A Beautiful Bathroom

There are many elements that go into styling + designing a beautiful en-suite bathroom. However, when you first get going deciding what to purchase for this important space can be a bit overwhelming. Never fear, I got ya. I have logged the man-hours and prepared an exhaustive checklist detailing some of the most important items for a bathroom.

In the end, this short-list should help make sure that you don’t miss something obvious. I know we have all had that moment in the design + styling process where we say, “Oh I didn’t even think about that.”

For fun, I also included links to all of the sources for the furnishings that I selected in our bathroom for reference. We get so many questions about them. Let’s dive in:

Hardware

• Shower Hardware
  • Your shower faucet makes a big bold statement. You can go chrome, brass, or even matte black like we did. I like to coordinate my shower hardware with my sink/vanity hardware in the same finish. Pro Tip: Mix in a different finish on your lighting to create visual interest.
    
• Sink Faucet
  • Vanity or wall-mounted. Decide that first, and make sure you have the plumbing to accommodate both. Then like the above select your finish to suit your bathroom style.
    
• Lighting / Sconce
  • The lighting around your vanity (assuming you have overhead light) is absolutely an opportunity you don’t want to miss to make a bold statement. There are so many amazing and affordable options for lighting that will give ya the morning glow you want while infusing your space with personality and charm. We go brass + black a lot over here. So it’s no surprise we went with the coolest scones ever from @Mcgee and Co. that have both brass and black and a bit of vintage charm. We are obsessed, to say the least.
    
• Shower Door
  • There are so many out there! We went matte black to play off of the stark white ceramic subway tile. I love our shower door, it’s sleek lightweight, and minimalistic. Also, don’t feel like you HAVE to have a shower door. I love a rod shower curtain that makes a bold statement. Just make sure you get a shower curtain liner. This is also a great way to save a bit of cash if you are phasing your bathroom over time. Not everyone can do it all at once!
    
• Vanity / Sink
  • I argue, that you should start here. The vanity sink makes a HUGE statement in a powder room often taking up half of the visual language. I should move this up in the list. But, this will dictate much of the vibe. Things to consider, the countertop itself (marble, granite, Taj Mahal Quartzite, etc.), and the material of the box. Is it walnut wood, etc? How the countertop and the box material is a personal choice but I try to have something that is minimal, with plenty of storage, and warms up or down based on the tile for the floors and walls.
    
• Mirror / Medicine Cabinet
  • Really you can do either. Some people love a simple mirror and forgo the storage. Decide if you have what you need before surrendering the extra storage and day to day function of a medicine cabinet. There are beautiful and affordable options for both. We went with an infinity medicine that had tons of storage. It takes a lot of potions to stay looking this good lol.
    
• Tile
  • Like the vanity and hardware, tile can really help define and give your space personality. Do you want seamless marble, subway, or hex? You can even do a bright bold ceramic tile for the walls and a neutral for the floor. The possibilities are endless. Just make sure that the tile is intentionally selected. We chose a stunning 2” black hex floor tile and decided to have it transition seamlessly the floor into the shower for a more cohesive look. But you can change it up. Have fun here and take the time to pause here and make a choice you will love.
    
• Toilet Paper Holder
  • There’s nothing more troubling than looking for toilet paper when there isn’t a clear holder nearby. Don’t do that my friends! Take the opportunity to shine with a matte black or brass wall mounted holder. I love ours from @kohler and it matches our other hardware like our faucets and ….
    
• Towel Rack
  • Guys, I love our towel rack. It is so sexy and is available in a ton of different sizes for any space. In addition, it can hold a ton of weight and is super easy to install. I splurged a tiny bit here because I loved the uniform look of our towel rack, toilet paper holder, and faucets. via: @Kohler

Styling Items

• Soap
  • I splurge here. Life is too short for soap that tries your hands or doesn’t look good. For me it’s Aesop. The bottle is the perfect utilitarian vibe and you can always refill the bottle if need be. Get this soap. You deserve it. Pro tip: If you have a guest room spoil your guests to a hotel spa retreat with these minis. They will feel as if they are staying at a five-star hotel.
    
• Bath + Hand Towels
  • There are so many options. But please do have both hand towels to dry your hands and body towels. It’s a great way to step the vibe up a bit. I like getting hand and bath towels in a set, so you know they match. I have had these guys for years and they are like a soft pillowy cloud. I insist on white. You can’t go wrong that way.
    
• Candles
  • What’s better than the illumination of a candle? Not only do candles fill a room with a wonderful scent they also create a calm and relaxing mood. My favorite candle of all time is the Ceramic Muse D’Or. For something more affordable I suggest both Warm tobacco and Eucalyptus + Spearmint.
    
• Artwork
  • This is a must. Bathrooms can feel cold and sterile. Adding a vintage piece of art can really make a room feel inviting and warm. But please don’t spend a fortune. Because I love having thrifted or home-printed artwork in all rooms of my house. that tells a story I curated a collection with North and Finch. This collection is super affordable and works well in any room with any decor. Use code: Anthony136home for 15% OFF anytime on any print, and check out my DIY and all the supplies to get started.
    
• Vase of Flowers
  • Adding something green and living is a no-brainer. Especially in the bathroom. So go for it, bring some fresh flowers in however possible. They don’t have to be expensive bouquets but rather stems from a tree or even a bush. However, if you want something that won’t spoil my ceramic black vase and faux cherry blossoms or eucalyptus leaves are amazing in a bathroom
    
• Shower Curtains
  • We opted for no shower curtain in our space. But, I get asked a ton about recommendations. This is the shower curtain we had in our previous apartment and I love it. Waffle weaves are great too. Try this out if you need a shower curtain in your space.
    
• Wooden Bowl or Tray
  • One of my most important tips. Always have a small brass or wooden that you can place your jewelry or watch in when it’s time to wash your face and hands. You never want to have the unfortunate mishap of knocking your rings down the drain. Keep it small, if counter space is limited. I love my wooden bowl. I think you will too.
    
• Hooks and Towel Bars
  • Ya gotta have a spot for hand towels. No one likes to have a damp hand towel crumpled up and thrown across the counter. In addition, you need a sturdy towel bar for body towels and the like. These matte black hooks and towels are great if you are on a budget. I love them. I linked to my more expensive versions of the towel bar, hook, and toilet paper holder, but they are a bit pricey. If you want the same look for less Try these!

I hope that in the end, this list helps confirm the main items you will want to consider to have a perfectly designed and styled bathroom. I’ll be back in a few weeks to discuss storage. I just love getting organized.

But in the meantime, get going on your bathroom now. If I can do it, so can you. Oh, I almost forget, don’t forget to grab a good trash can too.

If this was helpful I would love your feedback and thanks for reading. It means so much to me for yall to be here and reading my content. Love ya. xo