Low-cost and luxe ways to give bathrooms a lift

Does your bathroom need a pickme-up? Whether you want to build a spalike experience with a complete remodel or just want to make quick changes in an afternoon, new products and technology make it easy.

The 2017 Houzz bathroom trends study said the average spend on a major master bathroom remodel was $21,000 US, while smaller bathrooms averaged $12,500. Whether or not you have that kind of scratch to throw around, here are five ways to refresh your bathroom, from lowcost to luxe.

1. Swap out fixtures. On the super-frugal side, replace vanity hardware or light fixtures or install new towel bars and/or toilet paper holder, said Sarah Barnard, principal of Sarah Barnard Design, a California-based interior designer. Add plants such as orchids or ferns if you have a window. Simple touches can draw attention away from ugly spots.

2. Showerheads. With as little as $100, upgrade to a better showerhead, said Lynn Schrage, marketing manager of a Chicago Kohler store. Even renters can install a better showerhead and replace it when they move.

3. Medicine cabinet. Have wiggle room in your budget? Lighted, mirrored medicine cabinets can improve a bathroom and save space, Schrage said. Many lighted medicine cabinets can use existing electrical supplies, too. Kohler’s Verdera medicine cabinets and Wade Logan both have LED lighting that mimic natural daylight.

4. Bathing area. Updating the bathing/showering space can spruce up the bathroom without making the rest of the room feel tired, Schrage said. Tom Graham, president of Revive Designer Bathrooms in Lincolnwood, said if you’re not gutting the space, just replacing the shower door can make a big impact. Today’s doors have more glass and less hardware for a clean look, he said.

5. Toilet. Graham said he gets a lot of requests for “comfort height” commodes, which are closer to chair height, about two to four inches higher than the standard toilet. Sleeker looks such as having the water tank built into the wall, and the seat mounted to the wall are popular, he said.