In small spaces like bathrooms, modest changes can have a big impact. Just like kitchens, a good bathroom should be functional and beautiful, so we've rounded up five update ideas to help you achieve the best of both.
Clean and Refresh: First, take everything out of the space. Lay every item out on a table or counter and take inventory of what you own. Get rid of what you don't use or has expired. Next, give that empty space a good cleaning - and don't just stop with the spray cleaner - clean the grout, behind the toilet and all the other often overlooked areas. (If you're feeling ambitious, slap a new coat of paint on the walls and ceiling.) Restarting with a clean space (especially in a room focused on cleanliness!) should take first priority.
Purge & Organize: Now that you've purged your toiletries and other belongings, move them back into the bathroom and display in a way that will keep things visible and easily accessible.
Replace Fixtures: Replacing a toilet might not be a small change, but you'd be surprised how easy it can be to swap out a faucet or shower head. Not only will you improve the aesthetics of your space, but a low-flow model (or even just a simple aerator) will cut down on water consumption.
Upgrade Lighting & Hardware: Replacing poor lighting can do wonders in a bathroom and if often easy to do. Likewise, spray painting those brass knobs or picking up inexpensive alternatives is a big-impact task that can be done in a couple of hours or less.
Spruce up Accessories: Finally, bring in some new functional accessories (like towels and a shower curtain) to add a burst of whimsy or color without the clutter.
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I really struggle with no enough light in the bathroom. Any suggestions on an overhead light that is attractive but BRIGHT. We have 8ft ceilings so flush mounts are a must. Most lights that have multiple bulbs just seem to be really bland.
@1952ranch look at Estiluz lighting. They're a high end Spanish producer, they have a lot of great designs.
@1952,Theres a bagillion solutions to your problem, but I just remodeled a smallish darkish full bath in my house, I did it with black slate subway tile too which could have made it feel even darker. I got 2 halogen wall fixtures for either side of the recessed med cabinet, and then 2 recessed fixtures on the ceiling one over the shower, and one over the main area of the bathroom all put on a 3 gang switch all with slide dimmers.
Thanks guys, both are great ideas! We redid the bathroom about 5 years ago and the light is the only thing original in the bathroom. It is time I got on it!
I took out some crummy glass shower doors and installed a brushed nickel CURVED shower bar. Boy is that luxurious. And getting rid of the glass doors really opened up the (small) space.
I also bought a really nice shower head, and replaced a much-too-big, hideous old vanity and discolored sink with a cute little guy from IKEA, and a new medicine cabinet to match.
Sadly, what I really want to do is replace the ugly tile which covers all 4 walls from floor to ceiling but that will have to wait.
I've been putting off emptying out the bathroom and giving it a good clean and purge. Thanks for the "kick in the pants" to just do it already. I just might even give it a nice fresh coat of paint!
A little change that would fix up the bathroom pictured is regrouting the tilework in white. It would do wonders.
I have a TINY bathroom (6 x 4.5 feet) in need of a down-to-the-studs reno...strangely, it's the master bath. We removed the giant peeling mirror, tacky 80s (peeling) wallpaper, new toilet, cleaned the heck out of everything and repainted (after sanding FOREVER to remove the traces of wallpaper and the unfortunate surprise of the nasty popcorn texture behind the giant mirror). Painted the cabinet gloss white. Changed out some fixtures...Still looks blah.
Bad lighting positions (needs a professional to install new), pocket doors (so you don't have to close the door to step into the shower), UGLY tile with grout falling out, UGLY sink with a ledge that blocks access to the toilet tank and continually gets mildew trapped in some of the decorative features... it's just a mess of a room and needs professional help.
Sometimes it may be necessary to take a good hard look at the room and decide that it's really not worth saving ANYTHING since it's so badly designed and implemented. Wish I'd just gone with a gut reno before investing all the time and effort (NEVER again stripping wallpaper - no matter HOW small the room is) trying to "put lipstick on a pig." ;)
Frankiesgirl, I feel your pain. We have a similar pig, and no amount of lipstick is going to help. Unfortunately, lipstick is the only thing in the budget right now. It's killing me.
another easy spruce-up: new caulk!
We are 90% finished with a full gut reno. Here's the before http://necessarypleasures.blogspot.com/2011/11/thanksgiving-leftovers-mother-of.html ... in all its seizure-inducing wallpaper glory!
@Frankiesgirl - our is also a "master" (quotations intentional), just a bit larger than yours at 5x7.
Since the blog post we realized we were in a bit over our heads (too much electrical rewiring needed) so we called in a contractor we've used before to:
gut the whole room (we did most of the demo to save $$, but it was very challenging because the house was built pre-hardibacker so the floors and all shower walls were 2 inches of cement with inlaid metal mesh)
take out the wall that separated the shower and the linen closet (totally eliminated the linen closet but not an issue in our house - lots of storage abounds)
Move the shower plumbing from the removed interior wall to another wall
tile the entire new super large shower (and the new built in niche and bench) and the bathroom floor; rewire the bathroom for a wall fixture over the vanity instead of that ridiculous false soffit thing; replace the toilet, vanity (got a gorgeous one with a farmhouse sink), and all lighting (who knew they now make stylish bathroom fans with lights??); and drywall, mud and paint the walls. (all for less than $5k)
He's putting the finishing touches on right now (yes at 815 at night! We had tornadoes rol through town earlier this week, so he's working overtime). Will post "after" photos soon.
Can't wait to see the "finished" finished product myself!
lol @ nickety... but ditto :(
Tile stores also carry grout stains. You basically paint your grout any color that you want usually white. It makes your tile look brand new :)
I just cleaned the heck out of the shower tile and it worked wonders.
Used some good old fashioned "elbow grease", along with Scrubbing Bubbles. The grout looked dark beige, it's now very close to white, not quite bright white, but good for now. Trying to muster the enegry to finish the job, behind the toilet and sink area.
I'm so sad about my new bathroom. The rest of the apartment (main floor century home) is fabulous, the bathroom KILLS ME. I painted it yesterday (and lawd, painting over someone elses crap patch and paint jobs SUCKS)... and it still is... disappointing. It's about 3ft by 7ft, no bathtub, but I do have a window (!! happy dance!!). IT went from SMURF blue (seriously), to greige. And I really want the funky spa atmosphere. It's only been 8 days living here, so I'm sure I will work it out, but... sigh. I dream of a nice big bath like I had in the farmhouse my ex and I owned.