Class is officially back in session, and today’s lesson is all about color. Don’t worry, no quizzes. Just a little homework that makes your bathroom way more fun!
We’ve teamed up with interior designer and color consultant Daniela Araya, who knows a thing or two about living boldly with color. She’s sharing her best renter-friendly tips for turning even the most “landlord special” bathroom into a space with personality. Consider this your crash course in making color feel approachable, joyful, and very you.
For renters who can’t renovate, what’s your favorite way to bring color into the bathroom?
Paint is always my go-to. It’s quick, affordable, and nothing changes the mood of a room faster. My other favorite hack is swapping a standard shower curtain for full-length curtain panels. You instantly get way more pattern and color options, plus the larger scale makes a small bathroom feel bigger. Just layer in a clear liner behind it and you’re good to go!
Bathrooms often get stuck in “neutral” mode. What’s one bold color choice you think more people should try?
Bathrooms are the perfect place to take a risk. If four walls of color feels like too much, start smaller with the trim around your mirror or the inside edge of your door. And don’t sleep on the ceiling—the fifth wall is such a fun place for color, and it always gets a reaction.
sproos! showers are designed for renters. What’s your go-to design tip for making a rental bathroom feel fresh and intentional?
Most rental bathrooms are what I call “the landlord special” (just the basics, no vibe). The trick is to start by deciding how you want the space to feel. Do you want it bright and energizing? Calm and spa-like? Moody and cocoon-like? Pick a few words that capture that mood, and let it guide your choices. From there, layer in lighting, scent, and color to match the feeling. I always say design is about storytelling, and once you set the tone, even the simplest bathroom starts to feel like yours.
How can someone test a color in their space if they’re nervous about committing?
Think of color like dating. You don’t have to marry it right away! Most of the nerves come from that all-or-nothing mindset. In a bathroom, start with things you can swap out easily, like towels, a soap dish, or my personal favorite, a cheeky bathmat. It’s functional, it’s fun, and it gives you a low-stakes way to see how the color feels in your daily routine. I also talk a lot about knowing your color tolerance. Some people are happiest with just a splash, while others crave being fully surrounded. Testing in small doses helps you figure out where you land. If that color makes you smile every time you see it, that’s your cue to explore it and see how you can bring it home.
What small swaps or accessories instantly lift the vibe of a rental bathroom?
Lighting changes everything. Swap that cold bulb for something warmer, and the room feels instantly softer. I also love sneaking in a little lamp when I can. It sounds silly until you try it, but suddenly your bathroom feels like a spa. Mirrors and light fixtures are the next big-impact moves, but even tiny swaps like uniform bottles for your shampoo or a chic switchplate make it feel pulled together. And of course, the sproos! shower head is the ultimate easy upgrade.
What color in your own bathroom makes you feel most like you?
Pink, hands down. I’m not sure when my thing for pink started, but I love how many moods it can take on. One of my bathrooms is hot pink with a yellow mirror, and it feels cheerful, playful, and a little bit silly. In other words, very me.