17 Christmas Bathroom Decor Ideas That Look Expensive
Nobody plans to decorate the bathroom for Christmas, and that is exactly why it makes such an impression when you do. Guests notice the little things, and a few thoughtful touches in the smallest room in the house can make your whole home feel finished. These christmas bathroom decor ideas are all cheap, quick, and easy to undo in January. Save this list before you scroll on, and pair it with my (see also: christmas-bathroom-decor-on-a-budget) and (see also: budget-christmas-decor-ideas) posts if you want the rest of the house to match.
What this costs at a glance: Every idea here costs $2 to $12 and takes under 20 minutes, and most of it comes straight from the dollar store or your own ornament box.
1. Mini Wreath on the Bathroom Mirror
A small wreath hung on the bathroom mirror is the first thing guests see, and it sets the tone for the whole room. I use a six-inch wreath from the craft aisle and hang it from a suction hook at the top of the mirror. It takes thirty seconds and costs about three dollars. The first year I used a nail and regretted it instantly when January came, so the suction hook is now my best friend. A little red bow tied at the bottom finishes it off, and it stays put all season.
Cost: ~$3 | Time: 5 minutes
2. Red Hand Towels Rolled in a Basket
Swapping your everyday hand towels for red ones, rolled up in a small basket, makes the bathroom feel like a little hotel. I buy two red hand towels, roll them tightly, and stack them in a basket on the counter or the back of the toilet. It looks far fancier than folded towels on a ring. My mistake the first year was buying towels that were too thick to roll neatly, so look for thin cotton ones. The basket itself can be any old basket you already own.
Cost: ~$6 | Time: 5 minutes
Pro tip: Roll towels instead of folding them for a spa look that costs nothing extra.
3. Pinecone Soap Dish
A pinecone sitting next to the soap dish sounds odd until you see how pretty it looks. I place one medium pinecone on a small dish beside the sink, and it instantly adds a woodland touch. If you want to get fancy, dust it lightly with white paint to look like snow. I tried glitter once and spent a week finding it on my hands, so plain is better. Rinse the pinecone and let it dry fully first, or it will leave little bits of dirt on the counter.
Cost: ~$1 | Time: 5 minutes
4. Cinnamon-Scented Candle by the Sink
A cinnamon-scented candle by the sink does double duty: it looks festive and it makes the whole bathroom smell like Christmas. I set mine on a small plate to catch any wax, and I light it about twenty minutes before guests arrive. The trick is choosing a candle that is not too strong, because a small bathroom traps scent fast. I once bought an overpowering one and the whole house smelled like a candle shop. A small jar candle is plenty for this room.
Cost: ~$4 | Time: 5 minutes
5. Small Potted Evergreen on the Vanity
A tiny potted evergreen on the vanity is my favorite bathroom decoration because it is alive and it lasts past Christmas. I buy a small Norfolk pine or rosemary plant, set it in a plain pot, and wrap the pot in burlap tied with twine. It sits happily on the counter all month. I water it once a week and it stays green. My first one died because I forgot it was a real plant, so set a phone reminder if you are like me.
Cost: ~$7 | Time: 10 minutes
6. Christmas Shower Curtain Swap
Swapping the shower curtain is the biggest single change you can make in a bathroom, and it takes two minutes. I keep a simple red and white curtain in the closet just for December, and putting it up instantly makes the room feel seasonal. The rest of the decor can stay minimal because the curtain does the heavy lifting. I learned to buy a curtain with a pattern that reads from a distance, because busy tiny prints just look muddy. A solid color with a simple border works best.
Cost: ~$10 | Time: 5 minutes
Pro tip: Use battery candles anywhere near water, never real flames.
7. Ornament-Filled Apothecary Jar
An apothecary jar filled with small ornaments looks like something from a boutique hotel, and it costs almost nothing. I use a large glass jar I already owned, fill it with a dozen mini ornaments in red and gold, and set it on the counter. It catches the light beautifully. The first year I used ornaments that were too big and the jar looked stuffed, so small ones are the key. If you do not own a jar, a tall drinking glass works just as well.
Cost: ~$5 | Time: 5 minutes
8. Plaid Bath Mat in Festive Colors
A plaid bath mat in red and cream is a small swap with a big payoff. I roll up the everyday mat, store it in the closet, and lay down the plaid one for December. It warms up the floor visually and ties the whole room together. I buy mine on clearance after Christmas for next year, which is how I got a twelve-dollar mat for four. Make sure it has a rubber backing so it does not slide on wet tile, because a pretty mat is not worth a fall.
Cost: ~$8 | Time: 5 minutes
9. Greenery Garland Over the Mirror
Draping a short greenery garland across the top of the mirror frames the whole vanity and makes the room feel dressed up. I use a three-foot faux garland, hang it with two small suction hooks, and let the ends drape down a little on each side. It takes five minutes and looks lovely. My first attempt used a garland that was too long and it kept falling into the sink, so measure your mirror first. A few red berries tucked into the garland add just enough color.
Cost: ~$6 | Time: 10 minutes
10. Festive Soap Dispenser Swap
Swapping the soap dispenser for a festive one is a tiny change that guests always notice because they use it. I buy a pump bottle in red or green, or I wrap my plain one in plaid ribbon, and fill it with a nice-smelling soap. It is the kind of detail that says you thought about everything. I once bought a fancy dispenser that leaked all over the counter, so now I test it over the sink first. A simple ceramic bottle with a pump top works best.
Cost: ~$5 | Time: 5 minutes
11. Twinkle Lights Around the Bathroom Window
Battery twinkle lights around the bathroom window make the room glow at night and look magical from the hallway. I run a short strand around the window frame with small clear hooks, and the light reflects off the mirror in the prettiest way. I use a strand with a timer so I never have to remember to turn it off. The first year I used plug-in lights and the cord dangled into the sink area, which was not safe. Battery lights are the only way to go in a bathroom.
Cost: ~$6 | Time: 10 minutes
Pro tip: Command hooks hold garland without damaging paint or tile.
12. Candy Cane Vase With Fresh Greenery
A vase made of candy canes is the cutest thing I have ever put in a bathroom, and it is embarrassingly easy. I stand candy canes upright around a plain glass, tie them together with a ribbon, and fill the glass with water and fresh greenery. It sits on the counter and makes everyone smile. The candy canes will soften after a few days in the humidity, so I make a fresh one every week or two. It costs about two dollars and takes ten minutes.
Cost: ~$2 | Time: 10 minutes
13. Snowflake Window Clings for the Mirror
Snowflake window clings on the mirror or window are the easiest decoration on this whole list. I buy a pack for a dollar, peel them off the sheet, and stick them in a loose pattern. They come off cleanly in January with no residue, which is why I love them. My kids fight over who gets to place them, so I buy two packs and let them decorate one mirror each. The trick is placing them at different heights so it looks like falling snow instead of a grid.
Cost: ~$1 | Time: 5 minutes
14. Holiday Guest Towel Basket
A basket of rolled guest towels, each tied with a bit of ribbon, makes visitors feel genuinely welcome. I roll six small towels, tie each one with red ribbon, and stack them in a basket near the sink with a little sign that says help yourself. It looks like a bed and breakfast. I learned to buy towels in a dark color, because white ones show every bit of makeup and get ruined fast. Dark red hides stains and still looks festive.
Cost: ~$8 | Time: 10 minutes
15. Eucalyptus Shower Bundle
Hanging a bundle of fresh eucalyptus from the shower head fills the whole bathroom with a clean, spa-like scent every time the shower runs. I tie a small bunch with twine and hang it high enough to stay out of the direct water stream. The steam releases the scent beautifully. I made the mistake once of hanging it right under the water and it turned to mush in two days, so keep it to the side. A bundle costs about four dollars and lasts three weeks.
Cost: ~$4 | Time: 5 minutes
Pro tip: Hang eucalyptus high enough that it stays out of the direct spray.
16. Red and White Striped Trash Can Swap
Swapping the bathroom trash can for a red and white striped one is a silly little change that genuinely makes me smile every time I walk in. I found a small metal one for five dollars, and it matches the plaid mat perfectly. It is the kind of detail nobody plans but everybody notices. I keep the regular can in the closet and swap it back in January. If you cannot find a striped one, wrap your plain can in ribbon and it does the same job.
Cost: ~$5 | Time: 5 minutes
17. Mini Christmas Tree on the Toilet Tank
A mini Christmas tree on the back of the toilet tank is the decoration that gets the most laughs and the most compliments. I use a small tabletop tree, about twelve inches tall, and set it on a folded towel so it does not slide. A few tiny ornaments and a battery tea light underneath make it glow. I tried a taller tree once and it kept getting knocked over, so twelve inches is the sweet spot. It is ridiculous and wonderful at the same time.
Cost: ~$7 | Time: 10 minutes
