An Easy Bathroom Makeover On A Budget

One area of the home that is commonly overlooked when it comes to upkeep and refurbishment is undoubtedly the bathroom. Despite being a crucial area of anyone’s abode (your bathroom is a place to relax, soothe and revive), many bathrooms can be left to stagnate for years with old fittings and dated interior, with most people choosing to focus on the other, more immediately visible rooms of the home instead.

A sure reason for this is that refurbishing any bathroom can indeed be costly, especially if it requires the replacement of major facilities, such as the shower stall or bathtub. But if you’re just looking to brighten up your bathroom and give it a new, inviting vibe, then this can easily be achieved without having to dig deep into the pocket. Here are some of our tips to give your bathroom that cheap and effortless renovation you desire.

It’s the Little Things...

Sometimes all a bathroom really needs is a few perky flourishes here and there, to inject a bit of individuality and make others feel almost at home. If your bathroom flaunts a modern, simplistic design, this is a bonus, as you’ll have pick of a whole host of colours and accessories that will look great no matter what.

Try choosing a shower curtain with a bold print, or colour coordinate it with a lovely new batch of fresh, fluffy towels and mat. Bundling up your towels and tying them with ribbon is a delightful way to store them and create a cosy, warming atmosphere. Display them snugly on a piece of crystal-look shelving along with clear coloured decanters for all of your bathroom necessities. All of your toiletries will match in this way, giving an elegantly organised look.

Don’t forget to add a touch of spa with some candles and coloured tea-light holders, which can be bought very cheaply from any home improvement or department store. You may decide to buy clear ones and then paint them yourself, or get the kids to help you! A piece of art hung in the bathroom is always a winner, but be sure that it is in a moisture-resistant frame, and avoid oil paintings.

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Image from homeartblog.com

Replace and Renew

Some small aspects of your bathroom may need throwing out or renewing, but that doesn’t mean they can’t be replaced for a minimal cost. Changing things like the sink taps, the shower head, and door handles may be all you need to give the place an updated shine. You can also choose from many beautiful chrome, nickel or gold-plated fittings that are sure to give your doors, sinks and cabinets a dazzling finish.

You may also decide to install a new set of bathroom blinds, and replace your toilet seat lid with one that matches your current colour scheme. Frosted glass transfers can be an ideal way to give your shower screen an immediate lift, and are available in a range of designs and patterns.

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Don’t Hesitate to Think Big

If your budget will stretch, you may opt to renovate a couple of bigger items in your bathroom, such as the mirror or cabinet, and you could introduce some stylish shelving, which can do wonders for both storage and visual appeal.

If you’re looking to give your shower or bathtub area a new glow, shower wall makes an unbeatably sleek alternative to tiles, coming in a variety of colours and designs and being much easier to clean and maintain. Should you need to replace your old bathroom suite, look for a good deal or sale at your local bathroom shop, or head to auction sites like eBay where you can find some wonderful second-hand suites that look brand new.

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Light It Up

Finally, lighting is something that can drastically improve the look and feel of your bathroom, without you needing to do much else. If you have florescent lights, try replacing the bulbs with ones that have a warmer glow – your local bathroom store will be able to help with this.

You may decide to place small sconces either side of your mirror(s), whilst placing a heat lamp over the shower or tub can work wonderfully for those chilly bathrooms, delivering both warmth and an inviting glow. On the other hand, sometimes just a simple shaded hanging lamp (with a water-resistant shade) can make an elegant fitting, whilst a cheap chandelier will add a touch of glamour and extravagance.

Perhaps the cheapest way to update your current bathroom lighting is to simply install a dimmer switch, so you can enjoy all points of the spectrum. This will enable you to make use of the bright light on cold winter mornings, as well as indulge in the soft dim glow whilst taking a relaxing bath in the evenings.

You may decide to only make one or two of these changes to your bathroom as opposed to giving it a complete overhaul, but even they alone are probably enough to give it some enlivened energy. Many of these tweaks and changes can be mixed and matched so that you can identify the weak spots in your bathroom and work accordingly. It is likely that you will only need to make a handful of changes before your bathroom starts to take on a fresh life of its own.