Interior designer Sara Parker has shared the most common mistake people make when decorating their bathrooms, but says it is a simple and cheap thing to fix.
"I sound crazy, but decorating your bathroom like it's a bathroom is what's making it feel and look cheap," Sara said in a video. She explained that most people design and decorate their bathrooms with similar products, such as soap dispensers, toothbrush holders, shower curtains, and bath mats.
"If you have a bathroom, this is what you have to have in your bathroom," Sara said. "But we are not gonna be listening to that."
Decanting
For her first tip, Sara said: "Do not underestimate the power of decanting." She showed examples of items such as bath salts, q-tips, and cotton swaps moved into different containers than those they were bought in, such as matching glass jars. "I just think everything looks shakier in a glass jar," Sara said.
Be creative with your bin
Next, Sara urged people to be more creative with their bathroom bin. "I think a bathroom trash can is where you can actually have a little bit of fun in your bathroom, and bring in some more personality," she said. Instead of a classic pedal bin, Sara suggested using vintage-looking bins, showing off a golden metal one as an example. She also suggested anything from baskets to planters. "There are actually so many things that you can use as a trash can if you just believe in it hard enough," she said.
Avoid matching sets
"Next thing to avoid are any of these bathroom accessory matching sets," Sara said, showing matching sets of toothbrush holders and soap dispensers as an example. "We can do way better." She said one of the key rules when designing a room is items having a 'found and collected look' that goes together well without being too similar. "And matching sets just, they do the complete opposite," Sara said. She recommended going for vintage pieces with more character, such as metal toothbrush holders, with matching items in the same kind of metal, but that still look unique on their own. "Or even throwing things like your toothbrush and a drinking glass," Sara suggested. "It's still so chic."
Pick the right shower curtain
Sara urged people to find the right shower curtain that does not look too much like a classic shower curtain, while also making sure you 'hang it right'. She recommends using a drape or curtain as a shower curtain instead, saying: "I love a pinch pleat for a shower curtain. You don't have to go that fancy. But I love it." She said to hang the shower curtain from close to the ceiling, as with regular curtains, rather than at the height of the shower head. "And if you just really wanna kill your bathroom design, you're going to do double shower curtains," she said, showing an example of a bathtub with shower curtains hanging from each end. "This is so luxe, so chic."
Add art pieces
Finally, Sara urged home designers to treat the bathroom decor like they would any other room in their home, including adding art pieces. "Art just gives any single space soul and lets it breathe in a deep breath of personality," Sara said. "So do not forget your bathroom."
