In this article we share tips for revambing your bathroom on a budget
If you dread walking into your dated bathroom and dream of a change, but don’t have a lot of disposable cash, there are plenty of bathroom decorating ideas that are inexpensive and simple to do.
Sam Whillance, a savings expert at discounts platform Deal.Town has put together a guide to updating tired and dated bathrooms, without having to break the bank. All of the suggestions here can be done for less than £50, perfect for revamping the space on a budget!
Declutter to Maximise Your Space
Decluttering is the first step in adding life to any bland space, and probably one of the most important. Your bathroom can begin to feel cluttered and chaotic with an overcrowded basin, by eliminating all the space-hogging essentials you can free up more room for decorative elements such as candles and ornaments.
If you’re tight on space in your bathroom, investing in simple storage is a great solution to an overcrowded bathroom. Baskets or waterproof plastic containers are functional no matter how many lotions and potions you’ve got.
Expert Tip: Wall space is precious, especially in small overcrowded bathrooms – suction cup storage is a cheap non-permanent way to tidy makeup and toiletries away.
Upgrade Your Bath Mat
As well as being functional, bath mats can make a real design statement, whether it’s with a bold colour, daring pattern or a quirky shape. Cheeky statement mats are a great way to decorate your bland bathroom and put a smile on your face first thing in the morning.
Opt for a standout statement piece for your bathroom, the choices are endless!
Expert Tip: Your bath mat doesn’t have to be fabric. There are some great cork and bamboo options which not only look great, but can be cleaned with a bathroom cleaner and a damp cloth which is perfect if you’re sharing a bathroom.
Be Adventurous with Your Shower Curtain
Lacklustre bathroom in need of a makeover? Shower curtains are a great way to add personality to your bathroom and make for a characterful way to breathe new life into your space. Hanging a bold and colourful curtain is an inexpensive and nonpermanent way to totally transform your basic bathroom into a haven of colour.
Unlike wallpaper, paint and tiles, shower curtains can be switched out in minutes. So take advantage of this by experimenting with daring patterns and prints that contrast your bathroom surroundings!
Expert Tip: Don’t spend a fortune when picking your shower curtain, they need to be changed frequently to keep mould and damp at bay – plus it’s an excuse to spruce up your bathroom.
Get a Plant (or two or three)
Bringing a touch of nature indoors is a great way to create a calming, tranquil space without splashing out. You can transform your bathroom into a peaceful sanctuary by purchasing a few indoor plants and placing them on the windowsill and countertops.
Take a browse through Pinterest and Instagram and you’ll see the most stylish bathrooms come complete with some leaves. Indoor greenery offers a rustic, natural feel to any space and the variety of plants available allows you to get really creative. If you’re feeling adventurous, play with levels and suspend a hanging plant or two from shelves.
Expert Tip: Pick plants that can thrive in warm and humid environments. Aloe Vera, snake plants and spider plants are three great options that will love the humidity from your daily showers. Plus, these plants can help suck the moisture out of the air, reducing the risk of damp and mould from condensation.
Improve Your Lighting Fixtures
An inexpensive but effective way to totally transform the look of your bathroom is to switch it up with fluorescent light bulbs. Changing bathroom lighting can make the room feel fresher, larger and doesn’t have to cost a fortune.
Believe it or not, it is possible to get creative with smaller spaces in bathrooms as well, stick-on LED lights are a cheap and nonpermanent solution for adding extra lighting to space.
Expert Tip: Make sure you opt for water resistant, bathroom ready-lighting.
Flexible LED strip lights are an efficient, long-lasting option which come in a variety of styles, and can be installed without any damage or fuss. Simply cut to the desired length and fix the product using rubber clips and screws which are provided in the pack.
Spruce up Your Bathroom Walls
Bare walls are certain to make you feel like you’re a guest rather than a resident, but with strict landlord rules, it’s unlikely you’ll be able to paint your bathroom. Luckily, there are some handy ways to spruce up the walls and surrounding space.
A simple and surprising decorative feature that complements a bathroom space, is art and photography. Whether it’s a black and white painting or a colourful vintage photograph, bathrooms can benefit from eye-catching pieces of art. They’re also fab for covering any marks or stains on the wall that you may not want to see!
Expert Tip: If your rented accommodation comes with a strict ‘no nails’ rule, adhesive hooks are the great solution, they are easy, cheap and don’t cause permanent changes.
Get Creative With Peel-and-Stick Wallpaper
Create instant impact with removable wallpaper. While transitional wallpaper is permanent, peel-and-stick wallpaper is the dream decor trend: nonpermanent and Instagram-worthy. You can go for an entire accent wall, or just kit out the built-ins in your bathroom and remove them without damage.
Whether patterned, monochrome or one bold colour, decorative wallpaper will jazz up your bathroom on a budget. Plus, you won’t have an angry landlord knocking at your door!
Expert Tip: Hanging wallpaper can be challenging if you live on your own, rope in your roomie to lend a hand. If this isn’t possible, be patient and take things slowly, but you should be able to readjust the peel-and-stick wallpaper if you make a mistake.
Experiment with Shelving
Many bathrooms often exhibit a lack of built-in storage. Fortunately, there are tons of creative ways to store bathroom essentials. Fitting a shelf allows you to use up empty wall space, clear countertops and floor space. Using double-sided removable tape will allow you to remove any shelves damage-free.
Non-slip bath caddies not only provide you with extra storage but they give a clean and organised look to your space. If you’re feeling really adventurous and have the space, why not consider investing in a leaning ladder. Leant against a wall and secured safely, this effortless piece is perfect for hanging towels and bathrobes.
Expert Tip: Fitting hooks high and low is a great way to hang towels, bathrobes and any other must-haves to clear up more space around the bathroom.
Keep accessories minimal and fuss-free
A cheap and easy way to create impact within your bathroom is with accessories. Pick a quirky soap dispenser with matching toothbrush holders and storage jars, and find a towel collection with contrasting colours for impact. If you have any mason jars lying around, clean them out and stuff them with make-up brushes, cotton pads and buns for an effortlessly tidy look.
Expert Tip: Make a feature out of your accessories. Mason jars and glass containers filled with cotton wool can look really effective when grouped together. Remember, odd numbers always work better, so group your accessories in threes or fives for the optimal impact.
Spruce up the tile grout
It takes a bit of elbow grease but cleaning grimy tile grout will make your bathroom look shiny and new. A build-up of mould and mildew can leave grout looking unappealing and discoloured, using a scrubbing brush you can restore grout to its original colour. If your grout is still looking grimier than you’d like, grout pens are also an easy solution for restoring the look of stained tile grout.
Expert Tip: Baking soda mixed with hydrogen peroxide is the best solution for cleaning grout – baking soda is mildly abrasive so helps to remove the dirt. Apply with a clean toothbrush (that you don’t use anymore!), leave for a few minutes and rinse off.
