Photo: Matthew Williams

Keep It Simple
"White subway tile is a sleek, clean and inexpensive option for a bathroom. To add character—and to make the room feel less stark—find an interesting, eye-catching piece, like a vintage mirror or medicine cabinet." — Cortney and Robert Novogratz, authors of Home by Novogratz

Excerpted from Home by Novogratz by Robert and Cortney Novogratz (Artisan Books). Copyright 2012.
towel stack

Photo: Philip Ficks

Open Your Own Home Spa
"If you have room, keep your towels perched on a chair instead of hidden in your closet. Your bathroom will feel like a luxurious spa, and you won't have to buy a thing." — Jonathan Adler, author of 100 Ways to Happy Chic Your Life

Used with permission from Sterling Publishing Co. 100 Ways to Happy Chic Your Life by Jonathan Adler (Sterling Signature 2012, hardcover, 172 pages, $29.95).
vases toilet

Photo: Kip Dawkins

Embrace a Glass Menagerie
"One quick way we love to update a bathroom is to hang something waterproof on the wall so you don't have to worry about an expensive art print getting ruined by the steam. You could add a shelf with glass canisters of cotton balls and cotton swabs or hang floating glass vases from the wall. You can also add style to the top of your toilet tank with a ceramic tray full of pretty things like soaps, a piece of faux coral or a shell ball." — Sherry and John Petersik, authors of Young House Love: 243 Ways to Paint, Craft, Update & Show Your Home Some Love

Excerpted from Young House Love by Sherry & John Petersik (Artisan Books). Copyright 2012.
wall sconces and wall paper

Photo: Tria Giovan

Find Yourself Up Against the Wall
"To instantly change the look of your bathroom, put up beautiful new wallpaper. Incorporate fabric that complements the wallpaper to re-cover furniture or make a new custom shower curtain. Adding some new lights—like a ceiling fixture or wall sconces—can change the whole dynamic of the bathroom." — Alex Papachristidis, author of The Age of Elegance: Interiors by Alex Papachristidis
screens

Photo: Marianne Haas

Set the Mood
"Bathrooms are usually small, so it is a good idea to come up with a theme which will carry through each decision and help to create a particular atmosphere. In this Moorish bathroom, screens filter the light and establish the theme. I also like to clear away clutter: It often isn't cohesive with your theme, and it disturbs the eye." — Tino Zervudachi, author of Tino Zervudachi: A Portfolio (Pointed Leaf Press)

Next: 5 (not impossible) ways to amp up your living room
Published 02/15/2013