Help! Advice needed. How to update this bathroom?

7 years ago

last modified: 7 years ago

Hi everyone,
We've just moved in to this flat and have spent most of our budget changing the floors and replacing the kitchen. The rest of the flat is now very modern/Scandi and this master bathroom seems very outdated in comparison. We don't really have money to completely replace it (we've been quoted around £4000). Does anyone have suggestions on how we could update this bathroom so it is more modern and welcoming?
I should mention that the wall tiles around the sink don't continue behind the cabinet, so any replacement units would have to "cover" the same amount of wall.
Thanks in advance!

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PRO

User

7 years ago

I'm in total agreement with Jonathonandb1972. I think the wall tiles are quite modern. The flooring lets the whole thing down and replacing it would vastly improve the overall look. You could also go for a dark chocolate feature wall to match in with the flooring on the wall with the sink and mirror.

I noticed the bottom of the shower, i have just done the same with bendable acrylic sheet matched to the colour of the walls in my downstairs shower room. ( So you can access the pipework )

We have ( my wife has ) - just finished this room, choosing not to hack the tiles from the wall as it makes a big old mess, she's covered over the tiles with Tongue and Groove and re-tiled the inside of the shower.

Transformed the old place! She's a clever old stick and a top tiler!

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Comments (17)

minnie101
7 years ago
Hi. I think you're going to struggle to change the vanity with the boxed in pipes. If in budget I'd change the taps to modern black ones. I'd change the floor to a wood effect vinyl or a black and white patterned vinyl (there are some geometric ones around which would look nice). If you were to go for a wood floor I'd paint the walls in something like dulux Egyptian cotton. If you can find a space for the towels add a plant there. I can't upload a pic for some reason but the ikea Stockholm mirror would work and is suitable for bathrooms. The Meraki range of soaps etc is nice for a modern look and not too dear. If you have the space I'd add a wooden stool and accessorise. I've got a vintage one from Ines Cole which was £60 but you could add one similar to the pic without accessories.
pastelgirl01 thanked minnie101
minnie101
7 years ago
Mirror! IF it fits as it's 80cm
pastelgirl01 thanked minnie101
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pastelgirl01
Original Author
7 years ago
That's a very cool mirror! And very affordable at £60. Thanks! Also like the idea of adding a stool. We will do something about the towels/storage - this is just temporary. But I really hate the sink and bath.

I thought of painting the wall/ceiling a cool white/light grey to cool down the cream a bit.
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minnie101
7 years ago
My mum had the same vanity and was pleased to get rid of it! I think the bath's ok but it would look better with flush side and end panels. Again I don't think it will be easy to change though due to the boxing in but hopefully someone with DIY knowledge can advise. The walls look a fairly cool white already? I think I'd probably go for a greige/stone shade. Another thing you could do is change the colour of the grout on the floor so they dont stand out as much if you don't want to put down a vinyl. You can buy tile grout pens from any DIY store
pastelgirl01 thanked minnie101
pastelgirl01
Original Author
7 years ago
Good point about the panels on the bath! The whole bathroom is done in a very "customised" way - by a developer - making it very hard to change. I also thought about grout colour - will have a look for those pens.
Jonathan
7 years ago
You can get a replacement vanity that is the same size but if I were refreshing this on a shoestring I try to warm this up. I would cover the floor tiles with a wood effect vinyl replace the taps with bigger chunkier taps, replace the loo seat and buy a much bigger mirror then paint the walls a warmer colour that matches the new floor.
pastelgirl01 thanked Jonathan
pastelgirl01
Original Author
7 years ago
That's an interesting idea about warming it up. My instinct was to cool it down - I don't like the beige - but maybe it's better to 'embrace' it, so that it looks intentional.
A B
7 years ago
I have been there with a perfectly adequate but not to my taste bathroom. I probably spent #300-500 painting, changing floor and taps and accessorising but I still didn't really love it, and felt it let the rest of the house down. I ended up redoing the whole thing within 2 years. Looking back I wish I'd just redone it sooner and not wasted my money on half way measures...
pastelgirl01
Original Author
7 years ago
Jen P, I know what you mean! We are likely to sell the flat in two years, so I'm also wondering whether it's a worthy investment (perhaps it's better to leave something for the buyer to do ?). But I also feel that no matter what I do, I won't love the room.

Man about the house, your shower room looks great! Where did you source the bendable acrylic sheet? I'd like to replace ours, it's quite grimy.
A B
7 years ago
Exactly you will never love it, everything about it is (a little bit) dated. I don't know where abouts you are or your local market but for most buyers it will still be a pretty good bathroom! If you'll only be there for 2 years I'd save my money for your next project :)
pastelgirl01
Original Author
7 years ago
That's exactly the advice I want to hear!! :-)
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Alban Gray Interiors
7 years ago
It looks like you have a great space to work with! I would keep that space nice and open to take full advantage of it. Simplicity is often elegant and contemporary and is a good idea if you would like to continue updating your bathroom without putting a hole in your wallet. If you would like I could have our designer create a design like this one for you, so you can get an idea of what it will look like? all we need are some measurements :) I hope you find what you are looking for!
alice77pitt
7 years ago
Look at this site: https://houseofenki.com/ May be here you can find something for yourself.
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The Panel Company
7 years ago
Look here for budget friendly products for floors and walls, perfect for bathrooms like yours:

https://www.panelcompany.co.uk/wall-panels/vox/vox-motivo.html
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Dreambath Sanitaryware Factory
6 years ago
last modified: 6 years ago
Look at the brand DreamBath Tub, perhaps you could find some solid surface baths for your choice.