Craving a bathroom facelift but don’t have the budget to embark on a full-scale renovation? Try these purse-pleasing swaps – from door handles to fixtures, fittings and feature lights – to give an old bathroom a fresh new look.
1. Update your bathroom lighting
Changing up the lighting is one way to make an affordable style statement – plus it can be a practical improvement. Try adding a lighting source above your mirror to help you see more clearly and – if you have the space – a wall sconce on either side of your mirror. This eliminates shadows and makes tasks like shaving or applying makeup easier.
2. Match your door hardware to your tapware
Old tapware is the first sign of a bathroom that’s dated, so consider replacing it with something fresh. Look to warm metallics in brushed gold finishes for the latest look, but make sure your choice complements your colour scheme. Your door handles can come to the party here too, for a cohesive look that can be repeated throughout your home and bring it up to date for a relatively small investment. Products such as the Alma range of handle and lock sets pair a solid brass-finish lever with a matching Fernando linear lock set – choose the reeded Linear profile for a softer, tactile look, or the Knurled version for more texture.
Brushed brass gold is the finish defining Australian interiors right now, and door hardware is the fastest way to bring it into a home without committing to a full renovation.
Alma Brushed Brass Gold Linear Door Handle with Linear Lock Set $158, Buildmat
Pippa Australian Cotton Bath Sheet,
$79.95, Country Road
Mira Brushed Brass Gold Short Basin Mixer $219, Buildmat
Papercut 1947 by Henri Matisse Art Print,
$120, The Iconic
3. Use colour in your bathroom decor
Embracing the latest decorating trends with accessories and soft furnishings works in other “soft” rooms in your home – these are far easier than big-ticket items to change and will keep your look current. The same concept works in your bathroom – think fluffy towels, tonal skin- and body-care and accessories such as soap dispensers, vases or plant pots.
4. Add an indoor plant
A spa-like oasis is more accessible than you think. Incorporating houseplants into the bathroom is a great way to make it feel lush without the spa price tag – no matter how large or small your space. Plants also improve the air quality and help eliminate toxins found in harsh cleaning chemicals, so this is a win-win.
5. Bring art into your bathroom
Let some new prints deliver a budget-friendly update. Just steer clear of oil paintings, glass frames and original photographs as the moisture could wreak havoc; instead, stick to inexpensive but eye-catching works on canvas or framed in perspex to be safe. You could try printing your own work and mounting it in affordable or thrifted frames.
Artwork in a bathroom can really transform it from a ‘washroom’ to an extension of the home.
6. Replace your bathroom mirror
If your bathroom lacks character or style, a statement mirror might be just what it needs. If you already have a mirrored vanity, consider adding a full-length floor version for extra impact.
7. A bathroom deep clean
Giving the bathroom a thorough clean from top to bottom is by far the cheapest way to give this hard-working room a lift. Take the spring clean to the max and invest in a grout pen to make your tiles look like new.
The smaller details can make all the difference. And the great thing is, they’re the easiest to change.
8. Replace or revamp your bathroom vanity
As one of the largest pieces in the bathroom, your vanity goes a long way to setting the space’s style, but installing a new one can be pricey. Rather than splurging, give your existing unit some TLC with a fresh coat of paint.
9. Bathroom storage upgrade
Clutter is a conundrum for most of us, but if you’re not in a position to splash cash on new cabinetry, then opt for portable, freestanding shelving solutions. Look to include something that can be easily added and removed, depending on your daily needs.
10. Fixture finesse
Small changes can make a big impact, so refresh your washroom with smart new fittings. Finishes can make a space look elegant through understatement; they can either elevate fittings to become statement pieces or help increase the level of luxury.
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