20 Easy Ways to Update Your Bathroom—No Remodeling Required

When it comes to projects around the house, updating the bathroom is close to the top on many homeowner's to-do lists. But if a major remodel isn't on the horizon or in your budget, it's a task that gets pushed back for years. There are plenty of ways to create a new space in your bathroom without tearing down walls. From a bright paint color and new hardware to updated lighting and décor, improving your bathroom is easier than you think.

Repaint the Walls

In any room, including the bathroom, a coat of paint is one of the easiest ways to give the space a new look. If you have a small bathroom or if the lower half of the walls are tiled, you likely only need a single gallon of paint. For less than $100 (including new brushes and rollers), you can revamp this room. Pick a hue that works with what's already in the space, keeping in mind the wood tones, tile colors, and flooring. A light blue shade will make this room feel serene, while a pale peach color is romantic and flattering. Consider a satin finish, which is easier to wipe clean and will repel moisture more than matte paint.

Switch Out the Hardware

When replacing the vanity and cabinets isn't possible, changing the hardware is a cost-effective bathroom update idea. Before you shop for new handles and knobs, measure the ones you already have. Look for handles that are the same length as the ones you own so you can avoid drilling new holes and filling in the old ones. Unscrew a couple of knobs to see if the area underneath is discolored. If it is, shop for replacements that will cover the same area. Changing the hardware in a bathroom is like accessorizing an outfit—it's a finishing touch that can upgrade the entire look.

Replace the Shower Head

Not only can a stylish shower head make a bathroom look more modern, but it can also elevate the experience of using the bathroom. Plus, a new low-flow shower head can reduce the amount of water you use, saving you money on utility bills. To improve the flow of your current shower head without replacing it, remove mineral buildup by soaking it in white vinegar, following these steps.

Upgrade Your Shower Curtain (and Bathmat)

The shower curtain demands a lot of visual real estate in a bathroom, so swapping out this one detail is perhaps the easiest bathroom update idea. A colorful curtain can change the color palette of the room (no painting necessary), while a white shower curtain makes a room feel clean and calm. If you've had the same curtain rings for a decade, consider switching those out, too. Pair the new curtain with a coordinated bathmat and hand towel to complete the instant makeover.

Improve the Lighting

To introduce ambient lighting in the bathroom consider installing a dimmer switch. That way, you can adjust the light as needed. Dim the lights for a soothing bath, or brighten them when you're getting ready in the morning.

Swap Out Fixtures

Changing your lighting fixture is another way to enhance your bathroom. It can be shiny and new or a second hand find thrifted from a store. The beauty of a light fixture is that it can also help dictate the design direction of your bathroom.

Install Paneling

Whether it's wainscoting, shiplap, or beadboard, installing a half-paneled wall in your bathroom instantly elevates the space. You can choose to leave it white or paint it black or a different shade that complements the rest of the room.

Forgo a Theme

While you may dream of a farmhouse bathroom or modern black and white design, it benefits your budget to simply make the space as cohesive—or eclectic, if that's your style—as possible. You can also add elements of your chosen them as a soft nod, without having to change the entire room. A white washed mirror and galvanized tissue box read farmhouse, while gold rimmed bath accessories add vintage charm.

Introduce Extra Storage

If toiletries are overflowing from the medicine cabinet and toilet paper is stacked out in the open, adding some stylish storage to the bathroom will enhance the space. In a spacious bathroom, consider a freestanding cabinet that can stash toilet paper, hair styling tools, and clean towels. In a tiny bathroom, let a slim rolling storage cart hold spare bottles of shampoo and bars of soap. Once everything has a storage spot, you can keep the counters clear.

Refresh the Grout

You don't need to retile the entire room to give old tile a new look. In fact, even giving the grout a good scrub can dramatically improve its appearance. Another option: change the color of the grout. If you want to change light grout to dark gray for a more modern look, consider grout colorant. The colorant is brushed onto the grout lines to change their color, and then the excess is wiped off the tile using a sponge or cloth. This process is tedious and time-consuming, but if you DIY the job, you can upgrade your bathroom for less than $50.

Apply Peel-and-Stick Wallpaper

If your bathroom has a fan and decent airflow, it is possible to install peel-and-stick wallpaper and keep it looking good. Select a removable wallpaper that's labeled "moisture-resistant," then adhere it to one accent wall (or all the walls) of the bathroom. Have tile on the lower portion of the walls? You're in luck—this project will require half the amount of wallpaper.

Add a Backsplash

If you're handy and don't mind a challenge, you can lay tile as a backsplash. If you like the look of tile and lack the experience, try peel and stick wall tiles instead, which come in a variety of colors and patterns.

Refresh the Vanity

Another way to introduce color is to update your existing bathroom vanity with a coat of paint. Depending on the material, you can sand down the finish, and paint it with furniture paint. To take it up a notch, try a stencil or fun design aesthetic. Be sure to choose an appropriate sealant to prevent damage from water.

Incorporate Color

Inviting a pop of color into your bathroom is a fun way to experiment with different shades. Towels, colored baskets, candles, and soaps are simple ways to work with what you have without splurging.

Hang a Mirror

A mirror is not only a key part of your bathroom décor (it doubles as a functional and aesthetic piece), but it can also add dimension to the space. From frameless to metallics, the options are many.

Add Some Décor

The trick to turning a bathroom from a washroom to a retreat is making it a place you want to spend time in, and timeless décor can help with that. Opt for some fresh flowers (or faux) in a vase to soften the space. Candles and wall art are also low cost, yet homey additions.

Focus on the Window

Updating or removing a window treatment can also change the look and feel of a bathroom. If you need to give the appearance of a larger space, opt for blinds or keep the window bare (if privacy allows). If you want to make your space more intimate or add a design element somewhere else, curtains or a patterned window covering can help.

Update the Floor

It may not be your first thought, but updating the very bottom of your bathroom is also a way to breathe new life into a room. If it's not in your budget for new tile or wood, peel and stick floor tiles are a very popular choice, and have become more durable over the years. On a smaller scale, a rug instead of a bath mat makes a bathroom more of a retreat than a washroom.

Hang Artwork

Paintings, prints, and photographs are great ways to give a bathroom some personality, and are noncommittal improvements that can be easily changed.

Utilize Wall Space

On the other hand, if you prefer a more functional space, make use of your walls by adding hooks and shelves to hold robes, towels, soap, cotton swabs, etc.