11 budget-friendly bathroom upgrades

Your bathroom is one of the most used spaces in your home. When it feels clean, bright, and relaxing, getting ready each day is a joy. However, the presence of wear and tear, such as moldy caulk and chipped tiles, makes a bathroom feel drab. While a full renovation may be out of reach, you can make a world of difference with DIY upgrades done on a weekend. Small switches like new flooring, a mirror frame, or updated light fixtures breathe energy into the room. This guide highlights transformations you can tackle on the weekend to improve the feel and look of your bathroom. Get ready to beautify your bathroom on a budget!

Infuse Personality with Wallpaper

Bare drywall or blah paint can make a bathroom feel clinical. Liven things up with wallpaper! A powder room is ideal for going bold with lively colors, floral prints, or geometric patterns. Use traditional paste-on wallpaper, not peel-and-stick, for durability in damp areas. Work carefully around switches and outlets. Wallpapering just one feature wall packs visual impact without the work of covering all walls. Tip: pick a color from your wallpaper and paint the remaining walls in that shade. The coordination looks cohesive and custom. For more inspiration on remodeling your bathroom beautifully but affordably, search for the best bathroom remodeling company near me. Their portfolio will get your creative juices flowing.

Install Peel-and-Stick Vinyl Flooring

Dingy floors drag down the whole aura of a bathroom. Replacing tile can be expensive, but peel-and-stick vinyl flooring lets you switch up your floors in a day for under $100 dollars. The self-adhesive backing sticks right to the existing flooring. Bold graphic prints or wood-look planks update the look instantly. Contrary to popular belief, quality vinyl stands up well to moisture and foot traffic. Just clean properly. Durable, affordable, and simple to install, peel-and-stick flooring is a renter-friendly option too. Change the floors, change the whole vibe.

Regrout and Seal Tile

Over time, grout inevitably absorbs grime and becomes discolored. Regrouting and sealing your existing tile brings it back to life! First, scrape out old grout fully. Apply new grout, let dry slightly, then sponge away excess. Lastly, seal the grout, which protects the color and resists staining. White grout brightens up the space, while darker grout adds contrast. Match your caulk color to the grout for a seamless look. Regrouting tile takes some elbow work but delivers a dramatic refresh.

DIY a Vanity Update

Is your vanity stuck in the 90s? A fresh coat of paint and new knobs can modernize it instantly. Lightly sand, then paint with a semi-gloss enamel paint made for bathrooms. If working with existing knobs, remove them, fill holes with wood putty, then paint the vanity before reattaching the knobs. Swap out old hardware with eye-catching black, brass, or crystal knobs for a new look. Customizing builder-basic vanities makes them look high-end. Add a new mirror for an even more wow factor.

Add Charm with a Bathroom Niche

Maximize unused space with a handy niche! This entails cutting an opening in the wall behind your sink, then tiling, grouting, and sealing inside. Niches add storage for daily essentials. If your sink has zero counter area, a niche integrated above provides a spot for toiletries. Use caution and avoid plumbing or wiring. Measuring carefully yields professional results. Primer and paint surrounding walls to showcase your DIY niche. Who knew extra storage could also provide style?

Get Creative with Mirrors

Tired of looking at a dated bathroom mirror? Framing it out with trim gives it new life. Use decorative molding, paint it to match your walls, and then hang the mirror over for visual interest. Or get crafty by building your own frame from scratch and affixing it around the mirror’s edge with adhesive strips. An ornate frame becomes a striking focal point, especially on an accent wall. For a whole new look, hang an oval, arched, or round mirror. Don’t forget the power of lighting. Sconces flanking a mirror amplify elegance.

Install Coordinating Window Trim

Drawing attention to windows via trim creates a luxe look with little effort. For standard drywall openings, glue up crown molding topped with backband trim. Build window boxes if you crave extra charm. Avoid moisture damage by properly priming and sealing the wood. For the easiest installation, opt for polyurethane or PVC trim materials that resist moisture well in bathrooms. Finally, paint all trim white or match the wall color. Voila! Your windows gain elegance. Don’t forget to hang curtains for the finished touch.

Update Shower Curtain for New Shower Door

Does your vinyl shower curtain exude a cheap motel vibe? Consider replacing it with a framed glass shower door for a clean, updated look. Carefully measure before purchasing standard-sized or custom glass. Alcove openings may need filler panels. Installation involves drilling into tile and caulking. If tiling in the shower area needs replacing, too, consider a full tub surround update down the road. For now, a new door elevates the space stylishly. Enjoy splashes contained instead of puddles on your floor.

Swap Out Bathroom Hardware

Even if you keep your cabinets, faucets, and fixtures the same, replacing hardware items like drawer pulls, towel bars, and toilet paper holders can make a significant visual impact. Head to your local hardware store for an array of trendy or classic knobs and hooks. Keep it cohesive by choosing finishes like matte black or brass throughout. Look for hardware with rust-resistant finishes. Installing takes mere minutes. With painted cabinets, tie them together by selecting hardware in a shade that pops against the cabinet color. The small details make the room!

Don’t Forget the Artwork!

In the quest for function, it’s easy to overlook bare walls. But art and accents put the final polish on a bathroom’s new look. Lean into the spa vibe with framed botanical prints, watercolors, or photographs. Incorporate meaningful words, quotes, or poems. Or opt for full-on glam with a statement mirror or gold sunburst décor. Floating shelves displaying plants or candles also infuse warmth. Your bathroom should nourish your spirit as well as your body. A little décor goes far when it comes to creating an uplifting oasis.

Conclusion

With a few tools, creativity, and two days, you can transform the heart of your home. A renewed bathroom clears away cobwebs from your mind and energizes you. By taking things one step at a time, suddenly, you have a beautiful, functional bath space without breaking the bank. Don’t settle for dreary when a few easy upgrades can help your bathroom shine.