Low Budget Bathroom Decorating Ideas
If your bathroom looks like it's seen better days, but you don't want to spend a small fortune on remodeling (or go through the upheaval that involves), there are several cheap and easy things you can do to give it a makeover. Here are some bathroom decorating ideas that are possible to implement on a low budget:
1. Change the color scheme. It's amazing what a difference a lick of paint can make! A well-chosen color can totally transform a dingy bathroom and give it a light and bright new look. Although specialized bathroom paint is not quite as cheap as standard emulsion, it's well worth the extra few dollars, as it will look good for much longer. Bathroom paint is formulated especially to cope with the high moisture levels in the bathroom, and is designed to prevent mold forming - so those unsightly mold patches won't return to ruin your fresh new paintwork!
It's important to remember that the key to a professional-looking finish is all in the preparation, so don't skimp on this. Scrape off and sand down any loose or flaky paint, wash down the walls with sugar soap, fill any holes and sand down the woodwork. Thoroughly wash off any mold with bleach, which will kill it and stop it growing. When you're ready to start painting, lay a dustsheet over all your fixtures and surfaces, and work from the top down. Start with the ceiling, then move onto the walls, leaving the woodwork until last. You will probably need at least two coats. A thrifty tip if you're painting over a dark color is to give it an undercoat with standard white emulsion, which is cheaper than colored bathroom paint.
2. Decorate your tiles. Replacing bathroom tiles is a costly, messy and time-consuming job, which also requires a certain degree of skill. However, if you want to save money, there are several ways you could spruce up your existing tiles. The obvious thing to do is to give them a good clean and get rid of any limescale build-up. You can refresh dirty grout by using a touch-up paint. Another option is to use specialist tile paint to change the color of your tiles. Or, you could liven up plain tiles by using tile transfers to add color and pattern.
3. Evaluate your storage facilities and have a good old clear out to get rid of all those nearly empty toiletry bottles that are just taking up space. Give your vanity and cabinets a clean, and if they are still looking shabby, you might want to consider sanding them down and giving them a lick of paint. Changing the handles is another simple but effective way to give an outdated vanity or wall cabinet a stylish new look. If, after you've decluttered, you're still short on storage space, select the most decorative toiletries (the sort you get in gift boxes) and display these on your open surfaces, such as your shelves. You could arrange them in pretty wicker baskets to make them look more attractive.
4. Add new accessories to enhance your décor and create a welcoming atmosphere. For instance, replacing a faded or moldy old shower curtain with a colorful new one will only cost a few dollars and is a really simple way to improve the appearance of your whole room. Other tips include buying an inexpensive set of coordinating accessories such as a toilet paper holder, soap dish and towel ring, adding a fresh new bath rug, and adding candles or pot plants to create a relaxing ambiance.
All these ideas are relatively straightforward to carry out, and each job can easily be tackled in a weekend, or as and when you can afford it. It may surprise you how these little changes can make such a big improvement to your bathroom's look and feel.
Simon Phillips is a DIY enthusiast who loves finding budget decorating ideas. He contributes to http://www.showers-bathrooms.com, a site full of bathroom decorating ideas, with advice on everything from bathroom vanity cabinets to glass shower doors.
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