It’s safe to say that with summer weather now upon us, the bathroom is likely to get used a hell of a lot more than it has been. With the kids (hopefully) playing outside, and the toil of daily life just making us feel a bit grubbier when it’s all hot and sticky, the shower has probably never gotten so much attention!
Add to this, the increasing stack of wet towels, the taps left running after the water bombs have been filled and the constant footfall as each family member vies to fit in a little more time in there than normal, and soon you’ve got a bathroom that resembles a warzone. Come the summer’s end, you’ll be wondering if it’s worth refurbing it or installing a new one altogether.
Luckily there are a few solutions that won’t break the bank but will give you a bathroom that looks nice and refreshed and provided you keep on top of the housekeeping, will look this way for years to come!
So, what will we do to turn a scene of devastation into something that looks brand new? Read on to find out!
Give it a clean!
First things first, give everything a clean to get a real look at just how much work may need to be done to get the bathroom how you want it to be.
This job could take you just 30mins and end up saving you a lot of cash. One tip as you clean though, look for cracks in tiles, flooring and windows. If you leave these untreated, when winter comes, they could get much worse and you could be looking at a rather expensive lot of work to have completed.
Don’t just limit to aesthetics though, cleaning out the bathroom storage could provide you with great opportunities to repurpose the cabinet or use it as storage for something else. Look for expired products or those you just don’t use anymore!
Grab a pot of paint and let the colours flow!
Sometimes a splash of colour can speak more about your room than all the expensive accessories that may adorn it so consider colour options that can work wonders. Think about floral stencils to add a countryside vibe to the walls, think about dark colours to add a bit of adventure and mystique or look for beige if something neutral ticks the boxes. If a more rustic, shabby chic style is what you are going for, look at chalk paints.
You’re not limited to just the walls; your painting can extend to your furniture and even your existing radiators. If it is good enough condition, a touch of paint can have it looking brand new! While painting furniture is relatively easy, painting behind a radiator requires a bit more skill. However, with some practice, it’s definitely achievable.
You aren’t limited to just the walls though, your painting could extend to the furniture that you already own. If it is good enough condition, a touch of paint can have it looking brand new!
Have no fear though, this array of paints will not set you back a fortune, just shop around for those that are moisture and steam-resistant, washable and quick drying. Perhaps best to add, you may want it to be low odour too! The small space could smell very strongly for days otherwise!
Think about improving the floor!
Now this already may sound like it’s going to be a big and expensive job but fear not! It doesn’t have to be! Your floor may have taken a battering over the summer and is now in need of some TLC. If you have a tiled floor, retiling it could set you back a lot, plus it can take a long time! We want this job to be quick, cheap and easy right?
Well, one option you could go with that will prove to be affordable, durable, look good and handle splashes well is luxury vinyl tiling. With easy installation and pretty much no effort needed to maintain it, you can feel confident that your bathroom flooring will look great for a long time to come. The varied styles available mean you can even replicate what you had before if you desire. With wood or stone effect, you can’t really go wrong!
Replace light fixtures
Cheap to do and an immediate way to improve the feel for the bathroom. The ambience is largely determined by the light and with different styles of fixtures available, you can really transform the whole character of the room with just a simple change of the way it is illuminated. Pendants, chandeliers, wall lights and many more options provide you with both a focal point that provides plenty of benefit. Before racing off to purchase the first one that takes your fancy, just think about the purpose the lighting will have. Cool light is great for when doing make up for example but a warm light provides a more calming ambience.
Use fake tiles for a statement backsplash
Assuming your bathroom isn’t already tiled and you are looking at painting the walls, why not make a feature wall like you might in a living room or bedroom? Just this time, purchase a roll of peel and stick wallpaper. With a tile effect, it will help make this area stand out and take hardly any time for you to complete. Better still, it’s much cheaper than applying real tiles!
Look for new blinds or curtains
If you already have a window blind in place, is it starting to look a little faded, maybe even mouldy? Replace it! It’s a quick fix that can give the bathroom an extra sparkle. Look for one that blocks out UV rays and one that can block out the heat from the sun but not shut off all the light! This way you can keep your bathroom nice and cool.
A new shower head and taps
You would be amazed how much difference a new shower head and taps can make. Some just ooze class (as well as water!) and are an easy affordable improvement to your bathroom. Brass looks fantastic but chrome is also a great option. You could even treat yourself by finding one that offers multiple power levels. All this without splashing out!
Hang a bathroom mirror
Chances are, you already have one but this is another cheap add-on that can really create an impression. A larger mirror will help accentuate the light and should you need a touch more storage. Search for a mirror cabinet.
Add some art
Your walls are painted, your feature wall tiled (well, fake tiled!) your new floor laid, your bathroom is starting to look new! Add some art to the painted walls and you are pretty much done! Creating a gallery wall is a great way to inject some added personality to the room and should you be concerned about cost, you can repurpose old pictures or move some out of another room!
So, if your bathroom is likely to take a battering this summer, start planning the quick and affordable bathroom refurb with our top suggestions! You’d be surprised how much difference it makes!
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