10 Ways to Refresh Your Bathing Space on a Budget
Browse these budget-savvy tips to give your bathroom the update it needs without breaking the bank
David White & Mark Russell
13 April 2015
Houzz Contributors. We're blog duo David and Mark who write the interiors blog Forward Features.
Houzz Contributors. We're blog duo David and Mark who write the interiors blog Forward... More
As the bathroom is one of the most private spaces in the house, with guests tending to use a cloakroom if available, it can sometimes be overlooked when it comes to style. However, we spend a lot of intimate time in there and the room’s look and functionality can really make a difference to our day, so it’s important to exploit its full potential. We’ve taken a look at how you can transform your bathroom and make it a more pleasant space in which to spend time without blowing your budget.
Refresh your towels
A bathroom will always feel slightly dated if your towels are past their best, so make sure they don’t bring your room down. They’re a great investment that you’ll use every day, and colour coding them with the scheme will make the room feel loved.
A bathroom will always feel slightly dated if your towels are past their best, so make sure they don’t bring your room down. They’re a great investment that you’ll use every day, and colour coding them with the scheme will make the room feel loved.
Mix it up
The beauty of a bathroom is that the elements don’t need to match – it’s your little sanctuary and it can be as eclectic as you like. Artworks that don’t have a place on your shelves, chairs that don’t belong anywhere else, or knick-knacks that clutter up other rooms can all be used in a bathroom to create an interesting and unusual space.
We purchased an old trunk from Gumtree and upcycled it with some chalk paint to create a handy storage space for our towels. However, it’s important not to overdo it, as you don’t want the space to become cluttered.
Check out 10 smart ways to store your towels
The beauty of a bathroom is that the elements don’t need to match – it’s your little sanctuary and it can be as eclectic as you like. Artworks that don’t have a place on your shelves, chairs that don’t belong anywhere else, or knick-knacks that clutter up other rooms can all be used in a bathroom to create an interesting and unusual space.
We purchased an old trunk from Gumtree and upcycled it with some chalk paint to create a handy storage space for our towels. However, it’s important not to overdo it, as you don’t want the space to become cluttered.
Check out 10 smart ways to store your towels
Be adventurous with your shower curtain
A shower curtain is one of the quickest and easiest ways to update a bathroom. By virtue of its size, it’ll be a pretty noticeable item in the room, so why not be bold and make it into a statement feature? If you don’t want it to stand out, try replacing a tired curtain with a fresh, neutral style – it will still do wonders to lift the room, and it won’t break the bank, either.
A shower curtain is one of the quickest and easiest ways to update a bathroom. By virtue of its size, it’ll be a pretty noticeable item in the room, so why not be bold and make it into a statement feature? If you don’t want it to stand out, try replacing a tired curtain with a fresh, neutral style – it will still do wonders to lift the room, and it won’t break the bank, either.
Energise with a statement colour
A great way to add character to a room without having to spend too many pennies is to pick a strong colour you love and bring it in through accessories. It makes the scheme feel well thought out, and the good news is that if you decide you’re done with that particular colour within a year, it’ll be easy to change.
A great way to add character to a room without having to spend too many pennies is to pick a strong colour you love and bring it in through accessories. It makes the scheme feel well thought out, and the good news is that if you decide you’re done with that particular colour within a year, it’ll be easy to change.
Use what you’ve got
Think creatively about bits and bobs you might have lying around, and ways they might be transformed and repurposed in your bathroom. Whether it’s a watering can like this, an old vase or a bucket, it could the next quirky (and free) new addition to your bathroom.
Think creatively about bits and bobs you might have lying around, and ways they might be transformed and repurposed in your bathroom. Whether it’s a watering can like this, an old vase or a bucket, it could the next quirky (and free) new addition to your bathroom.
Update handles for a nautical look
We love the rope detailing on these drawers – it’s such a simple yet inexpensive way to add an interesting touch to your bathroom and give it a different feel.
Rope can be bought at hardware stores and craft shops, and it doesn’t only make great handles… If you’re feeling crafty you might decide to wrap some around a curtain pole, or even a mirror – it’s a great way to bring the nautical look into your bathroom.
See how to make a nautical mirror for less than £20
We love the rope detailing on these drawers – it’s such a simple yet inexpensive way to add an interesting touch to your bathroom and give it a different feel.
Rope can be bought at hardware stores and craft shops, and it doesn’t only make great handles… If you’re feeling crafty you might decide to wrap some around a curtain pole, or even a mirror – it’s a great way to bring the nautical look into your bathroom.
See how to make a nautical mirror for less than £20
Play and display
In bathrooms, we tend to hide things away within cabinets and boxes. But built-in storage can be expensive, so think about how to display your things in a more creative way. Metal storage crates, decorative tins and pretty bottles can all be used to create a more interesting display if storage is lacking. Markets are a great place to pick up vintage bottles of all shapes and sizes, which not only look lovely, but are practical, too.
In bathrooms, we tend to hide things away within cabinets and boxes. But built-in storage can be expensive, so think about how to display your things in a more creative way. Metal storage crates, decorative tins and pretty bottles can all be used to create a more interesting display if storage is lacking. Markets are a great place to pick up vintage bottles of all shapes and sizes, which not only look lovely, but are practical, too.
Smarten up your fixtures
Contrary to popular belief, metal bathroom fittings, such as loo roll holders, can actually be updated quite easily and cheaply provided you choose similar ones to the originals.
Have a look outside the usual bathroom shops to places like Dwell and Habitat, which stock fairly cheap and stylish bathroom fixtures. Ensure your loo roll holder, cistern flush and other metallic elements in the bathroom match to bring it all together. Think five-star style on a hostel budget.
Contrary to popular belief, metal bathroom fittings, such as loo roll holders, can actually be updated quite easily and cheaply provided you choose similar ones to the originals.
Have a look outside the usual bathroom shops to places like Dwell and Habitat, which stock fairly cheap and stylish bathroom fixtures. Ensure your loo roll holder, cistern flush and other metallic elements in the bathroom match to bring it all together. Think five-star style on a hostel budget.
Suspend a little greenery
There’s been a bit of a 1970s revival recently, both in fashion and interiors. A particularly fun item that’s trending at the moment is macramé planters hung from the ceiling. They’re becoming really big, and we can’t see why you wouldn’t want to use them in a bathroom.
There are cool retailers about that stock some great hangers (Eleanor Bolton, A Rum Fellow and Out There Interiors to name a few), but if you really want to save the pennies, why not have a go at making them yourself? There are plenty of online tutorials – all you’ll need is some rope and a few other bits and bobs.
Browse more hanging planters
There’s been a bit of a 1970s revival recently, both in fashion and interiors. A particularly fun item that’s trending at the moment is macramé planters hung from the ceiling. They’re becoming really big, and we can’t see why you wouldn’t want to use them in a bathroom.
There are cool retailers about that stock some great hangers (Eleanor Bolton, A Rum Fellow and Out There Interiors to name a few), but if you really want to save the pennies, why not have a go at making them yourself? There are plenty of online tutorials – all you’ll need is some rope and a few other bits and bobs.
Browse more hanging planters
Work in some crates
We’re big fans of crates – not only are they stylish, with the industrial look staying strong, they’re also cheap. You can purchase them from around £20, but we suggest you keep your eyes peeled on the streets, at markets and on sites such as Gumtree and eBay.
They make for amazing storage for towels or beauty products, and a lick of paint could tie your whole colour scheme together.
TELL US…
Do you have any tips for refreshing a bathroom on a budget? Please share your ideas in the Comments below.
We’re big fans of crates – not only are they stylish, with the industrial look staying strong, they’re also cheap. You can purchase them from around £20, but we suggest you keep your eyes peeled on the streets, at markets and on sites such as Gumtree and eBay.
They make for amazing storage for towels or beauty products, and a lick of paint could tie your whole colour scheme together.
TELL US…
Do you have any tips for refreshing a bathroom on a budget? Please share your ideas in the Comments below.
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I have a massive problem. My bathroom is tiled ceiling to floor in cream tiles. I want to replace toilet, vanity etc in white, but think it is going to look weird!!! I haven't got the money to change the tiles, and can't get any inspiration as to how to make it work. Anyone got any ideas???