The Good Design Journal
9 Small Bathroom Upgrades That Make Mornings and Nights Easier
Let’s be honest, the bathroom is the hardest-working room in the house. It’s where the day starts, where it winds down, and where every routine plays out on repeat. Which is exactly why the right details matter. A soap dispenser, a bin, a mirror; when they’re well designed, they stop being background noise and start making the space feel considered.
We’ve rounded up nine bathroom upgrades that prove small changes have big impact. They keep things moving, keep things looking good, and make the daily rinse-and-repeat a whole lot smoother.
And with a few simple bathroom upgrades, even the most ordinary routines start to feel considered.
1. Soap, Sorted
ZONE DENMARK Ume Soap Dispensers
Skip the branded plastic bottle. The Ume Soap Dispenser has a soft-touch coating that feels solid in the hand and a pump action that’s smooth, not squeaky. It’s a small swap that instantly makes the bathroom feel intentional instead of improvised.
2. Wall Space That Works
DESIGNSTUFF Shelf with Dual Soap Dispenser Holders
When bench space is non-existent, this shelf steps in. A slim ledge holds your daily bits, while two circular cut-outs grip soap, sanitiser, or moisturiser bottles. It’s function layered onto the wall, and the kind of fix you’ll notice every single morning.
3. The Clutter Box
FERM LIVING Mist Box
Bathrooms breed odds and ends. The Mist Box hides them without looking like an afterthought. Its resin body has a smoky swirl that disguises the contents and adds texture to the space. Stack a couple together, slide one into a corner, or leave it out on show, either way, the mess is gone and the bathroom feels pulled together instead of chaotic.
4. Soap Bar Status
FERM LIVING Vuelta Portable Lamp
For anyone who’s ditched liquid soap, this dish gives your block bar a proper home. The resin finish looks like poured smoke, while the ridged base keeps things drained instead of soggy. Countertop upgrade: achieved.
5. Glass You’ll Use
METTE DITMER Modest Soap Dispenser
This dispenser has just enough colour to feel personal without shouting. The frosted glass body shows the soap level at a glance (practical when guests are on the way) and brings an easy, graphic detail to the basin.
6. The Wiper You’ll Love To Reach For
ZONE DENMARK Ume Wiper with Holder
Water spots don’t stand a chance if the wiper isn’t buried in a cupboard. The Ume mounts on the wall, looks neat, and its silicone edge clears every drop. Easy grab, quick swipe, shower glass saved.
7. Hooks That Aren’t an Afterthought
FERM LIVING Cairn Hooks
Each hook is slightly different in silhouette, so they feel collected, not clinical. Made from dark-stained timber, they give the bathroom a natural anchor point, and make even the act of hanging a towel feel considered.
8. Magnification, Without the Plastic
ZONE DENMARK Illuminated Standing Mirror
This mirror doesn’t wobble, doesn’t look cheap, and doesn’t leave you guessing. Strong magnification and a lit edge mean nothing gets missed. And the best part? It stands sturdy on the bench, no installation required.
9. Order on the Wall
EKTA LIVING Towel Rack
Rolled towels stay fresh and visible, not crammed in a cupboard. Mounted on the wall, the rack creates a clean vertical stack that doubles as storage and display. It’s a detail you usually only see in hotels or spas, but once it’s up, you’ll wonder why you didn’t do it sooner. A small install, with a big shift in how the whole bathroom feels.
What are the easiest bathroom upgrades to start with?
Start small. Swap out generic soap bottles for a design-led dispenser, add a couple of hooks, or bring in a wall-mounted shelf to free up counter space. These bathroom upgrades don’t need tools or renovation budgets, but they instantly change how the room feels and functions.
Do bathroom upgrades really make a difference?
Absolutely. Bathrooms are where routines happen on repeat, so the details add up. A good dispenser, a clutter box, or even a towel rack means less mess, less stress, and more flow to your mornings and nights. These upgrades are about efficiency first, with design as the bonus.
How can I make a small bathroom feel bigger with upgrades?
Focus on wall space. A mounted towel rack, soap shelf, or hook system clears the bench and the floor, making the room feel more open. Portable pieces like mirrors or storage boxes also help, because they add function without crowding the space. Smart bathroom upgrades don’t just tidy things up — they create breathing room.
Are design-led bathroom upgrades worth the investment?
Yes, because they change how you use the space every day. Unlike trend pieces that date quickly, well-made accessories solve real problems — from storage to soap to shower care. They’re upgrades you’ll interact with constantly, which makes them some of the hardest-working design choices you can make.
There's no routine is too small for good design.
Bathrooms run on repetition. Wash, wipe, store, repeat. When the accessories are right, those cycles stop feeling like chores and start feeling like rituals. That’s the whole point of Ritual Architecture: products that shape the flow of a space through order, function, and detail.
From shelves that free the counter, to bins and boxes that keep clutter invisible, to dispensers and mirrors that you touch every single day, these aren’t extras, they’re the structure that makes the room work.
Explore the Ritual Architecture capsule to find the upgrades that turn routine into rhythm. You’re not just organising a bathroom, you’re building a system that makes daily life easier to live with.
The capsule built for better routines and rituals.
