Want to give your bathroom a makeover but can’t renovate, whether you’re renting or just don’t have the budget? Here are 8 easy, affordable ways to update your bathroom when you can’t renovate.
When you’re scrolling through gorgeous bathrooms on Pinterest or shut off the latest episode of Fixer Upper featuring another beautiful bathroom … getting up and walking around the corner to your outdated bathroom can be frustrating.
Especially if you don’t have the budget for a renovation right now or you’re renting so renovating isn’t an option.
Ooooh do I get it. Gutting and starting over with this bathroom wasn’t an option, but we did find some ways to update the bathroom to make it more our style. If you’re in the same boat, I figured I’d share some of our easy, affordable tips.
If you’re in the market for a bathroom renovation, check out my favorite bathroom renovation design tips (and the before and after of the last bathroom we fully renovated). You can also grab a copy of my bathroom renovation checklist in that blog post.
8 WAYS TO UPDATE YOUR BATHROOM WHEN YOU CAN’T RENOVATE:
1. Paint
I say it all the time but guys, the power of paint! Seriously! It makes such a difference.
We used Ryegrass by Sherwin Williams.
Remember the before?
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2. New vanity hardware
I talk about this a lot when I share furniture makeovers, but new hardware can really make such a difference.
It may not be a new vanity, but it feels like an upgrade.
Plus if you’re renting. it can just feel cleaner to just start over with fresh new hardware that you know is clean. (Just remember to switch them back when you move out.)
I love crystal knobs – these or these are my faves.
3. New mirror
This is one of THE easiest ways to update the look of a bathroom without much time or money.
Here’s what was originally in the bathroom:
We found this new one at a local home decor store’s big sale over the summer.
The mirror inside was a little crooked, but Kalen took the back off and fixed it in about five minutes. Win-win.
I love how you can see the wood grain of the frame.
4. New towel hooks/bars
These little hooks were a flea market find, and I loooove them.
These are similar if you’re looking for some.
Somehow these little hooks just freshen up the bathroom and make it feel more personal rather than towel bars someone else picked out.
5. New rugs
Especially important if you’re dealing with a freezing cold tile floor (will winter ever end?!) or just a floor you don’t love that you’d rather cover up.
I bought this white one and this gray one, and they’re perfect for the space. The white one is so fluffy especially after you wash it.
6. Wall art
I shared how we updated this metal wall art last week. It was black and too dark for the space so it’d just been sitting in the sunroom collecting dust.
With a little white paint, it looks like a whole new piece (and cost us nothing!).
7. New Faucet
We’re not replacing the faucet, but it’s an easy switch that you can either replace back/take with you when you move or an update you can make prior to renovating that you can then use after renovating.
8. New light fixtures
We decided to just leave the light fixtures in here, but again, this is an easy switch you can make to then take with you or to jumpstart a bathroom remodel.
If you’re looking for new bathroom lights, check out these posts for my favorite bathroom vanity lights on a budget and sconces on a budget.
Are you enjoying your dream bathroom or not quite yet? Do you have any other fun easy tips for updating a bathroom when you can’t renovate it?
GET THE LOOK:
Since a popular question I get is “Where’d you get that?!,” here are links to the same or similar sources:
- Wall color: Ryegrass by Sherwin Williams
- White hooks
- White framed mirror
- Silver towel ring
- Hand towel
- Soap dispenser
- White rug
- Gray bath mat
- Metal wall decor (painted white)
- Brown tissue storage box
- Crystal knobs here or here
You can catch up on this bathroom’s makeover progress in these posts:
- Bathroom refresh design plans on a budget
- Ryegrass green painted bathroom
- The easiest way to update metal wall decor
- The reveal: How we updated our bathroom for just $100
Or if you’re planning a full bathroom renovation, remember to check out the details of our other bathroom renovation here (that post also includes a free printable renovation checklist so you don’t forget anything in the crazy process.)
This bathroom makeover is part of the $100 Room Challenge hosted by my friend Erin from Lemons, Lavender & Laundry, where bloggers update a room for just $100 (it’s possible!).
All of the other bloggers’ projects are linked below if you want to see.
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Morgan says
Great tips! I love your hooks and little crystal knobs! Little touches can make such a difference to a space!
GreenWithDecor says
Thanks, Morgan! Little touches really can make such a difference!
ashley@biggerthanthethreeofus says
Paint and rugs!! Totally agree!
GreenWithDecor says
They’re the best!
Wendy Duffy says
Great ideas here! I can’t wait to help my daughter decorate her apartment next year with these tips!
GreenWithDecor says
Yay glad you can use them! They’re perfect tips for an apartment!
Melissa says
Great ideas to share since gutting isn’t always an option! And your bathroom looks so happy and cheery now! I love those hooks!
GreenWithDecor says
Thanks so much, Melissa! The hooks might be my favorite part!
Nicki Parrish says
It is looking great so far, and what great tips for updating on a budget!
GreenWithDecor says
Thanks, Nicki!
Emy says
Paint is my favorite way to update spaces!
GreenWithDecor says
It makes such a difference!
Roxanne says
All of these are great tips, Meg it’s looking good over there!
GreenWithDecor says
Thanks, Roxanne!
Kristen says
Oh I love those towel hooks! They are just beautiful!
GreenWithDecor says
Thanks, Kristen! I love them, too!
Erin- Lemons, Lavender, & Laundry says
Those towel hooks are beautiful! Love all these tips. So easy to update without having to spend a ton of money 🙂
GreenWithDecor says
Thanks, Erin! I love the towel hooks!
Patti says
Love those towel hooks. They are definitely going on my flea/vintage shopping list. Your room is coming along so nicely. I love the bright and freshness of it all.
GreenWithDecor says
Thanks, Patti! I’m so glad I found them!
Shelley says
I love that color! And those hooks. I had some great ones that somehow got lost in the shuffle when we moved. Now you’ve motivated me to try to find some for our master suite.
GreenWithDecor says
Thanks, Shelley! Oh I always hate that about moving – things just randomly disappear! Hope you find some new hooks!