11 Budget-friendly Ways to Transform Your Bathroom
Turn your bathroom into more than just a functional space with these easy additions for instant style
Amanda Pollard
27 March 2017
Senior Editor at Houzz UK and Ireland. Journalist and editor specialising in interiors and architecture.
Senior Editor at Houzz UK and Ireland. Journalist and editor specialising in interiors... More
So you’ve got your basic bathroom all laid out and ready to go, but it’s missing that something special. Check out these quick and simple ideas to take your wash space from practical to downright pretty.
Add a lick of paint
If your bathroom is looking too clinical, warm it up by adding an alternative shade to white. The panelling here has been painted a calm, aqua hue that works well in the plain space. Don’t feel the need to tile all the walls in your bathroom – if you leave some surfaces blank, you’ll be able to change the look whenever you like with just a lick of paint.
Got a bijou bathroom? Be inspired by these tiny spaces with a huge wow factor
If your bathroom is looking too clinical, warm it up by adding an alternative shade to white. The panelling here has been painted a calm, aqua hue that works well in the plain space. Don’t feel the need to tile all the walls in your bathroom – if you leave some surfaces blank, you’ll be able to change the look whenever you like with just a lick of paint.
Got a bijou bathroom? Be inspired by these tiny spaces with a huge wow factor
Put up a ladder
If you’re short on space and storage, a ladder is an ideal solution. It makes the most of vertical areas and doesn’t impinge on the rest of the room. A shelf version like this one is perfect for displaying ornaments and toiletries. Alternatively, go for a towel rail design that provides elegant storage for your towels.
If you’re short on space and storage, a ladder is an ideal solution. It makes the most of vertical areas and doesn’t impinge on the rest of the room. A shelf version like this one is perfect for displaying ornaments and toiletries. Alternatively, go for a towel rail design that provides elegant storage for your towels.
Work in some wicker
Natural materials look great and provide a warm contrast to tiles, sanitaryware and chrome fittings. Use wicker baskets to add an earthy feel and provide handy storage for accessories, toilet rolls and towels. The beauty of a basket is its versatility – you can store it on a shelf as seen here, or simply dot several around the room. Baskets look attractive wherever you put them.
Natural materials look great and provide a warm contrast to tiles, sanitaryware and chrome fittings. Use wicker baskets to add an earthy feel and provide handy storage for accessories, toilet rolls and towels. The beauty of a basket is its versatility – you can store it on a shelf as seen here, or simply dot several around the room. Baskets look attractive wherever you put them.
Make a statement with a mirror
Move away from the standard bathroom mirror, and opt for something more interesting instead. Here, this on-trend hanging circle really lifts the room and has become the centrepiece of the space.
Move away from the standard bathroom mirror, and opt for something more interesting instead. Here, this on-trend hanging circle really lifts the room and has become the centrepiece of the space.
Pop in some plants
Warm up your wash space with some green foliage. Choose plants that thrive in humid environments, such as orchids, ivy and ferns. This windowsill provides the perfect spot for plants as you can enjoy their air-purifying benefits while relaxing in the bath.
Want to give your bathroom a natural feel? Here’s how to do it
Warm up your wash space with some green foliage. Choose plants that thrive in humid environments, such as orchids, ivy and ferns. This windowsill provides the perfect spot for plants as you can enjoy their air-purifying benefits while relaxing in the bath.
Want to give your bathroom a natural feel? Here’s how to do it
Think outside the box
Keep your bath space neat and uncluttered by providing storage for everything. If your budget won’t stretch to a vanity unit or cabinet, hunt around for stylish alternatives. These wooden box shelves are ideal for holding toiletries and accessories. They’re unobtrusive, cost effective and, to top it all, the wooden shapes bring an attractive, organic feel to the space.
Keep your bath space neat and uncluttered by providing storage for everything. If your budget won’t stretch to a vanity unit or cabinet, hunt around for stylish alternatives. These wooden box shelves are ideal for holding toiletries and accessories. They’re unobtrusive, cost effective and, to top it all, the wooden shapes bring an attractive, organic feel to the space.
Throw in some towels
Well chosen textiles can add the perfect finishing touch to a scheme. A stylish bathmat and some chic towels can completely transform a bathroom. This doesn’t mean you have to throw out your old towels – store them out of sight and invest in a few new ones that you can put out on display and use on a regular basis.
Well chosen textiles can add the perfect finishing touch to a scheme. A stylish bathmat and some chic towels can completely transform a bathroom. This doesn’t mean you have to throw out your old towels – store them out of sight and invest in a few new ones that you can put out on display and use on a regular basis.
Prettify your laundry
We all need a place for our dirty washing, so we might as well make it look as good as possible. The perfect laundry bin should have ample ventilation to prevent stale odours and, ideally, a lid to keep it all hidden. Once you’ve got these things covered, you’re free to choose a design you love. An elegant rattan version, like this one, makes a lovely feature.
We all need a place for our dirty washing, so we might as well make it look as good as possible. The perfect laundry bin should have ample ventilation to prevent stale odours and, ideally, a lid to keep it all hidden. Once you’ve got these things covered, you’re free to choose a design you love. An elegant rattan version, like this one, makes a lovely feature.
Hunt out a stool
Create a spa feel by providing a handy surface for your luxurious essentials. A wooden stool is ideal, as it has an effortless earthy charm and is small enough not to get in the way. Pop it next to the shower or bath and use it to hold towels, soaps, sponges and even a scented candle.
Create a spa feel by providing a handy surface for your luxurious essentials. A wooden stool is ideal, as it has an effortless earthy charm and is small enough not to get in the way. Pop it next to the shower or bath and use it to hold towels, soaps, sponges and even a scented candle.
Collate your accessories
Don’t fancy a stool? How about a bath tray instead? The wooden one here provides a pretty spot for bathing accessories. Choose items that you’d like to look at, such as natural sponges and wooden body brushes – after all, it’s all about making the space look pretty.
Don’t fancy a stool? How about a bath tray instead? The wooden one here provides a pretty spot for bathing accessories. Choose items that you’d like to look at, such as natural sponges and wooden body brushes – after all, it’s all about making the space look pretty.
Bring in a touch of vintage
Turn your storage into something special by upcycling a vintage piece. Hunt around for an old display cabinet in junk shops and spruce it up with a thorough clean and a couple of coats of paint. This dresser catches the eye and is a great place to store towels and toiletries.
What finishing touches have you added to your bathroom? Share your ideas and photos in the Comments below.
Turn your storage into something special by upcycling a vintage piece. Hunt around for an old display cabinet in junk shops and spruce it up with a thorough clean and a couple of coats of paint. This dresser catches the eye and is a great place to store towels and toiletries.
What finishing touches have you added to your bathroom? Share your ideas and photos in the Comments below.
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We loved this article. So many great ideas that we would love to collaborate with our clients.
A great article! Not keen either on the wicker baskets in a bathroom. Dust gatherers and damp spring to mind. However, they do usually help to create the finishing effect.
It's amazing, i would like to add mirror cabinets in the list, as they are a great way for keeping your bathroom organized. some of the famous brands in this regard are, and Villeroy and Boch bathrooms