How to Update Your Bathroom Without a Sledgehammer
Bathroom revamping doesn't have to mean endless amounts of dust and dirt – here are our top tips to makeover your bathroom with minimal mess
If you’ve renovated a bathroom before, chances are you’ll know how much dust and debris comes with the process. Gutting, laying screed, replastering walls, cutting tiles… even the remodel of a small bathroom spells big construction mess. If you are living in your house through your renovation, the mess can strain even the calmest of nerves. If you’re keen to skip the dusty unpleasantries of bathroom remodelling, the good news is you can most certainly give your bathroom an upgrade without all the dust and fuss. Check out our ideas for updating your bathroom without having to sling a sledgehammer.
Invest in a statement light fitting
With its beautiful original mint and black tiling, the addition of a contemporary chandelier keeps the overall look timeless yet pulls it into the modern day. It doesn’t need to be as fancy as a chandelier, but the right statement light fitting can be just the thing to give your bathroom a new lease of life.
With its beautiful original mint and black tiling, the addition of a contemporary chandelier keeps the overall look timeless yet pulls it into the modern day. It doesn’t need to be as fancy as a chandelier, but the right statement light fitting can be just the thing to give your bathroom a new lease of life.
Add wallpaper for serious style and impact
If your bathroom has good ventilation and doesn’t get too humid, you could consider adding wallpaper to jazz up plain walls. This small, simple bathroom is given an elegant update with intricately patterned metallic wallpaper, resulting in a high-end boutique hotel look.
If your bathroom has good ventilation and doesn’t get too humid, you could consider adding wallpaper to jazz up plain walls. This small, simple bathroom is given an elegant update with intricately patterned metallic wallpaper, resulting in a high-end boutique hotel look.
You can use wallpaper in the same colours as your bathroom finishes to create impact. This black-and-white bathroom is taken from sweet to super-stylish with the addition of this graphic wall print.
Add an indoor plant – or three
One of the easiest ways to visually freshen up a bathroom is to add a plant. Plants that love warm, moist air will thrive in a light-filled bathroom. Try grouping several statement plants on a wall like in this bathroom with its staghorns, or cluster a trio of ZZ plants in on-trend copper-coloured pots on a windowsill or vanity instead.
One of the easiest ways to visually freshen up a bathroom is to add a plant. Plants that love warm, moist air will thrive in a light-filled bathroom. Try grouping several statement plants on a wall like in this bathroom with its staghorns, or cluster a trio of ZZ plants in on-trend copper-coloured pots on a windowsill or vanity instead.
Change your tapware
If you are handy, changing your old tapware for something new can revamp your bathroom in a single afternoon. Try antique-style oiled bronze tapware for a more classic look or something clean-lined and chrome for a more contemporary bathroom.
If you are handy, changing your old tapware for something new can revamp your bathroom in a single afternoon. Try antique-style oiled bronze tapware for a more classic look or something clean-lined and chrome for a more contemporary bathroom.
Add colour and pattern with a new shower curtain
Finished in neutral colours, this modern bathroom gets a splash of bold colour with a Marimekko shower curtain in their iconic Unikko print. The shower curtain takes the space from muted to memorable.
Finished in neutral colours, this modern bathroom gets a splash of bold colour with a Marimekko shower curtain in their iconic Unikko print. The shower curtain takes the space from muted to memorable.
Or open up your space with a frameless screen
Alternatively, replace a shower curtain with modern frameless or semi-frameless glass to visually open up a small room. There may be no need to get your glass custom-cut – some bathroom stores offer pre-made glass screens with hinged doors that cost under $300.
Alternatively, replace a shower curtain with modern frameless or semi-frameless glass to visually open up a small room. There may be no need to get your glass custom-cut – some bathroom stores offer pre-made glass screens with hinged doors that cost under $300.
If your shower is long as opposed to a square shape, you may not have to go the door route at all, which may also be more affordable. Look at affixing a simple panel or two of glass, long enough to prevent water splashing into the rest of the bathroom.
Revamp a dated laminate countertop with faux granite
These days, liquid granite options such as the ones from iCoat are a great option for DIYers who want the look of granite for a fraction of the cost and mess. The process is time-consuming because of drying time, so expect to allocate a weekend for it, but the results are worth it. Alternatively, companies like Granite Transformations and Liquid Granite Resurfacing can do it for you.
These days, liquid granite options such as the ones from iCoat are a great option for DIYers who want the look of granite for a fraction of the cost and mess. The process is time-consuming because of drying time, so expect to allocate a weekend for it, but the results are worth it. Alternatively, companies like Granite Transformations and Liquid Granite Resurfacing can do it for you.
Swap a handheld shower nozzle for a luxurious rainshower head
Get a touch of resort-style luxury in your bathroom with a large rainshower head. Although they always look high-end, they’re not necessarily expensive, and there are many affordable options available these days. Check your shower tiling first to ensure your shower can accommodate a rainshower head without having to patch up any existing holes in the tile.
Get a touch of resort-style luxury in your bathroom with a large rainshower head. Although they always look high-end, they’re not necessarily expensive, and there are many affordable options available these days. Check your shower tiling first to ensure your shower can accommodate a rainshower head without having to patch up any existing holes in the tile.
Paint it black
White and light-coloured bathrooms are lovely, but there is something to be said for black and deep grey walls. While many people believe black walls will close a room in, black paint can actually visually blur the boundary lines to make a room seem larger. Low-sheen black walls can also hide imperfections in older homes.
White and light-coloured bathrooms are lovely, but there is something to be said for black and deep grey walls. While many people believe black walls will close a room in, black paint can actually visually blur the boundary lines to make a room seem larger. Low-sheen black walls can also hide imperfections in older homes.
Paint your splashback and shower tiles
No need to rip out dated tiles if they are still in good condition – just paint them using tile paint, which is specially formulated for strength and to protect against mildew and mould. Rust-Oleum sells a range of tile paints perfect for modernising a splashback or shower.
No need to rip out dated tiles if they are still in good condition – just paint them using tile paint, which is specially formulated for strength and to protect against mildew and mould. Rust-Oleum sells a range of tile paints perfect for modernising a splashback or shower.
Painting wall tile is an easy project that can be completed in a weekend, although you may have to wait up to a week for the paint to fully cure. Make sure you use a special tile paint primer. Painting floor tile is not advised. This vintage bathroom received a mini-makeover using Rust-Oleum tile paint.
Install a beautiful shelf
This small, simple bathroom benefits from the addition of a long timber shelf. As well as adding warmth to the space and visually elongating the room, the shelf provides a space for displaying art, flowers, soap or beauty products. If your vanity or sink has little or no benchtop, adding a shelf can act as one. Look at installing it just above your vanity tapware.
This small, simple bathroom benefits from the addition of a long timber shelf. As well as adding warmth to the space and visually elongating the room, the shelf provides a space for displaying art, flowers, soap or beauty products. If your vanity or sink has little or no benchtop, adding a shelf can act as one. Look at installing it just above your vanity tapware.
Hang a stunning piece of art or a bright print
So often we don’t even think of the bathroom when it comes to considering artwork for the home, yet there’s no reason we shouldn’t take our bathrooms into account. In this simple bathroom, a colourful eye-catching print modernises the room and adds a fun, funky edge.
So often we don’t even think of the bathroom when it comes to considering artwork for the home, yet there’s no reason we shouldn’t take our bathrooms into account. In this simple bathroom, a colourful eye-catching print modernises the room and adds a fun, funky edge.
Upgrade dated hardware
Swap dated hardware with glass knobs cut to look like faceted crystals, beautiful hand-painted porcelain knobs or sleek modern designs in chrome or rubbed bronze to give your cabinetry an easy update.
Swap dated hardware with glass knobs cut to look like faceted crystals, beautiful hand-painted porcelain knobs or sleek modern designs in chrome or rubbed bronze to give your cabinetry an easy update.
Alternatively, add a beautiful vintage piece of furniture
If your bathroom has the space, look at adding a statement piece of furniture. This classic bathroom is taken to the next level with an antique dresser that offers lots of storage.
WE’D LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU
Have you successfully updated your bathroom without needing a major renovation? Tell us what you did and send us your photos in the comments.
If your bathroom has the space, look at adding a statement piece of furniture. This classic bathroom is taken to the next level with an antique dresser that offers lots of storage.
WE’D LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU
Have you successfully updated your bathroom without needing a major renovation? Tell us what you did and send us your photos in the comments.
It’s what you look into every day and one of the first things guests will notice. And with so many options on the market these days, there’s no excuse for having a plain, boring mirror. This classic bathroom benefits from a sophisticated silver-framed mirror with bevelled edge.