Mini Bathroom Makeovers You Can Conquer in a Weekend
Perk up your tired-looking bathroom with these simple styling tricks
Louise O'Bryan
April 21, 2016
Houzz Contributor with over 15 years as an interiors writer, stylist and content producer for digital and print media. Specialising in house tours, room renovations and decorating solutions, my previous clients include Inside Out (Aus), Ideal Home, The Times weekend supplement and Sainsbury's magazine. I never tire from the thrill of discovering a jaw-dropping, inspirational home to feature and having an insight into other people's spaces. Call me curious or just nosey!
Houzz Contributor with over 15 years as an interiors writer, stylist and content... More
Is your bathroom dull and lackluster? Has it become cluttered with ugly plastic bottles and tattered towels? It’s time to retake control and restore some calm and tranquility. Luckily, giving your bathroom a mini-makeover is easy — the time and cost are minimal but the effect can be long-lasting.
These simple styling projects take anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour to complete, and even the most inexperienced DIYers can have a go at most of them. Roll up your sleeves and get started!
These simple styling projects take anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour to complete, and even the most inexperienced DIYers can have a go at most of them. Roll up your sleeves and get started!
Introduce standout accessories. Be bold and bring some unexpected home accessories into your bathroom. A woven rug, chunky knit pouf or even a coat rack will instill some character. Or why not go all out and add an armchair?
Multiply your mirrors. Ho-hum mirrors can really let a bathroom down in the style department. Two or more mirrors instead of the traditional one create a contemporary feel, especially when their shapes are as pleasing to the eye as these.
Shop around for secondhand Art Deco mirrors to add some inexpensive retro charm.
Give lotions and potions a luxe overhaul. Invest in some chic bathroom accessories such as a soap dispenser and stylish bottles for an elegant and well-groomed look. To create a boutique-hotel feel, cluster bottles on a wooden or metallic tray and add a fresh bloom or two. Keeping your cotton balls and swabs in lidded glass jars will enhance the five-star appeal.
Pick an accent color. Adding color to a stark white bathroom will perk it up in a flash. The key is to start with a boldly patterned shower curtain or a set of eye-catching towels, then extend the theme by painting part of the bathroom in a complementary color. In this room, an unexpected touch of zesty lime is introduced above the mirror, making the room feel fresh and spacious. Even the soap matches!
Give it a designer edge. Don’t overlook your bathroom when it comes to displaying design pieces. This faux stag head looks just as at home here as it would above the mantle in the living room.
While you’re at it, swap the dated light fixture for something more modern.
Bare-bulb lighting is big these days, and if the cable is as bright as this one, so much the better. Of course, when dealing with electricity, safety is paramount, so unless you have experience changing a cord or fitting, seek advice from a qualified electrician before embarking on the task yourself.
See more exposed lighting
While you’re at it, swap the dated light fixture for something more modern.
Bare-bulb lighting is big these days, and if the cable is as bright as this one, so much the better. Of course, when dealing with electricity, safety is paramount, so unless you have experience changing a cord or fitting, seek advice from a qualified electrician before embarking on the task yourself.
See more exposed lighting
Add some greenery. Nothing freshens up a space (and the air) like a healthy plant or two.
If you’re not sure which plant to choose for your bathroom, consider an orchid — it makes any space more upscale in an instant.
Go for a vintage vibe. No storage? Repurpose a crate from yesteryear as towel storage. Continue the rustic vibe with an old stool and vintage mirror.
Tip: Drilling into tile requires some skill and a specific drill bit. A trick to keep the bit from slipping off the slick surface is to put two strips of masking tape across the spot where you want to drill the hole.
Tip: Drilling into tile requires some skill and a specific drill bit. A trick to keep the bit from slipping off the slick surface is to put two strips of masking tape across the spot where you want to drill the hole.
Hang some artwork. To help your bathroom flow harmoniously with the rest of your home, give it a personal touch with quirky prints or artwork. In this master bath, the couple’s framed wedding invitation brings some personality into the otherwise cool and clinical space. It also links the room with the rest of the home, where similar prints hang.
See the rest of this home
See the rest of this home
Repurpose your furniture. Do you have a redundant dresser or side table that needs a new home? Or maybe you just want to change things up? Consider giving a piece of furniture a place in your bathroom as an attractive display for towels, toiletries or toilet paper.
Tile an eye-catching backsplash. If your bathroom needs a pick-me-up, taking the time and effort to add a standout backsplash will pay off tenfold. DIY novices will need some help to achieve a professional look — consult with a tiler for best results.
Tell us: Do you have a mini-makeover idea to add? Share your tips in the Comments.
More
Before and After: 19 Dramatic Bathroom Makeovers
She’s Baaack! See a Savvy DIYer’s Dramatic $400 Bathroom Makeover
Tell us: Do you have a mini-makeover idea to add? Share your tips in the Comments.
More
Before and After: 19 Dramatic Bathroom Makeovers
She’s Baaack! See a Savvy DIYer’s Dramatic $400 Bathroom Makeover
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Simply updating your taps can give a bathroom an instant facelift
Very nice tips, thank you