10 Budget-Friendly Ways to Update Your Bathroom
Beautify your bathroom with these simple and cost-effective changes
A full bathroom overhaul can be a daunting task. However, if the basics are fine but a little on the boring side, these pick-me-ups could be just the thing to pep up the space. And, even better, they’re quick enough to get done in a weekend, giving your washspace a fresh new feel by Monday morning.
2. Slot in a shelf
Easy to put up, useful to have and cheap to buy – what’s not to love about a simple bathroom shelf? Whether you go for wood, glass or metal, use your new addition as a place to display your nicest toiletries and a few pictures – whatever takes your fancy, really. The other bonus? It frees up precious cabinet space for the less picturesque bathroom essentials…
Easy to put up, useful to have and cheap to buy – what’s not to love about a simple bathroom shelf? Whether you go for wood, glass or metal, use your new addition as a place to display your nicest toiletries and a few pictures – whatever takes your fancy, really. The other bonus? It frees up precious cabinet space for the less picturesque bathroom essentials…
3. Paper one wall
Here, a standout wallpaper has turned a bland white space into a stylish retreat. Keeping the background of the wallpaper white, to match the white walls, means the bold pattern sits nicely within the room, rather than leaping out like an over-obvious feature wall.
If the paper you choose isn’t designed for the bathroom, simply put a coat of Decorators Varnish (available at DIY stores) on it to protect it from water and steam.
How to wallpaper for the tropics
Here, a standout wallpaper has turned a bland white space into a stylish retreat. Keeping the background of the wallpaper white, to match the white walls, means the bold pattern sits nicely within the room, rather than leaping out like an over-obvious feature wall.
If the paper you choose isn’t designed for the bathroom, simply put a coat of Decorators Varnish (available at DIY stores) on it to protect it from water and steam.
How to wallpaper for the tropics
4. Swish in a curtain
A new shower curtain is a tried-and-tested bathroom update, but here a delicate lace curtain on a simple pole makes a pretty alternative to a blind or window film. Going for a shade that matches the wall colour (dye a white curtain if you can’t find the colour you want) adds to the charm of this room.
A new shower curtain is a tried-and-tested bathroom update, but here a delicate lace curtain on a simple pole makes a pretty alternative to a blind or window film. Going for a shade that matches the wall colour (dye a white curtain if you can’t find the colour you want) adds to the charm of this room.
5. Enliven with a chair
Monochrome bathrooms are a safe bet, but can sometimes feel a little bit too, well, safe… If you’re not quite ready to get out the roller and rev up the walls with an eye-popping shade (or go for a statement floor like this one), how about a lovely bright chair instead? This yellow number adds instant flair and, what’s more, it doubles up as useful towel storage. Bingo!
Monochrome bathrooms are a safe bet, but can sometimes feel a little bit too, well, safe… If you’re not quite ready to get out the roller and rev up the walls with an eye-popping shade (or go for a statement floor like this one), how about a lovely bright chair instead? This yellow number adds instant flair and, what’s more, it doubles up as useful towel storage. Bingo!
6. Change the grout
Admittedly, ‘new grout’ might not sound the most exciting phrase in the lexicon of interior design, but unassuming grout punches above its weight when it comes to impact, instantly banishing any unsightly stains and making bathroom tiles look like new. And if you branch out into the world of coloured grout, plain tiles can be given a very different look, as seen with the striking yellow grout used here.
Admittedly, ‘new grout’ might not sound the most exciting phrase in the lexicon of interior design, but unassuming grout punches above its weight when it comes to impact, instantly banishing any unsightly stains and making bathroom tiles look like new. And if you branch out into the world of coloured grout, plain tiles can be given a very different look, as seen with the striking yellow grout used here.
7. Clad the panel
Bleached wooden cladding, fixed horizontally, adds a pleasingly Scandi touch to a plain white bathroom. Another easy update is to luxe up your loo seat – swap a bog-standard (ahem) white one for a wooden design, as seen here, or maybe a black one in a more traditional-style scheme.
See more ways to use wood in a bathroom
Bleached wooden cladding, fixed horizontally, adds a pleasingly Scandi touch to a plain white bathroom. Another easy update is to luxe up your loo seat – swap a bog-standard (ahem) white one for a wooden design, as seen here, or maybe a black one in a more traditional-style scheme.
See more ways to use wood in a bathroom
8. Tile a backsplash
Like the idea of a Moroccan vibe, but don’t want to go the full souk when you soak? Add a smattering of the look with a tiled backsplash behind the sink. When teamed with a coordinated wall shade and mirror frame, the end result is super stylish. A few luxury products and an exotic orchid create a classy finish.
Like the idea of a Moroccan vibe, but don’t want to go the full souk when you soak? Add a smattering of the look with a tiled backsplash behind the sink. When teamed with a coordinated wall shade and mirror frame, the end result is super stylish. A few luxury products and an exotic orchid create a classy finish.
9. Hang an extra rail
Not only does this peg rail add charm, but it will also (hopefully) help put an end to towels being left on the floor. Another neat idea, as seen here, is to utilise a ladder rail for extra towel or clothes storage.
Not only does this peg rail add charm, but it will also (hopefully) help put an end to towels being left on the floor. Another neat idea, as seen here, is to utilise a ladder rail for extra towel or clothes storage.
10. Curate a gallery
The bathroom is often overlooked when it comes to artwork, but rather than just staring at a blank wall at bath time, how about resting your eyes on something a little more enlightening? Cluster a group of pictures together, as seen here, to really maximise their impact.
A sumptuous curtain and a patterned rug instead of a bathmat are other simple ideas that give this space a non-standard look.
Tell us
Have you got any easy bathroom updates? Share your ideas in the Comments below.
More
Browse bathroom designs
The bathroom is often overlooked when it comes to artwork, but rather than just staring at a blank wall at bath time, how about resting your eyes on something a little more enlightening? Cluster a group of pictures together, as seen here, to really maximise their impact.
A sumptuous curtain and a patterned rug instead of a bathmat are other simple ideas that give this space a non-standard look.
Tell us
Have you got any easy bathroom updates? Share your ideas in the Comments below.
More
Browse bathroom designs
Been hankering after some beautiful patterned tiles, but don’t have the budget for the whole room? This striking feature panel illustrates how you can satisfy that craving without draining the finances. And it’s a great example of how creative thinking can transform a plain space.