20+ DIY Bathroom Update Ideas on a Budget

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Get easy ideas for updating your bathroom on a budget. It’s possible to change your bathroom without expensive and messy renovations.

These are some of my favorite ways to update an ugly bathroom without taking out a second mortgage.

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I’m a huge fan of Stage 1 projects, which make an ugly space look better until it can be renovated properly.

Stage 1 projects usually involve painting and DIY, but not much money. Some people think they’re a waste of time, but I disagree.

Want to know a secret? Sometimes, proper renovation never happens. Stage 1 projects give you a much prettier space than if you just waited.

I’ve included pictures from most of our homes to show how many times I’ve used these tricks and how they work in different bathrooms.

AFTER

Ways to Update Your Bathroom

We often see fancy home makeovers on TV and Instagram and think they’re the only solution. But I like to work with what I have and make it work.

I have a realistic budget and limited time to work on projects, so here is my list of realistic ideas that most homeowners can implement.

Not a homeowner? No problem. I have ideas for renters as well.

Deep Clean

I’m not trying to imply that your space is dirty, but I know I’m guilty of letting the mess get worse if I hate the space.

Spend some time cleaning and clearing out the clutter. In a bathroom, it’s probably old products you never use and towels that need replacing.

A clean space is instantly better than a messy space, even if it’s ugly. Best of all, this solution is free. Gotta love that!

Think About How It Functions

Before you get started, consider how the room functions. What works for you, and what doesn’t?

My bathroom has a pedestal sink and no space for a vanity, so makeup storage was a problem. I put a vanity table in my bedroom instead, which works well.

We also added a medicine cabinet to add more storage for daily-use items.

There was nowhere to hang towels, so we bought hooks that go over the door. This makes towels accessible from the shower (it’s a tiny bathroom).

I also needed somewhere to place clean clothes off the floor, so I added a small stool. It can also hold a candle or a glass of wine when I soak in the tub.

Solutions for Ugly Bathrooms

Unless you are fortunate, you likely bought a home with ugly bathrooms.

We don’t need to define ugly because it’s different for everyone. For instance, I love a vintage pink bathroom, but I see people always saying they’re ugly.

These are the ways I deal with any ugly space in a home.

Cover the Ugly

This is a good solution for homeowners. Almost anything can be painted. Will it last forever? No. Will it be good enough for now? Yes.

I painted my ugly vinyl bathroom floor of my Maryland bathroom. It held up great for many years.

Countertops can be painted. If you want them to hold up better, I recommend this epoxy solution, which I used in my kitchen. It held up great.

Ugly vanities can be painted. Paint can change the vibe of a room in no time!

For renters, peel-and-stick tile is available in various colors and styles. I’ve seen people use them in the shower, but I personally don’t have any experience with that. I would use them sparingly because the clean-up could be difficult.

Instead, I would use the following solutions.

Hide the Ugly

Our first house in Florida had a tan bathtub with pink tile. I didn’t have the energy to do a complete renovation, so I bought a long shower curtain and used it to hide as much of the tub as possible.

It looked so much better. (I also painted the vanity and added new hardware.)

Ugly floors can be hidden with bathroom rugs. Just make sure that they’re washable.

Curtains can cover many ugly things. Velcro can be used to attach them to sinks and cabinets.

Distract from the Ugly

This is a case of look here, not there. Sometimes, if you add a bold focal point, all the attention will be directed to that element, not everything else.

It can be a bold shower curtain or a large piece of art. It must distract the eye from whatever you don’t want to notice.

Embrace the Ugly

Is it possible to make the ugly element look intentional?

With my tan tub, I could have embraced the tan color and added more neutrals. I could have gone for a coastal look since the house was closer to the beach.

In my vintage mauve bathroom, I embraced the color and went with it.

I chose paint colors that are a bit more saturated but in the same colors.

Then, I added a shower curtain with similar colors. Now, the bathroom looks intentional.

It will never be in a magazine, but it’s pretty cute for now.

Here are some more ideas to try.

Paint the Walls

I have never seen a room that didn’t benefit from a coat of paint. Painting a room instantly makes a room feel cleaner.

Choose light and bright colors to make the room feel fresh and spa-like. Or lean into cozy, moody colors. The choice is yours.

Update the Lighting

Bathroom lighting is pretty affordable and easy to change.

If that’s outside your skillset, you can just change the globes to something cuter. (If you rent, store the old ones so you can replace them when you move.)

At a bare minimum, consider changing out the lightbulbs if you hate them. I have moved into many homes with cool tones bulbs that feel too harsh. It feels so good to replace them with warmer bulbs. I like these bulbs the best.

Change the Hardware

This is an easy way to update an ugly vanity. Just change the hardware to something a bit nicer.

If you have handles, measure from screw hole to screw hole to get the right size. You can also find these adjustable handles if the size is weird.

If you rent, store the old ones in a ziplock baggie.

Update the Towel Bars

Updating the towel bars is one of my favorite ways to update a bathroom. It adds a bit of luxury to something you use every day.

Pro tip: Buy them on Amazon to save some money. The ones at the hardware store are much pricier, and you’re at the whim of whatever they have in stock.

Installing towel bars is easy. If you can use a screwdriver or a drill, you can do it.

By the way, it’s okay to mix metals. Just add them in more than one place. For example, add a brass hook if you buy brass towel bars.

Try to limit the metals to two or three at most. Too many will look like a mess. (I bought a house with a bathroom that uses every metal possible in one space. It’s horrible.)

Add Art

When I finished my bathroom, I knew that it still needed something. Once I added the art, the room felt perfect.

It doesn’t have to be expensive. I bought a simple print from Target (they have some good ones now!) Now, I don’t have to worry about moisture ruining it because it was cheap.

You can find cheap art at thrift stores or even make your own! Many beautiful options can be printed and framed.

Buy New Towels

There’s nothing better than fresh, fluffy towels. You can choose simple white towels or go with fun, patterned towels.

I especially love patterned towels in a small powder bathroom. There are few opportunities to add interest in a small room, so I like using them there.

Get a Cute Shower Curtain

The shower curtain is probably the largest item in the room, so make it count.

A white shower curtain always looks great. It’s also fun to add a pattern to a space, especially if it’s an ugly room and you want to distract from it.

Update Your Bath Rug

Bathroom rugs prevent slipping, so why not pick a cute one? I got mine at Anthropologie on sale, but Target also has some cute ones.

Add Plants or Flowers

Adding plants or flowers is my number one tip for making a dull room better. They instantly add life to a room.

Fake is okay. Just make sure that you buy a realistic-looking one and keep it dust-free.

Get Cute Storage Containers

You probably have a lot of products in your bathroom, so be sure to put them in cute storage containers. You can find cute vessels at the thrift store or places like Target and Home Goods.

If you have the space, corral everything in a pretty tray.

Decant Your Products

I love decanting my products.

Cotton swabs go in a cute votive candle holder, bath salt and cotton balls in glass canisters, etc. I used to decant my mouthwash in a vintage bottle, but sadly it broke. I still need to buy another one.

If you can’t decant your products, consider choosing products in prettier bottles when it’s time to replace them.

I had a glass shower in one of our old homes, so I made sure that my products were white or blue since I could see them. It usually just means choosing a different scent, not a different product.

Add Cute Details

I’m a big fan of adding cute details to a room. This is an excellent place to make small splurges.

I love changing out the light switch plates in my bathroom for something nicer.

I also like cute containers to hold stuff in my medicine cabinet. These small details can make being in the bathroom a lot better.

Add Cute Window Treatments

If your bathroom has a window, replace the boring blinds with something cuter. I like cafe curtains on a tension rod.

There are also window films that you can add to windows to add privacy but keep the light.

Consider Adding a Small Stool

A small stool gives you somewhere to put clean clothes or a candle while you soak in the tub.

I love how wood adds so much warmth to a bathroom.

Add a Candle or Scent

Candles make everything nicer, so I love adding a candle to a bathroom.

Add Shelving

Bathrooms never have enough shelving, so take advantage of wall space and add some shelves. We made these shelves with pipes and wood.

Hide Anything Ugly

We talked about this already, but I will discuss it more here. You don’t want to soak in a bubble bath and look at things that make you feel bad, like the scale or cleaning products. So I like to hide them.

If you can put it under the sink, do that. I have a little nook where I hide my cleaning supplies.

What is your favorite idea for a DIY bathroom renovation on a budget?

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