Dorm bathrooms are far from fabulous -- the walls are bare and caked layers of paint, the counters are basic, and the shower and toilet stalls display wear and tear from years of use. Perhaps you’re living in a college dorm this year and have one of these bathrooms like we described. However, since everything has changed this year, you might find yourself in a form of outsourced housing.

If you’re living in college housing, chances are you’ll be using a suite style bathroom this year. These usually include a shower stall on one end, a counter in the middle with one or two sinks, and a toilet stall at the other end. If you’re living in outsourced housing, you may find yourself in a hotel room, using a hotel bathroom. No matter your living situation -- you’ve got all the basics, but there are ways to jazz up your bathroom space and transform it from drab to fab! 

You don’t have to invest tons of money into improving your dorm bathroom because a few simple additions can lead to dramatic results. For example, your college or university will give you a basic shower curtain, which is usually solid white, off-white, or a similar color. Changing your shower curtain to something more fun, exciting, and personalized will transform the whole atmosphere. 

We’ve put together a list of decorating ideas that anyone can do to improve their drab dorm bathroom. These include how to work with little extra space and even maximize your space by taking advantage of open walls! We’ve also got a cool DIY project that you can personalize depending on your style. 

Banish old dorm bathrooms forever and bring life to your bathroom with a few simple decorating ideas that will help make it feel like home! 

Matchy Matchy 

Dorm bathrooms are small, so sometimes you might not have any extra space to decorate. However, you can still add some decorative elements to your dorm bathroom. By this we mean matching items. 

Matching items provide a sense of cohesion, sophistication, and attention to detail. So, if you can’t place any additional pieces in your bathroom, small touches like matching your bath towels, hand towels, washcloths, bath rug, and shower curtain can tie your space together. 

While you’re not decorating with items, you’re adding a decorative flare to the space. The eye will be drawn to all of the matching items, so your bathroom will appear fuller and well designed. 

Consider building your bathroom around your shower curtain because it serves as the central focal point to the space. For example, the curtain above has a few colors -- red, orange, black, maybe even some hints of navy blue. You can take one color from the shower curtain and use it as inspiration for the rest of your accessories. 

If orange is your favorite color, buy a bath mat and towel set in the same shade as the shower curtain. This will help make the space feel more decorated because the colors are accentuating each other. So, if you have no space to add decor, this one simple stylistic choice will help bring the room together and make it feel more put together, intentional, and connected. 

Vertical Space 

Whenever you think you’ve run out of space to decorate, you probably haven’t. A lot of students forget about a vital area that can be decorated -- vertical space! Even though our dorm bedrooms boast tons of wall decor, decals, tapestries, photos, and more, this seems to be forgotten about when it comes to your bathroom space. 

Bathroom walls need a little love too! With a few simple pieces on the wall, you’ll be amazed at how quickly the vibes of your bathroom can change. We love fun, whimsical, surrealist art like the piece above -- a fish wearing scuba gear. 

When you see funny pictures like these you feel comfortable and at home in your space. A simple picture that brings a smile to your face each day will do wonders to improve how you feel about your dorm bathroom. 

Just like the fish wearing scuba gear, this get naked poster gives us the extra laugh we need to make it through the day. If you’re not into funny art, consider alternatives like motivational quotes or images of your things -- nature, travel, classic art, etc. 

Depending on how much available wall space you have, you can hang as many or as few pieces you want. You could also personalize your dorm bathroom with wall decals or peel-and-stick wallpaper. Just check to be sure it can survive condensation from the shower. 

Wall art isn't the only way to display a funny or motivational quote -- bath mats have become all the rage for these types of phrases. You can even find ones in interesting shapes like peaches, pineapples, papayas, eggs, or avocados! 

Before you jump to conclusions about not being able to decorate your dorm bathroom, always take advantage of the vertical space!

DIY Candle Holder 

When it comes to dorm bathrooms, we know that your space is limited -- but an easy way to decorate limited space is with candles. Since there is always a consistent flow of people coming in and out of the bathroom, one of the things you want to do is keep your bathroom smelling fabulous all the time. We know that colleges and universities have different policies regarding candles, and some don’t allow you to burn them in your dorm room. 

Well the best part of a display is that it’s used for show -- so you won’t be burning any candles. Rather, you’ll be admiring them and enjoying their scent every time you enter the bathroom. 

These displays can be personalized depending on your style and made into whatever size is best for your bathroom. If you have hardly any extra space, consider a display with tealight candles. If you have tons of space, maybe you’ll want to create a display with a large pillar candle -- be sure to get one that is stand alone because you won’t want it to be inside of a jar. 

If you’re still worried about candles being present in your room, either because of surprise inspections by your resident assistant or campus and public safety during winter recess -- don’t worry because there are alternative options. Even if you’re not burning them, we understand that candles with a wick can still cause issues, so candle displays can be made with LED tealights and pillar candles as well. 

We love the idea of a beach themed candle display because the beach makes everyone feel better. The warmth of the sun, sand between our toes, beautiful shells lining the beach, and the smell of seawater transports us to a happier place filled with peace, relaxation, and calmness. We think that is the kind of serotonin inducing, stress relieving atmosphere everyone needs in their lives right now. 

So, to create a joyful, beach themed candle display you’re going to need a few things because this is a fun DIY project that we’re going to build ourselves. We know that college students have a tight budget, but you might already have these items from past vacations, and if you don’t -- they can easily be purchased for a few dollars. 

Here’s what you’ll need: 

• Pillar or tealight candle(s) (real or LED) in your favorite color 
• Glass jar 
• Sand 
• Seashells
• Faux starfish 
• Twine (optional) 

First, take your glass jar and place your candle inside. If you’ve opted for tealight candles, you can use a smaller glass jar. Larger pillar candles require a glass jar that is taller than the candle itself, unless you want the candle to be larger than the jar. 

Next, start placing some sand in the bottle of the jar around the candle. You can make this a thin or thick layer depending on your personal preference. After the sand is filled in, place some seashells around the candle, as many or as few as you like. Finish it off by adding a cute faux starfish! 

If you would like to use the twine, you can wrap a few strands around the base or middle of the jar for an added rustic touch. You can place your candle display in the middle of your bathroom counter, off to the side of the counter, or even on the back of your toilet. Enjoy the delectable smell and tranquility of the beach in your own dorm bathroom! 

Even though you might not have much space to decorate in your dorm bathroom, with these few simple upgrades, you will be able to transform a drab bathroom into a cozy, put together space that feels like home. Remember matching is a great way to decorate a space because the eye will drift to colors that are alike and make the space feel bigger. 

Always make sure you take advantage of any empty wall space just as you would with your dorm room. Also, be on the lookout for any fun DIY ideas that are cost effective and can instantly brighten a space! If you don’t like candle holders, consider a soap display, or even a few houseplants! These simple touches can make your bathroom feel like it belongs in an apartment catalogue.