Ready to elevate your bathroom? These simple updates will turn your space into a serene retreat.

1. Shine On

Planning your bathroom lighting might not be as exciting as picking out a new paint colour or shower fittings, but too many of us neglect this essential element. Whether you’re soaking in the tub or performing daily tasks like applying makeup or shaving, proper lighting is key. It’s a common mistake to think that a single light source will suffice. At the very least, most bathrooms require both ceiling lighting and vanity lights. If your bathroom is also blessed with natural light, lucky you! Avoid choosing lightbulbs with a colour temperature between 3,000 and 3,500 kelvins. While the light is warm, it’s not ideal for a bathroom. For functional lighting, especially around the mirror, we recommend neutral white lighting above 4,000 kelvins.

2. Smart Storage

Bathroom storage is often overlooked, but it’s better to plan for more than you think you’ll need. Let’s face it: we store a lot of items in the bathroom, and it’s far more pleasant when they don’t spill out every time you open a cabinet. Plus, a cluttered bathroom can undermine the beautiful design you’ve worked so hard to create. Start by thinking about what needs to be stored (towels, toilet paper, toothpaste, makeup, razors, shaving cream and so on), then decide what storage solutions will keep everything organized. Open shelves look great, for instance, but most of the everyday items we need to store aren’t exactly stylish, so closed storage is usually a better option. A couple of shelves in a recessed wall niche, however, can be a pretty way to display your favourite beauty products or plush towels while keeping them within easy reach.

3. A New Hue

Decorating the bathroom has long been relegated to a secondary concern compared to decorating other areas of the home. But your bathroom – whether large or small – deserves a few colourful touches to inject it with personality. You can easily add character by sneaking colour into many main elements, such as the walls, vanity, flooring, even the tub. Nature-inspired hues like green and blue promote rest and relaxation and are particularly calming in a bathroom, whether you opt for soft pastels or deeper tones. Recently, pink has made a comeback in bathroom design, with pale shades bringing a warmth and freshness. Try incorporating different shades of pink for a playful monochromatic look. Or consider warm, earthy neutrals like beige and its various tones, the bathroom colour trend for 2025; bright and timeless, these soothing shades create a sense of serenity and spaciousness, providing a welcoming, Zen-like atmosphere.

4. Mirror, Mirror

Your bathroom mirror is much more than a mere accessory – it can be a standout feature that not only reflects the room’s style but also enhances it. The curves of a round antiqued brass mirror, for example, can soften a vanity’s hard edges, while the warm finish can layer in a luxe, luminous look in a mostly white space. Typically, the mirror should be the same width (or a few inches narrower) as your vanity counter for a balanced design, but sometimes a smaller mirror that matches the width of just the sink area can look better. If you go for a backlit or heated (fogless) mirror, make sure it’s certified for electrical use. Check for third-party certification marks, like CSA (Canadian Standards Association), UL (Underwriters Laboratories) or ETL (Intertek Testing Services), which are usually found on the back of the mirror. Additionally, always check the quality of a mirror’s surface, as a high-quality vanity mirror will maintain an optimal reflection for years to come.

5. Surface Style

The bathroom requires materials that are aesthetically pleasing yet durable for daily use and resistant to temperature fluctuations and moisture. You might be drawn to the look of a certain wallpaper, stone, or tile, but choosing the wrong materials could mean replacing them sooner or dealing with mould. Make sure any wood, metal, stone, paint, and wallpaper you select are safe for bathroom use. Bathrooms also require proper ventilation to remove moisture and odours, so install an exhaust fan if you don’t already have one.

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