7 Ways to Turn Your Outdated Bathroom Into a Modern Oasis, Designers Say

A dated bathroom puts a damper on everything—from your daily routine to spa nights at home. However, the beauty of interior design and styling is that with a few fairly low-lift changes, you can turn an outdated bathroom into a modern haven.

Whether you’re invested in reinvigorating your primary bath or tackling the dingy guest bathroom that you’ve been putting off, the following expert-backed tips will bring your bathroom into the modern day.

Reenergize Your Cabinets

Cabinets take up a good portion of visual space in a bathroom, which means that outdated configurations, colors, or materials stand out more than other features. Fortunately, you don’t need to rip anything out.

“Swap out old hardware for matte black, brass, or brushed nickel finishes,” says principal interior designer Dorothy McGhee. “Just updating the sink faucet and cabinet hardware can completely change the vibe.”

If you have a bit more time, consider breaking out the paint. This is another way in which you can breathe some life back into cabinets that feel dated.

“Give old cabinets a facelift with a rich, modern paint color—think deep navy, charcoal, or sage,” she says.

Freshen the Paint and Grout

A major deep clean makes an enormous difference in renewing a bathroom. Decluttering also works magic, especially for bathrooms that feel overwhelmed or cramped by stuff.

“Bathrooms can get grimy pretty quickly, so a fresh coat of paint and cleaning up the grout can go a long way,” says principal interior designer Gala Magriñá.

If you decide to paint walls, tiles, or cabinets, Magriñá recommends a neutral color palette, as these shades will remain timeless.

Swap Out Old Light Fixtures

Nothing quite dates a bathroom like a giant, yellowish overhead light or a boring builder-grade bar. Opt for an alternative, which sets the spa-like tone you’re after and modernizes the space.

“Replace the builder-grade vanity lights with sculptural sconces or modern pendants,” says McGhee. “Lighting makes or breaks the feel of a bathroom.”

It doesn’t require an entire overhaul, but once the light fixtures are adjusted, you’ll already notice a difference. If you’re open to taking the upgrade a little further, you have options.

“I also love to put the bathroom lights on dimmers so that when clients get ready for bed, they can turn the light down and ease into rest,” says Magriñá.

Rethink Your Mirror

You’ll also want to take a look at the mirror you have in your bathroom; it doubles as a functional tool, as it helps brighten the space and makes it look bigger, and a design tool—a mirror with an ornate frame or in a unique style easily doubles as a piece of decor.

“Ditch the big, frameless mirror for a pair of framed mirrors or one with an organic shape for more personality,” McGhee says.

Elevate Your Storage

Storage may sound like more of an organizational change, but beautiful storage units look nice in your bathroom while keeping it tidy.

“Making sure there’s a place for everything helps keep countertops clear, which goes a long way to creating a clean, modern feel,” Magriñá says. “If things are out in the open, they create clutter. You can hide everything to give a fresh, streamlined look.”

Updating your cabinets and vanities also gives this room a more contemporary feel.

Incorporate Artwork

Both experts agreed on how beneficial a curated selection of artwork can be for your bathroom—especially one that could do with newer touches. It gives personality to a space and is a cool way to incorporate the color palette and theme in a subtle way.

“If there is space on the wall for art, add or update your pieces to reflect a bigger goal, or with something that sparks joy for a super boost,” says Magriñá.

This can be said for any style of bathroom, whether it’s a bright and bold space or a room where you want to prioritize simple decor and colors.

“Even in a minimalist bathroom, add soul—a vintage stool, woven basket, original art,” says McGhee.

Change Your Showerhead

Don’t forget the details of your main attraction. Look for small swaps in lasting styles that you can make in your shower, bathtub, and sink.

“Rain showers, wall-mounted faucets, and hand showers not only feel luxe but also clean up the look,” says McGhee.

Even if you don’t have the time or budget for fully readjusting the plumbing, you’re not stuck with what you have. There are a variety of beautiful showerheads out there nowadays that require very little installation. You can also rethink the features around your tub and sink.

“The shower curtain and bath mat also take up a ton of visual real estate, so upgrading these for something new and fresh also helps tremendously,” adds Magriñá.

Other Small-Scale Renovations

If you have more time or a bigger budget, there are a few other ways of modernizing a dated bathroom. Here’s what the experts recommend:

• Try new tiling. A whole new set of tiles, can completely transform the bathroom. “If replacing the tile isn’t in the budget, there are specialty paints designed specifically for tile,” says Magriñá. “In my book, fresh white tile is better than bad tile.”
• Improve the ventilation. “Lighting and airflow matter more than people think—especially for long-term function and freshness,” McGhee says.
• Stick to one style. “We also want to make sure key components like the bathroom sink, shower and bath faucets, and remaining hardware all ‘go to the same party’ in terms of style and finish,” says Magriñá.
• Upgrade showers and tubs. “Ditch the acrylic surround and install a tiled walk-in shower or a freestanding tub if space allows,” says McGhee. “Frameless glass doors add that spa-like openness.”