Need a quick fix for a bathroom?

If you've got family and friends visiting over the holidays and your bathroom is in need of a quick and easy pick-me-up, here are some simple and affordable ideas to refresh and perk up the bathroom or guest loo.

 

 

 

 

Refresh with paint

If you only have tiles to half or three-quarter wall height, nothing perks up a bathroom like a fresh coat of paint. Today's acrylic paints are perfect for a bathroom and you can have the paint tinted to almost any colour you can think of.

It only takes one can of paint to change the wall colour, and if you already have painting equipment - trays and brushes - it will cost you even less. Be sure to scrub down or lightly sand walls before applying new paint and use masking tape to protect fixtures and fittings and have a drop cloth on the floor to protect from paint spills.

 

 

Paint the bathroom ceilings a lighter colour than the walls. Consider pale blue, silvery green or buttery yellow to achieve an open and airy effect.

 

 

 

Add some sparkle

If  bathroom taps have lost their shine, installing new taps is as easy as turning off the water, unscrewing the old one and fitting the new one. Replace basin taps with stylish, modern taps and, if budget allows, add a new bath tap or tap/shower combination.

Your local Builders Warehouseoffers a range of taps and mixers for any style of bathroom, and most are designed for easy DIY installation, using only basic tools.

 

 

Handy good looks

Bring your bathroom into the 21st century with a hand basin and toss out that dated pedestal sink. Allow yourself a weekend to rip out the pedestal sink, build a modular vanity and install a new hand basin.

 

 

If the bathroom is very small, opt for a floating vanity, which will create the illusion of space in a small bathroom.

 

 

 

 

 

 

In a larger bathroom, consider a vanity that offers plenty of counter space and room for storage baskets or shelves.

 

 

Soft touch

Nothing freshens up a bathroom faster and more easily than a new set of colourful, fluffy towels. Use colourful or printed towels for bathrooms with a neutral decor or  neutral coloured or white towels for a bold, graphic decor. On their own, towels can add a touch of style and personality to your bathroom.

 

 

Hang towels on are currently in use on decorative hooks, which can be found in most home decor stores. Install shelving just above the hooks for fresh, clean towels. Folded and stacked, you can create a display – keeping them out of the way, yet still easily accessible.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Roll or stack

Display towels that aren't in use as accent colours in the room. Tightly roll different coloured towels, tie together with ribbon. Whether you choose to use towels of the same colour or mix it up with various shades, try layering your towels on your towel rack. Fold and place the largest bath towel at the bottom, place a hand towel on top, followed by a face cloth. This look is neat, tidy and keeps all your towels in one easily accessible place.

Install extra display and storage space by putting a shelf above the toilet or door - it's the perfect home for fresh, crisply folded towels.

 

 

Get down and dirty

Even the cleanest bathroom has hidden grime. Take an old toothbrush and scrub around taps and fittings, around the shower door, and inside cabinet. Have a pumice stone handy if you need to remove rust or hard water stains for a toilet. Use grout cleaner to clean up tile grout. Finish with a really good, overall cleaning.

GOOD TO KNOW: This method is not recommended for all toilets, as it can remove the outer protecting glaze. For a more eco-friendly method try this alternative.

 

 

Clutter in a bathroom only serves to make the room appear much smaller and claustrophobic. Toss out empty bottles and pack away all your bathroom essentials to keep the bathroom looking clean and spacious. Make it a monthly task to give the bathroom a once over to dispose of empty shampoo and conditioner bottles that normally collect on the floor of the shower. You can easily eliminate clutter by packing away bathroom essentials in drawers and cabinets. If you don't have storage in the bathroom, use display baskets to organise everything.

For the DIY savvy, fitting a vanity around a pedestal sink is a quick and easy project that provides plenty of out-of-sight storage. 

 

 

Personal touches

No bathroom is complete without a few personal touches. Some fresh flowers to add a bright splash of colour and, of course, scented candles to create that relaxing atmosphere.