The bathroom is often a sanctuary, a quiet place to think, unwind, and—let’s be honest—scroll endlessly on your phone.
Yet, this sacred space can quickly turn into a comedy of errors if you’re not careful.
Fear not! Here’s a helpful guide to the top 10 bathroom mistakes and how to fix them without turning your life into a sitcom.
1. The “Too Cozy” Bathroom
Mistake: A rug that looks like it escaped from your living room. It’s tempting to add a plush rug to make your bathroom feel cozier but fluffy, absorbent rugs are breeding grounds for mold and mildew.
Plus, let’s be real: they’re just waiting for that one guest to drip on them.
Easy Fix: Opt for washable, low-pile mats specifically designed for bathrooms. These look chic, dry quickly, and won’t start smelling like a wet dog after one steamy shower.
2. Mood Lighting Gone Wrong
Mistake: Dim, romantic lighting that’s more suited for a candlelit dinner than makeup application.
Soft lighting may set the mood, but it does not help you figure out if you’re wearing too much bronzer or if that’s a shadow on your cheek.
Easy Fix: Install bright, adjustable LED lighting around your mirror. Bonus points if you add a dimmer switch for those moments when you do want to pretend you’re in a spa.
3. The Open Shelf Shame
Mistake: Open shelving stacked with mismatched towels, half-empty toothpaste tubes, and that one bottle of expired sunscreen.
We all want to channel minimalist vibes, but open shelves expose your mess, turning your bathroom into a glorified storage closet.
Easy Fix: Keep open shelving stylish by limiting it to neatly folded towels or pretty glass jars for cotton swabs and bath salts. Hide the chaos in closed cabinets or baskets.
4. Shower Curtains from the ‘90s
Mistake: A floral-patterned shower curtain that looks like it belongs in grandma’s bathroom.
It’s time to part ways with that overly frilly, vinyl catastrophe that clashes with literally everything.
Easy Fix: Upgrade to a neutral, fabric shower curtain with a liner. It’s classy, easy to clean, and makes your bathroom look instantly more put-together.
5. Tiny Sink, Huge Faucet
Mistake: Installing a faucet so oversized it feels like a water cannon every time you wash your hands.
It may have looked sleek in the showroom, but in real life, it’s like trying to brush your teeth in a fountain.
Easy Fix: Swap the oversized faucet for one that’s proportionate to your sink. A wall-mounted option is a great choice for freeing up precious counter space.
6. Clashing Color Chaos
Mistake: Walls painted neon green with hot pink towels and a turquoise bath mat. Your bathroom shouldn’t look like a highlighter exploded in it.
Easy Fix: Stick to a simple, coordinated color palette. Think whites, greys, and soft pastels. If you’re craving color, add it through small accents like artwork or a vase of fresh flowers.
7. The Slippery Slope (Literally)
Mistake: Slick tile floors that turn into a Slip ‘N Slide when wet. A stylish bathroom isn’t worth a trip to the ER because you tried to fetch a dropped bar of soap.
Easy Fix: Add non-slip mats or adhesive treads in high-risk areas. For a more permanent solution, invest in slip-resistant tiles during your next renovation.
8. Overzealous Plants
Mistake: Turning your bathroom into a jungle with plants that either die instantly or grow so much they become uninvited roommates.
Yes, plants can bring life to a space, but too many can make it feel like you’re bathing in the rainforest.
Easy Fix: Stick to hardy, low-maintenance plants like pothos, ferns, or snake plants. Limit yourself to two or three per bathroom to keep things under control.
9. Over-the-Top Décor
Mistake: Framed inspirational quotes like “Live, Laugh, Love” or unnecessary decorative objects on every flat surface. Your bathroom is for basic functions, not a gallery show.
Easy Fix: Keep decorations minimal and functional. Think of a sleek soap dispenser, a simple mirror, or a tasteful piece of wall art. Anything more is overkill.
10. Forgetting About Ventilation
Mistake: A bathroom without proper ventilation, leaving it damp, musty, and an ideal spa for mold spores.
Without airflow, all your stylish updates will eventually be ruined by peeling paint and a mildew invasion.
Easy Fix: Install an exhaust fan or, at the very least, make sure you open a window after every shower. For extra freshness, keep a small dehumidifier in the room.