STYLE UPDATES
Have fun with these simple but creative ideas that’ll ring the changes without turning into a full bathroom redo
Simple tweaks and tricks to beautify your bathroom
1 Floor filler
Make your freestanding bath the star of the show by tiling a statement floor below it, with the rest of the floor covered in a more simple design. It means you won’t have to spend too much on pricey tiles. You could even build a false platform for your bath to stand on to really elevate it in the room.
2 KEEP IT SIMPLE
A countertop basin allows for more surface space. Go for wall-mounted taps to keep the basin the star of the show and choose a circular shape as it’s easier to clean.
3 Replace tired grouting
Instead of using white grout, pick a colour that contrasts with your wall tiles, such as black or grey grout with white metro tiles. It ups the style stakes and will stay looking fresh for longer, too.
4 Picture this
Create a handy shelf in your bathroom by building a simple wooden frame behind your bath and tiling over it, then painting the wall above in a simple shade. Alternatively, just hang a few picture ledges along one wall to display artwork and accessories.
5 BE BOLD WITH WALLPAPER
Cheaper than tiling, using wallpaper in your bathroom can add stunning pops of colour. Steer clear of wallpapering directly behind a bath or basin (as splashes may cause damage) and seal the paper with a matt decorator’s varnish to protect it.
6 Choose a rustic style plinth
Update your washstand to something with more character, like this chunky wooden one, and set your basins on top. Make a simple frame from timber, or even upcycle an old table or sideboard, creating a unique piece of furniture bespoke to your home.
7 POP in a Plant
Raised colourful planters make the ideal home for your fresh (or faux) greenery. Alternatively, hang plants from the ceiling in macramé hangers.
8 Wow with window film
The smart solution to ensure privacy in your bathroom without having to forgo natural light. Plus, it allows you to have more fun with pattern. Simply cut to size than apply to the glass in seconds.
9 neat TRICK
Invest in a wooden bath bridge as a place to keep your fancier toiletries, ready for a long soak in the tub. Great for keeping plants on top when the bath’s not being used and a glass of wine when it is!
10 Go for bold
Add some colour to your bathroom and give an old tub some love by painting it in a bright new shade. Cast iron and most acrylic baths can be painted or spray-painted but it’s best to check with the manufacturer first, and always use a primer to achieve the best finish.
11 Quick fix
Add some pink to your bathroom for a fresh new look. If your suite is white, mix in some dark grey or black accents to stop it becoming too girly, and accessorise with greenery to balance out the whole scheme.
12 `LIVING ART
Use 3M Command clear adhesive mini hooks, £4, Homebase, to hang a trio of planters on your wall to display dried eucalyptus.
13 Chuck out tired towels
Like cushions, towels are a quick way to add colour to a room. Treat yourself to a brand-new set, and mix and match patterns – just stick to the same key colours for a cohesive look.
14 Switch up furniture
Don’t be afraid to use ‘non’ bathroom furniture – a sideboard or bedside table makes a great place to store toiletries and might suit your scheme better than a typical vanity unit. Go for an option raised up on legs to make the room seem larger.
15 light up your mirror
Add atmosphere to your bathroom with an illuminated mirror. With dimmable light levels to suit your mood or the time of day, they are a great choice. Most have infrared sensors, meaning they turn on and off with a swipe of your hand.
16 Upgrade hardware
Replace limescale-covered shower heads and taps with smart new brushed brass or copper designs. Or just give existing ones a really good going-over with a limescale remover until they shine.
17 ON DISPLAY
Make an open wire shelving unit by spraying a group of wire baskets copper or brass, then fix to the wall in a cluster from their flat bases.
18 Lay a vinyl floor
Jazz up a plain white bathroom with a patterned floor. Vinyl is affordable (find designs for less than £10m) and simple to fit yourself. Plus you can even lay it over existing tiles, provided the grout lines aren’t too deep.
19 USE PATTERN CLEVERLY
Even smaller bathrooms can take some pattern, like this chevron tiled wall which offsets the plain flooring. Keep colours minimal to stop the scheme looking too busy and use oversized mirrors to make the room seem larger.
20 Go green
For an eye-catching display in your bathroom, suspend a wooden ladder from the ceiling, then hang a collection of planters from each rung. Use plants that naturally grow downwards like ivy or trailing string of pearls. Macramé hangers would work well here, too.