There are several reasons you might be looking to renovate your bathroom – it could be as simple as giving it a refresh because it is a little tired or outdated, or perhaps you are looking to put your property on the market and want to make it as attractive as possible to buyers. Maybe you are even on the other side of the coin, and have seen a place you would love to buy, but the bathroom is going to need attention.
Whichever camp you fall into, you are probably concerned that getting the right look could prove prohibitively costly. However, the advice from bathroom experts at Better Bathrooms is that you can make a real difference to the look and feel of your “smallest room” without having to spend a fortune. Here are some ideas as to how.
Sort out your tiles
The tiling is the single largest factor that can make or break the look of your entire bathroom. But before you go diving in with a crowbar ripping the wall apart, take a good look at what you have got.
If your tiles are in a neutral colour, or better still you have a spare half-pack tucked away in the corner of the garage, it might be possible to just replace any that are damaged, and then give everything a really good clean. As a finishing touch, refresh the grout and caulk, and anyone walking in will be certain that you have completely retiled the place!
Repaint
If you have wallpaper in the bathroom, get rid of it. You can hire a steamer for a weekend that is great fun and will do the job quickly and efficiently. We warned, though, that cheap paint is a false economy in your smallest room. Buy a good-quality one that is specifically designed for kitchens and bathrooms, and you will get a good, moisture-resistant finish that will last for years.
A little woodwork
If you have wooden cabinets, consider how you might give them a new lease of life with a light rub down and a coat of varnish. You might even consider painting them a bright colour, or going for the “shabby chic” look.
While you are working on the wood, take a look at door frames, skirting boards and other areas of trim. An afternoon spent refinishing will make them look like new at a fraction of the cost.
Replace fixtures
New accessories, such as taps, towel rails and toilet roll holders are inexpensive, and take only a few minutes to fit. Yet they can alter the whole appearance of your bathroom revitalising it from old and tired to fresh and contemporary. Get out around the shops and see what is available.
Accessorise!
The smallest thing can have the biggest effect. A few coins spent on some replacement door handles can make an old bathroom cabinet look like new, and some shells and knick-knacks on the window make your bathroom look loved and homely.