If you’d like a new look for your bathroom, it doesn’t have to cost a fortune.  If you’ve just bought a new home and the bathroom is a disaster, don’t despair.  It’s possible to buy an inexpensive bathroom suite and have it installed in place of the old one.  Bathroom renovations become pricey when you decide to change the whole layout of the room, which means moving the plumbing around and then installing new flooring and tiles to accommodate the new plumbing.

Let’s look at some quick, easy and inexpensive ways to give your bathroom a brand new look.

1.  Decide what look you are going for.

If you’re going to change your bathroom, give it all some serious thought before you start.  Look at some pictures in home magazines or online and see what appeals to you.  Do you like the minimalist style of chrome, glass and black?  Is a country bathroom the place where you would like to relax?  They are very different and at each step of your renovation process, you need to have your theme in mind.

2.  Change the walls.

Don’t panic – we don’t mean a weekend of dry walling.  Paint is the least expensive and easiest way to change the way your bathroom looks and feels.  Also check how they fit with your theme.  Do you want paint with a sheen to look modern or a chalky, distemper look for a country or vintage bathroom?  Just imagine your bathroom in the following colors and how they would make you feel.

• Blue – fresh, clean and summery

• Yellow – bright, cheerful

• Green – calming, nurturing

• Pink – feminine and pretty

• Coffee shades – cool and sophisticated

• Red – hot and daring

Before you paint, check the wall for any imperfections and fill and then sand them.  Check thoroughly for any signs of mold and if you find them, look for the source.  It’s common to find mold spots on a ceiling above a shower due to the frequent damp but anywhere else may need tracking to its’ source and dealing with.

Wash the mold off with a proprietary mold killer and when it’s dry, prime the area with a ‘stain stopping’ spray or paint.  If you don’t do this, any remaining stain from the now deceased mold will ‘bleed through’ your nice new paint job.

When you’re choosing your paint, look for one that is specifically for bathrooms.  These paints are designed to deal with higher than average humidity and won’t flake or peel as quickly as regular paint.

Don’t forget the general rule that dark colors make a room smaller and lighter colors have the reverse effect.  If you’re painting your bathroom ready to sell your home, be conservative and stick with neutral colors.  You may love scarlet red but 99% of your viewers may not! And a bathroom that appears as large as possible is a bonus to potential buyers.

Now, paint and then enjoy!

3.  To paper or not?

If you prefer wallpaper, consider your budget.  You also need to be aware that paper may lift away from the wall in areas of high humidity.  Don’t forget that large patterns are overwhelming in  a small space.  If you have fallen in love with some wallpaper that is out of your budget, just paper one wall and then paint the remaining walls in a shade mixed to match one color in the paper.  Be sure to use wallpaper paste that contains an anti-fungal agent to deter mold growth.

4.  Color Accents

If you’ve used a neutral color, you can go for bold colors with your bathroom accessories.  It’s possible to pick up reasonably priced bathroom ‘bales’ of bath sheets, hand towels and face cloths in matching shades.  If you’re using a bath mat, get a matching one too.

5.  Flooring

If your floor has seen better days, it is possible to renew it without spending a lot.  Cork tiles are inexpensive and easy to lay.  Make sure that you seal them with a proprietary sealer or several coats of heavy duty clear varnish.

Laminate floor has become a lot less expensive.  Look for it in sales or discount stores.

With both of these, or any other type of flooring that you consider, remember the color rule.  Dark makes the room smaller and light makes it bigger.

6.  Replacing your suite.

Again, shop around for the best deal.  It’s a good idea to go for a white suite as any other décor will go with it.  This is especially important if you are improving your bathroom to sell your property.

Don’t forget theme here.  There are many styles of suite and whichever one you choose will dictate how the rest of your bathroom should look.  If you get a ‘Victoriana’ suite you need to decorate the rest of your bathroom in the same style for the best results.

Make sure that you consider size.  If your old suite is housed in a vanity unit that is passed its’ best, you could replace it with a pedestal sink with a slim base.  This will reclaim valuable space and make your bathroom feel much bigger.  If you need the storage, make sure any new vanity unit matches your chosen theme.

7.  Lighting

Good lighting is necessary in a bathroom.  You need to be able to see and it also makes the bathroom look brighter, cleaner and larger.

Stick to your theme here too.  If you’re going for modern, look for chrome and sleek.  A country style might look good with carriage lights or a fisherman’s light.

8.  Mirror, mirror on the wall…

Mirrors are essential bathroom items but they are also useful for making a space look larger and for reflecting light, so consider your placement carefully.  You will probably need a mirror over your sink but don’t forget that you can put another one anywhere you like.

Make sure the style of mirror that you choose enhances the look that you wish to achieve.  Mirrors don’t have to cost a fortune.  Look at Yard Sales and think how you could use paint to change a frame or stick things onto it with a hot glue gun.  Be creative and save yourself money!

9. Do you need to de-clutter?

You will have emptied out your bathroom to decorate it so when it comes to putting it back – stop!  Do you really need all of that stuff?  And if you do, is there a way that you can store it out of sight in an attractive unit?  Or could you store it elsewhere in your home?  Theme matters here too.  A modern, chic bathroom will have no clutter – where a country style will thrive on it. But regardless of how you decide to declutter, just do it, you will feel so much better for it.

10.  Additional items

This is where you can have fun finishing off the look of your new bathroom.  Think about your theme when you’re choosing shelves, laundry hampers, towel rails, toothbrush holders, soap dishes, tissue holders and even a vase for flowers or grasses for the window sill.  Would you like to add a picture to the wall?  Or some vintage tin signs?  Or a corner shelf for a trailing ivy?  How about candles?  These finishing touches will really make your bathroom look special so enjoy hunting down the perfect pieces, and there are so many practical and beautiful bathroom accessories available.

Now that all the hard work is done, you can relax in your tub and really love your bathroom!