Bathroom Vanity Decor - How to Make it Work For You

Is your bathroom vanity looking lackluster? Decorating your vanity is an easy and affordable way to completely transform the look of your bathroom. With some simple upgrades like a fresh coat of paint, strategic storage solutions, and a few personalized touches, you can make this space both beautiful and highly functional.

Follow our vanity makeover guide to learn insider tips on choosing complementary colors, clearing clutter, displaying cherished keepsakes, and incorporating greenery. We'll also cover ideas for lighting, organization, soap dispensers, and more. These decor tricks will help motivate you to keep your vanity tidy and uplifting.

Choose Paint Colors That Enhance Your Bathroom

One of the easiest ways to alter the whole vibe of your bathroom is to change up the color of your vanity. Paint allows you to transform the look without the investment of a whole new vanity and countertop.

When selecting a shade, it's crucial to consider the colors of your existing tile, walls, shower curtain, and other fixtures. Your goal is to create a cohesive, purposeful color scheme. Neutral vanity colors like white, gray, and tan tend to work well with most bathrooms. However, don't be afraid to go bold with a vanity color that pops if it coordinates nicely with accents like towels or rugs.

Recommend Durable Enameled Paint

For the most durable and moisture-resistant results, choose a specialized enameled paint formulated for bathrooms. The slightly higher price tag is worth it since these paints contain protective enameling and have lower VOCs. Low-VOC paints are better for indoor air quality. An enamel paint will also resist fading and wet damage better than standard paints.

Thoroughly clean and dry the vanity surface so the paint adheres properly. Apply two to three thin, even coats using a small foam roller, allowing each coat to fully dry before adding the next. The end result will be a washable, rich finish.

Corral Clutter with Decorative Trays and Storage

Is your vanity top chaos? Trays are amazing for neatly corralling all your lotions, perfumes, cosmetics, hair products, and daily essentials in one spot. Arrange items purposefully so your most frequently used products are close at hand.

Material and Style Options

Tray styles range widely, so select options that align with your decor. Mirrored trays add glam and the illusion of more space. Woven bamboo brings earthy texture while metal and leather embody sleek, modern style. For farmhouse charm, try a rustic wood tray. Just ensure materials suit moisture-prone bathrooms.

Evaluate the scale of your vanity counter to determine proper tray proportions. Oversize trays can overwhelm a petite vanity. Meanwhile, dainty trays might get lost on a sprawling counter. Measure first before shopping to get the right fir.

Extra Storage Solutions

Does your vanity have closed cabinets or drawers? Use storage solutions like shelves, divider boxes, or lazy susans to neatly organize extra toiletries inside. This clears counter clutter while keeping items handy but out of sight.

Install pull-out drawers to fully utilize awkward narrow spaces. Effective organizers also make regular drawers more efficient for holding bulkier bottles or first aid supplies. Getting organized reduces daily morning madness!

Show Off Cherished Photos and Travel Souvenirs

Make your bathroom vanity uniquely yours by decorating with sentimental photos, souvenirs from vacations, or quirky flea market finds. But since bathrooms tend to be damp, take special care with displaying precious items.

Use Water-Resistant Photo Frames

Choose acrylic or aluminum photo frames rather than standard wood-backed frames at risk for warp. Water-resistant frames protect precious family photos or kids' artwork from moisture damage.

For displaying photos directly on your vanity, select special strips with ultra-sticky adhesive to securely fasten frames. Some even boast moisture-blocking barriers for extra protection.

Show Off Your Travels

Turn your vanity into a mini museum exhibiting favorite souvenirs collected from trips near and far. Perhaps display sand dollars found on a beach vacation or a hand-carved trinket box from an overseas adventure. Just keep scale small so items don't overwhelm the vanity.

Again, stick with water-resistant display methods like acrylic frame inserts or clear acrylic easels. Arrange items neatly and dust regularly so your vanity doesn't start looking like a cluttered attic.

Incorporate Greenery for Freshness

Bringing live plants into your bathroom boosts style and freshens air quality. Greenery also makes spaces more calming and cheerful. When selecting vanity plants, stick to varieties that thrive in humid bathroom environments.

Vines, Ferns, and Spider Plants Thrive

Trailing ivy vines look gorgeous draped along the edges of a vanity. For a modern touch, try scindapsus' silvery-green satin leaves. Leafy ferns or spider plants also work nicely. Peperomias feature fun watermelon-hued leaves while parlor palms and orchids add drama.

Determine proper light levels in your bathroom to select plants suited to those conditions. While some can adapt to various exposures, others require bright or indirect light to truly flourish.

Use Moisture-Resistant Planters

Although you're decorating a humid space, soil sitting in water promotes root rot. Elevate planters using decorative stands allowing drainage. Cachepots conceal inner plastic grow pots.

For mounted plants, select moisture-resistant planters like concrete, metal, or glazed ceramic that won't deteriorally. Add waterproof liner before filling with potting mix if using more porous pots like terra cotta. This protects your vanity from damage.

Paint or Wallpaper Above Vanity

Most bathroom vanities sit below a wall space ideal for adding visual interest. Paint this wall area to perfectly coordinate with your vanity's fresh color. If you're willing to commit, apply chic wallpaper or tile as an alternative.

Display Meaningful Photos and Artwork

Now that you have a blank decorating canvas, take advantage by hanging art or photos above the vanity. Curate agallery wall saluting family memories or showcasing your favorite travel posters and art prints. Feel free to get creative!

Opt for frame materials resistant to bathroom moisture and condensation. Also properly seal any wall hooks, nails, or adhesives to keep walls moisture-free.

Light Up Your Look

Proper bathroom lighting prevents dark, dreary spaces. Illuminate vanities by installing attractive sconces or dangling pendants. Perhaps swap an outdated overhead fixture for an on-trend lantern emitting a warm glow.

For task lighting, consider incorporating LED daylight bulbs best for applying makeup and doing detail work. Don't forget the option of a dimmer switch to set just the right mood lighting.

Keep Your Countertop Clutter-Free

An organized vanity enables efficiency so you aren't rambling through bottles each morning. Plus, a tidy countertop feels soothing versus chaotic. Designate areas to corral daily essentials, backups, and occasional-use items.

Stow Extras Strategically

If your vanity has closed cabinets, use bins, trays and shelving to neatly arrange extras stored inside. Can't find what you need? Consider access and frequency of use when deciding what gets prime real estate.

Install pull-out drawers or slide-out shelving to fully utilize awkward narrow spaces. Spinning "lazy susan" turntables conveniently bring items to you rather than requiring digging.

Minimize Cord Clutter

Find solutions to conceal unsightly cords like those from electric toothbrushes, curling irons, or hair dryers. Options range from clips adhering cords neatly against walls, to sleeves concealing jumbles inside drawers, to custom outlets discreetly mounting inside cabinets.

Incorporate Stylish Soap Dispensers

Ditch basic plastic bottle dispensers crowded around your bathroom sink. Instead, embrace colorful or textural dispensers adding flair while encouraging proper hand hygiene.

Match Faucet Finishes

Look to your faucet and hardware finishes to guide soap dispenser styles. For example, pair matte black faucets with matching black metal or stone dispensers. Or complement brass fixtures with antique gold dispensers.

If your bath skew modern and sleek, try dispensers made of clear acrylic, chrome, or glass. The transparency keeps things lightweight. Dispensers also come in ceramic, porcelain, and stainless steel.

Consider Automatic Options

High-tech touchless dispensers sense hand motions to automatically pump soap. These futuristic upgrades are quite handy when juggling kids at the sink. Battery-operated models offer cordless convenience.

Automatic dispensers may encourage kids to wash up without reminders. Just ensure models adequately resist curious pokes and prods from little ones intrigued by the motion activation.

Display Candles for Soft Glowing Ambiance

Nothing sets a relaxing mood like candles, making them ideal decorative accents for sprucing up vanities. Place candles strategically to emit a beautiful glow while minimizing risk of singed shower curtains or linens!

Consider Scent Theme

Does your vanity need soothing scents like lavender or eucalyptus? Or perhaps awakening citrus is more motivating for groggy mornings. You can also match scent to season, like pine or peppermint for the winter holidays.

Woodsy options like cedar and sandalwood complement bathrooms with rustic, earthy vibes. Fruity scents provide tropical flavor for a beachy motif. Just stay clear of heavy fragrances in small spaces.

Select Coordinating Candle Holders

Beyond fragrance, make sure candle holder colors and materials align with your vanity decor. For example, shiny mercury glass votives suit glam spaces while ceramic vessels match farmhouse style. Maybe display candles in dainty little jars for sweet cottage charm.

The great thing about candles is you can swap them out whenever you tire of a particular look. So don't be afraid to get playful and make seasonal switches.

Just a few inexpensive upgrades make all the difference in taking your bathroom vanity from bland to beautiful. Paint, organization solutions, sentimental knickknacks, and greenery transform empty space into a joyful oasis.

Implement even a couple tips from our guide, like trays for clearing clutter or a fresh coat of paint. We hope you feel motivated to give your vanity a mini makeover reflecting personal style. Enjoy the process of experimenting with colors, textures, and accessories expressing your unique flair!