13 Ways to Improve Your Bathroom (The Easy Way)
13 Ways to Improve Your Bathroom (The Easy Way)
This week, I can’t help but think about how desperately my bathroom needs a little love right about now. Maybe my cluttered cabinets have finally gotten to me. Who knows.
So if you’re looking for a simple weekend refresh project or you’re hoping to do a little more than that, I’ve got 13 easy ways (and some inspiring spaces) to get your bathroom feeling so fresh and so clean, clean.
(Image via Ayesha Pearce)
Here are 13 ways to get your bathroom looking fresh and clean…
This all white bathroom, owned by Alyson Fox, is giving me major inspiration to get started with spring cleaning. It’s so minimal and clutter-free. Love the plant hanging from the shower head too. In such an open space, with a lot of white, it’s a nice way of breaking up potential monotony.
(image via Domino)
13 Tips for Refreshing and Decorating a Bathroom
1. Tame the clutter.
Let’s start with something simple that’ll cost you nothing.
If you’re like me, you’ve somehow accumulated WAY to many (nearly) empty bottles of skin and hair products over the years. And those little guys have got to go at some point.
So it’s time to binge, binge, binge! Keep the good stuff and toss, recycle, or donate the rest.
I’d recommend doing this every 3-6 months, if you can, not just when you get that itch to spring clean. It’ll help make you more mindful of waste, and it’s usually a great way to kick start a more serious bathroom refresh.
2. Add storage.
After you’ve taken some time to declutter, add in storage baskets, shelves, over-the-toilet units (yes they make a few that aren’t hideous) to keep clutter at bay, or to at least help disguise it in between deep cleans. Bottle wall hangers like this one are great for small spaces and add chic hotel vibes for very little effort.
Bonus points for neutral pieces (like the ceramic basket above) that can transition from season to season to save money.
(Image via Ferm Living)
3. Install new or update old fixtures.
Second to new mirrors might be new fixtures. I’m talking lighting fixtures and water fixtures. Love the unlacquered brass faucet in the bathroom above from husband and wife team, Al and Imo.
If buying new lights and faucets sets you way over budget, consider refinishing your existing ones instead. You can actually paint them pretty easily using rust resistant metallic spray paints.
(Image via al + imo)
4. Throw on some fresh paint.
This might be more for homeowners, but painting is always a great option for a budget-conscious makeover.
Paint your vanity cabinets, an accent wall, change the color of the grout in your tile. The options are endless and because it’s a smaller space, you won’t have to purchase much paint!
If you’re feeling ambitious, you try your hand at painting tile floors as well. I did that in our guest bathroom a while back and have no regrets!
(Image via Domino – photo by Kelly Christine Sutton)
5. Hang up some art.
Putting art on the walls makes your bathroom feel less like a place you go to um, well…and more like an actual living space.
I always like to add affordable framed prints or other pieces that won’t mind a little humidity here and there.
(Image via Ayesha Pearce)
6. Swap out your shower curtain.
This upgrade is super affordable, and can make a huge difference in your space because it takes up so much visual real estate.
There are truly TONS of options out there for under $50 (from trendy to traditional). West Elm and Urban Outfitters have a really good variety of shower curtain styles for under $50 right now.
Or if you wanna invest in something classic longterm, The Citizenry has some beautiful options. That’s where my shower curtain above is from and I love it. Available here.
Oh, and if you’re willing to fork out a little more, trade those basic shower curtain rings for something a little more exciting too.
7. Update your bath mats/rugs.
Old bath mats are, well, gross. Wash and donate the old one and go for something a little more eye-catching.
There are so many fun bath mats out there these days, but I typically go the refined route for textiles…even bath mats.
And for those who might cringe at the thought of a wet vintage Persian / Moroccan rug, I say this:
- They look amazing! Can’t argue with me on that one.
- They’re much more durable than you think.
- If you have a well-ventilated bathroom, you’ll be fine. You can always take 10 more seconds to dry off in the shower so you’re not drenching your rug in wet hair run-off.
(Image via TRNK)
8. Bring in some fresh scents.
Another cheap and easy way to give you all the fresh spring vibes is to swap out those wintery scents you’ve been using for something more of the season.
I’m totally guilty of using my Christmas scented soaps long past the holiday each year, but finally swapped them out for spring.
I love picking up floral, citrusy, or herbal hand soaps, along with a new candle, and even room spray to change things up.
You can also make your own candles and concoct a custom scent just for you. Making candles is honestly super easy. I make a handful pretty much every season, and especially around the holidays for gifts. I have a detailed tutorial here that takes you through the whole process: how to make candles like a pro.
(Image via The Fresh Exchange)
9. Switch out your linens.
A new set of towels somehow has the amazing ability to jumpstart any bathroom makeover (maybe that’s just me?).
Go for a nice spring color option, or stick to neutrals with some bright whites.
If you’re looking to keep things under budget, opt for a fresh set of hand towels that complement your existing linens.
(Image via Slow Roads)
10. Change out your hardware.
I can’t tell you how many times a new set of knobs has transformed my furniture and cabinetry.
Only takes a few minutes to change out, and usually won’t cost you much. Try this DIY leather cabinet pulls project for a super affordable upgrade.
(Image via Phoebe Chuason for Veneer Designs)
11. Replace your builders grade mirror.
I’ll say it again, replace your builders grade mirror! If you have any leftover room in the budget – say $50-$150 extra – this should absolutely be on your list of upgrades.
Taking down a generic, ugly old vanity mirror in exchange for something more high-end and modern can make a huge difference.
Bathroom mirrors have this strange ability to either stand out as a focal point, or gently complement a focal point that already happens to exist, say a rad backsplash or bold vanity.
Go with what works for your style, space, and budget – you won’t be disappointed!
(Image via Lulu and Georgia)
12. Introduce some greenery.
A simple way to bring life back to a space, even a bathroom, is to add some greens. Add them to your vanity or shelving, hang them from the wall, or fill a corner of the room.
I built a shelf in my son’s (very small) bathroom and added a String of Turtles plant that has been doing really well in there!
No natural light?
If your bathroom gets little to no natural light, you can always go for faux plant or faux monstera leaves, etc.
13. Add backsplash or wallpaper accents.
Depending on the size of your bathroom, installing new backsplash (like I did in my small bathroom ideas makeover) or wallpaper accents could be great way to freshen things up.
There are seriously so many interesting ideas circulating on Pinterest right now, from full-blown floor to ceiling to smaller vanity backsplashes, there’s something for pretty much every budget.
And there are renter-friendly options for wallpaper as well, that are removable, but still make a huge impact. In my renter-friendly yellow bathroom makeover I did removable wallpaper and there was NO damage whatsoever when I removed it a year later.
(Image via Imprint House – home of Courtney Adamo)
That’s it for now. I hope you found a few takeaways that you bring to your own home to refresh your bathroom, without having to pay for a professional.
Have your own bathroom refresh ideas to share? Let me know in the comments below.