Transforming your bathroom can be a fulfilling project that revitalizes one of the most essential rooms in your home. Whether you’re looking to make small updates or undertake a complete overhaul, this guide will walk you through how to update your bathroom effectively, focusing on key elements such as the shower curtain, the entire room’s ambiance, wall space utilization, and the aesthetics of bathroom walls.
With the right approach, you can quickly transform your bathroom into a stylish and functional space without breaking the bank.
Bathroom Update vs. Remodel
A bathroom upgrade is a collection of easy do-it-yourself projects that improve the features of your bathroom at a low cost. Painting, replacing hardware and fixtures, and hanging a new shower curtain are examples of bathroom updates. For homeowners who wish to maintain their bathroom’s current design and functionality, bathroom updates are ideal.
A bathroom renovation may cost more and take longer to complete. Projects that take several days or weeks to finish may be included in the scope. Local building rules frequently demand that renovation projects be completed safely, requiring the services of professionals. This could consist of:
- Refinishing or replacing the shower or tub
- Adding a standalone bathtub
- Installing seamless glass paneling
- Adding an extra sink or showerhead
- Installing new ventilation systems
- Relocating plumbing or electrical features
- Tiling the shower, walls, and backsplash
Let Local DC Construction take a look at these updates and remodel ideas to guide you on your bathroom upgrade.
1. Shower Curtain: A Simple Start
The shower curtain is often an overlooked feature that can make all the difference in your bathroom’s appearance. Replacing an old shower curtain with a new one is a low-cost, simple way to add freshness and style. Consider a white shower curtain for a clean, timeless look, or choose a pattern that complements the existing colors in your bathroom. Shower curtains not only add character but also have a practical role in keeping water off the floor and can add dimension to the space.
2. Entire Room: Cohesive Design
When upgrading your bathroom, think about the entire room’s design. This doesn’t mean you need to change every single element, but updating key components can significantly enhance the whole room’s look and feel. A cohesive design ensures that your bathroom feels harmonious and inviting. Consider painting the walls, replacing old tile with new tile, or adding an accent wall for a bold statement. These changes, while potentially small, can collectively transform the entire look of your bathroom.
3. Wall Space: Maximizing Function and Style
This space in a bathroom is prime real estate for enhancing both function and style. Bathroom walls offer opportunities to add shelving for towels, soap, cotton swabs, or decorative items, hang new towel bars, or update the medicine cabinet for additional storage. Painting the walls can breathe new life into the room, with a fresh coat of paint making a significant impact. If you’re working with a small bathroom, utilizing it cleverly can help maximize the area you have, making the room feel larger and more organized.
4. Bathroom Walls: Adding Personality and Texture
The walls of your bathroom are an excellent canvas for adding personality and texture. Consider creating an accent wall with a bold color or textured tile to add interest and depth to the room. For a more subtle update, painting the lower portion of the walls with a neutral color and the upper portion with a lighter shade can add visual height and openness. Adding clear polyurethane over painted bathroom walls can protect them from moisture and wear, ensuring your updates last longer.
Key Upgrades to Consider
There are various crucial updates to consider when looking to upgrade the bathroom such as lighting, hardware, tile, etc.
Shower Head and Fixtures
Replacing your shower head and other fixtures with modern, efficient models can add both functionality and aesthetic appeal. Options like matte black or brushed nickel can give your bathroom a contemporary look.
Vanity and Sink
Updating your vanity or sink can dramatically change the feel of your bathroom. A pedestal sink can save space in a small bathroom, while a modern vanity can provide both style and storage.
Lighting
Improving the lighting is a simple yet effective bathroom update. Consider adding more natural light if possible or upgrading to modern fixtures that provide better illumination and energy efficiency.
Flooring and Tile
New tiles on the floor or in the shower can transform the space. Dark gray tiles can add a modern touch, while lighter tiles can make a small bathroom feel larger.
Strong tiling extends beyond the wall. For an updated look on a budget, consider laying a new pattern on the floor. “This makes the most noticeable difference, and there are lots of good options for around two dollars a square foot,” Smith explains. One more clever suggestion for any surface: Aragon advises taking a sheet material, such as quartz, from the kitchen. “You’ll use less grout, which makes it much easier to clean.”
Hardware and Accessories
Don’t underestimate the impact of new hardware and accessories. New towel bars, hooks, and a stylish bath mat can make your bathroom feel like new without a major overhaul.
In a matter of hours, you can create a cohesive suite design by replacing your shower controls and other hardware. Start by replacing the hardware on your cabinets if your sink, tub, and shower fixtures are in good shape.
Boost Cabinet Efficiency
Pullout shelves can be added to deep cabinets to keep toiletries visible and organized. Installing these movable surfaces in cabinet interiors saves you from having to rummage through items you already own or make additional purchases. Place bins and baskets within sliding shelves to store extra linens or cleaning supplies.
Budget-Friendly Tips
You can remodel your bathroom without going over budget. After a few quick do-it-yourself projects, you can have the appearance and feel of a brand-new bathroom. Although renovating a bathroom might cost up to or more than $30,000, homeowners can get noticeable before and after effects in as little as one day.
Paint
A new coat of paint is one of the most cost-effective ways to update your bathroom. Choose moisture-resistant paint designed for bathrooms to ensure durability. Declutter and clean, then paint walls a new color and add better storage—this is the least expensive method to make a large difference.
Paint the walls a neutral hue—not blue, green, red, or any other color that contains color. Stick to beige, creams, light grays, extremely pale tans, and white walls. Nothing dark. Dark colors are not appropriate in this small space. Generally speaking, the best color for you and prospective buyers is something light and neutral.
Applying paint to the vanity is an additional inexpensive way to bathroom update. Even while it could be tempting to replace the vanity completely, applying paint can still improve the room’s appearance while also drastically reducing costs.
DIY Updates
Tackling simple DIY projects like re-grouting tile or replacing a shower head can save cash and add personal satisfaction. To create a completely new look, a few new towels and a room smell can work wonders.
Shop Smart
Look for sales at home centers and online. Consider refurbishing or repurposing items to save money.
Consult an Interior Designer
If you’re planning a major renovation, consulting with an interior designer can be a worthwhile investment. They can provide ideas that save money in the long run and help avoid costly mistakes.
Hang Artwork
Although wall décor and artwork are typically the last things to be considered for bathrooms, it adds personality and alters the atmosphere of the space.
Hang Bathroom Mirror
Invest in some new, reasonably priced accessories for your bathroom area, such as a statement round mirror and eye-catching patterned wall covering. Creating your own wallpaper for a small space over the weekend is the fastest method to change it. Complete the ensemble with a gilded mirror, which gives the functional area a hint of glitz.
Refresh the Grout
Giving worn-out tile a fresh look doesn’t require replacing the entire floor in the whole room. In reality, the grout’s look can be significantly enhanced only by giving it a thorough cleaning. Altering the grout’s color is an additional choice. Consider using grout colorant to transform light grout to dark gray for a more contemporary appearance. To alter the grout lines’ color, a colorant is brushed on, and any excess is removed from the tile using a sponge or cloth. Although this is a laborious and time-consuming operation, you may improve your bathroom for less than $50 if you do it yourself.
Ready to Transform Your Bathroom?
Embarking on the bathroom updates journey can seem daunting at first, but with the right approach and a bit of creativity, it’s within reach. Whether you’re aiming for minor enhancements or a complete overhaul, the power to transform your space is in your hands. Remember, even the smallest changes, like a new shower curtain, new tub, bathroom mirror, proper room light, rack for towels, or a fresh coating of paint, can breathe new life into your bathroom.
Are you inspired to start your bathroom transformation? Gather your ideas, set your budget, and take the first step toward creating the bathroom you’ve always dreamed of. If you are finding this difficult, Brickfront’s subsidiary, Local DC Construction will help.
And, if you’re looking for more tips, design ideas, or guidance on your next home improvement project, don’t hesitate to reach out to professionals like us at Local DC Construction or explore further resources. Your perfect bathroom awaits. Let’s make it happen!