12 Joanna Gaines-Inspired Bathroom Upgrades That Are Worth The Splurge

Sometimes it's okay to be a little extra. That's one of the tenets "Fixer Upper" star Joanna Gaines follows when approaching a new home renovation. Asked about the rooms she recommends going a bit crazy with, the HGTV darling told Elle Decor, "It can be fun to go over the top in spaces that you don't use a ton, like a formal dining room or library, because you're not constantly in that space." And while you may frequent the washroom a time or two over the course of 24 hours, "I always say that bathrooms and entryways are a great place to go crazy," added Gaines, "because they are smaller, high-traffic areas, but not as much time is spent in them."

Though she wouldn't recommend draining your savings for accessories like towels or bathmats. "I always say that the accent pieces — rugs, throws, pillows — are the items you can buy and replace easily, whether it's because you get tired of a color, or a pattern no longer works, or you're just over it in general," Gaines noted. "It's always fun to refresh a space, and these pieces make it easy to do that." But when it comes to choosing your bathroom's fixtures, it makes sense to luxuriate a bit. From high-quality tile to the classic claw-footed top, and even an over-the-top chandelier, Gaines is flush with ideas to help elevate your space. Here are a few areas where you can really sink some cash.

For those looking to expand the feel of even the teeniest of bathrooms, Gaines has a bright idea. "I really like to get in these small spaces," she shared on HGTV (via YouTube), making over a 45-square-foot room. "I love the challenge of it because there's nothing like making a small space like this work perfect for the family." The key, she noted, was making the area feel light and airy. "One of the biggest things I find in small spaces is there's not enough lighting," Gaines noted. "So, I always encourage people, if you have some room in the budget, add extra lighting."

And while the bathroom is one spot where you definitely want to see what you're doing, the one bathroom lighting rule you should always follow for a more spa-like bathroom is to swap cooler light bulbs with warmer varieties. The trick to keeping the cozy vibes, while still being able to do your makeup or shave your face, is to layer your light sources. Overhead mounted ceiling bulbs between 2,700 and 3,000 Kelvin will provide a warmer tone, while still allowing you to perform basic tasks. And then you can add in dimmable accent or task lighting like wall sconces or LED strips so you can choose your preferred level of brightness.

Best believe you can make any space feel bejeweled. While it may seem as if over-the-top chandeliers are largely reserved for entryways, dining rooms, or other grand spaces, Gaines is a fan of placing a glittering light fixture in a bathroom. In the YouTube clip, she explained why she paired a vanity light with an antique chandelier. Not only does the piece add interest, she explained, it also "gives plenty of light. And what does light do? Light makes things feel bigger. So that's the trick."

Of course all that glitters costs some gold. While there are plenty of costly vintage lighting fixtures to be found on marketplaces like 1stDibs and Vinterior, you can scan for affordable picks. Consider House of Hampton's Mid-Century Modern 6-light Dimmable Tiered Crystal Chandelier or ALOADECOR's 4-Light Antique Gold Vintage Basket Chandelier. Facebook Marketplace and eBay are also good spots to find a solid deal.

Just because you can't install a 5-star spa inside your space doesn't mean you can't feel as if you're headed toward a full-body wrap and an exfoliating facial. "To give this room the relaxing spa-vibe, I decided to use gray and white Carrara marble tiles throughout the entire room," Gaines wrote on her blog of the renovation for "Fixer Upper" Season 3, Episode 3. "The countertops, herringbone-laid tile, ceiling tiles, and shower tiles were all various shapes of Carrara marble tile. This effect of tile floors, walls, and ceiling added an unexpected dimension to the space that truly transformed it to a light and airy retreat." She and husband Chip Gaines also opted for a mix of marble when they gave a 1913 stone manor a facelift on "Fixer Upper: The Castle." Using hexagon mosaic Carrara marble tile on the floor, along with a Carrara marble wall tile, she raved on Instagram, "The tile is the real show stopper."

Marble shower tiles can range from $20 to $65 a square foot. But there is a home design cheat that allows you to score the luxurious trend for less. Made from cheaper material such as porcelain, faux marble tiling very much mimics the look at a fraction of the price. Choosing something like Tilebar's Basic Marble Bianco White 12x24 Matte Porcelain Tile allows you to take part in the trend for less than $6 a square foot.

Sure, you could snag a solid vanity pretty much anywhere, but to make a bathroom feel really indulgent, Gaines prefers to think outside of the big box store. With a bit of ingenuity, a vintage dresser can easily be transformed into the ideal bathroom storage set. Because when you're considering furniture pieces that are real investments, Gaines explained to Elle Decor, "It's important to really think through and do your research before purchasing those pieces. Ask yourself, 'Will I love this in five years?'" And when something is truly bespoke, it's usually easier to fall head-over-heels. Noted Gaines, "It's also great to incorporate those one-of-a-kind finds or antique pieces that are added details, but live on with you forever. When all of those things come together, your home starts to feel right."

Creating your own vanity is the sort of DIY that'll add vintage charm to your bathroom. But you have to be able to actually do it. (Or find a contractor who can handle it for you.) Ideally, you'll want a piece constructed from solid wood so it will be durable enough to support the sink. It will also need to be deep enough to house all the plumbing — with a 21-inch depth considered standard. In addition to sanding down the piece and painting it to your desired aesthetic, you'll also need to cut into the back so that it can fit over any plumbing fixtures and create space for the sink(s). Some sinks will come with a template you can trace before cutting it out with a jigsaw.

With wallpaper receiving its long overdue glow-up in recent years, there's almost no area of your home it can't elevate, Gaines swears. "My earliest memories of wallpaper include my mother's and grandmother's homes — the floral stuff you see in houses that we'd now refer to as 'dated,'" she explained in a 2017 interview with the Orlando Sentinel. "But to me, those classic patterns feel like home. I love that this art form is making a comeback." She's certainly spearheading it, incorporating everything from subtle grasscloth covering to bold florals and buffalo check in her clients' powder rooms. (And then, of course, there are the patterns she's chosen for her own home.)

Two of her most popular Magnolia Home prints are on the more subtle side, with farmhouse style-loving fans clamoring for her woven Grasscloth Wallpaper and black-and-white Pick Up Sticks Wallpaper. And Gaines herself told Orlando Sentinel that, if she were a pattern, it'd be "classic black and white stripes, because it's timeless." But small spaces like bathrooms are the ideal place to test out a bolder print. And if you'd like to make big moves, Magnolia Home's collection includes patterns such as the Watercolor Roses Wallpaper or the large-scale Olive Branch Wallpaper.

Few things top a luxurious bubble bath — except a luxurious bubble bath in a clawfoot tub. The delightfully retro design finds its place on many a homeowner's wish list and is a piece Gaines tends to splash out in her renovations. On Season 2, Episode 11 of "Fixer Upper," for instance, "An old clawfoot tub was restored and fit perfectly in the spot next to the custom vanity," she detailed on her blog. And in "Fixer Upper: The Castle," Gaines installed a version with a freestanding tub filler.

Though if you're into the old-school bathroom feature that looks particularly stunning, be prepared to sink some cash, with most new pieces going for upwards of $500. And should you need to refinish an existing bathtub, it may be best to hire a professional as it's an involved process. You'll need to sand down the tub's finish, apply a sealant to take care of any cracks or chips, and then apply layers of primer, paint, and glaze.

Need proof that important things can come in small packages? Check out how new brushed nickel, brass, or gold hardware helps to really get an, er, handle on a place. "I think that hardware plays such a huge part in the style of a space," Gaines told Pure Wow, commenting on the difference that faucets, drawer pulls, and knobs can make in a kitchen or bathroom. Which is why she was very intentional in selecting aged brass when making over the bathroom on "Mini Reni" Season 1, Episode 7. "What I love about this project is the confluence of styles we got to play with," she shared on her blog. "We had this home that already had a ton of character and clients who were looking to incorporate a bit more of their personal style — a little bit more funky and eclectic."

Swapping out hardware is far from the splashiest splurge to make in a bathroom. But it's certainly an investment worth making. Consider swapping in one of the bathroom hardware trends that have dominated in recent months. Experts tout soft gold and champagne finishes as feeling warm and inviting, while textured hardware lends a more playful feel.

Having a window in the bathroom is fantastic from a natural light standpoint, but for obvious reasons, you'll want to create a sense of privacy. While you could go with standard-issue blinds, Gaines prefers a slightly more elevated option. "In order to keep this space private," she writes in her 2018 book "Homebody" (via Pure Wow), "consider a window treatment like plantation shutters for a styled look." The adjustable horizontal slats offer both a timeless appeal from a design perspective and make it easy to block out light and prying eyes.

Catching this sort of shut-eye does come with a cost though. Plantation shutters can carry a price tag upwards of $250 per window, versus $100 and up for blinds. Though in the long term, they can help with energy efficiency, saving you cash on your heating bills. They are also relatively easy to maintain. You'll just want to avoid one key mistake when cleaning plantation shutters: A water-based cleaner can create excessive moisture, causing the wooden shutters to potentially swell, warp, or grow mildew over time. Weekly dusting with a microfiber cloth or feather duster can prevent buildup, while a wood-safe solution can work for a deeper clean. Just be sure to dry each slat carefully after wiping them down.

Gaines made a black-and-white case for going a bit bold with bathroom flooring on Season 3, Episode 12 of "Fixer Upper." The handcrafted Marta Cement Tile she chose for her clients' space feels like a modern farmhouse spin on the more timeless black and white checkerboard look. "I knew I wanted to carry the light and bright feel from the rest of the home into here, so I added floor to ceiling subway tile," Gaines detailed of the makeover on her blog. To warm it up, she went with "a classic-yet-interesting patterned floor tile."

Handmade by skilled artisans, the premium cement tiles stack up to $10 a piece, plus the cost of hiring the recommended professionals to install them. But for those who feel they can handle a complicated DIY, there are a slew of must-know tips for a perfect tile floor installation. Among the crucial intel: Calculating how many tiles you need to cover the space (it's smart to order at least 15% more than you think you need to allow for cuts and any repairs down the line) and the trick to keeping everything in line.

Sometimes Gaines' job involves fitting a square peg in a round hole. Or, as was the case in Season 1, Episode 7 of "Mini Reni," squeezing an eye-catching and functional vanity into a smaller sized bathroom. Measuring the space, Gaines detailed, "We have to be really thoughtful about the depth, the width, because of all the doors." But having to set back each of the sides to allow for the door to open proved to be a blessing. "I love how the vanity really grounds the space," said Gaines, "but also pushing back those sides of the drawers because of the entry, that makes for a really cool design."

The biggest ticket item in the space, it was crafted from locally-sourced white oak and topped with quartz and a concrete vessel sink. But particularly handy types could DIY their own custom bathroom vanity that doesn't cost a fortune. With some plywood, wood screws, wood stain, a drill, saw, tape measure, and the ability to follow YouTuber Angela Marie Made's instructions, you can craft your own custom creation.

A longtime proponent of oldie but goodie trends, Gaines is a big fan of zellige tiles. Known for their unique, perfectly imperfect aesthetic, the glazed handmade Moroccan tiles give any space a delightfully retro feel. And when designing a bathroom for her sister in Season 5, Episode 6 of "Fixer Upper," Gaines leaned in to her sibling's love of blue, stacking two different shades of zellige tile for a decidedly eye-catching feature. Her creation had "no grout," she noted. "It's kind of this fun, dry stacked handmade tiles."

With their natural vibe, there's a whole host of materials you can pair with zellige tiles for a stunning look. Whether you choose brass, gold, or copper fixtures and granite, marble, quartzite, or natural wood surfaces, the result will be a stunning, earthy vibe. And while Gaines opted for a grout-free look when creating her sister's home, she knows it's not an insignificant detail. Sometimes stark white is the answer, but other times, she'll opt for a creamier tone, or lean into another color. "I like to see grout in person, on site, with the actual tile," Gaines explained in a clip on Instagram from Season 1, Episode 7 of "Mini Reni." The way Gaines feels, she continued, is "if you've spent that much time on the colors and the actual material itself, why not spend just as much time to make sure that that grout color ties everything together?"

Sometimes Gaines' creations are truly a masterpiece. Such was the case when she created a dreamy spa-like atmosphere for the bathroom on Episode 6 of "Fixer Upper: Welcome Home." The effect of covering the entirety of the shower in a hand-painted tile, raved Chip, was to "make you feel like [you're in] an outdoor shower." A stunningly beautiful one at that. "It's all hand-painted," added his wife, "It just looks like art."

No wonder it's a tile trend that's set to take over showers and bathrooms. Traditional delft tiles, handmade in Delft, Holland, are seeing a spike in popularity for a reason, though their delicate, intricate designs will cost you in the neighborhood of $100 for a set of four. A budget-friendly option is to create your own, using unfinished ceramic tiles, stencils, and paint markers, like Artistro's Acrylic Paint Markers.