Let’s face it — we spend a lot of time in our bathroom. It’s where we either wake up in the morning or unwind at night, put on our faces, get ourselves looking presentable for the day. The amount of time you are in your bathroom may even surprise you, with estimates averaging that we spend over two years in the bathroom! If we’re literally living a major portion of our lives within the bathroom, shouldn’t we treat it with a bit more importance? Shouldn’t we make our bathrooms a haven to accompany our morning and nightly rituals rather than just a plain, undecorated, and sad setting to settle for?

We know what you’re thinking — as a college student, having the most luxurious bathroom with spa-like features is not likely an option for you. But you don’t have to completely renovate your apartment’s bathroom in order to make it feel more like home. Almost any budget can accommodate for a few items or tricks that will instantly improve a dull facade and make your bathroom look like a million bucks. (Even if you only spent a dime!)

Looking to upgrade your bathroom without the costs and labor that come with straight-up renovation? We’ve got you covered with a few of our favorite tips, tricks, and items that will make your bathroom look and feel so inviting you may never want to leave!

Tip #1 — Add Plants (Real or Faux) to Bring In Some Life

Plants are an excellent way to make your bathroom more inviting — they will fit into almost every decor and will add an inimitable liveliness to the space.

Plants and college students are a duo that should go hand-in-hand more often! Whether you opt for real plants in a dorm room or faux ones for your apartment, houseplants add something almost indescribable to any space. When choosing a plant for your bathroom, you want to consider a few things before opening up your wallet. Does the space get any natural light? How well is the bathroom ventilated? What spaces in your room can you squeeze houseplants into? Do you have animals who regularly get into the room?

Once you take a look in your bathroom to answer these questions, you should be equipped with enough information to start shopping! The safest bet for any bathroom plant — or any houseplant, to be honest — is to start with faux plants. Nowadays, faux plants look hyperrealistic, a far cry from those tacky, plastic plants you’re used to seeing in your doctor’s office. If you choose to invest in some real plants, look for those that love humidity, like ferns and peace lilies. These plants will look fantastic on your vanity or a shelf, in your bathtub (given the lip can withstand it) or shower, and even on the tank of your toilet! For an added bit of luxury, try hanging a eucalyptus plant in your shower to add an invigorating scent (and gorgeous accent) into your room.

Tip #2 — Switch Out Your Light Bulbs and Light a Few Candles to Provide Soft Lighting and Soothing Scents

Even the most stunning bathroom can look unappealing in the wrong light — add light into your space more intentionally to create an inviting aura and save some energy while you’re at it!

There’s nothing worse than a room with the wrong lighting. Poor lighting can result in strained vision, headaches, and bad selfies, and since bathrooms are usually the lone rooms to often not have a window, the problem finds itself there often. The best way to combat this issue is to light smarter, not necessarily more. This means replacing any harsh, fluorescent bulbs in your room with warmer, brighter, and energy-saving LEDs. While this may seem like too quick of a fix to actually make a difference, you will be stunned by what a difference warm and bright lighting can make.

You may think that a great-smelling candle is merely a way to combat the more unsavory moments that happen in the bathroom, but having a nice burning candle can add an appealing soft light to your space. Certain candles can even add decorative appeal if you choose one with a particularly attractive holder, making candles a superstar when it comes to versatility and usage in the bathroom! If you’re worried about the fire hazard that candles can cause but are still looking for their overall attractiveness, try an LED candle that’s both flameless and fantastic for forgetful candle-burners! Adding smart and versatile lighting sources will alter your bathroom’s appearance in ways that you cannot replicate with even the best renovator — and it costs a fraction of the price.

Tip #3 — Lay Down a Super Soft Bath Mat or Rug for Comfort and Style

Yes, bath mats are practical — they keep your bathroom dry — but the right one can double as a comfortable flair of lavishness to your space.

A common complaint about an ugly bathroom revolves around the room’s flooring. Although we wish there was a simple and easy way you could change and replace the flooring, we can’t. For a more inexpensive fix, however, you can cover up the floor with an awesome bath mat or rug that adds a pop of color and style all while hiding a less-than-attractive floor. Even if you love your floor, adding a bath mat is a smart choice when you consider its duties. By soaking up water from the tub, you keep your floors dry and eliminate any future slipping, falling, or warping due to standing water in your bathroom.

One of our favorite options is the Naples Bath Rug, which comes in six amazing color options and features an elegant, textured design as well as a super soft feel your feet will thank you for later. What’s great about the Naples Bath Rug is that it fits perfectly in any part of your bathroom — in front of the sink, toilet, or shower — while being small enough that you could buy a few for a larger room! 

Tip #4 — Organize, Organize, Organize!

The key to making a bathroom that stands above the rest is to make your essential bathing products a piece of decor in themselves.

As long as your bathroom is unorganized, it will be seen and viewed as messy and dirty. Don’t waste the effort in trying to spruce up your space if you’re just going to end up leaving it looking like a mess! Before even considering organizing your vanity or shower tub, do a quick check of your entire bathroom to spot out any areas that need to be cleaned. Starting your organization process with a clean bathroom will put you in the right direction to keep the area that way rather than letting it go through a never ending cycle of tidy to messy.

A great way to organize and stay organized is to make every visible product in your bathroom a decoration in itself! So, rather than having a disposable soap dispenser and toothbrush lying directly on your countertop, give these essential items a home with a handy and attractive organizing set, such as this 4-piece Bath Accessory Set from OCM.

Tip #5 — Hang the Perfect Shower Curtain

Sure, shower curtains can be plain, but if you pick out one that is bright, fun, and chic, you will make your bathroom look and feel like it’s straight out of a home decorating show.

There is no better part of a bathroom to show off your own personal style than a showcase-worthy shower curtain. You’re basically able to hang up a gigantic sheet with your choice of patter, style, and design taking up a majority of the room’s eye appeal. When choosing a shower curtain, it’s really up to you to decide how you want your bathroom to come off. This can be a daunting choice — there are countless patterns and ways you could go about it — but right now, having a lush, green, and leafy shower curtain is in. You won’t go wrong with the Tropical Paradise Shower Curtain from OCM — its gorgeous leaf pattern will add a pop of color and trendy style into any bathroom.

Decorating your apartment’s bathroom does not have to be an expensive ordeal in order to make a statement. You can easily choose a few items or do a quick amount of work to make your bathroom look like a completely different space, and you can do it on a budget. Having a lot of money is not a prerequisite to have a bathroom that you love to spend time in — you just have to think a little outside of the box sometimes!