The average person spends up to 1 hour and 42 minutes in the bathroom, or nearly 92 days over a lifetime, according to a survey. So it’s natural to want our bathrooms to be cozy and inviting. Unfortunately, there are many things that can single-handedly ruin the bathroom experience and make it that one room in the house that you don’t want other people to see.

Bright Side put together a list of the most common bathroom design mistakes to avoid and tips on how to do that.

1. Plastic shower curtain

According to a designer, it’s easy to go wrong with a shower curtain: “too many frills, crazy, annoying patterns, or anything that needs special care is a problem.” In the case of plastic curtains, they look a bit cheap, which brings down the overall ambiance of the room. Nylon or water-resistant fabrics are better options in this case.

2. Small sink

We get it, small bathrooms don’t allow for massive objects, but there are ways to figure out a sink option that won’t leave your entire surroundings soaked. For example, it’s advised to go for a rounder sink — it’ll save space and prevent you from bumping into corners.

Also deeper sinks can be real life-savers. They will allow for you to get more sink area, without having to sacrifice bathroom space.

3. Color-clashing on the walls

Carpets aren’t a good idea for a bathroom in general as they are “a magnet for moisture and its by-products.” So if you’re keeping your floor clean, then do the same with the toilet cover. You don’t need more spots that need extra cleaning in your bathroom than you already have.

5. Bad lighting

When choosing a bath mat you’ll have to combine both functionality and style. It’s also acceptable to have several bath mats if your space allows for it. In this case, you’ll have more freedom in choosing something you like.

Look for non-slip and water-absorbent mats to put next to a bath or a shower. Rubberized fabric is very efficient and comfortable in this case. But if your heart calls for something fluffier, you can put a small rug next to the sink, it doesn’t have to absorb water as well as the mat, but you’ll appreciate the soft touch under your feet every morning.

10. Small mirrors

Houseplants give bathrooms a special vibe. If you’re not great at decorating, then plants are the best way to go to make the space look more exotic and homey.

However, you need to choose your plants carefully, to avoid them dying one after the other in your often damp bathroom. Some of the houseplants that will flourish in moisture include ferns, bamboo, cyclamen, and others.

Which feature ruins the bathroom interior the most for you? What are some of your favorite ideas on how to improve a bathroom?