We already covered small bathroom storage. This one is about the other half: how a small bathroom looks. Rental bathrooms tend to come with white tile, a builder mirror and not much else, and because they’re small, every item in there counts for a lot.

These are the changes that make the most difference, roughly in order.

The shower curtain is the biggest thing in the room

In a bathroom with a tub, the curtain is often the largest surface you can change. Choose it first and plan around it.

Hang it higher than you think. Put the rod as close to the ceiling as the curtain length allows, so the curtain falls just above the floor. A standard 72-inch curtain on a rod at 76 to 78 inches looks short; an extra-long one hung near the ceiling makes the whole room taller.

A thin stripe (on Amazon) or a small pattern adds interest without crowding a small space. Big bold prints can work, but only if everything else in the room is plain.

Pick two towel colors and stick to them

Mismatched towels are the fastest way to make a bathroom look unfinished. Choose two colors that go with the curtain, maybe white and one accent, and replace the rest gradually. Fold hand towels in thirds lengthwise before hanging them.

A proper bath mat

Swap the thin rubber-backed mat for a thick cotton one (on Amazon) that can go in the wash. It’s what your feet touch every day, and it’s a cheap way to add a color.

Decant the soap

Plastic pump bottles with bright labels make even a clean bathroom look busy. Two glass dispensers (on Amazon), one for hand soap and one for lotion, on a small tray by the sink. Do the same in the shower if you can see it from the door.

One plant, real or not

Bathrooms with a window are good for pothos, ferns and snake plants. No window? A few faux eucalyptus stems (on Amazon) in a small vase. Real eucalyptus hung from the shower head smells great for a couple of weeks, then gets replaced.

Art on the wall

A bathroom is a good place for a small framed print. Above the toilet is the obvious spot. Pick something calm. Frames with glass handle humidity better than canvas.

Use the space above the toilet

That wall is usually wasted. A pair of floating shelves (on Amazon) or an over-the-toilet rack (on Amazon) gives you room for spare towels, a candle and the plant. Keep the shelves mostly empty. Two or three items each.

Light

If the vanity light is harsh, a warmer bulb (2700K to 3000K) makes a surprising difference at night. A small battery candle on the shelf helps for evening baths.