If your rental bathroom is looking a little grim, that’s OK: You can easily brighten up the space by making a few clever, budget-friendly tweaks. Even better? These ideas are also reversible. I tapped five designers to share their go-to solutions for rental bathrooms. Each of these design moves is equal parts functional and aesthetically pleasing. The toughest part will be deciding which of them you want to try first!
Choose Your Paint Color Wisely
Painting your bathroom walls can make all the difference when it comes to brightening up the space on a budget. Designer Alexandra Aquardo of AGA Interior Design recommends going with a warm white, such as Farrow & Ball’s Wimborne White (No. 239) or Benjamin Moore’s Simply White (OC-117). “To add a bit of extra airiness to a space, I suggest painting the ceiling a light blue,” she says. For a fifth wall blue, try Farrow & Ball’s Borrowed Light (No. 235), which is Aquardo’s favorite.
Keep Linens and Decorative Accents Simple
Rather than visually cluttering your bathroom with colorful towels and accessories, stick to soft neutrals that blend into the walls and other surfaces. When shopping for bath towels, curtains, and other accessories, keep things simple, suggests designer Antoinette Allande Anderson, the founder of Antoinette Allande Interiors. The lighter the finish, the more reflective it’ll be.
Use a Clear Shower Curtain
It could be that your heavy, printed shower curtain is making your bathroom appear extra dark. So consider going with something new. “Start with a sheer shower curtain — not just any plain, plastic sheet, but one with style and personality,” says designer Mara Silber.
She suggests choosing a curtain with a subtle, aesthetically pleasing pattern that allows light to pass through at the same time. “It helps transform a dim, rental bathroom into a space that feels light, airy, and elevated,” the designer says. Her favorite clear shower curtain source? Quiet Town.
Level Up with Extra Lighting
If your rental bathroom features just one overhead light, all hope isn’t lost. “LED strip lights and puck lights are game-changers for renters,” Silber says. “These stick-on solutions can be placed strategically — under cabinets, around mirrors, or in dim corners — to boost brightness where you need it most.” When your lease ends, you should be able to easily remove these often battery-powered pieces, and you can even bring them to your next place.
