideas do you see yourself replicating in your home? Tell us in Comments below.
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