Beautifying the Bath
So your bathroom isn’t doing it for you, either because you just moved into a new home and the previous owners’ taste doesn’t match yours, or you’ve been in your house for a while and your “loo” is long overdue for some updating. Making changes can seem like a daunting task for a number of reasons, but don’t let that stop you! You can achieve your dream bathroom, and here are a few tips to get you there, from easy to not-so-easy-but-definitely-doable.
Brush Up
If there’s a room in the house where you can get creative with color, it’s the bathroom. Experiment with shades you wouldn’t necessarily choose for, say, the living room or kitchen. Softer hues will enhance a spa/oasis feel if that’s what you’re going for. And if you narrow it down to two you like and can’t decide between them, who says you have to choose? Go with both and have a contrast wall or two.
Fix(ture) It
You’ll be amazed at how much a new faucet or light fixture can instantly bring your bathroom out of the dark ages. Browse online and pick something that matches both your style and that of your home. Just be sure you’re confident in your ability to work with basic electrical wiring and plumbing fixtures if you’re planning on making it a DIY project.
Vanity Fair
If your vanity is lacking in appearance and function, don’t limit yourself to stock offerings from the home improvement stores. Give some thought to finding a bargain-priced dresser or similar piece of furniture at a resale shop or flea market. You can cut a hole in the top of it to accommodate a sink and voila—instant character! Just make sure it’s not too high or too low, and that there’s enough room inside to house the plumbing. You can do the shopping, but you might need a pro to do the customization and installation.
(Re)Finish It
If your sink or bathtub are looking worse for wear, don’t feel like you automatically have to replace them (especially the tub, which is a major undertaking). If they’re structurally sound and not leaking, a proper refinishing job can have your existing pieces looking like they just came from a showroom. For best results, definitely turn this job over to a pro.
On the Move
Of course you can’t just pick up your toilet or bathtub and rearrange them if they’re not in the right places – but it’s not impossible. You’re definitely going to need a pro for this job, though, because you’ll need to relocate the waste drain, reroute the water lines and make sure it’s all up to code.
Your bathroom shouldn’t be a place that you want to get in and out of as fast as you can. Start with the easy stuff and soon it’ll be transformed into something you absolutely love!
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