5 Easy Ways to Update a Bathroom

These 5 easy ways to update a bathroom are DIY and easy on the budget!

Updating a bathroom is not the easiest thing to do. It’s usually a small room but has pricey elements. By keeping things you already have and replacing others with budget-friendly options, you can refresh any bathroom without breaking the bank.

When I told my husband what I was going to do in our half bath, he casually asked if I was going to eliminate all of his golf memorabilia. (I know you are all envious of my Arnie plate.) I assured him that he had nothing to worry about. Everything was going back in except of course the wallpaper. He looked a little sad about that but knew better than to say anything! I didn’t change one accessory or any of the wall decor. That in itself was a huge boost to the budget. The little piece in the corner was my grandmother’s sewing chest. Her brother made it for her in his shop class at school. That had to be circa 1920 or so. I have thought many times about painting it but can never bring myself to do it. I most likely never will.

OK…so here is the sad “before.” Dark plaid wallpaper (including the nifty border of famous golf courses.) Chrome fixtures and lights plus ancient broken shutters on the window.

Here are the 5 things I updated to give this bathroom a fresh look on a budget. I will list sources at the end of the post.

5 Easy Ways to Update a Bathroom

1. Paint

There is nothing on the planet that transforms a room like a new paint job. You can literally take a really bad space and make it beautiful with nothing but paint. My bathroom is a great example. The dark, dated wallpaper is gone and in its place is a soft, inviting yellow. It not only updated the room instantly, but it lightened it up as well.

2. Lighting

The tired and ugly chrome light fixtures are history. I replaced them with a set of oil rubbed bronze lights I got at Lowe’s for a very reasonable price.

3. Faucet and hardware

Replacing your faucet and all the hardware, keeping it all in the same finish, makes a room look like you planned the design carefully. No one needs to know that you really just fly by the seat of your pants. I replaced the faucet, outlet and switch plates, door knobs, hinges, toilet flusher and toilet paper holder. I got everything at Lowe’s on the same trip I got the lights. Once and done.

4. New Window Treatments

I removed the awful shutters and made a window panel from blue ticking that just happens to match my tea towels. I left the top part of the window open to give us a little extra light. A tension rod eliminated the need for drilling any holes.

5. New Flooring or Rug

Truth be told, I ran out of time and money at the end of this project. It was just before Thanksgiving and I had to get the room finished. I looked locally (not a lot of choice though) but couldn’t find a rug I liked. After Thanksgiving, I had time to look online and found this rug by Safavieh called Chatham. I put it on my Christmas list and voila! I had a new rug for my bathroom and I didn’t have to pay for it myself.

Most of us have rooms in our homes that we walk by and don’t even see. That was the case with this bathroom. I ignored it for years and I’m not really sure what made me finally decide to update. I’m glad I did though because now instead of looking the other way when I walk by…I look right in and smile.

*Affiliate links included. Click HERE for my disclosure statement.

Sources:

Wall Paint: Sherwin Williams Compatible Cream
Pfister Oil Rubbed Bronze Faucet
Oil Rubbed Bronze Lights (similar but better)
Toilet Paper Holder
Toilet Handle
Blue Ticking Fabric
Rug

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