8 Ways to Style a Bathroom for Sale or Rent

The state of your property is a major deciding factor for potential buyers and tenants. The right upgrades can increase your property value and rental returns, while the wrong ones waste money. Most sellers and landlords focus on kitchens and living areas when updating their properties, but bathrooms can make or break a sale or rental application. A nice bathroom suggests the whole property is properly maintained, while a dated or dirty bathroom raises red flags. 

This guide covers everything from simple styling tricks to low-effort, high-impact upgrade ideas for your bathroom.

Why upgrade your bathroom?

Bathroom upgrades give great returns on investment. LJ hooker puts this figure at around $4 for every $1 spent. You don’t have to gut the room — a simple bathroom upgrade is DIY-friendly and affordable. 

Good presentation also shows buyers and tenants you've maintained the property well. This builds confidence in the property's condition. Plus, bathroom photos are used in listings, which can affect your marketing.

8 ways to upgrade your bathroom for sale or rent

Get your bathroom renovations done before you put your property on the market. Here are eight minor upgrades to make a big difference to your space:

1. Deep clean

There’s nothing worse than seeing soap scum, dirt, hair, grime and especially mould in a bathroom at an inspection. Pay special attention to shower screens, tile grout, mirrors and toilets. 

A thorough clean involves:

• Deep cleaning tiles and grout
• Removing limescale from taps and showerheads
• Wiping down exhaust fan covers and lights
• Treating mould at its source
• Polishing all metal and glass surfaces

Landlords can expect a bond clean to be done before the next tenants move in. If selling, book cleaners or get scrubbing before listing photos and inspection times. 

2. Update fixtures and hardware

If you’ve had the same taps since you bought the place, new fixtures could make your bathroom feel brand new. Replace rusty towel rails and hardware  Update taps and mixers. Pick something that will photograph well and stay in style for years.

Go for professional installation where hot water is involved. Poor installation leads to leaks and more hassle for landlords. 

3. Maximise storage 

There are a lot of old homes on the market with bathrooms that don’t have any storage. Whether you’re renting out or selling, this is something people look for! Think about what a family might need and where to store cleaning supplies and linens.

A mirrored cabinet is a good pick, but if you’re on a budget, towel hooks and over-toilet storage units can go a long way. 

4. Use accessories

Don’t go overboard — simple styling is all you need. The main thing is clean linen, such as towels; you can skip the bath mat if you’re hosting an open house. Then add a few of these finishing touches:

• Small plants
• Soap dispensers
• Reed diffuser
• Small, simple artwork in a frame or as a sculpture
• Decorative baskets

Remember to keep it simple. You want buyers and tenants to focus on the bathroom itself, not your decorations. Take away your personal items like toothbrushes and toiletries.

Making bigger improvements

Sometimes, bathroom improvements need a little more than a peace lily. Here are some bigger improvements you can make before you list your place:

5. Fix water damage

Water damage puts off buyers and tenants fast. It’s not just leaks — shower steam and wet floors can lead to big problems like mould, rot and structural issues. 

Start by checking these problem areas:

• Walls and ceiling
• Shower corners and edges
• Around taps and spouts
• Behind toilets
• Under vanities
• Window frames

Things like bubbling paint, water stains on walls, loose grout and musty smells are all signs of failing waterproofing. Get your water damage fixed properly before listing. People look for water issues during inspections because they can be expensive and high maintenance. A building inspector will find these problems anyway, so it's better to fix them first.

6. Upgrade your vanity

It may sound major, but it doesn’t have to be. If your vanity looks tired, you can lift the room with new handles and paint. If you need to replace the whole thing, choose a neutral design that works with the space — the new unit shouldn’t be so big that it overwhelms your bathroom. 

Here are some other features people look for in a vanity:

• Soft-close drawers
• Wall-mounting
• Easy-clean surfaces
• Waterproof construction
• Enough bench space

7. Update tiles 

Old or damaged tiles never look good.

If you're selling, new tiles can make a big difference. That being said, you don’t have to retile your whole bathroom — focus on high-impact areas. New tiles in the area behind your vanity or on the floors can make your space feel fresh. Just make sure they complement your other tiles and bathroom in general.

If you’re renting your property out, start with professional tile and grout cleaning — you’d be surprised at how much a deep clean can do. If things still look dirty, you can also regrout — it costs less than full tile replacement. 

8. Improve lighting

Bathroom lighting affects both function and feel. Bad lighting makes bathrooms look smaller and darker in photos. It also makes things like shaving or putting on makeup harder, a detail buyers and tenants might mull over during inspections.

If you’re selling, replace old light fixtures and consider adding more around the room — good bathrooms have different types of light for different purposes:

• Ceiling lights for overall brightness
• Mirror lights for getting ready
• Accent lights for aesthetics and mood
• Natural light where possible (such as skylights or windows)

For rental properties, focus on the practical. LED lights save power and don’t need to be replaced as often.

Make your bathroom renovation count

A nice bathroom builds confidence in the whole property, which can lead to better offers or applications on your property. If you’re treading the line between doing too much or too little, get a second opinion.

If you decide to retile or regrout, we can offer help. Our friendly team can take a look at your space and work with your budget to suggest high-impact changes. Book a free design appointment with TileCloud to get started.

Bathroom styling FAQs

How much should I spend on bathroom updates?

Start with cleaning and basic improvements. Get real estate agent advice before major upgrades.

Which improvements give the best returns? 

Professional cleaning, fresh grout and updated fixtures give excellent returns for minimal investment.

Do I need council approval for bathroom changes? 

Most cosmetic updates don't need approval but check local regulations for structural changes or waterproofing work.

Should rental property bathrooms be styled differently than ones for sale? 

Rental bathrooms need more durable finishes and practical storage. Sales staging can be more trend-focused.