28 Bathroom Decor Apartment Ideas (That Make Small Spaces Feel Seriously Stylish)
Let’s be honest: decorating an apartment bathroom is a whole different adventure.
You’re usually working with limited space, no-reno rules, and lighting that feels… well… slightly offended by your presence.
In this friendly little guide, we’re diving into 28 bathroom decor apartment ideas that actually work when you rent, share walls, and don’t have the luxury of knocking anything down.
Grab your favorite candle and let’s play bathroom stylist together.
1. Start with a statement shower curtain
When you can’t paint walls or change tiles, the shower curtain becomes your star.
Go bold: tropical leaves, geometric patterns, moody black, soft linen — anything that feels like “you.”
It’s basically a giant moving piece of art… that also keeps water off the floor. Win-win.
2. Swap out your bath mat for something plush
A fluffy, textured, or patterned bath mat instantly warms up a cold apartment bathroom. Try:
- boho tassels
- stone-colored spa styles
- memory foam for hotel vibes
Tiny change, big personality shift.
3. Add peel-and-stick wallpaper (renter-friendly, I promise)
The hero of every apartment makeover: peel-and-stick wallpaper. Use it:
- behind the mirror
- as an accent wall
- inside shelving nooks
You can remove it when you move out, and your landlord never has to know your bathroom once had banana-print wallpaper.
4. Use over-the-toilet shelving
If there’s one thing apartment bathrooms never have enough of, it’s storage. An over-the-toilet shelf:
- uses vertical space
- adds room for towels and baskets
- looks intentional, not cluttered
Style it with a plant and a candle, and suddenly it feels curated.
5. Bring in greenery (real or fake, no judgment)
Bathrooms + plants = spa energy.
Try:
- pothos (loves humidity)
- snake plant (almost immortal)
- eucalyptus for hanging in the shower
Even faux plants work. The goal is “fresh life,” not “botany exam.”
6. Upgrade your soap dispensers
Ditch the neon plastic bottle. Switch to:
- amber glass bottles
- ceramic pump dispensers
- matching hand + lotion set
It’s a tiny swap that screams intentional decor.
7. Add a framed print or two
Art doesn’t just belong in living rooms. Hang:
- minimalist line drawings
- ocean photography
- funny bathroom quotes
Just avoid anything that will warp in humidity — frames with glass are your friends.
8. Use matching storage baskets
If visual clutter stresses you out, matching baskets are your best friends. Use them for:
- extra toilet rolls
- skincare
- hair styling tools
Suddenly, chaos looks coordinated. We love that journey.
9. Try a renter-friendly backsplash
Peel-and-stick tiles exist, and they are powerful. They give you:
- the subway tile look
- without drills or grout
- and zero deposit drama
Perfect behind the sink where toothpaste splatters live their best life.
10. Add LED strip lighting under mirrors or shelves
This is such a vibe upgrade.
Soft backlighting =
Instant spa.
Instant glow.
Instant “wow, I am a designer now.”
It also makes early mornings feel less harsh.
11. Choose a cohesive color palette
Even without renovation, color coordination changes everything.
Pick two main colors + one accent:
- black + white + gold
- beige + cream + sage
- gray + charcoal + blush
Then match towels, mats, soaps — suddenly it looks planned.
12. Layer your towels like decor
Towels are not just towels… they are textiles. Layer:
- one bigger bath towel
- one hand towel
- one patterned accent
Now your towel rack looks styled, not just used.
13. Add a ladder rack
A slim ladder rack leans against the wall and:
- holds towels
- adds height
- looks effortlessly cool
Plus, no drilling required. Renters rejoice.
14. Use perfume bottles as decor
Your everyday items can moonlight as decor pieces. Display:
- perfumes
- beard oil bottles
- skincare droppers
Line them on a tray — instant luxury.
15. Bring in a small stool or mini side table
A cute little stool by the tub or shower is perfect for:
- candles
- books
- plants
Also: it just looks chic. Even if you never sit on it.
16. Add a statement mirror (if allowed)
If your mirror is screw-mounted by the apartment, no worries — lean one or hang one elsewhere.
Trending vibes:
- arch mirrors
- black metal frames
- vintage gold frames
Mirrors bounce light and magically make everything look bigger—and yes, bolder.
17. Use removable hooks everywhere
Apartment rule: command hooks are life.
Use them for:
- robes
- towels
- shower caddies
- jewelry
No drilling. No regrets. No angry landlord emails.
18. Choose stylish dispensers for bathroom essentials
Cotton, q-tips, bath salts — they all look better in:
- glass jars
- labeled canisters
- woven lidded baskets
Makes even everyday clutter feel curated.
19. Add a scent identity
Yes, your bathroom deserves a signature scent.
Try:
- reed diffusers
- wall plug-ins
- soy candles
- eucalyptus bundles in the shower
Your guests will notice. And compliment. And linger.
20. Upgrade the shower caddy
Rusty metal rack? We’re retiring that.
Look for:
- matte black
- bamboo
- corner standing caddy
When organization looks nice, you feel nicer using it.
21. Use trays to group decor
Trays = instant order.
Place one on:
- toilet tank
- counter top
- shelf
Cluster items instead of scattering them. It’s decor psychology magic.
22. Try patterned peel-and-stick floor tiles
If your apartment tile screams “built in 1992,” cover it temporarily.
Popular picks:
- vintage black-and-white
- Moroccan style
- checkerboard
Removable. Renter-approved. Game changer.
23. Add texture with woven elements
Texture warms up “cold” bathrooms.
Use:
- wicker baskets
- rattan trays
- woven hampers
It softens the hard lines of tile and porcelain.
24. Style your toilet tank (yep, really)
Think of it as a mini shelf.
Ideas:
- candle + tiny plant
- stack of matches
- tray with room spray
A little decor goes a long way here.
25. Introduce metallic accents
Gold, chrome, or matte black instantly upgrades a space.
Add metallics through:
- soap pumps
- mirror frames
- hardware (if swappable)
Just repeat the same finish for cohesion.
26. Hang a small shelf for personality items
Floating shelves are perfect for:
- mini plants
- rolled hand towels
- framed prints
Just don’t overcrowd — breathing room is part of the aesthetic.
27. Use fabric shower curtain liners
Plastic liners stick to your legs. Fabric liners?
- hang beautifully
- look upscale
- are washable
Your future self will thank you.
28. Keep countertops curated, not crowded
Here’s the secret of “aesthetic bathrooms” you see online:
They don’t store everything on the counter.
Keep out:
- one candle
- your daily skincare
- plant or soap dish
Everything else? Basket or cabinet. Instant calm.
Final Thoughts: Your apartment bathroom deserves main-character energy
Apartment bathrooms may be small, rented, or oddly shaped — but they don’t have to be boring. With a few smart choices:
- color cohesion
- renter-friendly decor
- layered textures
- personality pieces
you can turn yours into a mini sanctuary you’re actually excited to get ready in every morning.
Remember, the goal isn’t perfection — it’s personality. Your bathroom should feel like you, even if you can’t change the tiles, paint the walls, or knock anything down (tempting as it is).
