The bathroom is the smallest room in the house and somehow the hardest to decorate without overspending, which is exactly why these 24 cheap DIY bathroom decor ideas exist. Cheap bathroom decor here means projects built from thrift store frames, dollar store baskets, scrap wood, Mason jars and spray paint, plus a few bigger jobs like a barn light vanity fixture and a ruffled shower curtain. There’s storage pretty enough to leave out, wall art for that blank spot over the towel bar and small touches like gold animal jars for cotton balls. I’m partial to the $12 Roman shade I made from a mini blind, because I wasn’t gifted with amazing sewing skills and it only takes fabric glue and careful measuring. Pick one project for this weekend and the whole room will feel new.
1. Candle Jar Cotton Ball Holder
An empty candle jar turns into a cotton ball holder that looks like it came from a boutique. Clean out the leftover wax, then glue a thrifted brass candlestick to the bottom of the jar with E6000, set something heavy on top and let it cure overnight. A pretty knob glued or screwed onto the candle lid makes a handle, though that step is optional. Fill it with cotton balls or round cotton pads, which work better for removing nail polish anyway. The same trick holds Q-tips, hair ties and bobby pins.
Get the full tutorial at Dwell Beautiful.
2. DIY Air Freshener Decoration
This DIY air freshener decoration hides a cheap bag of scented beads inside a painted Mason jar, then tops it with faux flowers so nobody sees the beads at all. The beads come from the dollar store, and chalk paint on the outside of the jar gives it a soft, matte finish. Pour the beads in over a sink, because they scatter everywhere if they miss. Tuck the flower stems into the beads and the scent still drifts out around the petals. An old mug works too if there’s no spare jar in the cupboard.
Get the full tutorial at Eighteen25.
3. Organize Your Bathroom With Farmhouse Bathroom Labels
Farmhouse bathroom labels turn a set of plain glass jars into storage that looks like it belongs on a store shelf. This set uses one large 3 liter jar, three 700 ml apothecary jars and a small 150 ml jar, plus a soap pump. Rub each transfer label firmly with an old store card, peel off the backing, center it on the jar and smooth it down with the card before peeling away the clear film. Cotton balls, bath salts, soap and Q-tips all get their own home. Plastic stackable tubs work if glass in the bathroom makes you nervous.
Get the full tutorial at Raggedy Bits.
4. DIY Roman Shade From a Mini Blind
This DIY Roman shade costs about $12 because the hardware is a plain mini blind. Buy a blind the size of the window, then cut fabric with a 3 inch allowance on every side. Fold, iron and glue the edges with fabric glue, so no sewing machine is needed. Tie two buttons on the pull cords so they can’t reel back in, then cut away the ladder cord and set aside all but the top rod, three slats and bottom rod. Glue those evenly across the back of the fabric, rethread the cord and hang it like any blind.
Get the full tutorial at DIY JOY.
5. DIY House Shelving
DIY house shelving is a small wall shelf shaped like a house, which makes it a cute home for lotions and potions when the cupboards are full. Cut five 30 cm lengths of wood. Point two of them together to form the roof, lay a scrap across where they meet and draw a line down each side to find the angle for a flush joint. Glue all five pieces with wood glue and tack the corners with small nails. Once dry, paint or stain it, and add varnish if needed. An extra inner shelf fits even more.
Get the full tutorial at Burkatron.
6. DIY Bathtub Tray
A DIY bathtub tray is a weekend build: three 4 by 35 inch pine boards across the top and two 4 by 12 inch pieces glued underneath about 7 inches in from each end. Sand every edge smooth, glue it up with Gorilla Glue and give it at least two hours. Several light coats of white semi-gloss spray paint go on next, then an overnight dry. Tape off the top and bottom so only the edges show, brush on gilding adhesive, wait five minutes until tacky and press on gold leaf. Gloss varnish seals it. Adjust the lengths to fit the tub.
Get the full tutorial at Cupcakes & Cashmere.
7. DIY Typography Signs
These DIY typography signs started as a pair of dated wine prints from a donation pile, so the frames cost nothing. Two coats of Annie Sloan Chalk Paint in Coco go on the frames, then dark soft wax brushed on in sections and wiped back right away with a clean rag for a weathered wood look. The wording prints on parchment paper from an inkjet printer and gets Mod Podged over the old art, with a credit card edge to push out bubbles. Extra strips of blank parchment cover any art still peeking out. A top coat of Mod Podge seals it.
Get the full tutorial at Bless'er House.
8. DIY Clay Flower Mirror Makeover
A clay flower mirror turns a plain dollar store mirror into a piece that looks custom. Soft clay is lighter and less messy than air dry clay, and the pieces stick together before they set. Roll a small ball, press three lines into the bottom with a sculpting tool so they meet at a point, and make five of those for petals. Add a tiny white ball for the center, then make more flowers in different colors and sizes. Let them firm up, arrange them around the frame and hot glue each one down. Gloss varnish helps prevent cracking.
Get the full tutorial at DIY JOY.
9. IKEA Cart Bathroom Organizer
An IKEA cart bathroom organizer fits the tiny nook where a cabinet won’t. This one rolls next to the vanity and mixes clear acrylic boxes with wicker baskets, which keeps things tidy without looking like a supply closet. Daily items like face spray, oils, everyday makeup, cotton balls and bobby pins stay where they are easy to grab. The bulky stuff, like a blow dryer and spare towels, goes lower or out of sight. Store like items together and buy a few extra containers, since unused ones can go back. A seasonal purge keeps it from filling up again.
Get the full tutorial at A Beautiful Mess.
10. DIY Farmhouse Bathroom Vanity Light Fixture
This DIY farmhouse bathroom vanity light fixture uses three outdoor barn lights from the Home Depot, about $20 each, mounted on one painted board. That came in cheaper than a single store bought vanity light that topped $100. Cut a board to fit the space, drill three evenly spaced holes for the wires and paint it white. Mount each light just below its hole so the wiring stays hidden, then add D-rings on the back to hang it. The wires are spliced together and connected like a standard fixture, so call an electrician if wiring is new to you.
Get the full tutorial at Liz Marie Blog.
11. Weathered Newport Beach Sign
A weathered beach sign shows the miles from home to a favorite vacation spot, and scrap wood keeps it nearly free. This one started as a leftover piece of baseboard trim. Print the words in a free typewriter font, lay them out on the sanded board and set them aside. Paint a coat of DecoArt Sea Glass, then Light Buttermilk over it. Tape the printed words back in place and trace each letter hard with a ballpoint pen to leave an indent, then fill them in with Neutral Grey. Sand the letters and edges so the blue peeks through, then seal.
Get the full tutorial at Crafts by Amanda.
12. Tissue Box Holder
This tissue box holder gives a box of disposable hand towels a cheerful spot instead of leaving it bare on the toilet tank. Start with an unfinished wood crate from the craft store and paint it mustard yellow. Once it’s dry, sew a large flower out of ribbon and glue it to the center of the crate. A smaller flower tucked in a corner works too, but the big one makes more of a statement. It’s a quick project that adds a pop of color, and it pairs nicely with yellow accents like silk hydrangeas and a printed rug.
Get the full tutorial at A Pumpkin And A Princess.
13. Plastic Bins Bathroom Organizer
Plastic bins and stacking drawers can finally make sense of the cabinet under a sink, the trickiest space in a bathroom thanks to the plumbing. A modular drawer system fits around pipes and odd shapes and can triple what the cabinet holds. Keep everyday products in one pull out basket that comes out to the counter. Label each drawer and slip the labels into bookplates so they’re easy to change later. Line one drawer with little dollar store buckets for small essentials. On the cabinet doors, extra strong Command hooks hold a small wire rack for perfume and polish.
Get the full tutorial at Hi Sugarplum!.
14. Faux Roman Shade
A faux Roman shade is a stationary valance with sewn folds, so it gives a bathroom window that tailored look without any working cords. Privacy film on the glass handles privacy, which leaves the shade purely decorative. Measure the rod and add 2 inches for side hems. Slub duck fabric is sturdy and not slippery, a good pick for beginners. Line it, hem all four sides, sew a rod pocket and pin the folds at a consistent height, using more pins than seems necessary. Tack the folds by hand to the lining only, then slide wooden dowels into the pleats.
Get the full tutorial at Mad in Crafts.
15. Thrift Store Towel Hanger Revamp
A thrift store towel hanger revamp turns a 50 cent find, a door plate wall hanger with a crystal knob and a hook, into the prettiest spot for a hand towel. Tape off the crystal knob, then spray the piece flat white with a 98 cent can. Sand the edges for wear and seal with clear gloss spray. Removing the old towel ring may take a crowbar if a plastic wall anchor is stuck. Without a stud behind it, hang the new piece with Command picture hanging strips, which hold through daily use and peel off clean later.
Get the full tutorial at The House of Smiths.
16. Under The Bathroom Sink Organizer
An under the bathroom sink organizer starts the way every organizing project should: empty everything out. Sort and purge, moving extra cleaning supplies to the laundry room, travel toiletries to the suitcases and expired products to the trash, and combine like items into one bottle. Then find bins and containers around the house. Old craft paint cans and a washed soup can covered in waterproof contact paper become heat safe holders for a curling iron, straightener, dryer and brushes. Contact paper also lines the pull out drawers, and cable ties tame charger cords.
Get the full tutorial at IHeart Organizing.
17. Wall Full of Baskets
A wall full of baskets adds storage above the toilet in a small bathroom without a bulky cabinet. Two simple towel bars go up first, measured and centered with a level. If an old towel bar comes down, patch the holes with spackle (use joint tape on anything bigger than a dime), sand smooth, prime and paint. Then tie woven baskets to the bars with craft ribbon. Fill one with guest toiletries and another with washcloths and hand towels. The baskets are a little heavy, so tie the ribbon tight and check the bars are level before drilling.
Get the full tutorial at Simply DIY 2.
18. Vintage Step Ladder
A vintage step ladder makes clever bathroom storage in a small guest bath, holding rolled towels right where guests can find them. An old wooden stepladder sits beside the pedestal sink, rolled white bath towels go on the lower step, and a jar of fresh hydrangeas and a seashell sit on top. It’s styling more than building, so the main job is the hunt for a ladder at a flea market or antique shop. Short two or three step ladders fit best next to a sink. Add an extra toothbrush and fluffed towels for guests.
Get the full tutorial at Kelly Elko.
19. Dollar Store Bathroom Drawer Organization
Dollar store bathroom drawer organization is about as cheap as organizing gets. Four packs of plastic baskets from Dollar Tree, $1 each, turn a jumbled drawer of toothpaste, floss and makeup into neat little sections. Mix long and square baskets so they fill the drawer edge to edge and nothing slides around. Group like with like, with toothbrushes and paste in one, floss and mouth care in another and makeup on its own. Card catalog label pulls on the drawer fronts show what’s inside. It’s an easy finishing step after a bathroom makeover.
Get the full tutorial at The Summery Umbrella.
20. Gold Animal Jar DIY
Gold animal jars give old food jars a second life as storage for cotton wool and beauty bits. Wash the jars in hot soapy water, use a sticky residue remover for stubborn labels, then wash again since the remover is oil based. A tube of small plastic animals from a toy shop provides the toppers, so pick ones with a distinct shape. Lightly prime the lids and animals in two thin coats, then glue an animal to each lid with clear plastic glue on each foot. Finish with light coats of gold spray paint. Skip a clear sealer, which dulls the metallic finish.
Get the full tutorial at Bang On Style.
21. DIY Mason Jar Bathroom Set
A DIY Mason jar bathroom set keeps the counter tidy and fits right into a farmhouse bathroom. Pick a mix of wide mouth jars, like a half gallon, two quarts and two 6 ounce jelly jars, since wide mouths are easier to reach into. Give them two coats of primer, then three coats of chalk paint, letting each dry fully. Distress the edges with a sanding block, wipe off the dust and seal with a matte clear acrylic. Add a soap pump lid, a flower frog for a vase and a toothbrush holder lid, then fill with cotton balls and Q-tips.
Get the full tutorial at Consumer Queen.
22. Rustic DIY Bathroom Shelving
Rustic DIY bathroom shelving is one of the easiest ways to add character to a half bath. Each shelf is a 20 by 8 by 1 inch whitewood plank stained with a mix of Minwax English Chestnut and Rustoleum Kona. Let the stain dry 24 hours, then brush on two coats of satin polyurethane. The black shelf brackets came from Target at $9.99 for a pair. Screw into studs wherever possible and use the screws from the bracket kit for the rest. Keep the styling simple with a candle, a few books, a basket and a framed print.
Get the full tutorial at Taryn Whiteaker Designs.
23. Beachy Bathroom Sign
A beachy bathroom sign made from reclaimed wood and spray paint can set the theme for a whole room. This one carries a line from a favorite song about the beach, painted in soft aqua across weathered boards, and it became the centerpiece of a beach bathroom without a single seashell or starfish. The rest of the room came together piece by piece around it, with texture, fabric, a vintage paddle and even rope. Pick a lyric or saying that means something to your family and let it lead the color scheme.
Get the full tutorial at Pineplace.
24. Ruffled Shower Curtain
A ruffled shower curtain made from drop cloths looks like a high end linen curtain for a fraction of the price. Bleach the drop cloths first, which softens them and lightens the color, then cut ruffles from a thin, linen look cotton. The curtain is double the width of a standard shower curtain, so it hangs full and needs twice the usual number of rings. Buttonholes along the top take the hooks. Tiers of ruffles across the lower half give it that soft farmhouse feel. Some sewing experience helps since it’s a big panel.
Get the full tutorial at Sew a Fine Seam.
