Bathroom Decor Ideas: The Accessories I Always Use
If you’re looking for bathroom decor ideas that feel collected instead of matchy, the right accessories make all the difference. I’m sharing the bathroom accessories I use again and again to style real spaces in a way that feels layered, functional, and personal.
When it comes to bathroom decor ideas, there is one design mistake I see all the time. Picture this. You are finishing a space, you grab a full matching set of accessories, and suddenly, everything feels done. It seems like a great way to pull a room together quickly!
But matching soap dispensers, toothbrush holders, and bath essentials do not always make a bathroom look better. In fact, they can make a space feel flat instead of layered. Like you went to Bed, Bath, & Beyond and picked up an entire matching set and called it a day.
Over the years I have learned that the best bathroom decor ideas come from mixing textures, adding pops of color, and choosing accessories that feel collected rather than identical. The same is true when it comes to furniture.
Today, I am sharing exactly how I style the bathrooms in our home so each space feels cohesive without looking overly matchy. I have styled bathrooms in multiple homes over the years, and this simple approach works every single time.
The (Very) Easy Fix
Now you are probably looking around your bathrooms and thinking, “Dang it, Casey. I do not want to buy all new stuff for every small bathroom or guest bathroom in my house.” I get it. The good news is that updating your bathroom decor does not have to mean starting from scratch or spending a lot of money.
The easiest fix is to shop your own home.
- Leave most of the space exactly the same
- Swap one soap dispenser between bathrooms
- Move trays instead of buying new ones
- Change one styling piece like a plant or diffuser
Start by switching things around between rooms. Move one soap dispenser from here to there. Swap a tray from the powder room into a guest bathroom. Try a different toothbrush holder or hand soap in a new spot.
You do not need to get rid of anything. These small changes are a great way to refresh smaller spaces and create a more eclectic look without buying new bath essentials.
My Bathroom Decor Formula
When I am styling a small bathroom, powder room, or guest bathroom, I always start with the same core pieces. These bathroom decor ideas work because they focus on function first and style second.
Here are the bath essentials I almost always use:
- Soap dispenser: I skip matching sets and choose one that works with the overall design style of the room.
- Tray: A tray is a great way to corral hand soap, cotton balls, or a mini vase while keeping the countertop clean.
- Toothbrush holder (if needed): Especially helpful in a kids’ bathroom.
- Storage pieces: Think glass canisters, small containers, or anything that adds extra storage without adding clutter.
- A small styling moment: Pops of color, hardy plants, a pretty diffuser, or candle. If your bathroom has taller ceilings, an extra-long shower curtain is one of my favorite ways to make the space feel more elevated. I shared a full guide to choosing the right shower curtain length here.
This simple formula works in smaller spaces because it keeps everything intentional without feeling overstyled.
Now let’s take a look at each bathroom in our home and how this formula works in real life.
Our Main Bathroom
Our bathroom countertop features decorative items that are all functional. We have a double-sink vanity, but that doesn’t mean that we have two of everything.
On Finn’s sink, we have our soap dispenser. I went with this amber-colored glass bottle for a traditional style. These are some of my favorite soap dispensers to use around the house because they go with just about any space. This bathroom leans more classic, so I kept the accessories darker and more neutral.
In the middle, I have this sleek black tray. I’m a big fan of trays on a bathroom vanity because it’s a great way to corral smaller items and make them look neat. On here, I have a faux plant, Finn’s cologne, and this little container for q-tips.
This container is actually a votive candle holder, but it works great for q-tips too! It’s also amber-colored but doesn’t quite match the soap dispenser because it has a ribbed texture.
Then, I have this black marble container to hold cotton balls. It’s nice to have these in an easy-to-reach place and they look chic out on the sink. So again, we want each piece to complement each other instead of match.
I like how the black and amber colors pair with the gold vanities and white marble countertops. I then added a wicker trash can to add some texture to the space.
The Kids’ Bathroom
In the kids’ bathroom, the decor is a bit more casual. In fact, I don’t even have a fancy soap dispenser!
Instead, I just use this plastic soap dispenser with their favorite soap. It’s lightweight and non-breakable, so it works well for a kid-friendly space.
To complement the navy vanity, I went with a navy toothbrush holder. Yes, this is a kids’ space, but there’s no reason to go over-the-top with a theme or color scheme. The shower curtain in here is white with some navy tassels.
If you are looking for more ideas, I shared a full roundup of my favorite shower curtains for a kids’ bathroom right here.
I also utilize a tray (similar) in this space. This time it holds a plant and a small jar for floss sticks. The jar is black and white striped and I loved the little pattern on it.
In this space, I also use this wicker trash can. I’m a sucker for textured wastebaskets, can you tell?
Our Basement Bathroom
The basement bathroom is my most recent makeover and I had a lot of fun using new and old bathroom decor for this DIY project. I wanted the decor to coordinate with the moody interior and make the space feel luxurious.
No toothbrush holder is needed down here, so I just needed a tray, soap dispenser, and other decorative elements to bring it all together.
In this small space, I used both black and gold metals. I went with this simple matte black towel ring along with my fave Turkish towels. These are the best!
On the countertop, I have this marble black tray with my go-to amber-colored soap dispenser. (It’s a repeat offender around here!)
Then, I just have a candle in this glass holder, this small match container, and a faux plant. These all pair nicely with the gold bathroom faucet and gold light fixtures.
Our First-Floor Bathroom
Finally, our first-floor bathroom. This one is tricky because we just have a pedestal sink in here, without any countertop space. Because of that, I installed this wall soap dispenser. Our old soap bottle was constantly falling into the sink and this prevents that from happening!
I then have a few decorative items on this shelf, over the toilet, that I found at a thrift store. I added a tray, candles with matches, my “vintage” art, and a plant. You can’t go wrong with potted plants in your bathroom!
My Favorite Bathroom Decor Ideas
If you’re walking around your home and thinking that it’s time to make a few decor swaps, I’ve got you covered. Here are some of my favorite bathroom decor items for your space.
Faux Tulips // Cream Vase // Amber & Black Soap Dispenser // Marble Tray // Waffle Hand Towel // Tissue Box Cover // Woven Wastebasket // Scalloped Capiz Candle // Black Tray // Faux Greenery // Black Wastebasket // Turkish Hand Towels // Reed Diffuser // Marble Riser // Ribbed Glass Soap Dispenser // Toilet Tank Basket // Green Lidded Box
If your bathroom feels like it is missing something, chances are it is not a big renovation you need. It is just a few intentional swaps. Start small, mix pieces instead of matching them, and let the space evolve over time.
