Updating a bathroom can cost thousands of dollars, especially if you hire an interior designer and opt for high-end finishes like granite countertops and modern designer fixtures. While you may wish for a more elegant bathroom, your pocketbook may put limits on how much you can spend. Fortunately, there are affordable ways to update your bathroom, from easy fixes for worn cabinets and old fixtures to infusions of style with wall décor and modern accents. If you’re not among the nouveau riche and want a sleek, updated bathroom that doesn’t cost more than a new car, read on!
New fixes for worn cabinets
Outdated cabinets can be given a fresh, modern look for the price of a quart of paint. Remove the door and drawers and place them on a work surface; lightly sand them along with the furniture with medium-grade sandpaper; wipe residue with a clean, damp cloth, then apply a coat of primer. Allow to dry completely and follow with latex enamel paint. Creamy shades of off-white, neutral gray or brown, or even glossy black will make the cabinet look modern and sleek. Go a step further and replace the outdated sink and countertop with a one-piece molded unit that drops into the cabinet. Finish off with a bit of sparkle: Sleek new faucets can be found at your favorite home improvement store and new cabinet hardware can be found from polished stone to gleaming metal to stainless steel in every color, shape and theme to suit your needs. give your bathroom a new attitude.
Easy ways to modernize
o Swinging pendant lights from decades past can be easily replaced and brought into the present century by changing the lighting fixture. Simply replacing the fixture in its current location is the quickest and least expensive way to go. But if you want to install an additional or new lighting setup, the fixtures are cheap enough to make this upgrade worth it, especially if you can do the job yourself. If necessary, take a class at a home improvement store or hire an electrician by the job, not the hour.
o An outdated medicine cabinet is fairly easy to replace with new styles that look like contemporary framed wall mirrors. Tilt mirrors that rotate on hinges are another great modern style. Bring the look together by adding wall décor and modern accents that complement the new mirror.
o Keep the look clean and modern by minimizing clutter. Countertops showcasing modern tabletop accents will give the bathroom a chic spa appeal. Less is more; let a few well-chosen pieces set the mood and style. Repeat colors and styles in wall décor that adds subtlety and style. A wrought iron wall hanging in a bold graphic shape will add dimension to the walls while keeping the room looking spacious and open. Choose accents that don’t add clutter; For example, simple glass shelves with modern metal brackets allow you to store daily necessities in simple glass containers while adding a decorative vase or small sculpture for a dose of modern style.
o Go with the flow when your bathroom has floors or tiles in good condition. Even if the colors are dated (think 1960s aqua blue), you can use this feature to your advantage. All white porcelain fixtures against aqua tiles will look fresh and clean. Accessorize your look: vintage-inspired chrome hardware and towel rails add a retro touch; matte gray accessories can inspire a more serene and neutral palette; or make it fun and colorful with brightly striped towels and a shower curtain that echo the aqua hue along with hints of warm coral and sunshine yellow.