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When it comes to living in a rental, you may feel limited on what you can do, but you’ll be surprised at how you can transform a space — and there’s no exception for the bathroom.
Whether it’s your master bath, guest bath, or the only bathroom you have in your apartment, making it reflect your design style and personality is a must.
Having lived in multiple apartments over the past few years, we know the struggle of knowing what to do with a basic, builder-grade apartment, but we also know that that’s where endless design possibility begins.
That’s why we’re sharing 12 easy renter friendly bathroom makeover ideas that will completely transform your space and make it feel custom. It’s all about working with what you have, adding detail, and swapping some elements to truly make it a space you can unwind in after a long day.
12 Renter Friendly Bathroom Makeover Ideas
1. Paint!
Whether you’re painting your bathroom walls or painting your bathroom cabinets, a new coat of paint always seems to transform the space. Use a soft white to brighten a small rental bathroom or choose a color to add personality and warmth to your bathroom cabinets.
We recommend choosing the design style you like, gathering inspiration pictures from Pinterest, and then deciding on the paint colors that you think would be best in your bathroom.
*Reminder: As with any of these changes, check with your landlord, super, or apartment management to make sure that they are okay with you making these changes.
2. Add Personality with Peel & Stick Wallpaper
We are obsessed with using peel-and-stick wallpaper in spaces, and the bathroom is no different. It has a way of adding such personality to a space. Plus, there are so many beautiful floral, geometric, and simple wallpaper designs to choose from.
Small Dumbo Wallpaper
Ladies Who Lunch Peel & Stick Wallpaper
Linen Colette Peel & Stick Wallpaper
Love Shake Fancy Wallpaper
3. Swap Out Your Mirror
Replacing your mirror with a cuter mirror option can make all the difference. It’s such a small, easy swap that can completely transform the aesthetic of a space.
A bathroom is a great place to have fun with your mirror options. Maybe choose one with a unique frame or one with a fun, unexpected shape.
Burled Wood Mirror
Wavy Wall Mirror
4. Change the Light Fixtures
Apartments often come with the cheapest (and unaesthetic) light options, so swapping them out with fresh, modern light fixtures is a great way to add personality to your bathroom.
To make this a renter-friendly decor hack, make sure to keep the original light fixture in a closet or storage, that way you can swap it out when you leave.
Gretta Scalloped Flush Mount
Sphere 3-Light Sconce
5. Swap Out Cabinet Hardware
Changing the hardware in your bathroom is such an easy and affordable way to add your design style and a touch of character to a space. Replacing vanity cabinet pulls and knobs with something more aesthetic will make it feel more custom.
Avery Marble Cabinet Knob
Curveaux Cabinet Handle
6. Use Peel & Stick Floor Tiles
Do you have basic or outdated flooring in your rental bathroom? Covering it with peel-and-stick floor tiles is a great solution to creating a completely different vibe in your space. Not only are they durable for your bathroom, but when you’re ready to move out they easily come out without damaging the existing floor.
Floor Pops Tiles
Blue & White Peel & Stick Tile
7. Replace Basic Faucets, Shower Heads, and Towel Hooks
Rental apartments and homes often have faucets, shower heads, and towel hooks that are outdated too. This can be a bit more of an expense, but if you plan on staying in your apartment for multiple years, we highly recommend making the swap.
It adds an elevated look and feel to your bathroom. You’ll be shocked at what a new faucet and matching hand towel hook can do in a space.
Brass Delta Faucet
Brass Wall Mounted Towel Ring
8. Hang Wall Art
Hanging wall art is such a simple way to bring your design style into a space. A super affordable way to add beautiful wall art to your bathroom is by buying downloadable prints from Etsy (we get a lot of ours for less than $5).
After you download them, send them to Walgreens or a local print shop to print them in the correct dimensions of your frames. Then you can install them on your bathroom walls!
9. Add Board and Batten for Character
Board and batten add so much character to a space. It’s such a simple way to make a dramatic change to your basic apartment or rental home. Painting it a moody color adds depth and contrast to the space too.
10. Upgrade Switch Plates
Upgrading switch plates is not something a lot of people think to do, however, it’s a small swap that can elevate the mood of the space. Plus, it’s an easy and affordable way to make your rental bathroom feel custom.
Etched Metal Floral Switch Plate
Wiggle Scalloped Switch Plate
11. Add a Cute Floor Rug
Rugs are a great way to tie a space together. We love the idea of adding a cute, small area rug in front of a shower or sink cabinet. Choose one that matches the design style or aesthetic you want to achieve in your bathroom.
Classic Organic Loop Bath Mat
Angela Rose Loloi Cotton Runner
12. Style with Finishing Touches
Lastly, you can’t forget about the finishing touches. These are the small decorative elements that will make your bathroom feel expertly styled and curated.
Add a cute bathroom towel on a hook, install floating shelves above your toilet for storage, patterned shower curtain and decorate with cute bathroom counter accessories.
Carved Ceramic Bath Accessories
Fern Wall Cabinet
Odille Trash Can
