10 Easy Upgrades You Need to Do to Your Bathroom if You Want to Impress Your Guests

You don’t need a full remodel to make your primary bathroom feel calmer. A few storage upgrades, softer finishes, and better lighting go a long way, especially if you’re dealing with limited space.

1. Pick a tight, calm color palette

Start by sticking to two or three main colors—usually a warm white or soft beige, plus one accent like muted green, blue, or charcoal. When towels, rugs, and accessories all fall in the same family, the room instantly feels more intentional and less scattered.

2. Add over-the-toilet storage that actually looks nice

That dead space over the toilet is prime storage. Look for a cabinet or shelf that gives you real function and still looks pulled together—things like the UTEX three-shelf organizer, bamboo over-the-toilet units, or Red Barrel Studio’s Champine cabinet at Wayfair all get good reviews for being sturdy, moisture-resistant, and under or around $100 on sale. Use it for extra towels, toilet paper, and the stuff you don’t want on the counter.

3. Use matching towels and retire the mismatched stack

If your towel shelf looks like a lost-and-found bin, that alone can make the room feel chaotic. Pick one or two towel colors, donate the rest, and keep a small, neatly folded stack visible. It costs less than a remodel but has a big effect on how “finished” the bathroom feels.

4. Add one plant that actually likes bathrooms

Bathrooms can be a good spot for humidity-loving plants. A small fern, pothos, or orchid on a stand, shelf, or even inside a mini greenhouse like the ÅKERBÄR creates a softer, more relaxed feel while taking advantage of the natural moisture. Just make sure the plant you choose can handle your light level.

5. Fix the lighting situation

Harsh overhead light makes everything feel cold. Try layering: a softer overhead fixture, plus vanity lights or sconces at face level. Warm white bulbs in the 2700K–3000K range usually feel calmer and more flattering than cool blue ones. If you can, add dimmers so you can switch from “getting ready” to “winding down” mode.

6. Clear the counters and use trays

Instead of lining every product along the counter, keep just daily essentials out and corral them on a tray. Everything else goes in drawers, bins, or the over-the-toilet cabinet. A small tray instantly makes even a few items look intentional instead of like a random pile.

7. Add a bath caddy that actually gets used

If you enjoy baths, a sturdy tub tray for a book, candle, or cup turns the tub into more than a big water holder. Look for wood or bamboo caddies with non-slip grips and a ledge for your phone or a small book so it actually gets used, not shoved behind the door.

8. Upgrade the mat and add a runner

A good bath mat with decent thickness makes the whole room feel nicer, and a runner in front of a double vanity keeps the floor from feeling bare. Choose washable options in your color palette so they’re easy to clean and don’t add visual noise.

9. Use small wall shelves or suction storage where drilling isn’t ideal

If you don’t want to drill into tile, products like IKEA’s ÖBONÄS suction shelf or similar suction cup shelves can give you storage on glass or tile without permanent holes. Use these for the things that usually clutter the shower ledge, like razors and bottles.

10. Hide the extras in baskets and bins

Spa-like bathrooms don’t have less stuff—they just hide it better. Use lidded baskets under the vanity or in a closet for backups, kids’ bath toys, and cleaning supplies. Label them so you can find what you need without rifling through everything. The less you see, the calmer the room feels.