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7 Designer-Approved Ways to Turn Your Dated Bathroom Into a Modern Oasis

7 Designer-Approved Ways to Turn Your Dated Bathroom Into a Modern Oasis

Adated bathroom puts a damper on everything—from your daily routine to spa nights at home. However, the beauty of interior design and styling is that with a few fairly low-lift changes, you can turn an outdated bathroom into a modern haven.

Whether you're invested in reinvigorating your primary bath or tackling the dingy guest bathroom that you've been putting off, the following expert-backed tips will bring your bathroom into the modern day.

01 Reenergize Your Cabinets

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Spherical Steel Sconce - Modern Silhouette with Steel Construction and Spherical Detail - Stylish Bathroom Wall Lights and Contemporary Bathroom Sconces Modern

Cabinets take up a good portion of visual space in a bathroom, which means that outdated configurations, colors, or materials stand out more than other features. Fortunately, you don't need to rip anything out.

"Swap out old hardware for matte black, brass, or brushed nickel finishes," says principal interior designer Dorothy McGhee. "Just updating the sink faucet and cabinet hardware can completely change the vibe."

02 Freshen the Paint and Grout

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White bathroom with marble tile and clean groutA major deep clean makes an enormous difference in renewing a bathroom. Decluttering also works magic, especially for bathrooms that feel overwhelmed or cramped by stuff.

"Bathrooms can get grimy pretty quickly, so a fresh coat of paint and cleaning up the grout can go a long way," says principal interior designer Gala Magriñá.

If you decide to paint walls, tiles, or cabinets, Magriñá recommends a neutral color palette, as these shades will remain timeless.

03 Swap Out Old Light Fixtures

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Elegant Alabaster Refinement Pendant - Natural Alabaster with Steel and Tumbled Brass - Ideal Hanging Light Fixture for Bedroom, Perfect Pendant Light for All Your Bedroom Needs

Nothing quite dates a bathroom like a giant, yellowish overhead light or a boring builder-grade bar. Opt for an alternative, which sets the spa-like tone you're after and modernizes the space.

"Replace the builder-grade vanity lights with sculptural sconces or modern pendants," says McGhee. "Lighting makes or breaks the feel of a bathroom."

It doesn't require an entire overhaul, but once the light fixtures are adjusted, you'll already notice a difference. If you're open to taking the upgrade a little further, you have options.

"I also love to put the bathroom lights on dimmers so that when clients get ready for bed, they can turn the light down and ease into rest," says Magriñá.

04 Rethink Your Mirror

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Metal Frame Round Wall Mirror - Oversized Circle Mirror with Distressed Black Frame - Handmade Wall Mirror, Bathroom-Safe Design for Bedroom, Living Room, and Bathroom

You'll also want to take a look at the mirror you have in your bathroom; it doubles as a functional tool, as it helps brighten the space and makes it look bigger, and a design tool—a mirror with an ornate frame or in a unique style easily doubles as a piece of decor.

"Ditch the big, frameless mirror for a pair of framed mirrors or one with an organic shape for more personality," McGhee says.

05 Elevate Your Storage

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Storage may sound like more of an organizational change, but beautiful storage units look nice in your bathroom while keeping it tidy.

"Making sure there’s a place for everything helps keep countertops clear, which goes a long way to creating a clean, modern feel," Magriñá says. "If things are out in the open, they create clutter. You can hide everything to give a fresh, streamlined look."

06 Incorporate Artwork

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Bathroom with big bathtub and artwork on a wall-mounted shelfBoth experts agreed on how beneficial a curated selection of artwork can be for your bathroom—especially one that could do with newer touches. It gives personality to a space and is a cool way to incorporate the color palette and theme in a subtle way.

"If there is space on the wall for art, add or update your pieces to reflect a bigger goal, or with something that sparks joy for a super boost," says Magriñá.

07 Change Your Showerhead

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Stone shower with a matte black showerhead

Don't forget the details of your main attraction. Look for small swaps in lasting styles that you can make in your shower, bathtub, and sink.

"Rain showers, wall-mounted faucets, and hand showers not only feel luxe but also clean up the look," says McGhee.

Even if you don't have the time or budget for fully readjusting the plumbing, you're not stuck with what you have. There are a variety of beautiful showerheads out there nowadays that require very little installation. You can also rethink the features around your tub and sink.

"The shower curtain and bath mat also take up a ton of visual real estate, so upgrading these for something new and fresh also helps tremendously," adds Magriñá.

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