Your bathroom is one of the most commonly used parts of your home. As a result, it’s easy for your bathroom to experience a lot of wear and tear. Over time, light fixtures can break, shower curtains get damaged, and before you know it, you might start to feel like your bathroom needs a makeover.
A complete bathroom renovation can cost thousands of dollars. Although major upgrades can raise the value of your home and your net profit when you sell, they may also increase your chances of paying capital gains taxes.
If you want a simple refresh without redoing the tiling or the plumbing, here are eight easy, budget-friendly hacks to make your bathroom feel new again.
1. Clean and organize
The first step to updating your bathroom is to clean, declutter, and organize. Go through your bathroom cabinets and throw away trash, empty shampoo bottles, and expired cosmetics. Be ruthless when decluttering. Sometimes, cleaning off your countertop can make your space feel fresh and new.
2. Add a fresh coat of paint
Painting is one of the most impactful ways to change the look of a room. It’s also very affordable. Depending on the size of your bathroom, you may only need a gallon of paint to change the look altogether.
Paint your space a fresh, bright white to make it feel cleaner. Or choose a fun, vibrant color to add some personality. Either way, painting is one of the most straightforward ways to change the look of your bathroom without investing a lot of money.
3. Use peel-and-stick wallpaper
If you don’t want to paint, consider wallpaper, which is now back in vogue. Opt for peel-and-stick wallpaper if you don’t want to learn how to professionally install it or you don’t want to pay someone to install it for you. If you’re afraid to commit to an entire room, add wallpaper to a small section of your bathroom or on the inside of your cabinets for a pop of color.
4. Change your light fixtures
If you have old, dull light fixtures in your bathroom, consider replacing them with new, modern ones. If you don’t want to spend hundreds of dollars on new lights, consider shopping on Facebook Marketplace or your local Buy Nothing or Freecycle Facebook groups. You’d be surprised how many people sell their bathroom light fixtures for deep discounts while renovating, and you can snag some incredible deals.
5. Buy a new shower curtain
Buying a new shower curtain and shower liner is an affordable way to change your bathroom look. You can choose from many options for $50 or less. One great go-to look is to purchase a long white shower curtain to mimic the look and feel of a hotel room.
6. Add plants
Plants are an affordable addition to any space, and your bathroom is no exception. Consider adding some green plants if you have open shelving in your bathroom or a shelf in your shower. Many varieties of plants love the moisture of a bathroom and would thrive in that setting.
7. Change your hardware
Replacing your entire bathroom vanity might be tempting, but there are more cost-effective ways to modernize your bathroom. A good alternative is to update your cabinet hardware. By purchasing new knobs or pulls for your cabinets, you can give your bathroom a slight upgrade that makes it feel like you bought a new piece of furniture.
8. Update your showerhead
Another easy hack to make your bathroom feel more high-end is to update your showerhead. You can purchase a new rainfall or detachable showerhead for less than $150. You could also opt for one that simply creates better water pressure. Even if you have an older bathroom that’s in need of a full renovation, replacing your showerhead is a great way to create a more relaxing, luxurious experience.
Final thoughts
There are many ways to update and refresh your bathroom without spending a significant amount of money, especially if you’re preparing to sell your house. However, if your bathroom is in extreme disrepair, it may be better to sell as-is to a company that buys houses for cash, rather than spend money on upgrades. If you’re simply tired of your current bathroom, you can make your space feel completely new with some thoughtful additions, a couple of hours cleaning, and new decor. The best part is that you can complete many of these tips in a weekend, so if you’re about to sell your house or host a large gathering, it won’t take long to refresh your space.
