Christmas Bathroom Decor: 16 Cheap Little Touches Your Holiday Guests Will Notice

Christmas bathroom decor is the easiest holiday win in your whole house, because the guest bathroom is the one room every single visitor walks into. Think about it. Your aunt may never see your bedroom, but she will wash her hands in that little room at least twice. The good news is that a few cheap touches can make it feel warm, fresh and ready for company. HGTV even runs a full photo gallery of holiday bathrooms, and most of those looks are simple to copy. Below are 16 ideas, from a five minute curtain swap to a full dollar store makeover. Ready to make your guests smile..

The Christmas Bathroom Decor Classic: A Wreath on the Mirror

If you only do one thing this year, do this. A small wreath hung on the mirror with a long piece of velvet ribbon is the look everyone copies, and for good reason. It takes two minutes and it changes the whole feel of the room. A dollar store boxwood wreath works just fine. Tie the ribbon to the back of the wreath, run it up over the top of the mirror and stick it in place with a removable hook. Let the tails hang down long for a soft, pretty finish. Pick red for classic, green for calm or cream for a quiet hotel look. Do you see how one small touch makes the space feel dressed up?..

You will need: Small wreath, wide velvet ribbon, removable hook.

How to make it: 1. Stick the hook above the mirror. 2. Tie ribbon to the back of the wreath. 3. Hang it and trim the tails on a slant.

Swap the Shower Curtain

The shower curtain is the biggest thing in most bathrooms, so changing it does the most work for the least effort. A winter or snowflake curtain is a smart pick because it can stay up from December all the way through February. If you would rather not buy a new one, use the plain white curtain you already have and tie it back with wide red or plaid ribbon. Add a tiny sprig of faux greenery to the tie for extra charm. Wash or steam the curtain first so it hangs smooth and crisp. It is the fastest Christmas bathroom decor change you can make. Which would you pick, snowflakes or simple white with bows?

You will need: Winter curtain, or a white curtain plus ribbon.

How to make it: 1. Steam or wash the new curtain. 2. Hang it on the old rings. 3. For the free version, tie the white curtain back with ribbon and a sprig.

Holiday Hand Towels on a Budget

Holiday towels in the store can cost more than you want to spend on something guests will use for a few weeks. Here is a better trick. Buy plain white hand towels, or use the ones you have, and add a band of plaid ribbon across the bottom with iron-on hem tape. No sewing machine needed. The result looks like a high end set from a catalog. Fold them in thirds and hang them neatly on the bar so the ribbon shows. Keep one set just for looking at and a second plain set nearby for real use, so your pretty ones stay clean. Would your guests ever guess you made these on the ironing board?

You will need: White hand towels, plaid ribbon, iron-on hem tape.

How to make it: 1. Cut ribbon an inch wider than the towel. 2. Press it on with hem tape and a hot iron. 3. Fold the ends to the back and press again.

Mini Trees on the Vanity for Christmas Bathroom Decor

A bathroom counter is small, so think tiny. Two or three mini trees in little pots add height and color without taking over the sink area. Bottle brush trees are cheap and come in fun colors, and pencil style trees look sleek and modern. Set them in small terracotta pots and sprinkle a little faux snow on top of the soil. Group them in odd numbers and in different heights for a natural look. Keep them to one side so there is still plenty of room for soap and hands. Bonus: they can move to a kitchen shelf or a bedside table after the holidays. Isn’t it fun how something so small can feel so festive?

You will need: Mini trees, small terracotta pots, faux snow.

How to make it: 1. Pot each tree, filling gaps with moss. 2. Add faux snow. 3. Group them at one end of the vanity.

Grandma Vintage Bathroom Christmas

Vintage Christmas is one of the most loved looks right now, and the bathroom is a fun place to try it. Start at the thrift store. Look for a little brass tray, an old Santa mug for toothbrushes and a small glass dish for cotton balls. Pink and mint green towels feel just like grandma’s house in the 1960s. Add a tiny ceramic tree if you find one, or a bottle brush tree in a vintage pot. A lace doily adds a sweet touch. Most of these finds cost a dollar or two each. This kind of Christmas bathroom decor feels personal because every piece has a story. Doesn’t this look bring back happy memories?

You will need: Brass tray, vintage mug, glass dish, pastel towels.

How to make it: 1. Wash the thrifted pieces. 2. Arrange the mug and dish on the tray. 3. Hang the pastel towels and add the doily.

Garland Over the Window or Shower Rod

Bathrooms rarely have room for big decor, so go up high. A skinny faux garland draped along the shower rod or across the top of the window adds a lot of holiday feel without taking any counter space. Choose a thin, light garland so it does not pull the rod down. Clear plastic hooks hold it in place. For a soft glow, weave in battery fairy lights with a timer, so they turn on in the evening when guests arrive. Keep everything away from the water spray and choose lights made for damp spaces. Think of it as Christmas bathroom decor that lives above eye level. Doesn’t it look like a cozy little cabin bath now?

You will need: Thin garland, clear hooks, battery fairy lights.

How to make it: 1. Stick hooks at the ends and middle. 2. Drape the garland and secure with zip ties. 3. Weave in the lights and hide the battery pack.

Festive Soap and Lotion Display

This is the trick hotels use, and it costs almost nothing. Pour your everyday hand soap and lotion into clear or amber glass pump bottles, and suddenly the sink looks fancy. Set them on a small tray made of marble, wood or brass so everything looks grouped and tidy. Tuck a sprig of faux pine or a few red berries beside the bottles. For the holidays, a peppermint or pine scented soap makes the whole room smell like Christmas. You can find glass pumps at the dollar store or reuse a pretty jar from the kitchen. Good Christmas bathroom decor does not have to be big to feel special. Who knew soap could look this good?

You will need: Glass pump bottles, small tray, faux pine sprig.

How to make it: 1. Fill the clean bottles. 2. Set them on the tray. 3. Add the pine sprig or berries.

Christmas Bath Mat and Rug

Your feet notice a cold tile floor in December, and so do your guests. A cozy rug is both pretty and practical. A red and green plaid rug feels classic and cheerful, while a soft faux sheepskin rug feels snowy and calm. Whatever you pick, make sure it has a non-slip back. That part really matters on a wet floor. Safety first. You can find holiday rugs for under 15 dollars at discount stores, and a plain cream one can stay out all winter. Toss it in the washing machine a day or two before guests arrive so it is fluffy and fresh. Which style fits your home better, plaid or snowy white?

You will need: Non-slip plaid or faux sheepskin rug.

How to make it: 1. Wash the rug on gentle. 2. Add a grip pad if it slides. 3. Center it by the tub or sink.

Grinch Green Bathroom

The Grinch look is all over social media right now, and it is a fun choice for a bathroom because it is pure color and a little silly. Start with bright lime green towels and add big red bows to the towel bar. A skinny, crooked little tree with one red ornament is the star of the show. Add a red and white striped soap dish or a fuzzy green bath mat. It is cheerful, a bit funny and perfect for families who love a laugh. Keep the rest of the room plain so the colors pop. Will your guests giggle when they walk in? That is the whole point.

You will need: Green towels, red bows, a skinny mini tree.

How to make it: 1. Hang green towels with red bows. 2. Add the skinny tree with one ornament. 3. Finish with a striped accent.

Wall Art Swap

Here is a nearly free idea. Take the art that is already in your bathroom frames and swap it for a winter print you download and print at home. Snowy trees, a vintage Christmas card or a simple sketch of a pine branch all look lovely. Print on matte cardstock for the best look, or take the file to a local print shop for a few cents. Slip it right in front of your current art, so switching back in January takes 10 seconds. A pair of matching prints looks extra polished. It is Christmas bathroom decor that you can change back in seconds. Isn’t it nice when a holiday touch costs less than a cup of coffee?

You will need: Printable winter art, cardstock, your frames.

How to make it: 1. Download and size a winter print. 2. Print on matte cardstock and trim. 3. Slip it in front of the current art.

Toilet Paper Basket With a Bow for Christmas Bathroom Decor

Nobody wants to search for toilet paper at someone else’s house, so this idea is both cute and kind. Fill a woven basket with spare rolls and tie a big red or plaid bow on the front. Set it right on the floor beside the toilet or on a low shelf where guests will spot it. You can roll the paper so the tidy ends face up, which looks neat in photos. Tuck a sprig of greenery behind the bow for a finished look. It takes five minutes. It is a tiny touch, but your guests will thank you for it. Have you ever wished a host had done this for you?

You will need: Woven basket, spare rolls, wide ribbon.

How to make it: 1. Stand the rolls upright in the basket. 2. Tie a big bow on the front. 3. Tuck the sprig behind the knot.

Guest Comfort Basket

If you have people staying over for the holidays, a comfort basket makes them feel truly cared for. Pick a small basket and fill it with travel size toothpaste, a new toothbrush, hand cream, lip balm, a few wrapped mints and a pack of tissues. Add a little folded card that says help yourself, written by hand. Guests always forget something, and this saves them a late night store run. Each item costs about a dollar. Set it on the counter or a shelf where it is easy to see. This is the kind of Christmas bathroom decor people remember long after the visit. Wouldn’t you love to find this at a friend’s house?

You will need: Basket, travel toiletries, mints, tissues, a card.

How to make it: 1. Line the basket with a napkin. 2. Tall items in back, small in front. 3. Add the card and set it out.

Window Snowflakes and Frost

Bathroom windows need privacy, and in winter you can make that pretty. Cut a handful of white paper snowflakes and stick them to the glass with a dab of clear tape or a little soapy water. Or use removable window clings with a frosted snowflake pattern that peel right off later. They let in soft light while blocking the view, and they make the whole room feel snowy and calm. Cutting snowflakes is also a nice quiet activity with a cup of cocoa on a cold evening. It is simple Christmas bathroom decor that works for renters too. How many different patterns can you make from one stack of paper?

You will need: Paper or clings, scissors, clear tape.

How to make it: 1. Fold paper into a triangle and cut shapes on the edges. 2. Unfold and flatten under a book. 3. Stick to the glass.

Scent Without Candles: Christmas Bathroom Decor That Smells Great

A bathroom should smell fresh and festive, and you do not need a flame to make that happen. Tie a bundle of cinnamon sticks with twine and add a sprig of real pine or a dried orange slice. Set it on the back of the toilet or on a shelf. A reed diffuser in a pine or fir scent works all day with no effort. Little cloth sachets filled with dried pine needles and cloves are another easy option you can make in minutes. Refresh the cinnamon with a drop of essential oil every few days. Isn’t it nice when the room smells like Christmas the moment you open the door?

You will need: Cinnamon sticks, twine, orange slice, reed diffuser.

How to make it: 1. Tie 6 to 8 cinnamon sticks with twine. 2. Tuck in pine or an orange slice. 3. Set it by the diffuser.

Dollar Store Christmas Bathroom Decor Makeover

Want the full look without the cost? Take 20 dollars to the dollar store and you can dress the whole bathroom. Grab a small wreath, a roll of ribbon, a mini tree, a little gold tray and a pack of red berry picks. Hang the wreath on the mirror, set the tree and tray on the counter, and use the leftover ribbon to tie bows on the towel bar. Tuck the berry picks into a cup or vase by the sink. Stick to two colors, like red and white or green and gold, so it looks planned, calm and not busy. Can you believe a whole room for the price of lunch?

You will need: Wreath, ribbon, mini tree, gold tray, berry picks.

How to make it: 1. Hang the wreath on the mirror. 2. Set the tree and tray on the counter. 3. Tie bows on the towel bar and add the berries.

Small Bathroom, Big Holiday Feel

A tiny powder room can still feel full of holiday cheer. The secret is to go vertical and keep to one color. Hang a small wreath on an over the door hook so it greets guests as they close the door. Pick one color, like deep green, and use it for the towels, a ribbon and one small accent. A single sprig of greenery in a bud vase is plenty for the sink. Skip anything that crowds the counter. Clean lines make a small space feel calm and bigger. Small spaces actually make Christmas bathroom decor easier, since a few pieces go a long way. Do you have a little powder room that could use this simple trick?

You will need: Over the door hook, small wreath, green towel, bud vase.

How to make it: 1. Hang the hook and wreath on the door. 2. Swap in one green towel. 3. Put a sprig in a bud vase.