The 10 things in your bathroom that are making it tacky – and the sign you need to get rid of
ARE you proud of your bathroom?
Nine out of ten of us feel embarrassed when guests visit our restrooms, according to a new study.
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According to the UniBond study, toilets are a source of shame for more than 90 percent of women and over 80 percent of men. Additionally, a third of millennials have no idea how to make necessary improvements with simple home improvements.
Culprits include dated decor and overly bright lights, but there’s hope.
Interior designer Kelly Hoppen can help pave the way to pride.
Kelly shares with Kirsten Jones 10 things that can make a bathroom look tacky. . . and how to approach them on a budget.
A NAFF SIGN
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“Live Laugh Love” on the bathroom wall doesn’t look good.
Cliche quotes hung in frames or leaning against bathtubs can elicit a fleeting laugh, but guests quickly tire of their stickiness—especially if they’re regular visitors.
If you’re aiming for a sophisticated space, don’t yell around with signs.
Instead, I recommend a tasteful less-is-more approach to make the room whisper.
OBSOLETE ACCESSORIES
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Using a doll head with a crochet skirt to cover the toilet paper roll is really dated and best left at grandma’s.
Leave the nostalgia to other rooms in your home (or better yet, other houses) and use a basket or box to store your excess tissue.
If you feel like it, buy an eco-friendly toilet paper roll wrapped in fancy patterned paper.
It’s far classier and more sophisticated — and far more interesting to look at than a neatly stacked stack of white buns.
Chic shower curtain
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We’d all love to be on a beach in the Caribbean, but tropical fish on the shower curtain won’t transport you there.
Swap out naff nylon for a plain navy or peach curtain, for example to cover the bathtub when not in use.
When bath time is over and the tub is dry, hang the fabric down to the floor to make the room look bigger and more elegant.
YOUR FRAGRANCE IS NOT SENSABLE
FRAGRANCE is an essential part of creating a relaxing bathroom.
Unpleasant smells have a completely repulsive effect. So instead of buying a sweet-sweet sorbet spray, buy a softer-scented diffuser, bath oil, or even a candle.
Try products with a scent of lemon, lavender or eucalyptus – this is much classier and more relaxing.
Just make sure you blow out the candle when you leave the room.
BLINDED BY LIGHT
The harsh lighting is incredibly unflattering and can make your loo look more like a corner nightspot than a home retreat.
Avoid overhead lights as they can draw attention to every blemish and shine on your skin.
Instead, flatter your guests with soft wall lights on either side of the mirror or use indirect uplighting reflected off the ceiling.
MIRROR REFLECTS POORLY
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With a BLAND mirror, your bathroom looks more like a broom closet than a spacious spa.
A simple, square design, a shaving mirror, or no mirror at all will reduce space and feel cramped.
Be bold – opt for a large model with a noble gold or copper frame.
By mirroring the space, the smallest bathroom looks more like a mansion.
They have paneled walls
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WOOD is a worrying element in any bathroom.
Wall panels warp when wet and there are more elegant ways to recreate your summer beach cottage by the sea.
Try colorful tiles instead – you can buy classy-looking vinyl tiles for a fraction of the price, and they’ll stand up to shower after shower.
Use on walls and floors for a clean and modern feel.
Your room is empty
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It’s one thing to keep it clean and tidy, but there’s nothing worse than an empty and boring bathroom.
Why not give your guests something nice to look at while they’re on the toilet?
Shop for greenery – even artificial ivy vines look great and fit any budget.
And show off your fine soap on the sink. Hang some fun photos on the wall and add a pop of color.
EVERYTHING FITS
Matching soap dish and toothbrush holder used to be a big deal, but now it’s so outdated.
Instead of sticking to the old rules, break out and try something quirky and new.
Shop for bold, colorful bathroom decor – the high street is full of inspiration – and play with patterns to show off your wacky character.
But be careful not to turn the toilet into a circus tent.
Don’t fill things up
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WE are all guilty of the 10-minute “panic cleaning” before guests arrive, and swaying bottles of shampoo, perfumes and skincare products don’t make dusting any easier.
The sight of clutter can make us really stressed. So please buy some storage to organize your space better.
Choose neat, different-sized containers that can fit items like cotton balls, bubble bath, and spare toilet rolls.
This cuts cleaning time in half and eliminates prejudiced taunts.
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