10 Refreshing Ways to Freshen Up Your Bathroom
Put the sparkle back into your bathroom with these simple but striking updates
Lara Sargent
8 June 2015
Houzz UK contributor. Freelance interiors journalist with over 20 years' experience writing for national magazines, newspapers and websites.
Houzz UK contributor. Freelance interiors journalist with over 20 years' experience... More
There’s nothing wrong with your bathroom; in fact, you still adore the freestanding bath, original 1930s basin or beautiful Moroccan-style tiles that took so long to pick out. But every now and again it could do with a teeny-weeny style update. Forget any visions of a major bathroom refit – I’m thinking more along the lines of a colourful new shower curtain, handy wire rack or fresh coat of paint. Be inspired by these 10 bathroom fixes and, rest assured, the smallest room in the house will always be big on style…
1. Paint it
A quick lick of fresh paint will liven up a tired bathroom in a matter of hours. You can either paint bare walls in a new hue (I still love pale slate, turquoise and oatmeal for the calmest bathroom atmosphere) or else overhaul – or add – a feature wall of tongue and groove panelling in a different shade.
Don’t forget to use paint specially formulated for bathrooms, so it can withstand the hot, humid conditions.
A quick lick of fresh paint will liven up a tired bathroom in a matter of hours. You can either paint bare walls in a new hue (I still love pale slate, turquoise and oatmeal for the calmest bathroom atmosphere) or else overhaul – or add – a feature wall of tongue and groove panelling in a different shade.
Don’t forget to use paint specially formulated for bathrooms, so it can withstand the hot, humid conditions.
Bump up storage
We can never have enough bathroom storage, it’s true, so resolve to clear the decks of candles, bottles, soaps and brushes with a new slimline cabinet.
This heavy-duty wire rack is skinny enough to sneak into any unexpected gap in the bathroom and will help to streamline your bathing space, however big or small.
We can never have enough bathroom storage, it’s true, so resolve to clear the decks of candles, bottles, soaps and brushes with a new slimline cabinet.
This heavy-duty wire rack is skinny enough to sneak into any unexpected gap in the bathroom and will help to streamline your bathing space, however big or small.
Be creative
Seek out unusual bits and bobs that might not necessarily be intended for the bathroom, but will really elevate the space. Old-fashioned mirrors, vintage wall plaques and quirky light fixtures are simple yet striking pieces of décor.
And while you’re at it, why not invest in a new set of taps – a foolproof quick fix most competent DIYers can tackle themselves?
Taps you’ll want to tap into
Seek out unusual bits and bobs that might not necessarily be intended for the bathroom, but will really elevate the space. Old-fashioned mirrors, vintage wall plaques and quirky light fixtures are simple yet striking pieces of décor.
And while you’re at it, why not invest in a new set of taps – a foolproof quick fix most competent DIYers can tackle themselves?
Taps you’ll want to tap into
Hang up a new curtain
If you’re a dedicated fan of shower screens, do move swiftly on, as this quick fix won’t apply. But if you’re in the shower curtain camp, one of the simplest and most satisfying ways to spruce up your bathroom is with a flash of new fabric.
I adore this natural-coloured, frilly number (which is almost good enough to wear!) but, equally, a fresh white, smart stripe or bold floral would do the job brilliantly.
Shower doors or shower curtains? You decide
If you’re a dedicated fan of shower screens, do move swiftly on, as this quick fix won’t apply. But if you’re in the shower curtain camp, one of the simplest and most satisfying ways to spruce up your bathroom is with a flash of new fabric.
I adore this natural-coloured, frilly number (which is almost good enough to wear!) but, equally, a fresh white, smart stripe or bold floral would do the job brilliantly.
Shower doors or shower curtains? You decide
Work in a wall gallery
For some reason, bathroom walls are often left bare, perhaps due to space constraints or to maintain a fuss-free vibe. But a considered hotch-potch of pictures and photographs will transform a clinical bathroom into a warm, personality-packed space.
Simply add to your ever-evolving gallery or swap frames for masses of impact and interest.
For some reason, bathroom walls are often left bare, perhaps due to space constraints or to maintain a fuss-free vibe. But a considered hotch-potch of pictures and photographs will transform a clinical bathroom into a warm, personality-packed space.
Simply add to your ever-evolving gallery or swap frames for masses of impact and interest.
Accessorise, accessorise…
A plain white bathroom can be totally transformed with a careful edit of new accessories. And if you’re a fan of all things vintage and floral, like me, here are some easy, freshening-up tips.
Fill glass jars with pretty soaps and sachets, splash out on beautiful new hand towels (if it’s on the pricey side, buy just one) and decorate a shelf with enamel jugs, old lanterns and propped-up pictures. And no need to max out on fresh bunches of blooms for the ultimate bathroom pep – simply pop single sprigs into a row of old milk bottles or jam jars.
A plain white bathroom can be totally transformed with a careful edit of new accessories. And if you’re a fan of all things vintage and floral, like me, here are some easy, freshening-up tips.
Fill glass jars with pretty soaps and sachets, splash out on beautiful new hand towels (if it’s on the pricey side, buy just one) and decorate a shelf with enamel jugs, old lanterns and propped-up pictures. And no need to max out on fresh bunches of blooms for the ultimate bathroom pep – simply pop single sprigs into a row of old milk bottles or jam jars.
Dabble with fabric
Small, unexpected style quirks are often the best ones. This vintage-style bathroom is gorgeous as it is thanks to the handsome, geometric basin, soft grey panelling and antique mirror. But simply hanging a whispery length of sheer fabric at the window has given it an extra layer of decadence.
Small, unexpected style quirks are often the best ones. This vintage-style bathroom is gorgeous as it is thanks to the handsome, geometric basin, soft grey panelling and antique mirror. But simply hanging a whispery length of sheer fabric at the window has given it an extra layer of decadence.
Love your laundry
A new laundry basket is a small change but a really valuable one in my eyes. It will save your bathroom floor from being cluttered with soggy towels and robes and offers a smart, spa-at-home vibe at the same time.
Splash out on a new sponge, loofah and body brush and that’s your own personal sanctuary nailed, without stepping outside the front door.
A new laundry basket is a small change but a really valuable one in my eyes. It will save your bathroom floor from being cluttered with soggy towels and robes and offers a smart, spa-at-home vibe at the same time.
Splash out on a new sponge, loofah and body brush and that’s your own personal sanctuary nailed, without stepping outside the front door.
Spruce up with a seat
I haven’t included this room to demonstrate the appeal of a bunch of fresh flowers or even the plus points of a new mirror – although both are great style rules for invigorating a dull space. No, simply put, this is all about how fitting a new toilet seat can freshen up your daily ablutions. It’s a rather humdrum, functional device, but I guarantee the result is a winner every time.
Opt for rich dark wood, vintage-style black, clean white or, if you like, a more fancy-pants acrylic design embedded with sparkles.
I haven’t included this room to demonstrate the appeal of a bunch of fresh flowers or even the plus points of a new mirror – although both are great style rules for invigorating a dull space. No, simply put, this is all about how fitting a new toilet seat can freshen up your daily ablutions. It’s a rather humdrum, functional device, but I guarantee the result is a winner every time.
Opt for rich dark wood, vintage-style black, clean white or, if you like, a more fancy-pants acrylic design embedded with sparkles.
Tackle your towels
After a shower curtain, my second fave bathroom buy is a new set of towels. While you can’t beat plush and luxe all-white bath sheets and hand towels, I would recommend Turkish-style cotton hammam towels, which are lightweight, absorbent and come in a delicious array of candy colours. Not only that, they dry really quickly and become softer the more you wash them.
TELL US
Do you have any foolproof fixes to freshen up the bathroom? Please share your tips, ideas and inspiration in the Comments.
MORE
9 Simple Updates That’ll Make Any Bathroom Work Better
How to Get Five More Years Out of Your Bathroom
12 Feature Wall Ideas for Blah Bathrooms
After a shower curtain, my second fave bathroom buy is a new set of towels. While you can’t beat plush and luxe all-white bath sheets and hand towels, I would recommend Turkish-style cotton hammam towels, which are lightweight, absorbent and come in a delicious array of candy colours. Not only that, they dry really quickly and become softer the more you wash them.
TELL US
Do you have any foolproof fixes to freshen up the bathroom? Please share your tips, ideas and inspiration in the Comments.
MORE
9 Simple Updates That’ll Make Any Bathroom Work Better
How to Get Five More Years Out of Your Bathroom
12 Feature Wall Ideas for Blah Bathrooms
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Great ideas! Can you tell me where the wall lights either side of the mirror in the toilet seat picture are from? I'm finding it really hard to find elegant bathroom compliant wall lights like this in the UK. So many are from the US and getting them rewired and shipped seems crazy just for the sake of pretty lights!
Hi whirligig: a quick google ('bathroom wall lights') turned up many results, including this (which I remember from my own renovation research two years ago):
http://www.darlighting.co.uk/11-bathroom
I didn't have time to follow up all the other possibilities... Have a look and tell us what you find!