6 Easy Ways to Make Your Bathroom Look Luxe on a Budget, Designers Say

Dreaming of marble vanities and fire-glazed tile shower surrounds, but stuck with builder-grade basics from 2003? The good news is, you don’t need a gut renovation—or a five-figure budget—to make your bathroom feel a little more high-end. Designers know how to make a space feel luxe, even on a lean budget.

Here, two interior design experts share their go-to tricks for elevating your bathroom without overspending.

Flip the Switch on Boring Lighting

One of the fastest ways to upgrade your bathroom’s luxe factor? Better lighting, Melissa Roberts, founder of Melissa Roberts Interiors, says.

“Whether it’s swapping the outdated overhead fixtures or adding layered lighting—for example, a pair of sconces flanking the bathroom mirror—this will help to immediately elevate the space,” she says.

If your bathroom has a basic flush mount, don’t be afraid to replace it with something more eye-catching, like a sputnik chandelier or a lantern pendant. Even fixtures that feel more suited to a dining room or entryway can work beautifully when paired with simple vanity lighting.

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Rethink Your Mirror Moment

Roberts also recommends swapping out builder-grade mirrors for statement mirrors that bring a sense of movement and visual interest.

“This can be an easy fix to make bathrooms feel fresh and even give the illusion of a larger space,” Roberts says.

You don’t have to stick with the usual suspects like brass or nickel when it comes to bathroom mirrors, either. Sure, metallic finishes add instant glamour, but opting for something a little more unexpected, like jute, plaster, or a carved wood mirror, can bring a collected feel that’s totally unique.

Looking for ideas? Try a vintage-inspired tramp art mirror or a bold sunburst style over the vanity. It’s the kind of surprise detail that gives your bathroom that extra charm.

Make Your Vanity the Star

Your vanity is one of the first things you see when you walk into your bathroom, so giving it a little love can go a long way. Ursula Carmona, founder of Homemade by Carmona, suggests painting your vanity to achieve maximum impact on a penny-pinched budget.

“If you’re not picky about the exact hue of paint color, keep an eye out for discounted tins at the hardware store,” she says.

Another budget-friendly option? Carmona recommends picking up a secondhand vanity or console table from a thrift store and giving it a makeover with fresh paint and new hardware. Just be sure to seal the surface with a few coats of clear polyurethane to make it water-resistant and durable, especially if it’s wood.

Think Beyond “Bathroom” Decor

Skip the matchy-matchy soap dishes and bathroom-themed wall art—your space deserves more than the usual suspects. Bringing in pieces you’d typically find in other rooms, like a stately framed portrait or a vintage landscape, can instantly elevate your bathroom and give it a more curated, designer feel.

Bonus points for getting creative with how you display your out-of-pocket decor: try leaning art casually on your vanity countertop instead of hanging it up. Want to go a step further? Nestle a table lamp on an oversized vanity or tuck an upholstered ottoman into an empty corner. The more intentional your choices, the more high-end your bathroom will feel.

Wallpaper—Without the Wallet Pain

A wallpapered powder room is the epitome of chic, but papering every wall in your loo from floor to ceiling can get pricey fast. To get the look without the splurge, Carmona suggests scaling things back strategically.

“Just a small section of wallpaper can make a big impact,” she says.

Try applying wallpaper to a single accent wall or just the portion above a chair rail. Carmona suggests opting for a repeating pattern that works well in smaller doses, and then painting the rest of the wall to create contrast and depth.

“Use chair rail as a natural divider, and consider adding molding to create a paneled effect that feels polished and intentional,” she says.

In her own bathroom, Carmona went a step further by framing art prints within the panels. The frame within a frame effect takes the polished look to the next level.

Swap Out Your Towels

Sure, dated towels still do the job—but they’re not doing your bathroom any aesthetic favors. That’s why Roberts always recommends swapping in fresh, plush towels for an instant upgrade.

When you think about it, towels are the textiles of the bathroom. Just like curtains in a living room or a duvet in a bedroom, they set the tone for the space. In other words, they can have way more design impact than you’d think—which makes them worth the occasional splurge.

Especially in small bathrooms with limited wall space, towels can double as decor. Opt for high-quality sets in bold prints—like graphic patterns or colorful checks—and keep them in constant rotation. When they’re this pretty, consider them functional fiber art!

Never Underestimate the Power of Paint

Yes, paint—the old standby. It’s so obvious, it’s easy to forget just how transformative it can be. But when it comes to budget-friendly upgrades, few things pack a punch quite like a fresh coat of color.

If your bathroom feels busy or dated thanks to clashing finishes, consider painting everything in one rich, moody hue—think charcoal, navy, or slate. A deep monochrome palette can instantly unify the space, making it feel more intentional and sophisticated. Plus, darker tones help muffle visual clutter, creating a calming mood that feels loads richer than your budget might suggest.