Low and no-cost bathroom upgrades to breathe new life into your bathroom space this autumn

• Bathroom looking tired but limited budget to change it at this time? Bathroom experts Sanctuary Bathrooms share top tips for revamping the space without having to splash the cash on an entirely new suite
• Tips include ways to declutter, utilise storage efficiently, and reinvigorate your space with small touches

Over time, our bathrooms can see some wear and tear and it’s easy to let them get cluttered, leaving them looking tired and unloved. With searches for ‘how to do a bathroom on a budget’ up by +300% in the past 3 months[1], and a new season bringing about an opportunity to have a clear-out, James Roberts, Director at Sanctuary Bathrooms, reveals some top tips for ways you can upgrade your bathroom without undergoing a full refit.

1. Clear out the clutter

It’s all too easy to leave empty shower gel and shampoo bottles pile up in the cupboards or shelves, or have cleaning supplies visible around key areas. This can make your bathroom look claustrophobic and messy. Start by gathering the empties, and anything you know you don’t use and throw them out, shrinking down the items and creating more space.

• Top tip: when decluttering, gather everything you know you won’t use, even if there is product left in it. Or, consider prioritising using them to help save money along the way, and getting rid of them in the process. Alternatively, consider whether friends or family can make use of it. If you do end up throwing them out, check to see if they are recyclable.

2. Be selective with storage and display

Similarly, having lots of multicoloured, half-full product bottles on display in the bathroom can misalign the colour scheme. Consider which of your bathroom products fit your desired colour scheme and prioritise having those on exposed shelving. Place your most aesthetic products on a sleek, glass shelf for a classy look that will suit any space.

• Top tip: If you have a little money to spare, consider purchasing clear bottles to decant excess product into, to get rid of unsightly product bottles.

3. Replace tired towels

Towels can often provide a nice, decorative touch, as well as the everyday purpose of helping us dry off. Heavy use of towels can see the threads wear over time, leading to them looking tatty, or even getting marks and stains that are tough to get out. Like the sight of grime, mould and scuffs and marks, it can provide a negative impression to visitors. Invest in new, good-quality towels that match your colour scheme to instantly freshen up the space and make it more inviting for both yourself and guests, or even just to separate personal and guest towels. Display them on a tidy, tiered towel rack to add a hotel-feel.

• Top tip: Don’t throw old towels away! They can come in handy for numerous activities around the home, keeping them for cleaning cars, pets,  shoe polishing, and buffing up brassware. Or, you could just for use as spares if you ever need them.

4. Add some bathroom-friendly plants

There are plenty of plants that love moist environments, and lots of them need little light. This makes them perfect for bathrooms as they inject some genuine greenery and pleasant aromas. Adding some floral scents, colour, and also oxygenating the room for mental stimuli, could improve moods as well as freshen a space up. The best plants for bathrooms include:

• Snake plants – require little maintenance and can survive with little light during the summer
• Eucalyptus – hanging this in the shower while it’s running helps the plant release essential oils, which can act as a decongestant and smell lovely at the same time, while also making your shower look less industrial
• Heart-leaf philodendron – this plant loves to be kept damp, and thrives in humidity, making it a great choice for bathroom greenery. It’s also a trailing plant, meaning adding it to a shelf will add some dimension.

5. Jazz it up with new fittings and fixtures

If you do have a little cash to spare, something that can really revive a  bathroom and provide a new lease of life is refreshing some of the décor. From a simple lick of paint to changing accessories and fixtures such as taps, shower fittings, toilet brushes and roll holders, and even a new bath panel (if you have a bath with a panel) can help to bring a whole new look or simply create a more cohesive theme. For example,  switching from chrome to something like an elegant brass theme with brass Taps or a brass toilet roll holder, can help change the dynamic and style of a room.

• Top tip: Less is more! Try to match the smaller accents such as taps and toilet brush holders for a subtle way of tying in your bathroom’s theme.

6. Revamp the walls with new tiles

Inject some style into your bathing space by placing new tiles on your walls. Not only does this give it a clean new look, but it also offers the opportunity to make your bathroom your own by trying a new colour or style.

• Top tip: Too much pattern in a small bathroom can make it feel claustrophobic. If you want to include some funky tiles, consider only putting them on one wall, such as the one behind your sink or shower, to open the space up and provide a focal point.

Commenting, James Roberts, Director at at Sanctuary Bathrooms says:

“Like all spaces around the home, after a while it is quite easy for them to get tired, items to lose their sparkle, or even for some of us to get bored of the décor in our spaces.

“Fortunately, there are plenty of ways to give your bathroom a whole new look without the expense of a new refit. Whether that is accessorising the space, changing the finishes and giving the room a new lick of paint, or even just updating some of the fixtures and fittings.

“Biophilic design and bringing nature is also a hugely popular trend at the moment, so even adding plant life can bring new energy and a spa-like appearance to your home, as a low-cost solution to providing something a bit different to your home.”

For more information on bathroom storage ideas, visit here: https://www.sanctuary-bathrooms.co.uk/blog/how-to-make-a-small-bathroom-bigger/