(a.k.a. What I Learned While Crying Over Wallpaper and Breaking a Sink)

image by pinterest

Let me just say this: designing a “charming English cottage bathroom” sounds a lot more romantic than it actually is.

When I first decided to redo ours, I had visions of soft florals, a clawfoot tub, and maybe even a cute little basket of lavender next to the sink. What I ended up with was a crooked wallpaper panel, a chipped thrifted sink I dropped (twice), and a tub I had to wedge through the door by removing it from its hinges at 10 p.m.

IMAGE BY PINTEREST

It was chaos. It was not Pinterest. But it was so worth it.

Cottage-style bathrooms aren’t about perfection—they’re about warmth, charm, and making a space feel like it has a little history (even if your house was built in 2004). Whether you’re working with a tiny budget, a rented space, or just dreaming big, here are the 15 things I added (or wish I had) that brought that old-world, lived-in, deeply cozy vibe into our bathroom.

image by pinterest

Freestanding Clawfoot Tub

The clawfoot tub was non-negotiable for me. I found mine on Facebook Marketplace for $120 and drove two hours to pick it up. The thing weighed more than a fridge and nearly broke the stairs—and my back. But now, every time I light a candle and soak, it’s worth every bruise.

If hauling an antique isn’t your style, there are gorgeous new options online. This one on Amazon is polished and romantic without being precious:

🛁 Vintage-Style Clawfoot Bathtub Faucet with Hand Shower – Polished Chrome
See it on Amazon ›

Beadboard Walls for Texture

This was one of my favorite transformations. We installed beadboard halfway up the wall and painted it a soft sage green. It instantly made the space feel like it had been there forever. Also: it hides weird patches and bad paint jobs.

If you’re renting—or scared of power tools—there’s a peel-and-stick version that honestly looks just as charming from a few feet away.

 Peel-and-Stick Beadboard Wallpaper – White Wood Grain
See it on Amazon ›

Floral Window Treatments

The curtains were my emotional support purchase. I found faded floral fabric that reminded me of my gran’s old kitchen in Devon (it smelled like tea bags and fresh bread). I turned them into little cafe curtains, and suddenly the bathroom had soul.

Can’t sew? I’ve been there. These Roman shades are a close match and come ready to hang:

🌸 English Garden Floral Roman Shade – 100% Cotton
See it on Amazon ›

Antique-Style Vanity

We didn’t have the budget for a real antique vanity, so I went with a weathered wood one and swapped the knobs for vintage brass pulls I found on Etsy. Close enough, and no plumbing nightmares.

If you want a ready-to-go version, this one is pretty and practical:

🪞 Rustic Bathroom Vanity with Porcelain Sink – Weathered Oak Finish
See it on Amazon ›

Wrought Iron Towel Hooks

No one ever talks about towel hooks, but I swear they make a difference. I replaced our builder-grade towel bar with three black iron hooks and it changed the whole wall. They’re easier, prettier, and they don’t fall off the wall when the kids yank their towels down.

Plus, they look amazing against beadboard or painted plaster.

🖤 Vintage Farmhouse Towel Hook Set – Wrought Iron
See it on Amazon ›

Fresh or Faux Flowers

I used to think flowers in the bathroom were unnecessary. But the first time I stuck a few sprigs of lavender into a chipped ceramic pitcher, everything changed. The space felt alive. When I don’t have fresh flowers, I fake it. Zero shame.

🌼 Artificial Lavender Flowers in Rustic Jug Vase
See it on Amazon ›

Wicker Storage Baskets

You know the mess of extra toilet paper rolls, hair tools, and things you don’t even remember buying? Wicker baskets are the magic that hides all that while still looking effortlessly charming. I keep one by the tub, one under the sink, and one for emergency chocolate. (Yes, in the bathroom. Don’t judge.)

🧺 Wicker Bathroom Storage Baskets – Set of 3
See it on Amazon ›

Classic Pedestal Sink

There’s something so graceful about a pedestal sink. We switched ours out when the old vanity started sagging, and I swear the whole bathroom breathed a sigh of relief. It’s a small detail, but it adds so much personality.

🚿 Victorian-Style Pedestal Sink – Porcelain White Finish
See it on Amazon ›

Arched Wall Mirror

I spent weeks looking for a mirror that didn’t scream “modern farmhouse.” I wanted something that looked like it belonged in a 200-year-old cottage—and this arched mirror with a distressed gold frame was exactly it. It softens the whole room.

🪞 French Country Arched Wall Mirror – Distressed Gold Frame
See it on Amazon ›

Botanical Wall Art

Here’s my trick: thrift a few mismatched frames, print out some vintage botanical illustrations, and scatter them in a semi-chaotic (but intentional) layout. You want it to feel like your quirky aunt who collects plants put it together—not an interior designer.

Warm Wall Sconces

Harsh overhead lighting is the enemy of cottage bathrooms. I replaced our builder-grade fixture with two soft-glow sconces, and suddenly I didn’t look like I hadn’t slept in three years. Bonus: they feel like something out of a Jane Austen movie.

💡 Antique Bronze Bathroom Wall Sconce – Set of 2
See it on Amazon ›

Cottage-Core Porcelain Accessories

Small touches like a floral soap dispenser or toothbrush holder bring the theme full circle.

🫧 Shabby Chic Porcelain Bathroom Set – 4-Piece
See it on Amazon ›

Soft Cottage Paint Colors

Paint is one of the easiest ways to transform your bathroom. Think sage green, dusty rose, warm white, or soft blue-gray.

🎨 Sage Green Interior Wall Paint Sample – Peel & Stick
See it on Amazon ›

Vintage-Style Rug

I resisted putting a “real” rug in the bathroom for ages. Then I caved and found one that looked like an antique but was washable (because, well, toothpaste happens). Suddenly the whole room felt cozier.

🧶 Vintage Distressed Bathroom Rug – Non-Slip & Washable
See it on Amazon ›

Bath Tray with Candles & Books

On the rare nights I get the house to myself, I fill the tub, light a candle, and set up my little bath tray with a book and a mug of tea. It’s my way of escaping to the English countryside—without leaving my tiny suburban bathroom.

📚🕯 Rustic Bath Tray with Book Holder & Candle Stand
See it on Amazon ›

Creating a cottage bathroom doesn’t require a full renovation. With the right textures, soft colors, vintage touches, and a few charming Amazon finds, your space can feel like a page out of a Jane Austen novel—cozy, inviting, and full of personality.

Whether you’re swapping out your towels for something more rustic or investing in a clawfoot tub, let your style guide you. The beauty of English cottage design is that it feels personal, collected, and never overly polished.