
Bath times are sacred. Whether it lasts for ten minutes or an hour, it’s the time we give ourselves to relax, tune out the outside noise, and indulge in our daily self-care routine. (If you’re a parent, it may be the only me-time you ever get in a day.)
It’s because of this that our bathrooms play a critical space in our homes, especially in times like this when we can’t go to a spa or a salon to de-stress and unwind. But we know bathroom renovations can be costly. And if you’re renting an apartment, this isn’t even an option. The good news is that there are a few things you can do or add to make your bathroom look more inviting and conducive to r&r.
Here we asked five stylists for tips on how to make the bathroom look more luxurious and feel more relaxing, calming, and intimate—clawfoot tub optional!
Editor’s Note: Ruggable rugs can be placed in bathrooms and powder rooms. However, while our rugs are water-resistant, they are not water-absorbent. We don’t suggest using our standard chenille or plush rugs in place of a bath mat.
1. Keep Colors Minimal and Neutral
Stylist: Kim from @xomyhome
Rug: Vintage Heriz Ruby Rug in 2.5’x7′
Bathroom Styling Tips: “Choose a light and airy color palette and layer in texture by rolling a few towels and placing it in a pretty basket. This makes the space feel more relaxing. Add a bath caddy over the bathtub and style it with some faux flowers or greenery and a candle. An indoor plant (either floor or hanging) has a lot of benefits. It will make your bathroom feel fresh, purify the air, boost our mood, and reduce stress.”
Why she loves this rug: “I chose that rug for our bathroom as I wanted to add a pop of color to our neutral bathroom while maintaining a peaceful and calming vibe to the space. The purple and blue in the rug are typically known as calming colors.”
2. Add a Living Element
Stylist: Danielle from @ournestonpowell
Rug: Verena Dark Wood in 3’x5′
Bathroom Styling Tip: “Just because it’s a bathroom doesn’t mean it can’t be beautiful, too! Bring beautiful things into the space, like plants, which give a bathroom life, as well as a beautiful rug.”
Why she loves this rug: “I love the neutral tones of this rug. It’s classic with a vintage touch.”
3. Clear the Counter and Opt for Easy-to-Clean Pieces
Stylist: Macy from @wanderingmyhome
Rug: Kamran Hazel Rug in 3’x5′
Bathroom Styling Tip: “For me, relaxation starts with a clean room. I like to keep all of our daily necessities in the cabinets/drawers to lessen the clutter. I also like to add plants and beautiful textiles to create a warm, lived-in, and intimate environment.”
Why she loves this rug: “I picked this rug because I wanted something that would be easy to clean since it is a high-traffic area. I picked this style because I wanted a vintage style that was also neutral. Since the cabinets are dark, a busy or colorful rug didn’t feel right.”
4. Add Texture and Warmth With Rugs and Towels
Stylist: Jordan from @house.becomes.home
Rug: Damali Black and White Rug in 5’x7′
Bathroom Styling Tip: “To add a little warmth and comfort to an otherwise sterile space, like the bathroom, I like to bring in textures with rugs, towels, and wooden pieces. Incorporating a candle or two is also a great way to make the space more calming and relaxing while also adding warmth. Adding a beautiful rug can instantly warm up and make a space more intimate.”
Why she loves this rug: “I chose the Damali Black & White Rug for my bathroom because the colors just went perfectly with my color scheme, and well it just looks so good!”
5. Add a Statement Piece
Stylist: Annette from @azurefarm
Rug: Hendesi Heriz Abalone Rug in 5’x7′
Bathroom Styling Tip: “Have a statement piece. For me, it was our rug and mirrors. I wanted these super-large mirrors because they make the bathroom look bigger and feel fancier. It’s the same with the rug.
A neutral color palette also makes me feel calmer and at peace versus bright colors and bold patterns. I wanted white cabinets and marble countertops, which are timeless and look even more beautiful over time.”
Why she loves this rug: “Ruggable has beautiful patterns and I wanted this classic pattern with soothing blue tones. I could have just done a runner along the sinks but wanted the whole space to feel like home. Having the rug cover the entire floor really makes it cozier and inviting. Plus it’s washable so even better!”
More Bathroom Decor Ideas
6. Think Vertical

Stylist: Ryan of @texasforeverfarmhouse
Rug: Kamran Coral Rug in 2.5’x7′
Bathroom Styling Tip: Tall cabinets, or shelves that go up to the ceiling, not only provide additional storage space. They also draw your eyes upwards, which gives the appearance of length and height. This is a particularly helpful tip when you have a small bathroom space.
7. Gold for Glam
Stylist: Sarah and Dan of @joineryanddesignco
Rug: Herdanza Black and White Rug
Bathroom Styling Tip: Adding gold touches is one of the low-lift updates you can do that will instantly make your bathroom feel fancier and look more polished. If the budget allows, switch out wall sconces, drawer pulls, and sink faucet for gold-tinged ones, or just add a few well-placed gold canisters and accessories.
8. Add Fragrance

Stylist: Liz of @desertdecor
Rug: Linear Aztec Black Rug in 2.5’x7′
Bathroom Styling Tip: Fragrance adds a layer of luxury in any space, especially in the bathroom. Achieve this by adding a few choice candles, essential oils, or reed diffusers. For a relaxing effect, opt for lavender.
9. Add Fresh Flowers
Stylist: Tennille of @homesweetfarmhouse
Rug: Hudson Stripe Black Rug in 2.5’x7′
Bathroom Styling Tip: For a pop of color and a whiff of freshness, you can never go wrong with a bouquet of fresh flowers. Not only do flowers freshen the air in your home, but research also shows they can lower your stress level and speed up your body’s healing process. Design-wise, this easy add-on can soften hard angles and high-contrast colors.
Comment
I am looking for something even smaller, for a powder-room-sized bathroom