Dated bathrooms are a common and bothersome home-décor problem. A complete overhaul can be expensive and inconvenient, so homeowners often put off doing any changes at all, keeping their bathrooms in the design Dark Ages.
Gutting a bathroom isn't always necessary in order to have a room that is functional and attractive. Having said that, if the sink is leaking and the toilet doesn't work, well, you'll have to bite the bullet and plan for a reno. If, however, the bones of the room are in working order, you can give the space a fresh look that will keep the room current. Working on smaller projects over time will help alleviate the inconvenience and upfront cost factor of updating the bathroom.
Take stock
The first thing to do is make a list of changes that need to be made and items you'll need to purchase. Once you have that list in hand you can determine the order in which to begin your small projects. If, for instance, you need new flooring, a vanity and a fresh paint, you may want to start with removal of the vanity, then paint, have the new flooring installed and finish with the install of the new vanity. This way, you're not going to wreck the new flooring with paint splatters and the flooring installer won't have to work around the vanity. Sometimes the order of projects depends on your budget and time factors, but just try to plan ahead whenever possible.
Create visual flow
For the most part, it's best to try to create a seamless, cohesive look in the bathroom. It's usually a small room, so visual flow is important. If you're planning on replacing faucets, for example, get matching finishes for the sink, bathtub, shower and toilet when possible. Along with this, purchase accessories, like towel rings, bars and shelving that match the other finishes.
As you can see from our sample photographs, courtesy of Moen, most manufacturers have style lines in bathroom fixtures that make it easy to purchase like items. It might cost a little more to purchase matching sets but it's well worth it in the end. These little touches really count in a small space. They are like jewelry for your home.
An updated light fixture will definitely give the bathroom a new look and probably better lighting, depending upon the fixture you choose. Again, keep the other finishes in mind when choosing a new fixture for the bathroom.
A dazzling new mirror is another good addition to your new bathroom. Go bigger for more light reflection and a sense of greater space. Look for a unique piece that has an unusual shape (oval, for instance) or a great frame that will add some glam to the space. You can jazz up your current, plain mirror with mirror decals (in a frosted finish) or by painting and/or adorning the current mirror frame. If the mirror is frameless, look for decorative trim at the hardware store to use as a frame. You may be able to have it cut to fit and simple glue it right onto the front of the mirror edge, depending upon the trim you find.
New linens and shower curtain are a must if you want to freshen up a dated bathroom. Watch for sales and purchase higher-end items, like thick towels and lush bath mats, to give the bathroom a spa feeling.
Clever disguises
A dated or unsightly show surround can be disguised until such time as your budget allows for a renovation. Install a tension shower-curtain rod along the wall opposite the regular shower curtain and hang a decorative, matching shower curtain on that rod. This will help brighten up the area and help keep water off of the main shower/tub wall in the short term. You could also consider installing an oval shower curtain rod over the tub (like the kind sometimes used in claw bathtubs) from which you can hang the shower curtains to provide 360 degrees of coverage. Purchase matching decorative curtain hooks for both rods to finish the look.
Dated flooring can also be somewhat disguised with decorative bath mats. Purchase sets that offer larger mats that will cover more of the flooring in a colour that does not compete with the flooring underneath, but blends with it where possible. Less contrast is best.
Wallpaper is a great option if you can't or don't want to paint. It can also help disguise less-than-perfect walls. With wallpaper you can add pattern, colour and texture to the bathroom, depending upon the paper you choose.
Little touches
Something as simple as an inexpensive plastic shower-curtain rod cover can help with your update, especially if your current installed rod is a little rusty or the wrong colour. The cover will also make the rod smoother so that the curtain rings will glide with ease.
There are lots of affordable ways to give your bathroom a fresh, new look. Plan ahead and watch for sales on unique items for your space.
connieoliver@shaw.ca
