When it comes to home improvement, there are few rooms that have quite the impact of a bathroom or kitchen when being decorated. There is something wonderful about taking a tired old bathroom and making it seem bright and shiny once again. Most people, however, cringe at the thought of a bathroom remodel fearing the absolute worst when it comes to their financial situation once all is said and done. The good news is that small steps can lead to big changes in rooms as small as bathrooms. These small steps do not have to have large prices in order to be highly effective.

My suggestion with a bathroom is to assess where the worst blemishes and eyesores may be. Painting the walls can be a good place to start but you should first decide whether you are planning to remove any cabinetry. This is one room where it is best to save the painting for later in the project rather than the beginning. The vanity in many bathrooms takes up a good deal of real estate. Gone are the days when chunky cabinets were the popular choice for bathrooms. Now people want the bathrooms to have the appearance of a wide-open space. This means that cabinets and vanities are becoming smaller rather than larger.

Most homeowners find that the removal of bulky cabinetry in the bathroom often leads to some degree of patching required for the drywall and noticeable gaps in flooring. These will need to be addressed fairly quickly, which means that now is a good time to select color options for the walls and flooring. Smaller bathrooms do well with lighter colors on the walls in order to give them a larger appearance. Use towels and decorations to bring in darker accents but keep the walls light and bright. Also, choose paint that can withstand the high humidity of bathrooms.

Flooring in a bathroom also needs to be able to withstand high heat and humidity as this room is rather abusive to floors and walls. For this reason, hardwood is not the floor of choice for most bathrooms. Ceramic tile is an excellent choice and not terribly expensive. There are also some laminates that are designed to respond well to a high humidity environment such as will be found in a bathroom. Choose flooring that will accent the walls and the overall sense of décor you are hoping to achieve when decorating your home and bathroom, as this is not something you are going to want to change often.

The toilet in a bathroom is fairly simple to purchase but I recommend leaving it be unless it absolutely needs to be changed. This is not a simple procedure for the novice and experts are expensive. In this case “if it ain’t broke don’t fix it” is an excellent motto to live by. The same holds true with the shower. If, however, you simply cannot live with your shower (or bathtub) as is, you may want to try hiring professionals to come in and resurface your tub. This is much less expensive than purchasing a brand-new tub and will have yours looking bright, shiny, and as good as new. Again you can avoid the high cost of a plumber despite the fact that you are paying for professionals to resurface.

If you’re looking to not spend a lot of money, there are plenty of cheap and easy ways to give it a fresh look without completely redoing the entire toilet, bath, and shower. Here are ten budget-friendly ideas to consider:

1. A new shower curtain can instantly transform the look of your bathroom. Choose one with a bold pattern or bright colour to add some interest.
2. Hang some inexpensive artwork on the walls to add some personality to your space. You could even make your own by framing pretty wrapping paper or postcards.
3. Replace the knobs, handles, and faucets in your bathroom with new ones to give it a modern look. This is a simple and affordable upgrade that can make a big difference.
4. Plants are a great way to add some life to your bathroom. Choose ones that thrive in high humidity, such as ferns or spider plants.
5. Invest in some new towels in a fun colour or pattern. Not only will they add a pop of colour to your bathroom, but they’ll also feel great against your skin.
6. Adding some shelves to your bathroom can give you more storage space and also make it look more put together. You can find affordable shelving options at most home decor stores.
7. A new mirror can make your bathroom feel bigger and brighter. Look for one with a unique shape or frame to add some interest.
8. If your vanity is looking tired, consider giving it a fresh coat of paint. Choose a bold colour to make it stand out, or opt for a neutral shade to keep it classic.
9. Swapping out your old light fixtures for new ones can instantly modernize your bathroom. Look for options that are energy-efficient to save on your electricity bill.
10. Finally, take some time to declutter and organize your bathroom. This will not only make it look better, but it will also make it easier to keep clean and tidy.

To top things off, you will be amazed at the difference that new knobs, fixtures, and hardware can make in a bathroom, along with some decorative touches of your own, and you have a brand new bathroom without spending a king’s ransom in order to do so. Last of all, don’t forget the new ‘guest’ towels! They will help to tie the room all together and will blend the colors and designs in order to create the overall atmosphere you should be hoping to achieve in your bathroom. And all of this can be accomplished one step at a time, no matter how sparse.