Is your bathroom outdated? Are the tiles old and discoloured? Do you want to make a change but don’t have the time or budget for a major renovation? Rest assured there are some easy things you can do to refresh your bathroom and disguise the less desirable features. Here are 5 money-saving bathroom makeover ideas you can do over a weekend without involving your plumber or contractor:
1. Deep Clean and New Textiles
If you have an outdated bathroom chances are you have some form of coloured 4×4 tile. While these coloured tiles had their day they might not fit with the spa-like vision you have in mind for your bathroom today. First and foremost give the tiles and grout a good clean. Grout can get dingy and discoloured over time, scrubbing it with a small brush and baking soda can brighten it up. If that doesn’t work consider painting the grout for a fresh look. Next, change out your bathroom textiles such as your towels, bath mat, and shower curtain. Consider textiles in either a complementary or contrasting colour to your existing bathroom. For example, if you have beige tile consider crisp white towels and a white waffle shower curtain, or if you have black and white tiles consider a bold contrasting colour like chartreuse green for your hand towels and accents.
2. Replace the Showerhead, Lighting and Mirror
Create a spa-like shower experience at home by replacing the showerhead in your shower. From rain shower to eco-friendly, replacing it is as easy as twist on, twist off. Adding a new mirror to your bathroom will immediately give it a modern look. There are so many options available for mirrors today, have a little fun and experiment with something unique like an octagon or pill shape mirror. Finally, replace the lighting in your bathroom with a more modern light fixture. The juxtaposition of the old with the new will create an eclectic inviting look.
3. Fresh Coat of Paint
In a room used so often, it is important that your bathroom makes you feel good and aligns with your style. A fresh coat of paint on your bathroom walls can have a huge impact on the space and how it makes you feel. Quick tip, start by selecting a colour you love, then select one shade lighter. A colour can come across as very saturated in a small room so it’s always safe to go a bit lighter.
4. Keep the Vanity, Replace the Counter-Top
An old solid wood vanity makes a great upcycle project. Give it a fresh coat of paint, install some new hardware and replace the countertop with a new modern stone-like Quartz. If the old vanity is shorter than current vanity heights ask your stone provider to increase the counter height with a beveled waterfall edge to create a slab look. Replacing your countertop is a bit more involved but is a cost-effective solution to updating your vanity.
5. Install New Tile
Installing new tile can be an intimidating project if you’ve never done it before but if the old tile is removed properly, installing new tile is a cinch. If it is your first time consider an easier tile layout like subway or stacked to avoid intricate cuts and waste (use a handheld tile cutter or rent a tile saw from your local hardware store). If it’s in your budget tile the entire wall for a more modern look. Whether you’re replacing the tile or towels, small changes in your bathroom can have a big impact.