Our 83 Favorite Ways to Add Soul to the Bathroom (2024)

From storage-friendly case goods to perch perfect stools, vintage furniture adds layers of soul. Opt for an antique cupboard or china cabinet over expensive built-in storage to make your space feel a little more lived-in. Painted floors help enhance that dreamy, old-school charm. Not sure where to start? Check out our guide to painted floors!

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Calling all renters! Simple decor changes such as new knobs or a fresh set of matching monogrammed towels can make a bathroom feel totally new in a single afternoon (and won’t risk your security deposit). For a quick update, channel your love of antiques and hang pieces from your favorite collection above the tub. From botanical prints to vintage china—it’s all fair game.

RELATED: Check out our favorite antique tips and tricks here.

You've heard of wash, rinse, repeat, but what about read, rinse, repeat? Bath libraries are bubbling up more as of late, with designers and bibliophile homeowners taking a page from reading rooms and studies when it comes to the bath. “It definitely makes the space feel more like a room,” says designer Stephanie Sabbe, whose reading respite pictured here feels like an ideal spot to while away the hours—or, even better, The Hours. (Fun fact: Author Michael Cunningham boasts quite the bath library himself.)

Drop-in, alcove, or undermount tubs like the one shown here are best suited for this look, as they provide a natural base for built-ins, but any open shelving serves up space for a condensed collection. Worried about water? Consider a tub-friendly reading rack, or let the books remain an aesthetic choice while soaking up an audiobook via speaker. Whatever you do, leave the Kindle by the bed.

“Wallpaper is more durable than you would guess,” says designer Emily C. Butler, who covered this bath in a fanciful forest motif. Emily does, however, recommend shielding water-prone edges with a tile border or high backsplash. And as fun as a wallpapered ceiling can be, skip it in this case, because steam rises. Still skeptical? Peel-and-stick styles have come a long way. Check out Chasing Paper and Tempaper for options.

RELATED: 28 Inspiring Ways to Use Wallpaper in Your Bathroom

When designer Emily Henderson set out to revamp her 1910 farmhouse, this bathroom was marked for cosmetic upgrades only. It wasn’t until her team of architects discovered some less-than-desirable previous electrical and plumbing work that she decided to give it a complete re-do. Emily decided to play up the country feel by layering in a mix of green tile from Pratt + Larson. The ceramic herringbone tile helps ground the airy space, while a picket tile border brings in a playful spin. (Emily only realized after the reno that the pickets look similar to blades of grass—a comparison she welcomes!)

RELATED: 37 Bathroom Tile Ideas That'll Liven Up Your Washroom

When Ohio-based designer Halle Baran was tasked with turning a dated 55-square-foot bathroom into a roomier, family-friendly retreat, she focused on bringing back some charm to the 1950s Cape Cod-style home. An eyebrow arch shower surround and wood paneling were added to create some period-accurate character. To make the space more friendly for three children under age seven, a drop-in acrylic tub was a nonnegotiable.

RELATED: 20 Kids Bath Ideas That'll Make Them Excited for Bath Time

Nothing invites everyday escapism like a classic cast-iron tub. A staple of country bathrooms since the 1700s, there’s a style to suit every space, from refurbished antiques (more on those below) to modern mainstays. Just make sure your floors can handle the heft, as some weigh in at 500 pounds even when empty.

How to Find Your Salvaged Soaker: Start the hunt at your local architectural salvage yard. Antique plumbing expert Jill Wilson advises touching the bottom of every tub. “If it feels like suede, that means the finish is too worn,” she says. While interior stains can easily be removed (Jill recommends an old-fashioned scrub with mild soap and water and finish with a Magic Eraser), damage to cast iron—think hairline cracks—is harder to fix. For a more extensive overhaul, use professional refinishers such as Miracle Method. Jill also recommends only buying tubs with existing feet, as claw-foots were made by manufacturers who had their own specific fittings.

According to the 2023 Houzz Bathroom Trend Survey, natural wood vanities overtook white vanities in popularity for the first time. By repurposing an old dresser or table into a base, you’ll create a one-of-a-kind statement piece. (Psst: If you’re looking to embrace more color, antique wicker is a good option, too.) But, DIYer be warned: Outfitting an old piece of furniture for a sink requires skilled carpentry and plumbing precision. In other words, this isn’t your average one-hour install. Keep in mind that the standard vanity height is 30–34 inches, so choose your piece accordingly. “It’s also best to opt for flat-top furniture that can be arranged flush against the wall,” says Katherine Jones, director of contractor operations at Sweeten. For sinks, sit-on-top vessels are simpler than insets. You may also need built-in supports to carry the weight of a sink or countertop. (If you don’t add a countertop, protect your wood with a waterproof sealant.) Before making any plumbing changes, consult with sites like Sweeten or the Plumbing- Heating-Cooling Contractors Association to connect with a qualified plumber or contractor.

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Woven materials in particular go a long way toward balancing out all of the sleek surfaces to be found in a bathroom. Here, wicker purveyors Benoît Rauzy and Anthony Watson of Atelier Vime chose to extend their craft to the tub with this custom surround. To add your own textural touch, consider bamboo shades, jute storage baskets, or a splurge-worthy scalloped window valance.

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Window Shades: For similar, Cordless Woven Roman Shades.