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20 Bathroom Style Upgrades

Just how big an upgrade? That depends on you. Try on 3 personality profiles for inspiration

Emily Hsieh
1 /20 Photo by Jeffery Cross

For the shopper

The shopper's personality: "I can hang a new shower curtain, but anything more hardcore...well, isn't that what landlords are for?"

Shower curtain

Bamboo flowers silhouetted on 100% cotton. $39; westelm.com

2 /20 Photo by Jeffery Cross

Bath mat

Made with vetiver, it’s naturally aromatic—just walk on it. 36 x 24 in.; $42; zendeluxe.com

3 /20 Photo by Jeffery Cross

Soap dish

Wine bottles, bulletin boards—now there’s another use for the versatile cork tree. $12; schoolhouseelectric.com

4 /20 Photo by Jeffery Cross

Hand towels

Made in Tunisia, imported via L.A. From $20 each; lostandfoundshop.com

5 /20 Photo by Jeffery Cross

Cypress stool

This works equally well in the sauna or shower. 101/2 x 61/2 x 71/8 in.; $64; the Gardener, Berkeley; 510/548-4545.

6 /20 Photo by Jeffery Cross

Tank tray

For corraling stray tchotchkes; enameled iron. 133/4 x 61/4 in.; $17; cb2.com

7 /20 Photo by Jeffery Cross

Hamper

Toss it all into this 201/2-in.-high canvas bin. $149; greenhousedesignstudio.com

8 /20 Photo by Jeffery Cross

Wastebasket

Made of warp-proofed bamboo. 13 in. high; $40; simplehuman.com

9 /20 Photo by Jeffery Cross

For the DIY-er

The DIY-er's personality: “I’m not fazed by Allen wrenches or plumbing tape—just hand me that level and stand back.”

Pendant light

The Astron fixture adds a retro accent. 8-in. diameter; $130; rejuvenation.com

10 /20 Photo by Jeffery Cross

Hand-held showerhead

No more wrestling with a slippery “dial”—just flip the head over to change sprays. From $107; us.kohler.com

11 /20 Photo by Jeffery Cross

Towel bar

Rustic, dark bronze finish can read modern or salvage. From $29; westelm.com

12 /20 Photo by Jeffery Cross

Aluminum robe hook

For when you really need a spare hand, or two. $48; at Anthropologie stores.

13 /20 Photo by Jeffery Cross

Bamboo cabinet

Set this 65-in.-high space-saver over the toilet for almost-instant (assembly is required) storage. $160; bedbathandbeyond.com

14 /20 Photo by Jeffery Cross

Magazine rack and paint

Hang your reading material on the wall (wood composite and acrylic; 193/4 x 113/4 x 21/2 in.; $50; cb2.com), which you’ve painted in Leisure Green (2035-60), using Benjamin Moore’s low-VOC Aura Bath & Spa formula­tion ($66/gallon; benjaminmoore.com).

15 /20 Photo by Jeffery Cross

For the contractor wanna-be

The contractor wanna-be's personality: “I record every episode of Holmes on Homes—even the repeats. (I also have the number of a really good handyman.)”

Oak medicine cabinet

A vintage look, plus mirrors both inside and out. 171/2 x 271/2 x 61/4 in.; from $395; restorationhardware.com

16 /20 Photo by Jeffery Cross

Freestanding basin

Made from recycled glass, the 18-in.-diameter Shibui’s as close as you can get to sea glass. From $1,200; gleenglass.com for retailers.

17 /20 Photo by Jeffery Cross

Glass tiles

The hues of these Blazestone tiles come from the recycled glass they’re made of. Made to order (from $9/2-in. teardrop); bedrockindustries.com

18 /20 Photo by Jeffery Cross

Wallpaper

L.A.’s own Kreme brand is moisture-resistant. $195/16-ft. roll of Sundials in the Handcraft Collection; kremelife.com

19 /20 Photo by Jeffery Cross

Washlet

Retrofit your toilet with Toto’s B100—the heated seat is only the beginning. From $649; totousa.com

20 /20 Photo by Martin Inger / IKEA

Sink cabinet

SModern lines disguise plenty of storage in Ikea’s Godmorgon/Bråviken combo. $379 for 311/2-in.-wide cabinet in oak veneer; at Ikea stores.