How to refresh the bathroom
You don’t need a total renovation project to breathe new life into your bathroom.
Whether yours is looking tired and worn or you’ve been stuck with that ‘70s colour scheme for too long, refreshing the paint, fixtures and fittings could transform your bathroom completely. No matter your experience in DIY, it’s worth learning some of the most efficient ways to refresh the space.
5 simple steps to renovating your bathroom on a budget
- Declutter
Your first step should be to purge the bathroom of anything that you no longer need or use. Even if you keep extra toiletries in there, it’s likely that these serve no practical purpose to your bathroom on an everyday basis.
From face wash to spare deodorant and disposable razors, chuck out anything you don’t use. If you have unopened products that you simply won’t use, it’s worth donating them to your local food bank or humanitarian charity.
- Colour code
Next, switch out your fabrics and linens and make sure everything’s in order.
Colour coding in the bathroom is surprisingly simple: take the mismatched towels and mats away and replace them with something uniform instead. You could strike a contrast with the colours on the walls or keep things in line with the ceramics on the bathtub. Use your creative licence to add focal points and structure, one of the 7 elements of interior design.
- Refresh the tiles
If you’ve got some old tiles in your bathroom with some scruffy grout too, it could be time to remove and replace the lot. Luckily, tiles can be purchased cheaply from most hardware stores – or you could choose a luxury option from an independent trader.
Tiling is a fiddly process that requires patience, but you don’t need any prior experience to do a good job. Just make sure you do the first few attempts in an inconspicuous area.
- Replace the bathtub
Why not switch to a sleeker bathtub?
Whether you choose a freestanding bath with claw feet or something that fits flush against your new tiles, there are so many ways to create a striking focal point with the bath. If you’re stuck for inspiration, it’s a good idea to visit a bathroom showroom for bathtub inspiration.
Remember, if a bath doesn’t suit your style or cater for your family’s practical needs, there’s no need to have one in your bathroom. You might prefer to strip out an old bathtub and replace it with a modern walk-in shower, ideal for those cool, minimalist spaces.
- Add a mirror
Finally, nothing creates the illusion of more space in a bathroom quite like a large mirror.
Whether you’d like to open the space or brighten it up with more natural daylight, a mirror could be the best way to harness the power of the sun. This could be mounted on any wall that’s big enough, but you should also check the thickness and material type too. If you’re unsure on how to mount it or the materials to use, don’t hesitate to ask a professional.
