Inexpensive bathroom fixes for owners and renters
The cramped, poorly-lit caves that pass for bathrooms in many apartments and small condos seem to exist in a different universe from the spa-like oases that populate Instagram.
Here are some quick, inexpensive fixes to make your space more hospitable — and won’t get you in trouble with your landlord.
Ugly or cheap vanity: Painting a tired vanity and installing new drawer pulls is a cheap project that can do wonders, said Mina Starsiak, co-host of HGTV’s “Good Bones.”
Laminate countertops can develop bubbles with repeated water exposure; removing the old countertop and relaminating is an option if it’s really bad, says Karen Laine, Starsiak’s mother and co-host. Have a piece of laminate cut to fit; using contact cement and a J-roller, apply the adhesive and carefully align the new laminate to the countertop before smoothing it with the roller.
“It’s not hard, but it takes focus, so you might need two people,” Laine said.
For a reversible option, Starsiak suggested covering countertops and front cabinet panels with adhesive contact paper that can be peeled off. Be sure to pick something water-resistant, like vinyl.
Poor ventilation: “It’s tricky to create airflow without construction,” said Jess Cooney at Jess Cooney Interiors. She suggested a trick used with closets: Replace a solid bathroom door with a slatted louvre door that can create some airflow.
Or try a dehumidifier, which draws excess moisture from the air. “If you don’t have adequate ventilation in your bathroom, a dehumidifier is your best bet,” Laine said.
Old fixtures and appliances: “A new toilet seat is a $20 investment,” Laine said. “It’s super easy and it’s two screws.”
A peeling bathtub is probably a sign of a previous repair that’s failed and is an issue to take up with your landlord, she said.
Installing a new shower head is a simple fix that can go with you to your next apartment — just be sure to save the head you replaced. “You might need a wrench, but you unscrew the one that’s on there, put some plumber’s tape on the thread and you screw a new one on,” Starsiak said, adding plumbing, electrical or appliance repairs are covered by most leases.
Inadequate storage: “A lot of times we feel like we don’t have enough storage, but really we need to be getting rid of a lot of stuff,” Cooney said.
Once you’ve narrowed down what you need, tuck clutter out of sight using shelves and cabinets with doors or under-sink caddies. For an added touch, pour shampoos, conditioners and lotions into attractive refillable bottles.
Ugly floors: The easiest fix for ugly tile or linoleum is a rug — something that’s durable and absorbent.
Laine suggested something lightweight that’s easy to wash, to curb chances of mould and mildew growth.
If you can persuade your landlord to let you re-tile your floor, Cooney suggested using durable porcelain tiles, and go for a large size. “Keep the grout joints really tight because it’s much easier to clean and for it to look good long-term,” she said.
Make it sophisticated: To add interest and calmness without using bold colour, Cooney layers with texture. “Get a really pretty, neutral linen curtain for the window and then get a nubbier, chunky bath mat ... but don’t add colour,” she said.
á Wacky colours, weird spaces: Some older buildings’ bathrooms are configured in odd shapes or done in loud colours. Cooney suggested embracing the vintage look — add an eyecatching piece of art.
Monochromatic decorations can help calm down the space.