Easy Ideas for Updating an Outdated Bathroom Without Spending a Fortune
Giving your bathroom a new look does not have to cost a fortune. There are numerous, simple, and cost-effective ways that you can breathe new life into this essential space. You can make a few strategic changes to your bathroom’s appearance and style to create a more inviting sanctuary.
By focusing on key accessories such as hardware, soft textiles, and paint, you can achieve a fresh and modern look without a significant financial investment. Whether you want a quick refresh or a more substantial update, these simple and inexpensive ideas will keep your bathroom both aesthetically pleasing and functional.
Updating an Outdated Bathroom
Updating an outdated bathroom can be a fun and creative process that results in a new look that better reflects your personal style.
Refresh Paint
A new coat of paint can completely transform the appearance of any bathroom. Choosing light neutral colors will brighten the room and make it appear larger, creating a welcoming and pleasant atmosphere. Dark colors are ideal for other bathrooms where you want to create an intimate, cozy, and dramatic style. Painting is a simple project that you can complete on your own over the weekend with a few tools.
Hardware Updates
A simple project that can enhance the appearance and usability of your bathroom is replacing outdated hardware. Consider replacing your door knobs and drawer pulls, faucets, and shower and bathtub accessories with updated metal options such as polished nickel or brass to instantly elevate and modernize the bathroom’s style.
When you choose specialty fixtures, such as rainfall showerheads or those that use smart technology options like remote controls and voice activation, you can give yourself a spa-like experience in your own bathroom.
Mirror Switch
The mirror is often a prominent focal point for a bathroom, so ensuring that the mirror is stylish and attractive goes a long way toward updating the look of the room. Often, bathrooms come with standard-grade, frameless mirrors that lack a distinctive form. Consider replacing these types of mirrors with ones that have a unique shape or distinctive frame. For the most cohesive look, be sure to coordinate the materials of the mirror and the metal hardware.
Upgrade Lighting
Changing the lighting in the bathroom is an excellent budget project because there are often a small and limited number of fixtures that you need to replace. Lighting is essential to the functionality and ambience of a space, so selecting the right ones is critical.
Consider replacing outdated fixtures with updated options that provide better lighting and are more visually appealing in the space. Wall sconces, pendant lights, chandeliers, and lamps are examples of fixtures that can add flair in addition to utility.
Swap Out Soft Textiles
Soft textiles provide exceptional value for money. You can quickly change the look of your bathroom by replacing old accessories, such as towels, bathmats, and shower curtains, with new ones in fun colors and patterns. To give your bathroom a more luxurious appearance and ensure that they lasts as long as possible, always purchase soft textiles made of high-quality materials such as linen and cotton.
Include Decorative Elements
Adding ornamental elements to your bathroom can give it a more lively and unique atmosphere. Wall art instantly elevates a bathroom, but it does not have to be expensive.
Shop at a secondhand store for quirky or distinctive pictures, or print and frame some of your favorite photos. You can even create your own or use your children’s artwork to decorate your walls. Trays, baskets, decorative jars, natural sponges, and candles are also useful for creating the perfect ambience in your bathroom.
Just Add Wallpaper
Wallpaper is a simple and quick way to add glamorous style and texture to your bathroom. New peel-and-stick options are preferable to traditional paste varieties because they are much easier to install.
Depending on your time and budget, you can use wallpaper to highlight a single wall or cover the entire space. Wallpaper comes in a wide variety of patterns, colors, and textures, so you are sure to find one that complements your bathroom style and preferences.
Renew Grout and Calk
Old grout and caulk can become discolored and cracked, giving your bathroom an out-of-date appearance. Removing and replacing old caulk and grout, or deep cleaning existing grout, can improve the appearance of your bathroom. This is a maintenance task that improves the appearance of the bathroom while also ensuring that the grout and caulk are water resistant, keeping the elements underneath dry.
Replace or Paint the Existing Cabinet
The cabinet is frequently the largest piece of furniture in the bathroom, so its appearance dictates the overall style of the room. Evaluate your existing cabinet and consider painting it or replacing it entirely. Painting and replacing the hardware on an existing cabinet is less expensive, but replacing it may be a better option if yours has an unappealing countertop and you can find one you like that is all-inclusive.
Install Wall Paneling
Wall paneling, such as shiplap or beadboard, not only adds depth and texture to a bathroom, but it also shields the wall from stray water splashes that could damage the surface. Consider a half-panel solution for your walls for the most cost-effective and functional solution.
You can use wood for the paneling, but it must be sealed with either paint or stain to stay protected. PVC molding is a durable and cost-effective option for bathrooms. Once painted, this will have a nearly identical appearance and feel to wood. Paint the wall molding a darker color than your walls to give your wall paneling a more modern appearance.
Repurpose and Upcycle
Look for items you already have in your home or low-cost second-hand items that you can repurpose for use in the bathroom. A wooden stool, for example, can be used as a decorative side table, while a wooden ladder can serve as a towel holder. A vintage saucer or bowl works well for storing decorative hand soap or shower essentials.
Most of these items only require a scrub and polish or a fresh coat of paint to become an indispensable part of your bathroom decor. These small details can make the difference between a bathroom with a distinct style and one that looks the same as everyone else’s.
Introduce Greenery
Plants and cut greenery are nature’s gift to us, and they make gorgeous displays in every room of the house. Live plants can be tricky in bathrooms because not all of them have light, so it is essential that you know your space.
Plants such as rex begonias, orchids, and ferns can make excellent additions to bathrooms with plenty of natural light; they will not only add a vibrant pop of green to the space, but will also benefit from the humidity. In bathrooms with little or no natural light, add some cut branches or faux greenery. Even if you have to replace the cut branches on a regular basis, the fresh color will immediately brighten your space.
Increase Your Storage
There are few places where storage is more vital than in a bathroom. Increasing bathroom storage is not only beneficial; it also makes your bathroom look cleaner and more appealing.
Adding shelves, baskets, and under-cabinet organizers allows you to store more efficiently in a smaller space. Floating shelves offer a stylish way to display toiletries, plants, and decorative items such as wall art. Over the toilet storage shelves, known as bathroom etegeres, fit over the toilet and provide ample storage without taking up much floor space. Baskets and bins under cabinets or on shelves can help keep items organized and easy to find.
Add New Window Treatments
Bathroom window treatments are more than just a way to add privacy and control over light; they can also change the appearance of a bathroom. Depending on the shape of your window and your privacy and light control requirements, you can choose from a variety of styles, such as full-length curtains, cafe-style curtains, roller shades, Roman shades, or blinds.
Above all, your window treatments should provide adequate privacy while also being simple to clean, use, and maintain. Layering different window coverings can help to add depth and texture to a room while also providing more privacy.