If your bathroom is in desperate need of a makeover but budget does not allow for a total overhaul, follow these clever styling tips to rejuvenate your space and help reclaim your morning serenity.
First things first!
Cleaning your bathroom spotlessly will make the world of difference to your space. Remove mildew, soap scum and built up dirt from shower floors, walls and surface tops. Use a quality window cleaner to bring mirror surfaces and glass screens up to scratch and streak-free. A clutter free bathroom is always more inviting so next step is to remove any old or dated accessories and empty bottles of product. Clear out old or worn towels and shower mats and replace with ones that are thick and irresistibly soft.
Grout
If your tiles were installed a while ago chances are your grout has discoloured and may be stained in some places. This is a common issue with grout as it has a porous composition and is usually light in colour. Cleaning the grout and bringing it back to its original state will do wonders for the overall look and feel of your bathroom but where to start? Fortunately cleaning grout can be possible just by using some common household products combined with a bit of
elbow grease. All you will need to make up the cleaner is water, baking soda and vinegar. Make a paste using the baking soda and water; cover all grout lines with the paste. Place the vinegar in a clean spray bottle and spray lightly onto the grout. Once the mixture stops foaming, scrub with a hard bristle brush and then rinse with water. This cleaner should brighten your grout and bring it back to life. Do not use this solution if you have natural stone or very porous tiles as it may affect the tiles. Stone tiles and grout should be professionally cleaned by an expert who understands the capabilities and vulnerabilities of natural stone.
If your grout is heavily stained and this cleaning solution is not effective, consider removing the grout altogether and replacing it with new grout. Replacing the grout can be a project you do yourself but you will need to attain the right tools to ensure the project is done effectively. Once all grout is removed from in between tiles consider replacing with a stain resistant grout to minimize the maintenance required to keep clean down the track. Although a little more
expensive than normal grout, it may just be worth it for the peace of mind to keep the grout looking fresh and clean.
Bathroom fixtures
An easy and inexpensive way to freshen up a dated bathroom is to replace all cabinet handles, towel rails and tapware. The fixtures you choose here can bring your bathroom up to modern times and bring a sense of style back into your space. Keep the colours and the design of fixtures all the same to maintain a uniform look in your bathroom. To create an understated and timeless look, simplicity is the key.
Choose a colour and design that suits the style and era of your bathroom and home whether that is classical, period or modern. The abundance of choice when it comes to selecting bath fixtures can be overwhelming considering the vast variety on offer. Do your research online for inspirational ideas before hitting the showrooms and have an idea of what you’re looking for to make this process easier.
If replacing tapware with a more complex design, use a licensed plumber to install them correctly and ensure your products perform well. By using a licensed plumber your bathroom fixtures will be covered by a warranty in case anything goes wrong down the track.
Plants and artwork
Adding plants is an inexpensive and extremely simple way to renew the look of a tired bathroom. Plants add a sense of wellbeing and freshness to a space, not to mention provide a beautiful decorative element to the bathroom. Choose a plant with impressive floral and leaf arrangements for ultimate impact. Amongst the most effective bathroom plants are ‘mother in laws tongue’ (Sansevieria) not only for their bold leaf structure but also for their ability to improve the quality of air in the bathroom. Other popular plants for bathrooms include Spider Plant, Bamboo Dracaena and Orchids.
Adding artwork to your bathroom can dramatically update the look of your bathroom and will effectively add a sense of style. Selecting a work of art for your bathroom is the perfect opportunity to create a stunning focal point in the space drawing the visitor’s attention. It can act as the showstopper of your bathroom whilst other features simply act as a backdrop. When choosing a frame for your artwork in the bathroom, it’s important to consider one that will
withstand the effect of moisture and humidity. Try aluminum, synthetic or a hardwood timber that has been treated with a sealant.
Towels and Accessories
One of the easiest and least expensive ways to brighten up a tired bathroom is to invest in a range of good quality and well-designed bath towels, hand towels and bath mats. Invest in a few different designs to interchange and alter the look and mood of your bathroom whenever you please. There is something very special about hopping out of the shower or bath and wrapping yourself in a plush and super-soft towel so why not indulge in this inexpensive luxury? For the best quality towels that will not break the budget opt for 100 % Egyptian cotton.
Accessorising your bathroom with candles, vases, decorative perfume bottles and sweet smelling soaps will cheaply transform your bathroom into an irresistibly inviting space. Here is your opportunity to add some creative flair and your own personal style to the bathroom so feel free to swap and change to suit your design. Use colours and patterns that match your tiles and bath ware or select a contrasting look that will add a decorative element to your space.
ABOUT THE EXPERT:
Kate Fuller is the Marketing and Communications Coordinator with Perini Tiles, a supplier of beautiful tiles and bathroom and kitchen design consultation, based in Melbourne Australia.
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