How to Accessorize a Bathroom
Featured pro: Kristan Cunningham
Category: Home Decor, Bathroom Basics
Kristan Cunningham shares her trade secret for accessorizing a basic bathroom with a few easy, affordable pieces that won't break the bank (or the drywall).
Step 1: Let There Be Light
Give your sterile, neutral bathroom a touch of style. First hang factory-style sconces above the mirror. You can run the wires down the side of the mirror if you don’t want to hardwire them.
Step 2: Mirrors, Mirrors on the Wall
Hang a mirror overtop of the mirror on the wall. Just hang a hook on the wall above the mirror, add a chain, and hang it.
Step 3: In the Basket
Remove the doors from the cabinets and replace them with baskets to hold towels or linens.
Step 4: Get Some Pull
Replace standard cabinet knobs with ones with a bit more personality.
Step 5: Step It Up
Throw an indoor/outdoor run on the floor. Then you can get right out of the shower and step onto it without worrying about it getting wet.
Step 6: Be Seated
If you have enough room, add a little stool with some bathroom accessories or a chair to stack towels.
Step 7: Art Show Add some art to the walls, but make sure it won’t get harmed with the steam from the shower.
Add some art to the walls, but make sure it won’t get harmed with the steam from the shower.
Step 8: What’s Old is New
Accessorize! Have fun with vintage pieces, such as a decanter for mouthwash and a jar for cotton balls. Don’t worry about having all the pieces match perfectly.
Step 9: Sink It
Replace the faucet—it’s the best way to change the look of the entire bathroom.
Items You'll Need for this GMC Trade Secret
- factory-style sconces
- mirror with a chain
- baskets
- cabinet knobs and pulls
- indoor/outdoor area rug
- stool or chair
- artwork
- decanter and vintage jars
- new faucet
More Trade Secrets
OK so over all the bathroom looks better than before, I don,t think I would do everything she did but it gives me some ideas as to what I can do to make my bathroom not look so plain. I think she presented a base from which to start, now add your own touch.
May 01 2011 at 3:07 PM Permalink +1 rate up rate downI think she did a great job in adding interest to the bathroom. I actually like the play with mirror on mirror. I also think removing the 2 cabinet doors add a very contemporary approach to storage. Watch out, though... too much more will look like a Pottery Barn catalog.
The room needs color, and something live, depending on the light source... a wonderful plant will make it feel more "spa" like, relaxing and inviting.
The decorative mirror over the big plain one is a nice effect.
May 01 2011 at 5:49 PM Permalink +3 rate up rate downAdd a Comment
these ideas are all nice, but what orhow do you do these things when you live in an apartment and can't alwasys change out the fixtures due to constraints of lease
July 17 2011 at 12:36 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyOVERALL IT WAS VERY NICE. LOVED THE MIRROR OVER MIRROR IDEA BEST. WE TOOK OURS DOWN AND WERE LUCKY IT DIDN'T BRING THE DRYWALL DOWN. NEXT TIME I WILL DO THIS IDEA.
June 05 2011 at 2:50 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyI thought the make over was ok...the only thing that i did like was the idea of hanging a mirror ontop of another mirror. the baskets under the sink are not a good idea. i have something similar and they are hard to keep clean,not to mention keeping fresh towels there is a little gross. yeah and whats up with the magical light fixtures that dont need electricity? show me how to install that myself, then i will be impressed! (the 1980's cabinet hardware has to go too)
May 01 2011 at 8:11 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyWhat is that door for? I really like the colors of the bathroom but what bothered me was when she took the knobs off the drawers and put handles. The hole in the middle of the drawer would really bug me.
May 01 2011 at 8:03 PM Report abuse Permalink +1 rate up rate down ReplyDont like the mirror idea or the wires hiding beside the mirror. I would have changed out the mirror for new framed mirror with possible bevel edge detail. I do like the basket look, which is very contemp. Would have replaced the counter top with a granite remnant which is very affordable.
Overall not too bad.
Whatever...first off what's with the lamps? Is there electricity in the wall? Did she have to run wires? Secondly, there are holes in the drawers where she removed the pulls. Looks AWFUL. Thirdly, putting a carpet in a bathroom is a big NO NO. Once it gets wet it will smell and have to be thrown out. Lastly, where she removed the hinges from the cabinets there will also be holes.
May 01 2011 at 7:57 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Replyhow do you open that door next to the cabinet??????????
May 01 2011 at 7:50 PM Report abuse Permalink +3 rate up rate down Reply
Orlenda
not bad! like the indoor/outdoor carpet idea alot!
May 01 2011 at 7:42 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyI am surprised she put in gold knobs or handles. What was wrong with the silver ones?
May 01 2011 at 7:25 PM Report abuse Permalink +3 rate up rate down ReplyNice piece if you want a neutral colored bathroom. Kristen should have done the same using brightly colored accessories for those who like color. She also could have added some greenery to the bathroom.
May 01 2011 at 7:20 PM Report abuse Permalink +1 rate up rate down ReplyGet our latest tips in your inbox
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