When you hire a designer, you are paying for the expertise and access they’ve spent their career building. They are invaluable sources of information and inspiration who push the entire home industry forward, but the reality is that not everyone can afford their services. If, like me, you’ve spent years poring over their work trying to glean even the smallest bits of guidance for your own projects, then this story is for you.
As Country Living’s deputy homes editor, I’ve spent my career talking with designers about all the small choices that make their spaces feel so luxurious. From the perfect dimensions in a kitchen to the simple bedding trick that makes any bedroom feel like a hotel, there are lots of ways to upgrade your space without breaking the bank—and that includes the bathroom. Below, I’m sharing three designer-approved decorating tricks that instantly transform the smallest bathroom in your house into one of the most impactful.
Maximize Color and Pattern
Wallpapering a small space so it punches above its visual weight has long been a designer hack—and for good reason! It works (nearly) every time, quickly turning a boring, ho-hum space into a full-on moment. Wallpaper is also trending at levels not seen since the 1980s, meaning this update couldn’t come at a better time.
“[It’s] having such a big moment right now, and we will see more nostalgic patterns inspired by the designs that filled our homes when we were younger, which I love,” says expert designer, DIYer, and Country Design 100 honoree Jenni Yolo. When picking patterns, consider smaller prints—like those from designer-favorite William Morris—that blend together to create a patterned backdrop that doesn’t overwhelm. Large, over-the-top patterns certainly can work, but they require an expert eye to ensure scale doesn’t work against the overall design.
Not into wallpaper? No problem! Try color drenching. In recent years, designers and DIYers alike have reveled in the power of paint, as covering an entire space—ceiling to baseboards—in a single shade has become a major trend. Pick whatever color you like. Contrary to popular opinion, there is no reason to avoid darker shades in small spaces. Just be sure to pair your paint with a standout light fixture, and call it a day.
RELATED: The Best Paint Colors for Small Bathrooms, According to Designers
Skirt Your Sink
More than paint or even wallpaper, sink skirts are *the* preferred small-space secret weapon amongst designers. They go a long way toward transforming a bathroom and are relatively low lift and low cost, especially if you are handy with a sewing machine. Before choosing a skirt style, consider the space in its entirety. “If the rest of the room feels frilly, go with a more simple style,” says New York-based designer Ariel Okin. “Conversely, if it’s a modern [space], a fancy skirt could be just the off-kilter addition needed.”
RELATED: Here’s Everything You Need to Know About Skirted Sinks
Go for a Wood-Lidded Toilet
As I wrote in this year’s bathroom trend report, wooden toilet seats and lids are back, which isn’t that surprising if you’ve spent any amount of time scrolling Instagram lately. Once considered outdated, prettily polished wooden toilet toppers are popping up everywhere. Their leveled-up look brings refinement to what could otherwise be an eyesore.
The love of wooden seats and lids started across the pond, as designers in England never really gave them up. These days, American designers like Heidi Caillier are increasingly incorporating them into their own projects for the touch of elegance that extra attention brings.
Anna Logan is the Deputy Homes & Style Editor at Country Living, where she has been covering all things home design, including sharing exclusive looks at beautifully designed country kitchens, producing home features, writing everything from timely trend reports on the latest viral aesthetic to expert-driven explainers on must-read topics, and rounding up pretty much everything you’ve ever wanted to know about paint, since 2021. Anna has spent the last seven years covering every aspect of the design industry, previously having written for Traditional Home, One Kings Lane, House Beautiful, and Frederic. She holds a degree in journalism from the University of Georgia. When she’s not working, Anna can either be found digging around her flower garden or through the dusty shelves of an antique shop. Follow her adventures, or, more importantly, those of her three-year-old Maltese and official Country Living Pet Lab tester, Teddy, on Instagram.
