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5 Steps To Refresh Your Bathroom For Spring

Okay, I know, it’s still cold — and technically, we have weeks of winter ahead. But, this is the time of year when we all start itching for change—longer days, softer light, and a home that starts feeling like spring … even if the weather hasn’t quite caught up yet. So, it could be time for a refresh!

And what’s one of the easiest places to start? The bathroom!

Hear me out. There’s something about a freshly styled, clutter-free, beautifully scented bathroom that just feels like a nice deep breath. It’s one of the few spaces in your home where small changes go a long way. No paint cans or power tools required. Just a few intentional swaps to lighten things up and make everyday routines feel a little more luxurious.

This isn’t about decorating with pastels and florals—that’s not the vibe. It’s about bringing in pieces that feel fresh and natural while still working year-round. Here’s how I’m styling ours for the season.

Want to read up more on how we designed our bathroom from the hard materials, to the design challenges, read this post outlining the ‘Primary Suite Reveal’ and learn more about this addition!

 

High Desert Tumalo Ranch | Bend, Oregon | Bathroom | Tile | Shower Design | Vanity
Photo by: Zee Wendell

Step One: Refresh and Reset the Space (aka Strip It All Down)

Before I add anything, I like to do a total bathroom reset. If you’ve ever wondered why your space doesn’t feel as calm and effortless as the bathrooms in your Pinterest saves, I can almost guarantee it’s because there’s too much stuff everywhere.

So, first things first: clear everything off the counters—skincare, toothbrushes, the five hand soaps you’ve somehow accumulated. Then, give everything a good wipe down, restock essentials, and only bring back what actually needs to be out.

This alone makes the space feel brand new. And bonus: it forces you to get rid of old products you’re no longer using.

 

High Desert Tumalo Ranch | Bend, Oregon | Bathroom | Interior Design | Bathroom Fixtures | Cafe Curtain
Photo by: Zee Wendell

Step Two: Swap Heavy Linens for Fresh, Lighter Textures

Winter calls for thick, fluffy towels and dark, moody colors. But heading into spring, lighten things up—both in weight and in color.

This season, I’m swapping our usual bath towels for these plush, oversized Turkish ones. They have that perfect in-between weight—still luxe and absorbent, but not too heavy. Think spa-like, but actually functional.

And, if you don’t have a dedicated towel hook? Add one! It’s one of those simple upgrades that makes your bathroom feel instantly more pulled together. A single brass hook near the vanity — or a row of pegs on the back of the door — can make all the difference. We used these and I love how simple but elevated they look!

Lastly, a tufted wool rug in a creamy ivory color is the perfect addition to make your bathroom feel brighter and softer while transitioning from winter to spring. I just bought this scalloped one and it’s so soft!

 

Serene bathroom scene featuring a classic clawfoot tub with a natural wood bath tray styled with a candle, handmade soap, and a luxurious bath brush. A soft, waffle-knit towel drapes over the tub’s edge, adding texture and warmth. In the background, a sculptural ceramic vase with a lush green fern brings a fresh, organic touch to the space. The large black-framed window lets in natural light, creating a peaceful, spa-like retreat.
Photo: Bozeman Media Design

Step Three: Bring in Something Alive (Or At Least That Looks Alive)

I used to think fresh flowers in a bathroom were over-the-top, but hear me out—it makes a big difference. Even a single branch in a sculptural vase instantly makes the space feel styled.

This season, I’ve been arranging my flowers in this silver fluted vase. It’s simple but elevated, the kind of piece that looks beautiful even when empty.

And, if you don’t want to commit to keeping fresh stems stocked? Try a small potted plant (like a fern or eucalyptus) or even a faux arrangement—just make sure it’s a good one. No neon green leaves allowed.

 

A beautifully designed bathroom featuring a freestanding clawfoot tub, a double vanity with marble countertops, and gold fixtures. The space is styled with a woven basket filled with plush towels, a cozy bath mat, and vintage-inspired sconces flanking a tall mirror. Natural light streams through the windows, enhancing the neutral tones and textures.

 

Step Four: Style Your Surfaces Like a Designer

There’s an art to making your bathroom counters feel intentional instead of cluttered. My rule? Style in small groupings, and keep it practical.

Here’s what I keep out on the vanity:

A catchall tray (like the Petal Brass Tray) to corral my everyday jewelry and skincare.
A candle or diffuser with a fresh, clean scent.
Again, a sculptural vase or small pot for holding miscellaneous things (like a toothbrush) is always a good idea. Everything should have a designated home.

For the tub area, try layering in a wood bath tray, a pretty loofah or sea sponge, and a small bowl for bath salts. It’s functional but still looks styled.

If you’re short on space, use a basket for towels instead of a traditional towel rack. Just place it somewhere convenient–maybe an empty corner by your shower, or next to your tub (if you have one). 

 

A close-up of the clawfoot tub with a rustic woven basket filled with fringed towels, sitting atop a terracotta hexagon-tiled floor. The gold faucet and a soft linen curtain add to the warm and inviting aesthetic, while the candle sconces on the wall cast a soft glow.

 

Step Five: Filling That Empty Wall Over the Tub

For the longest time, we’ve had this small wall by our bathtub that just felt … unfinished. I didn’t want to add another piece of art, and I wasn’t about to install anything wired.

Enter: the hand-forged iron candle sconce.

This was one of those simple, why didn’t I think of this sooner moments. The sconce holds taper candles, requires no hardwiring (bless), and adds a warm, beautiful ambiance in the evenings. Seriously, nothing makes a nighttime bath feel more like a spa moment than candlelight flickering on the walls.

If you have an empty wall in your bathroom that feels like it’s missing something, consider a candle sconce to refresh the space. It adds a sculptural element and a functional light source—without needing an electrician.

 

A luxurious bubble bath setup in a clawfoot tub with a wooden bath tray holding a lit candle, a ceramic vase with greenery, and bath essentials. The glow of candle sconces on the wall adds a warm ambiance, complemented by a gold faucet and a soft curtain framing a large window with a view of nature.

 

A Spring Refresh Without the Overhaul

If you’re feeling stuck on where to start, here’s my advice: pick one thing to swap out. Maybe it’s your towels, maybe it’s adding a catchall for your essentials, or maybe it’s simply removing what you don’t use anymore (because less visual clutter = more calm).

And, if you’re ready to give your space a fresh start, I’ve rounded up everything I used for this refresh—all timeless, effortless, and seasonally perfect without feeling too “springy”— and you can shop them all here.

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This was such a strange full-circle moment. I could immediately remember being 30 years old, standing in those rooms with Derrick and trying to figure out what the heck we were doing!! We had ideas. We weren’t afraid of a project. I had loved design long before it became my career. But I didn’t have a process yet.

Now, after 15 years of designing homes for other people, I can see exactly what I was missing: a way to make the decisions as a whole instead of one at a time (and on my own).

That’s probably why The Design Suite feels so personal to me. It’s built for someone who reminds me a lot of myself back then—the homeowner who appreciates beautiful spaces, is happy to execute, but wants an experienced design team to establish the vision and work through the decisions before the orders are placed and the contractor needs answers.

And you don’t have to do it all tomorrow. Having the plan means you can implement it at the pace that makes sense for you. I would’ve loved to have that roadmap in this little Portland house.

If you’re standing in your own version of it right now, wondering where to begin, I’d love to hear about it.
🤎 Send me a message or head to the link in our bio to inquire about The Design Suite.
September always does something to my design brain.
These are 5 things I can’t stop pinning right now as we head into fall. Some were already working into our own home and some are showing up in client projects.

I’m going much deeper on all five in today’s Design Board Pinnings—how I’d actually use them, the ideas I’m saving, pieces I’ve sourced + a few things we’re doing at Sixth Street.

It lands in inboxes later today. Comment ‘LIST’ (or link in bio) and I’ll send you the link to subscribe so you don’t miss it.
Interior designer by day. Reluctant content creator... also by day, apparently.

When I started this business in 2022, I knew I’d be designing homes, meeting with clients, sourcing, problem solving, running a team-all the things I genuinely love.

What I didn’t quite account for was how often I’d have to stand in front of a camera and attempt to form a coherent sentence.

Almost four years in and, unfortunately, this part has not gotten any easier. But sharing our work, my ideas, the things I’m learning and even some of the messier parts of running a small business has become such a big part of what we do.

So here’s a little peek at what normally gets cut from the final edit.

Fellow designers/business owners... please tell me I’m not the only one with 47 takes of a 10-second sentence.