9 Landlord-Approved Hacks to Update Your Rental Bathroom

Transform your space into a spa-like retreat.

Bathrooms can be one of the trickier spaces in your rental to improve. So many of the updates that you might want to make are structural and therefore require serious (read: expensive) renovations. Plus, your landlord won’t be happy!

The good news is that there are ways to make simple and easy changes to your bathroom that will elevate the space, all while being landlord-approved and completely reversible.

If you’re feeling like your bathroom needs a transformation, but aren’t able to make major changes, there are many ways you can still update your space and give it a spa-like quality.

From investing in high-quality towels to using luxurious soaps, here are the best inexpensive options to try.

1. Lay down a nice bath mat

Not only do bath mats help keep your feet warm and dry after you step out of the shower or bath, but they're also a fantastic way to add texture and bring colour to your space. Opt for high-quality styles like our ultra-absorbent, plush designs to bring a chic touch and spa-like feel to your bathroom – your feet will thank you.!

2. Change that shower curtain

When was the last time you swapped out your shower curtain? If you can’t remember, then it’s time to update it with a new version. Shower curtains, for those of us who use them, occupy important real estate in the bathroom, so your choice of colour, material, and pattern makes a surprisingly large difference.

If you’re feeling uninspired by your bathroom, swapping out the shower curtain will elevate the room immediately, simply by introducing a new color or print to the space. Best of all, shower curtains tend not to be expensive, so you can feel smug as you exchange your grimy old curtain for a fresh one.

3. Hardware changes

You might not be able to change the cabinets in your bathroom, but it doesn’t mean you have to live with the hardware. You can change almost everything if you want to, from swapping out utilitarian handles for something fancier, to installing new towel rails and hooks.

4. Add some plants

‘When in doubt, add some house plants,’ might be our personal mantra. We're huge fans of filling rooms with greenery, given how much life even a simple succulent brings to an empty space. Your bathroom is no exception: house plants will add warmth and vitality to a room made out of mostly cool tiles and marble.

What’s more, house plants not only look great in a bathroom but they thrive there. Bathrooms tend to be more humid and dimly lit than other rooms, which makes them the perfect space for plants to grow. Opt for a damp-loving variety, such as a colourful orchid – so chic! – or a China doll or spider plant. Or better yet, go for all three. When it comes to house plants, the more the merrier.

5. Optimize your storage

Bathrooms, by virtue of their function, are a high foot traffic room. They get a lot of visitors, and they serve a necessary and vital purpose. To keep a bathroom looking its best, you should invest in storage solutions that are easy on the eye.

If you have a habit of throwing your dirty laundry on the floor before you shower, why not pick up an affordable woven basket instead? Store toilet rolls in a ceramic planter. Keep your makeup in holders or make the most of drawers and cabinets. It's quick and easy to neaten up your bathroom to make it a more pleasant place to visit.

6. Level up your essential products

Handwash, shampoo and the like are absolute necessities in the bathroom, but they don't have to be boring. Stylish packaging can make a real difference to the look and feel of your bathroom, and putting them on display on a beautiful tray like our Wavy Travertine design will optimise that luxe look. Opt for luxe hand soaps to make your bathroom feel more like a 5-star hotel.

7. Hang some eucalyptus

This is a simple hack, but it’s one that will transform your bathroom. A decent-sized bunch of eucalyptus hung from your shower head, will heat up with the shower’s steam and fill your bathroom with the scent of the eucalyptus’ natural oils. Not only is it a delicious fragrance, but it’s one that has fantastic healing properties, too.

Eucalyptus is a decongestant that can also help alleviate anxieties and stress. Dried eucalyptus, with its fluted sage leaves, is also a beautiful thing to behold. Hanging it from your shower is like hanging a piece of art, right there for you to gaze upon as you bathe.

8. Invest in towels

You might not be able to make major changes in your bathroom, but you can swap out threadbare towels for a high-quality option. Worn out, stained, or damp towels don't make the best impression on guests and are tiresome to use day after day.

Invest in lush styles like our 100% linen waffle bath and hand towels to add a touch of luxury to the space. Brightly-coloured textiles will also draw the eye to them (rather than to your decades-old tiles...) so you will be proud to put them on display.

9. Get painting

There’s nothing that fresh paint can’t fix. In a rental bathroom, you'll generally need to ask permission from your landlord, and you need to work around the existing tiled features, but that’s okay! Once approved, opt for an updated colour that complements the non-negotiables and get painting.

You’ll be richly rewarded with a bathroom that feels completely different, even if you haven’t changed anything other than the colour of the walls.