Refresh your bathroom on a budget

Refreshing a tired bathroom doesn’t require ripping everything out and starting again. Updated fixtures, newly-painted ceilings and smart storage solutions can help the space feel cleaner, brighter and more stylish while not breaking the bank.

Deep clean

One of the quickest and cheapest ways to improve how your bathroom looks and works is to give it a deep clean.  Simple things like scrubbing tiles until they shine, getting rid of black mould and descaling the shower head can make a huge difference.

Declutter

As a busy room, the bathroom often gets cluttered. Try to keep surfaces as clear as possible. Uncluttered surfaces are easier to clean and look better. Turn out your medicine cupboard to make more space. Check expiry dates for make-up and medicines. Charity shops may welcome any unopened toiletries or perfumes you’re never likely to use.

Add extra storage

Try to ensure everything has a place.  Add shelves, a few caddies or baskets for your lotions and potions. If you have a little wiggle room in your budget, splurge on a new sink-vanity unit as a practical and stylish addition to your bathroom. Some have pull out drawers with inserts to help you arrange and store items so you can view contents easily. Wall-hung cupboards and free-standing shelves also work well for stowing items such as shampoo bottles.

Update your fixtures

Splash out on shiny new taps or bath mixer or shower head to update your bathroom. A new shower head will not only look more contemporary but should improve your bathing experience.  If you update towel rails, toilet roll holder and soap dispensers too, you can choose matching products in a chrome, ceramic or wood finish to complete your bathroom’s new look.

Restore the classics

Updating doesn’t always mean throwing away the old. Clawfoot steel bath tubs are popular with many homeowners who are revamping their current bathroom. They are great for luxurious soaks after a long, hard day. Chipped tubs can be repainted and re-enamelled to match your new-look bathroom. If you don’t want to do it yourself, there are specialist companies that can refurbish your clawfoot tub at a fraction of buying new .

Revamping a bathroom
Revamping a bathroom

Repaint walls and ceiling

If the paint is flaking or there are mould spots that just won’t budge, then repaint the ceiling and/or walls. Visit House Move Pro, one of our sister websites to see the article ‘Top tips on how to paint a wall’. Freshly painted white walls can help a room look new again or you could refresh the décor with a new colour, perhaps a sunshine yellow or contemporary light grey. Remember to choose a paint that is anti-mould. It may be slightly more expensive but worth it to stop your bathroom looking grungy.

Colour co-ordinate

Simple things can make all the difference. With just a fresh coat of paint and a few accessories, you can lift the look of your bathroom. If you have a white bathroom, inject a shot of colour with fluffy towels and bath mats.

Brighten up with a new mirror

Bring an outdated bathroom into the 21st century with an LED mirror or magnification technology. Essential for putting on make-up and shaving, mirrors can also help a small room look bigger. Choose from illuminated bathroom mirrors, shaver socket mirrors, wall mirrors and mirrored cabinets offering hidden storage.

New blinds

Blinds don’t just guarantee your privacy but can help finish the look of a bathroom. With a wide range of fabrics and finishes to choose from, you should find a style to suit your bathroom. Wipe-clean and moisture-resistant UPVC roller blinds are suitable for most bathrooms. From fun prints to textured plains, all in waterproof materials, roller blinds can be cut to fit your window. Other popular options include wood effect blinds that are water resistant and aluminium venetian blinds in bright colours and metallic shades that don’t rust.

Add some spa luxury

When you need to relax, it’s hard to beat a warm bath lit by candlelight. Adding accessories, such as scented candles and fluffy towels, can transform your bathroom into a luxury spa experience. If your bathroom is big enough and has plenty of natural light, then you bring the outside in with some greenery. An orchid on your window sill is a good choice as it will thrive in a moist environment.