Bathroom decoration

Bathroom decoration ideas for a small budget

Sometimes we don’t have the money to remodel our bathroom but quite honestly a bathroom often doesn’t need a complete revamp, just some refreshing and restyling. Obviously if the bathroom is very dated, then it’s best to remodel – but if you have a decent shower, toilet bowl and vanity basin – then just use your imagination and some DIY skills to update it..

First do a proper assessment of the bathroom. Are the walls tiled or panelled? What’s the flooring like? Is the plumbing in good order? Does the room need painting? Is the sanitary ware in good order? Is there adequate lighting? And so on…

If you are on a small budget, you should think about everything with this amount in mind. I know, when you change things, you want the best and the latest trend – but believe me, you can achieve amazing improvements with very little money!

Firstly do a thorough cleaning and de-cluttering – your bathroom will look better instantly. If it needs more than just a good scrub, a new lick of paint can also do the trick. If you have panelling, go for a natural or sea-based colors. Tiles can also be painted – either go for an off-white color or chose a glamorous color in a pearly finish (currently very trendy). If you’re happy with your tiles, you can freshen them up with just a new layer of grout – if the tiles are a bit bland, add some interest by using a grout of contrasting colored between the tiles.

A bathroom floor can quickly be updated by covering it with some vinyl flooring. There are so many patterns & colors to choose from – make sure you select something that complements your scheme! If you have wooden floor, a new coat of varnish can give it a new life. Tiles can be updated with a new coat of grout – if they are badly damaged, and you can’t afford new tiling, just cover it with vinyl flooring.

Every bathroom needs storage -a cabinet and/or some shelves. Cabinets are a much better solution because they can hide all your beauty and bathroom products and less cleaning is required later. Just keep the essential products next to your bath/shower – the rest should be put into cabinets. You can utilise spaces above, behind and under service boxes – or build something that will be flush with these.

Then think about the final touches – the fluffy towels, the bath mat, the toilet seat, the shower curtain and so on. These should complement your scheme, but don’t have to be a set – the same pattern on every accessory actually looks rather naff. As long as there is a color or textural connection between them, they should be fine.
Lighting is also important, particularly if your bathroom doesn’t have any natural light. Ideally you should have directional lights above the vanity basin and the shower, and some atmospheric lights for evening use. However, if you don’t have the budget for several lighting systems, you can use a dimmer switch or good old candles for those relaxing bathing moments!

In the next article about bathroom decoration, I’ll write about the latest trends in bathroom design.