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Updating your bathroom doesn’t have to be a large investment. With a few tricks and ideas, you can transform your bathroom into a renovated space. From simple DIY projects to storage solutions, these 19 budget-friendly updates will help you create a newly renovated room.
1. Set a Serene Scene: Tailored Treatment
A window treatment or update can elevate your bathroom’s space. Roman shades add a finished look and give you the chance to customize your room with different colors or patterns. To add privacy without affecting light, consider applying window film to the lower sash. Also, coordinating your window with another part of the room can create a more cohesive space.
Similar to shown: Gila window film, about $35 for a 4-by-6½-foot roll; The Home Depot.
2. Colored Claw-Foot
Painting the exterior of a cast-iron bathtub can update your space and create a focal point in the bathroom. Sage green, for example, can create a calming effect while adding personality. This simple update can make older fixtures look brand new without needing replacement. Pair the color you choose with other fixtures and accessories for better harmony.
Similar to shown: All Surface Enamel Oil Base in Bonsai Tint, about $22 per quart; Sherwin-Williams.
3. Streamlined Sink
Rectangular vessel sinks are a great way to modernize your bathroom. The clean lines provide a nice contrast to traditional fixtures like a claw-foot tub. Updating your sink, which is cheaper than purchasing a new tub, is a great way to keep your bathroom from feeling dated.
4. Add Unexpected Touches: Vintage-Inspired Vanity
Repurposing gently used desks as a sink console adds character and functionality to your bathroom. With a coat of high-gloss white paint and updated hardware, you can save money and increase storage space. This DIY project adds a personal touch to your space at a fraction of the cost.
Similar to shown: Cosmas cabinet knobs, about $5 each; Doorcorner.com.
5. Wood Countertop
Incorporating wood into your bathroom using a real wood or wood-look laminate countertop adds warmth to the space. You can pair it with an undermount sink and extend the materials up the wall for a modern look. Remember to use a water-resistant finish to protect the wood from moisture. You can install matching wood shelves for a cohesive and well-designed room.
Try Formica in Amber Maple, from about $15 per square foot, installed.
6. Tiled Baseboard
Create a unique border by extending your floor tiles several inches up the wall instead of using traditional molding. A basketweave pattern, for example, adds texture and visual interest while serving as a more practical option compared to wood baseboards. This option protects the lower part of the wall from splashes and drips that can lead to rotting and mold.
7. Reinterpret the Classics: Cottage-Style Cabinet
Wall-mounted medicine cabinets can save you money and installation time. This cabinet is easier to install than a recessed model and can still provide a good amount of storage space for bathroom essentials. Choose a style that complements your overall bathroom design and add decorative knobs or internal shelving for better functionality.
Similar to shown: Zenith Medicine Cabinet, about $150; The Home Depot.
8. Standout Ledge
Add a decorative touch to your subway tile wainscot with a DIY ledge. Create this by topping an upside-down one-piece baseboard with rounded window-stool trim, adding cove molding where the two meet. You can use the ledge to display and hold small plants, soaps, or decorations.
9. Marble Hex Tile
For a simple DIY installation, you can use marble hexagon tiles on your bathroom floor. Mesh-backed sheets are relatively easy to install and can transform your space. Coordinate the marble tiles with other elements, such as countertops or shower surrounds, for a more unified look.
Similar to shown: Carrara White Hexagon Mosaic Tile, about $30 per sheet; Marble Online.
10. Bring in Warm Accents: Petal-Power Pendant
Balance rustic elements like a wood-frame mirror and shelving with a hanging light made of shells. This combination is visually interesting and creates a blend of textures in your bathroom. Incorporating other natural materials, such as woven baskets or greenery, provides a warm, inviting atmosphere.
11. Window Mirror
Add architectural character to your space above your sink with a window-style mirror. This element is practical and creates the illusion of more space and light in your bathroom. Pairing the mirror with matching fixtures and trim can create a cohesive design.
12. Wood Shelves
Installing wood shelves above your toilet can help maximize storage. Cut pine boards to size, stain them to match your decor, and support them with cleats at both ends. You can add decorative brackets or support for a nicer finished look.
Similar to shown: 2×10 Douglas fir boards, about $24 per 8-foot length; The Home Depot.
13. Tie it All Together: Library Light
Install a sconce with an articulated arm above your medicine cabinet for style and functionality. The light fixture adds a personal touch to your bathroom while providing effective lighting. Choose a sconce light design that complements other fixtures in your room.
14. Double-Duty Fabric
Create a matching window shade and shower curtain out of fabric. Choose a lightweight cotton that won’t block light and is easy to wash. Remember to hang a waterproof liner behind your shower curtain to protect it against moisture.
15. DIY Sink Stand
Build a simple sink by mounting an edge-glued panel over 2×2 legs reinforced with corner braces. Paint it in a coordinating color to tie into your bathroom’s color scheme. This DIY project lets you customize the height and design of your sink, accommodating a drop-in basin or a unique vessel sink.
16. Surprising Storage: Bath-Friendly Bar Cart
Repurpose a bar cart as a mobile storage space for towels and toiletries in your bathroom. Choose a cart with multiple tiers to maximize the amount of storage you want. Adding decorative items, such as plants or candles, can transform your bar cart into a functional and cohesive bathroom storage space.
17. Surprising Storage: Customized Pails
Transform galvanized steel buckets into storage containers for your bathroom. Personalize them with paint to distinguish between items for kids’ bath gear or adult toiletries. This solution adds functionality and charm to your space. Labeling the pails can also keep items organized and accessible.
18. Surprising Storage: Towel Tree
Installing a coat rack into your bathroom is a necessity for hanging wet towels. You can choose a model with integrated storage if you have a smaller bathroom and can’t fit a repurposed desk or bar cart. This helps keep your bathroom organized and clutter-free, especially if you have multiple people using one bathroom area.
19. Surprising Storage: Vintage Dresser
Add a vintage dresser for a nice touch to your bathroom. This provides linen storage with deeper drawers, while its delicate construction keeps it from overwhelming the space. Look around antique shops, flea markets, or online marketplaces for a budget-friendly dresser. Pair the furniture with other vintage or antique pieces for a cohesive design.