18 Bathroom Updates You Can Do in a Day

Paint a Mood

1/19

Oh, what a coat of paint can do—especially a tranquil watercolor shade of blue against pure white. The restful combination will make you feel like you’re visiting your own oasis.

Quaker Rose

Windowsill Arboretum

2/19

Even in a small space with artificial light and lots of humidity, many houseplants will thrive. Bring the outside in with bath-loving plants like aloe, azaleas, and ferns.

Decoist

Make a Splash

3/19

Tiling a bathroom doesn’t have to be an all-or-nothing endeavor. Choose a small space—for example, above the sink—and lay a tile backsplash to add interest.

HGTV

Make the Pulls Pop

4/19

There’s nothing like a new set of cabinet hardware to refresh a room. The possibilities are endless: Go modern, rustic, or vintage, or as in this case, pick a style that literally “pulls” the bathroom together.

Wayfair

A Reason for Vanity

5/19

Don’t replace your vanity—paint it! Whether you opt for a color to blend in and match the walls or an alternative bright shade to set it off from the rest, a paint job is guaranteed to give the whole room a facelift.

Lowe's

Mirror Art

6/19

Replacing a bland mirror with a couple of more artful versions can help a bathroom feel a bit less sterile. Making mirrors yourself, with the addition of vintage frames or a wide grosgrain ribbon at the top, will give your mirrors a style all your own.

My Home Ideas

Get Down to Brass Tacks

7/19

If you have dated brass fixtures, achieving an updated look is easier than you may think. From towel bars to toilet paper holders to lighting, a coat of spray paint can completely transform your collection. If you like a less glossy look, companies like Rust-Oleum offer several sprays in an antique finish.

Nationalbuildersupply.com

Blind Them with Style

8/19

Wooden plantation blinds really pull together a room, and you can never go wrong with classic white. If you have some odd-size windows, custom blinds are readily available from such online retailers as blinds.com.

Houzz

Refresh the Accents

9/19

Even if you never pick up a hammer or nail, you’ll feel like you’re walking into a transformed space if the accents are new. If you have neutral walls and fixtures, here’s your chance to be bold with the shower curtain, towels, and rug!

Amazon

Hook It Up

10/19

Although you usually see these in a foyer, a simple shelf or bar with hooks is right at home in a bathroom. If you have an open wall near the tub, adding hooks will ensure that your towels and robe are always at the ready.

Following Friends

Be Spa-Minded

11/19

Details can be delightful. Why keep your cotton balls and Q-tips under the sink when you can display them in pretty glass jars like these? Or, if glass in the bathroom seems like an invitation to disaster, score a few low-profile rattan baskets to store your wares.

Pottery Barn

Say It with a Stencil

12/19

A wall-to-wall stencil covering a solid paint color will give you the look of wallpaper without the pesky peeling problem that can plague humid areas. It will take some patience to do this yourself, but the result will be well worth it.

SAS Interiors

Sitting Pretty

13/19

In comparison with some of the other appliances in your home, swapping out a toilet isn’t terribly difficult. A new commode will make a dramatic difference. Visit Buildipedia for a video tutorial on how to do it yourself.

American Standard

Caulk It Up

14/19

This is a practical project that also improves the appeal of your bath. Recaulking a sink or tub will not only tidy things up, it will help prevent leaks and water damage.

Snapguide

Decal Declamation

15/19

No matter what you have to say, there’s probably a wall decal to help you say it. Companies like Trading Phrases specialize in bathroom decals, which will hold up to moisture so long as the surface is clean and dry when the decal is applied.

Trading Phrases

Frame of Mind

16/19

Bathroom mirrors are often frameless, but they don’t have to be. Either replace your existing mirror with a framed version, or get a frame kit to do the job without even having to take the mirror off the wall. MirrorMate has more than 60 styles and will custom-cut a frame than you can install in minutes.

Mirrormate

Board Room

17/19

Beadboard is often added as a custom element during initial construction, but thanks to full sheets of beadboard paneling, you can do it yourself. With some Liquid Nails to start and a nail gun to finish, you can install beadboard in your bath to create a bright, upscale effect.

Sand and Sisal

Shower the People

18/19

A new shower head can make you feel like you’re on vacation at home. Depending on your preferences, you can go for a dual shower head with varying pressures and speeds, or a rain shower head that gives you a softer, more relaxing experience.

Plum Deluxe