Mini-Bathroom Makeovers You Can Conquer in a Weekend
Perk up your tired-looking bathroom with these simple and super-quick styling tricks
Louise O'Bryan
1 April 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 lacklustre? Has it become cluttered with ugly plastic bottles and adorned with tattered towels? It’s time to take back control and restore some calm and tranquility. Luckily, giving your bathroom a mini-makeover is easy – the time and cost is minimal but the effect will 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. There’s no excuse, so 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. There’s no excuse, so 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 pouffe, or even a coat rack will give your bathroom some extra character. Or why not go all out and add an armchair?
Be bold and bring some unexpected home accessories into your bathroom. A woven rug, chunky knit pouffe, or even a coat rack will give your bathroom some extra 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 stakes. Two or more mirrors in place of the traditional one add a contemporary feel, especially when their shapes are as pleasing to the eye as these.
Ho-hum mirrors can really let a bathroom down in the style stakes. Two or more mirrors in place of the traditional one add a contemporary feel, especially when their shapes are as pleasing to the eye as these.
If expense is a concern, shop around for secondhand Art Deco mirrors to add some retro charm.
Magical bathroom mirrors
Magical bathroom mirrors
Give lotions and potions a luxe overhaul
Invest in some chic bathroom accessories such as a soap dispenser and some smart bottles for an elegant and well-groomed finish. To create a boutique hotel arrangement, cluster display bottles you keep on the vanity on a wooden or metallic tray and add a fresh bloom or two. Decanting cotton wool balls and ear buds into lidded glass jars will add further five-star appeal.
Invest in some chic bathroom accessories such as a soap dispenser and some smart bottles for an elegant and well-groomed finish. To create a boutique hotel arrangement, cluster display bottles you keep on the vanity on a wooden or metallic tray and add a fresh bloom or two. Decanting cotton wool balls and ear buds into lidded glass jars will add further five-star appeal.
Pick an accent colour
Adding colour 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 extended the colour theme by painting part of the bathroom in a complementing colour. In this room, an unexpected touch of zesty lime is introduced high above the mirror, making the room feel fresh and spacious. Even the soap matches!
Adding colour 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 extended the colour theme by painting part of the bathroom in a complementing colour. In this room, an unexpected touch of zesty lime is introduced high 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 around your house. An on-trend stag head looks just as at home in this space as it would above the mantlepiece in your living room. Likewise, swapping a dated light fitting for something more modern can make a big difference.
Bare-bulb lighting is where it’s at, and if the cable is as bright as this one, so much the better. Of course, when dealing with any electrics safety is paramount. So unless you have experience changing a cable or fitting, seek advice from a qualified electrician before embarking on the task yourself.
See more exposed lighting
Don’t overlook your bathroom when it comes to displaying design pieces around your house. An on-trend stag head looks just as at home in this space as it would above the mantlepiece in your living room. Likewise, swapping a dated light fitting for something more modern can make a big difference.
Bare-bulb lighting is where it’s at, and if the cable is as bright as this one, so much the better. Of course, when dealing with any electrics safety is paramount. So unless you have experience changing a cable 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) more than a healthy plant or two, and it’s the perfect way to add some instant zest to a lethargic bathroom.
Tiny pot plants for your home
Nothing freshens up a space (and the air) more than a healthy plant or two, and it’s the perfect way to add some instant zest to a lethargic bathroom.
Tiny pot plants for your home
If you’re not sure which plant to choose for your bathroom, consider an orchid – it will make your bathroom more upmarket in an instant.
Go for a vintage vibe
No storage? No problem. Re-purpose a crate from yesteryear and give it a new life as towel storage. Continue the rustic vibe with an old stool and vintage mirror.
TIP: Drilling into tiles requires some skill and a specific drill bit. A good tip to stop the drill slipping off the glossy surface is to put two strips of masking tape across the spot where you will be drilling the hole.
No storage? No problem. Re-purpose a crate from yesteryear and give it a new life as towel storage. Continue the rustic vibe with an old stool and vintage mirror.
TIP: Drilling into tiles requires some skill and a specific drill bit. A good tip to stop the drill slipping off the glossy surface is to put two strips of masking tape across the spot where you will be drilling the hole.
Hang some art work
To help your bathroom flow harmoniously with the rest of your home, give it a personal touch with quirky prints or art work. In this master en suite, the couple’s framed wedding invitation brings some life into the otherwise cool and clinical space. It also links the room with the rest of the home where similar prints hang.
Take a look around the rest of this home
To help your bathroom flow harmoniously with the rest of your home, give it a personal touch with quirky prints or art work. In this master en suite, the couple’s framed wedding invitation brings some life into the otherwise cool and clinical space. It also links the room with the rest of the home where similar prints hang.
Take a look around the rest of this home
Re-purpose your storage
Do you have a redundant dresser or side table that needs a new home? Or maybe you just fancy a change and want to move some pieces around? Consider giving a piece a new home in your bathroom to create an attractive display for towels, toiletries and even toilet rolls.
Do you have a redundant dresser or side table that needs a new home? Or maybe you just fancy a change and want to move some pieces around? Consider giving a piece a new home in your bathroom to create an attractive display for towels, toiletries and even toilet rolls.
Tile an eye-catching splashback
If your bathroom needs a pick-me-up, taking the time and effort to add a standout splashback will pay off tenfold. DIY novices will need some help to achieve a professional look – call in a tiler for the best results.
TELL US
Do you have a mini-makeover idea to add? Share your tips in the Comments.
MORE
How to Get Five More Years Out of Your Bathroom
10 Five-Star Luxuries to Enhance Your Master Bathroom
Dial Up the Drama in an All-White Bathroom
If your bathroom needs a pick-me-up, taking the time and effort to add a standout splashback will pay off tenfold. DIY novices will need some help to achieve a professional look – call in a tiler for the best results.
TELL US
Do you have a mini-makeover idea to add? Share your tips in the Comments.
MORE
How to Get Five More Years Out of Your Bathroom
10 Five-Star Luxuries to Enhance Your Master Bathroom
Dial Up the Drama in an All-White Bathroom
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Simply updating your taps can give a bathroom an instant facelift
Very nice tips, thank you