When planning a bathroom remodel, you may be focused on the bathtub, shower style, vanity, showerheads, and tile. These items form the foundation for the function and style of the bath. They set the tone with colors, texture, and shape, like the sleek lines of a contemporary vanity or the natural texture of pebble tile on a shower floor.

Once you decide on the style and select the key fixtures, it's time to start accessorizing. Accessories add personality to a design and elevate the style of the room. You may not think accessories are key to a bathroom, but this is a central space where you start and end your day. It might be your relaxing home spa or where your children splash in a bubble bath.

From ceiling to floor, here are tips for accessorizing your bath.

Before you start

Start with a clean slate. If this is a remodel, you'll have already cleared the room and can view the space with fresh eyes once the main fixtures are in. If it's an existing bathroom, do a full clear-out before you start. This is the perfect chance to declutter. Pull everything out of all drawers, cabinets, medicine cabinets, and shelves. Get rid of anything out of date, broken, or never used. Anything that remains should have a home, whether put away in a drawer or sitting on a shelf in your shower. The result is a decluttered space where the style can shine.

Look up: light fixtures, showerheads, and more

Lighting is essential to any bath, and a prime opportunity to dress up the room with metallics, glass, crystal, or fun shades. For a glamorous effect, include a sparkling chandelier; for a pop of color, go for a bold pendant. The vanity is central to any bath and needs lighting that brings illumination without glare. Wall sconces offer balanced light and come in many styles to accent the vanity and walls.

While you're looking up, consider plumbing fixtures and showerheads. Polished chrome and nickel are still classic, but matte black, gold, and bronze bring glamor and sophistication. We cover lighting in more depth in our lighting styles guide.

Up the walls with stylish accessories

When you walk into a bathroom, the walls are at eye level and draw immediate attention. Make it love at first sight. If you're planning a remodel, consider visually appealing tile designs like a mosaic accent in the storage niche, or mixed materials like aluminum and wood. A tile border in an accent color and shape can offset neutral classic tile walls. Other wall coverings (wallpaper and paint) offer easier-to-change personality, but choose moisture- and mildew-resistant options. For a classic or beach style, add wainscoting or beadboard.

Continue your metallic accents with complementary towel bars and rings, and accent your color scheme with hand towels. For a unique design accessory with rustic charm, repurpose a ladder for towels. Mirrors are practical, and a prime opportunity to add glam: beveled glass, metal or tile frames, backlighting.

Turn practical storage solutions into design statements by adding a colorful wall behind open shelves with paint, wallpaper, or tile. Carefully curate items, leaving room for personal pieces (a framed photo, candle, memento) that add charm. Practical items go in coordinated jars or baskets that complement the room's style.

Don't be afraid to add artwork, but make sure it can withstand moisture and steam. Hang a favorite framed print or family photo in a frame that accents your metallic or wood accessories.

Window treatments are essential for privacy if your windows are visible from the street or a neighbor. Strike a balance between privacy and openness that lets natural light in. Blinds, shutters, and curtains all work and offer a chance to bring color, pattern, and texture.

Have fun with furniture

Other than the shower or tub, the most prominent fixture is the vanity. It provides storage and sets the tone with door style and finish. Cabinet hardware adds another layer of style: from crystal knobs to matte black drawer pulls, hardware accents the cabinetry and works with other accessories.

Keep countertops clear, limiting what you keep out to essentials or a few decorative accents. Stylish jars for storage keep clutter to one area so countertops are easy to clean. A small metal tray or hand mirror with perfume or other items arranged on it adds an accent.

In a larger bath, a small freestanding table (metal cocktail table, wooden side table, or wheeled bar cart) adds a unique touch plus extra storage right where you need it, like next to a freestanding tub.

Seating belongs in many bath designs too: benches outside the shower, small stools, cushioned chairs. If you're including a makeup vanity, you definitely need a comfortable seat. In a larger bath, a luxe cushioned chair near a window transforms the room into a home spa retreat.

Look down: rugs, plants, and more

If you've decluttered, the floor stays clear. Bathmats or rugs are essential to a busy bath where you may be stepping out of the shower or standing on cold tile while brushing your teeth. They keep feet warm and dry and prevent slipping. They're also an easy way to add color and style. Choose fluffy luxurious mats, a bright pop of color on a white tile floor, or a wood-slatted mat to evoke a spa.

Bringing nature into a bath creates calm. A carefully placed plant improves both the decor and the air quality. Pick a plant variety suited to a humid environment, and if you're not an avid gardener, choose something low-maintenance.

Talk through your bath with a designer

From mirrors and light fixtures to towels, artwork, rugs, and more, accessories bring warmth, color, and personality to a bath. If you're planning a bathroom remodel and want to talk through how to bring it together, we'd love to talk.

Schedule a showroom visit at our 5,000 square foot showroom in Norwell. No pressure, just a real conversation about your home.

Transitions Kitchens, Baths & Remodeling
433 Washington St, Norwell, MA
(781) 871-0881