24 Bathroom Décor Ideas for a Spa-Like Retreat, According to Interior Designers

Add a Decorative Stool

A rustic wood stool is a warm, organic element in a sleek tile bathroom, and it's as functional as it is pretty. "Adding a small, decorative stool to the bathroom is a great way to add style and personality to the bathroom," says Jenny Marrs, an interior designer who is co-host of Fixer to Fabulous and a national designer at Re-Bath. "It serves as a surface for holding bath essentials like candles, books, or bath salts while soaking in the tub."

Incorporate Vintage-Inspired Details

Marrs recommends adding vintage-inspired elements to give a bathroom a charming, lived-in feel. This could include vintage décor elements like trim and molding or a retro-style faucet.

Create a Design With Tile

Tile is an unexpected way to add an artsy décor element. Melissa Kite, founder and lead interior designer at Melissa Kite Designs, uses tile to create everything from lightning bolts to bee hives. "By using smaller mosaic sheets or other small shapes (penny rounds, for example, if you want the smoother edges over hex), you can create your own pattern on larger scale," says Kite.

Use Upholstered Furniture to Make It a Living Space

Nothing makes a bathroom feel like a real room faster than a piece of upholstered furniture that could easily be at home in a main living space. "An upholstered bench we placed for the homeowner's vanity makes the bathroom a truly livable space—not just a place for built-in cabinets and showers," says Kelly Taylor, owner and designer at Kelly Taylor Interior Design. 

Hang a Chandelier

This luxurious bathroom from Kelly Neely Interiors takes one of the most fabulous design elements from a dining room—a chandelier—and places it above the tub. It creates a space that feels indulgent each time you walk in.

Introduce Warm Wood Tones

In a bathroom full of sophisticated marble, the tone could easily lean cool. But Cantley and Company added a warm wood chair to give the space more life and a traditional touch.

Put Down a Vintage-Inspired Rug

A vintage rug is a bath mat alternative that adds intentional style to a space. Choose one that echoes the colors throughout the rest of the bathroom, whether you take inspiration from the tile, paint, or wallpaper, like in this room from Cantley and Company.

Create Warmth With Rattan

Natural elements help a space feel more organic and inviting. You can incorporate them through trays, coverings on soap dispensers, or even on a bold mirror, like the one in this space from Victoria Holly Interiors.

Use a Garden Stool

In this bathroom from Victoria Holly Interiors, a garden stool echoes the polished, glossy appearance of the marble tile while adding a functional storage spot next to the tub. It's a décor element that's as practical as it is pretty.

Contrast Wallpaper With Accents

A pretty wallpaper is the perfect foundation for a well-decorated bathroom. "Wallpaper is one of my go-to's, like this gorgeous monochromatic engraving of clouds," says Kristy Weyhrich, owner and designer at Refinery Interiors. Contrast it with vibrant pops of color for a bathroom design that feels thoughtfully designed.

Soften the Look With Natural Branches

All of the cold tile surfaces within a bathroom can feel less than welcoming, which is why organic materials can make a dramatic impact. "If space allows, we love incorporating branches to add in a layer of detail beyond all of the hard surfaces typically in a bathroom," says Lisa Lally, designer at The Design Studio.

Pull Together Guest-Friendly Items

If guests use your bathroom, it's a lovely touch to think about the items that will make their stay more comfortable. "Our favorite bathroom décor consists of items thoughtfully pulled together that will create a welcoming atmosphere for both homeowner and guest. Wonderfully scented hand soaps and candles and a bit of greenery infuse a beautiful warmth to any bathroom," says Elizabeth Cross-Beard, founder of Palm Henri Interiors.

Think of Lighting as Jewelry

Lighting is the finishing touch in a room, and it's a place where you can make a big change on a budget. "Statement fixtures can act like the perfect jewelry for a well-designed vanity. Thoughtful, styled touches make the bathroom feel beautifully lived-in and complete," says Cheryl Clendenon, owner of In Detail Interiors.

Hang Wall Art

If it's framed correctly, art can stand up to the elements within the bathroom, like high humidity and excess moisture. “Real art is my favorite accessory in a bathroom," says Sarah Storms, owner of Styled by Storms. "I tend to gravitate towards interesting photography as not only does it elevate the general space, but photography is unexpected, therefore making it more interesting."

Display Beautiful Containers

From cotton swabs to jewelry, a bathroom benefits from some thoughtfully placed small storage containers, so why not make them pretty? “I like to be intentional with containers," says Maren Baker, owner of Maren Baker Design. "Make sure you have a nice soap holder or pump, interesting little vintage holders for cotton balls and washcloths."

Install Impactful Window Treatments

A beautifully patterned window treatment makes a statement in a small bathroom and helps vary color and texture. "We always look for opportunities to introduce softness, color, and pattern. Custom window treatments are a great way to add rich texture or bold color," says Clendendon.

Make the Shower Curtain a Focal Point

A shower curtain can become a focal point if you view it as décor rather than purely utilitarian. Cecily Mendell, principal at Studio Cabdia, used a shower curtain in this bathroom for a fun, whimsical touch for a kids' bathroom.

Hang a Statement Mirror

Skip the builder-grade mirror and use a decorative mirror that adds an interesting design element instead. "Elevate the room by incorporating a distinctive mirror that complements the theme in a captivating way," says Kristin Kostamo-McNeil, owner and principal at Anne Rae Design.

Go Bold With Wallpaper

There's no reason a bathroom needs to be neutral. Instead, choose a bold pattern that makes a big statement. "This bathroom has a floor that felt dated to the 1990s but we made it feel fresh and new with this gorgeous wallpaper from Christian Lacroix. The wallpaper makes the original floor feel deliberate," says Andrea Sinkin, president of Andrea Sinkin Design.

Grow a Succulent

Plants are a welcome touch in the bathroom, especially since many varieties thrive in the humid environment. "Add a succulent on the top of the toilet bowl. They won’t grow large and are easy to care for," says Sinkin. She recommends choosing a container that ties in with your décor. 

Choose a Decorative Sink

The sink can be a décor element rather than a builder-grade afterthought. Use it as an opportunity to introduce beautiful stone or a sculptural silhouette. "A decorative sink will not break the bank and offers a bespoke luxury that is not something you can buy at a big box store," says Sinkin. "It is form and function at its finest!"

Add Patterned Lampshades

Soften your bathroom with patterned or pleated sconce shades, which boost interest without a surplus of fabric, Mariel Goodson, principal at Brass Hill Design. Choose a casual block print or a whimsical stripe for your bathroom sconces—it's a detail that feels unexpected.

Turn Vintage Furniture Into a Vanity

Rather than choosing an off-the-rack vanity, look for a dresser that you can turn into a one-of-a-kind piece. "Bathrooms are often inherently cold, so I am always looking to add warmth, personality, and texture to create a softer, more inviting atmosphere," says Goodson.

She does this by repurposing antique chests into bathroom vanities. "The classical detailing on these older pieces, coupled with the wood graining, is a beautiful complement to marble and stone surfaces," she says. 

Embrace Multiple Finishes

Put down the white paint and use every bathroom surface as an opportunity for colorful, stylish décor moments. "I love to cover a bath in wallpaper and paint the trim, door, and ceiling a contrasting color. It always works," says Johanna Lyle, principal and owner of Jo Lyle & Co. "Don't be afraid to take a maximalist approach, even in a small space."