Get Inspired with These Easy Luxury Home Bath Makeovers

All of this time at home during mandatory social distancing first got us motivated to clean up and de-clutter. But several weeks in, now that the underbrush has been cleared out, we find ourselves with the insatiable desire to redecorate. Our ace correspondent Julie Chang Murphy has a great eye, and she’s sharing mood boards to help guide us to fabulous new digs when we emerge from this COVID-19 lockdown. Get inspired with her tips on how to achieve  easy makeovers of a luxury home bath with no structural change or need for a professional contractor.

Get Inspired with These Easy Luxury Home Bath Makeovers

The bathroom is one of the most intimate quarters of the home and as self-care grows higher on the priority list during this time, it makes sense that people want to give it a make-over. But how to properly indulge in a hot soak in the bath or a sea salt scrub in the shower (or hide from your kids) when the paint looks drab and the fixtures dated? While we dream of a complete overhaul, let’s be real. Such renovations take months, multiple contractors and money.

Before you resign yourself to the utilitarian and mundane, consider these easy-to-procure and install accessories that can make a big impact. When we gut renovated our homes, the bathrooms were our favorite rooms to design. In this small package, it was easier to envision how various design elements- hardware, textiles, lighting, fixtures and art would come together.

Ahead, check out our five bathroom mood boards to help you to imagine the possibilities.

1. A Groovy Grove

This crisp and refreshing palate should jump start your mornings like a cold glass of orange juice. Drawing inspiration from the minimalist lines of Scandinavian design with the verve and colors of summer, it’s calming and energizing at the same time.

If you’re not up for a new paint job, removable wallpaper has come a long way these days. Chasing Paper’s emerald grid wallpaper ($40) is simple and eye-catching. For novices, it’s an easy one to start with- just match up the lines! Continue the graceful and minimal lines with a geometric mirror ($249), gracefully arched bubble sconce ($560) and minimalist towel stand ($59.99).

To keep your bathroom space from looking too clinical, bring some of the outdoors in. This orange grove shower curtain ($69.99), abstract sunshine print ($33.99 for 17”x20”) and aloe plant ($54) bring a sweet pop of energy. Liven up boring tile with a teak shower mat ($319) and a gorgeously detailed hand-tufted leaf rug ($322). We love these Scandi-chic stoneware bathroom accessories ($22-$75) from Zone Denmark. And never worry about toilet paper shortage again with the super easy-to- install Tushy bidet attachment ($109).

2. A Posh Powder Room

I feel pretty! Oh so pretty! Old world glamour is the perfect backdrop for all of your beauty routines.

First, set the stage with John Robshaw’s tassel shower curtain ($133) with charcoal trim. These stunning antique finds on 1st Dibs: a Genovese chandelier ($8,500), champagne velvet swivel chair ($2,750) and George III period mahogany corner stand ($421.80) add a posh and authentic character.

Deck out the rest of the space with opulent details like removable lotus plum wallpaper ($120) from Graham & Brown, Persian rug inspired bath mat ($58), Chinoiserie bathroom accessory set ($13-$58) and an elegant mirror ($1,449). Changing the pulls on drawers and cabinets is one of the easiest ways to upgrade a boring console and these mother of pearl inlay knobs ($36) do just the trick. Finally, pull together the rich ruby and amethyst hues of the bathroom with these jacquard towels ($34) that feel as good as they look.

3. A Seascape Sanctuary

Nothing is more calming than the rolling ocean waves. This beach-inspired sanctuary has it all- except for the biting sand fleas and ravenous sea gulls.

Soap and bottles all over the place? Cover it all up with this serene shower curtain ($88) based off of illustrator, Julia Rothman’s whimsical hand drawn birds and clouds. If you’re even just a little bit handy, consider this easy-to-install rain shower head ($60.44).  It’s sleek and stylish profile gives your bathroom high-end hotel cred. The turquoise resin bathroom set ($55-$368) and aquamarine colored knobs ($20) are reminiscent of sea glass. While coastal influenced accessories like this Malibu bath mat ($352) featuring an ombre-like, birds-eye view shore line design, towel hanger wrapped with rattan ($22) and white oak mirror ($429) bring the beach inside without being too on-the-nose.

Neutral elements like Umbra’s hamper ($138) made from pale wood, which doubles as a stool, and these marble-effect towels ($87) bring a soothing effect to the space.

4. A Rosy Retreat

It seems like highest goal for a bathroom is to achieve spa-like status. While we love our spas, sometimes they can feel a bit too antiseptic and austere. A home bathroom can be spa-like, warm and intimate with some added texture and subtle patterns.

Designer Oh Joy’s woodcut inspired removable floral wallpaper ($65 per tile) is neutral with a hint of glamour.  Overhead, switch out dull lighting with this bubbly and modern fixture ($479) with an aged brass finish. Charming details in various creamy textures like the translucent natural stone knobs ($24), painterly dotted switch plate ($28), enamel and lucite dotted bathroom accessory set ($131-$352) and a wonderfully soft, deep pile bath mat shaped into lush roses ($69)

We love the toasty tones of this “Day and Night” art print ($58.99 for a 17”x 20”) to bring an empowering, feminine touch to the walls. The braided wool basket ($129) has a wonderful, earthy quality while being a functional catch-all. And pale pink towels ($70) hand-tufted with combed Egyptian cotton will actually make you want to get out of the bath.

5. A Wet & Wild Washroom

Taking a design risk with a small space like a bathroom can be great fun. This washroom is inspired by the wild and unpredictable natural world with animal motifs and fierce patterns and textures.

Thomas Paul’s bold and botanical octopus shower curtain ($170) gives a kooky theme an elevated style. Some hardware- like a towel bar or hooks can be easy to install or replace with just a screwdriver and nails. We love this modernized Victorian set ($129 for towel bar) from Rejuvenation.

Mix and match the shimmering rainbow bronze of this stainless steel bathroom set ($76-$186) and sparkling beaded glass votives ($10) with mercury glass lanterns ($128) to lend some moody mystery. This strange and beautiful “Serenade to Saturn” art print ($41.99 for 17”x20”) adds to the intriguing atmosphere.

On the floor, consider this memory foam cushion mat ($28.99) with a wild Cheetah print. And a graphic cotton velour bath towel ($45) in a warm gold adds some vitality and brightness to keep the room from veering into the dark side.

Easy Luxury Home Bath Makeovers

Let us know which one is your favorite! And while you’re at it, don’t forget to make your space truly rejuvenating and relaxing with these luxury skincare tools.

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Crediting her training as a cultural anthropologist at Wellesley College, Julie has immersed herself in various industries in the last 15 years including fashion design, event planning, and fitness. Julie lives in New York where she loves trying every ramen and dumpling restaurant with her husband and three children. She finds joy in bold prints, biographies of fierce women, kickboxing. And spending way too long finding the perfect polish color to express her mood.

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