Luxury bathroom retailer Drench warns that excluding key features like bathtubs can knock £11,000 off property values and delay sales by two months.
While bathrooms often become neglected, outdated, and worn down through day-to-day use, property staging expert Liv Conlon said creating a luxurious look does not require a costly renovation. "You don't need a luxury renovation budget to make a bathroom look expensive," Conlon said. "Most high-end bathrooms rely on clever styling, consistency and good lighting rather than costly structural changes. Affordable styling techniques help ensure your bathroom doesn't become the room that costs you thousands."
Influencers and celebrities such as Molly-Mae have showcased high-end bathroom designs that appeal to prospective home buyers.
Cohesive Colour Schemes
Conlon explained that a luxury bathroom "almost always sticks to calming, cohesive colours." While homeowners may want to follow recent colour trends, she advises selecting warm neutral shades to create a "timeless and calming feel."
"Soft whites, warm beige tones, taupe, stone, and muted greys tend to appeal to the widest audience," Conlon said. "Buyers want bathrooms to feel clean and relaxing, so softer earthy palettes often outperform colder clinical tones."
Hotel-Inspired Styling
In addition to cohesive palettes, influencers including Sophie Habboo demonstrate how hotel-style touches create a tranquil environment.
A glistening bathroom can be one of the most luxurious parts of a hotel stay, where fluffy white towels and expensive products provide a sense of tranquility. Conlon said creating this hotel feel with simple touches "is one of the easiest ways to make a bathroom look more premium without renovating."
"Keep the styling minimal but intentional," Conlon said. "Use your towels and bathmats to layer texture and make the room feel warm and inviting."
Decluttering and Organization
Over months and years, bathrooms accumulate clutter such as used shampoo bottles, hairbands, toothbrushes, and half-empty toothpaste tubes. Taking time once a month to remove unused or unwanted items helps buyers "focus on the space itself, rather than everyday essentials," Conlon noted.
"Clear away overly personal items and branded products," Conlon advised. "Replacing them with matching dispensers and high-end hand soaps makes the styling feel cohesive, intentional, and professionally designed."
Soft Lighting and Spa Details
Celebrities like Stacey Solomon have highlighted spa-inspired bathroom designs as home buyers increasingly seek features focused on ultimate relaxation.
Lighting can completely transform the appearance of a bathroom space. "Lighting is what separates an average bathroom from one that feels expensive," Conlon explained. "Soft, warm lighting creates a more flattering atmosphere." She recommends space-saving options such as a wall-mounted sconce or a mirror with built-in lighting.
Demand for spa-inspired designs and homewear has grown rapidly. "Spa-inspired bathrooms are hugely popular because buyers are prioritising wellness and escapism at home," Conlon said. "We're seeing strong demand for natural materials, textured stone finishes, brushed brass hardware, fluted detailing, and organic shapes. Fresh greenery, and a few carefully styled accessories in wood or stone create a design-led spa-like feel."
Finishing Touches and Scent
A bath or shower revamp can transform a space, as demonstrated in bathrooms like Myleene Klass's.
Investing in finishing touches makes a bath or shower feel more luxurious. "If you have one, you can upgrade the look of your bath with a few accessories and a simple bath tray," Conlon said. "If you have a walk-in shower, keep the glass spotless and add some eucalyptus stems." She noted that these "affordable styling techniques can help create the polished, high-end look buyers expect."
Finally, fresh scents make potential buyers and guests feel welcome. "Scent has a profound ability to trigger emotions, it's why you'll often hear people suggesting freshly baked bread as a property-staging tactic," Conlon said. She recommended clean smells such as citrus lemon as the most popular home fragrance associated with freshness. "Top tip is not to use anything too strong, as you don't want to give potential buyers a headache!" Conlon added.
