Five Simple Ways to Makeover Your Bathroom Without a Remodel

Your bathroom is one of the most beloved and important spots in your house. Unfortunately, it’s also one of the ones that takes the most wear and tear every day. From your morning routine to your nighttime wind-down, your bathroom should be a special and calm space. If yours is anything less than that, you may be considering a total remodel. The good news is you can make a major difference in your bathroom with just a few simple changes. So put down that sledgehammer and resist the urge to call your contractor. Here are a couple DIY transformations that you can get done in a weekend or less.

1. Paint the walls.

This is a simple trick, but it tops our list because of its ability to make a major impact with just a few bucks. Think about the environment you want to create in your bathroom, then choose hues that would help you achieve that look. For instance, many people decide to go with blues, greens, or teals in their bathrooms because they give off a calming vibe and help create a sense of serenity. Then, head to your local hardware store and pick up a few cans of paint in that shade.

You will be surprised at how different your bathroom looks with just a few coats of new paint! You can even paint over your wallpaper if you’re still rocking those floral prints from the eighties. Or, you may decide to go bold and bright and give your bathroom a dramatic makeover with a darker hue. The sky is the limit, so let your creativity run free! You can even get some fun stencils from your local hardware store and create a design on the walls. Or, you might find a wall decal that has a special saying that means something to your family. Be creative and take your time with this decision. It might be the easiest one but it’s the one that will make the biggest change.

2. Transform the grout.

One of the most common bathroom woes is dark, dirty or stained grout. Over time, water damage can get into even the most pristine grout and make it look dingy. While you might be tempted to tear the existing flooring up and replace it with something more water-resistant and new, take a step back and reexamine the issue at hand. Chances are, you can fix the issue with just a little bit of time and right resources.

Besides the grout, is the tilework otherwise in fine shape? Tile is designed to last a lifetime, so chances are, the answer is likely “yes.” If that is the case, don’t tear anything out. Instead, you can simply color your grout! It might sound too easy to be true, but there are myriad colorants available that can take the years off your tile, save you tons of money in the process, and give your bathroom back that clean and uniform look you crave.

3. Hang some new artwork.

When you look around your bathroom, are you inspired? Are you looking at images of things that bring you alive, calm you down, or give you a sense of peace? If you’re shaking your head no, it’s likely time to hang some new artwork! You don’t have to go out and buy an original oil painting to make a huge difference. Instead, scour your local thrift store or estate sale to find old textbooks or art books. You can tear out the pages, mat them in a corresponding color and frame them for a simple transformation! If you’re going for a beachy scene, you can hang pictures of the shoreline, seashells or coastal sunsets. You can also use this opportunity to hang family photos around the sink or bathtub. Or, a few decorative sconces on the wall can make a huge difference as well.

4. Change out your fixtures.

Are you still rocking shiny brass bathtub faucets and sink knobs? If so, it might be time to step out of the eighties and into the 21st century. Take the time to reassess how modern your bathroom is and whether a few simple hardware changes could make a major difference. Thanks to today’s ultra-trendy farmhouse craze, oil-rubbed bronze hardware is making a major comeback. The darker tones of this metal pair great with lighter walls and more neutral linens.

Or, you may decide to go with a sleek sterling silver or brushed nickel change-up. This look is both clean and minimalistic and can instantly give your bathroom the facelift it deserves.

5. Add a special light fixture.

Look up. Is your bathroom lighting lackluster? If you’re using can lights or outdated fluorescent lighting, it’s time to switch it up. This is a special and important room and should be treated as such. Go ahead and splurge on a fun chandelier! These days, you can find knock-off diamond encrusted ones that look just like the real thing. Then, when you turn on the lights first thing in the morning, you’ll be greeted with a spa-like drama that can help you start your day off on the right foot!

If you don’t go the chandelier route, you can also hang some pretty hanging lights over the mirror to help add warmth and dimension to the room. The idea is to eliminate harsh and unflattering lighting to help soften the look and create a sense of calm.

Ultimately, your bathroom is a direct reflection of your style. While it can be easy to let the design get the best of you and simply use this space as a catch-all, don’t fall into that trap. Take the time to be intentional and deliberate with your decor choices and make a few small switch-ups. You’ll instantly see the change and feel the transformation and chances are, you’ll want to spend even more time in this room than ever.