Seven Updates for Your Bathroom (That Don’t Involve a Sledgehammer!)

This article is part of a new line of content here on Sima Spaces called the “Sima Spaces Sunday Seven”! Each Sunday, I’ll be sharing a roundup of seven somethings- design tidbits, renovation advice, organization tips, source roundups, decoration ideas… and more! Be sure to sign up for my mailing list (in the sidebar!) so you don’t miss out.

This is part of a long series where I’m sharing seven updates for every space in (and outside) your home! Last week, I shared seven affordable updates for your kitchen.

This week, I’m sharing 7 ways to update your bathroom. As with the kitchen updates, there’s a little bit of something for everybody on this list, depending on your budget and DIY skills. These are just a few ideas of many- you could start small and build your way up to a bigger project, like replacing your flooring with a pretty new tile. This is certainly a great starting point if you’re not ready for that step yet!

1 | Update your vanity

Depending on your budget, there are a few things that you could do here. It could be as simple as painting it (and/or your countertop), or you could completely replace it. You could also easily update it by replacing the knobs and/or faucet.

2 | Change up your paint color

A fresh coat of paint can do wonders. Are your kids teenagers but the bathroom is still painted lime green and decorated with Ninja Turtles? Time to update! Maybe you just haven’t gotten around to painting over the color you’ve loathed since the day you moved in. This is your sign! Pick up your paintbrush and get to work 😉 I’m personally a big fan of lighter walls in a bathroom; lighter paint colors help a small space feel bigger. If you have enough natural light, you could consider a darker color as well- just make sure to bring in contrast with lighter colors.

On the same vein, did you know you can paint your tile?! If you’re sick of your tile, you can update it with some paint- either in a single color, or a stenciled pattern. You just have to make sure to use the right type of paint so it will stand the test of time.

3 | Replace your textiles

Whether it’s a shower curtain you don’t love, an old bath mat, mismatched hand towels, or 10 year old bath towels, replacing your textiles can make such a difference. How much you spend can vary greatly here; there are plenty of nice-looking shower curtains or bath mats for $20, while others may cost $100.

4 | Add some above-the-toilet decor

Many people don’t bother decorating above their toilet. But by adding some artwork and/or a shelf, you can add interest to the room, and some distraction from the obvious toilet-factor. Adding a shelf is a great way to store bathroom items as well- display your soap, Q-tips, or cotton balls in a pretty glass jar. Add a reed diffuser to help keep it smelling fresh. You could even store extra washcloths or hand towels on the shelf. If you don’t need the storage space, you can add a plant, candles, photos, or whatever you’d like!

5 | Replace your mirror

This is an easy one- unless your mirror is one of the builder-grade mirrors that is glued on, which might require a bit more work. In general though, replacing your mirror could add a lot of interest and depth to an otherwise plain space- you could add one with trim that matches the color of your faucet and/or cabinet knobs or one with an interesting shape (or both!). You can also add storage with a medicine cabinet!

6 | Replace your light fixture(s)

This will take a little bit of electrical work, but YouTube has lots of great how-to videos! You can transform the whole feel of your bathroom with new lighting. Whether your bathroom feels too dark, too sterile, too dated, or too boring, a new light fixture can make a huge difference. There are so many options out there, from single sconces to 4-light sconces in a wide variety of price ranges.

7 | Change out your bathroom fixtures

Do you hang your towels on the back of your door? Do you set your hand towels on the counter? Not anymore you don’t! All you need is a screwdriver to install a new towel bar, hooks, and/or a toilet paper holder. There are tons of fixture packages out there for under $200 or you can mix and match to create your own. Depending on your budget and plumbing skills, you could also consider swapping out your tub/shower fixtures- or at the very least, replacing your shower head (most of them just screw on).

Do any of these ideas spark any interest to you? Which project seems most realistic for you? Let me know in the comments below! Also be sure to sign up for my mailing list so you don’t miss a single post in the Sunday Seven series.