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Article How To Refresh A Bathroom Without Renovating

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If a bathroom refresh is well overdue but the thought of pulling up tiles and replumbing taps makes you want to RUN, we’ve got you.

Renovating (and the mess and expense that comes with it) isn’t the only way to breathe some new life into a tired bathroom. All it takes is a little creativity and know-how to spruce up dark corners, balance out mismatched tones and add a modern touch to bathrooms and ensuites.

You won’t believe how effective the smallest of changes can be, and best of all, they don’t need to cost the Earth.

Declutter and add smart storage

Woven basket on a shelf in a white bathroom.
Find a home for everything

Clutter makes a room feel cramped and uninviting, so one of the first steps in your bathroom refresh should be dedicating some hours to decluttering. Trust us, it’s very therapeutic.

Got a hundred items on the vanity? Clear them! Your goal should be a few strategically placed pieces that look great and benefit the function and look of the room. So find a new home for cosmetics and toothpaste!

Storage solutions like wall shelves, drawer organisers, overdoor storage and baskets are your new best friends. They help you maximise space and improve the functionality of the room. And don’t forget, well-chosen storage is another opportunity to balance colour and add texture to the bathroom.

Add greenery

White vanity with small plant and brushed copper tap.
Plants are a fast track to a refreshed bathroom
There are some sound reasons why more and more modern bathrooms feature plants. They immediately bring vibrance and freshness to spaces and the lovely touch of nature creates a welcome ‘day spa’ vibe. Yes, please!

Studies have also shown that indoor plants can help reduce stress – and the good news is that many varieties absolutely thrive in humid conditions. So, whether you go for a beautiful hanging fern, a striking snake plant or a pretty potted floor plant, you’re improving the look and feel of the room as well as your well-being.

Splurge on a new mirror

Two round LED mirrors in a bathroom.
Mirrors can be showstoppers!

Not only brilliant for creating the illusion of more space, mirrors are a major design feature and one of the most powerful ways to achieve a transformative bathroom refresh.

Styles with decorative frames can be a great way to add texture and warmth to bathrooms, while backlit LED mirrors brighten rooms and enhance functionality. Trending arched mirrors soften a space, and asymmetrical styles add a contemporary touch.

There’s a mirror out there for any interior style and purpose. If your current one is past its prime, go ahead and treat yourself to a little mirror shopping.

Swap out your cabinet hardware

Brushed brass bathroom accessories on white vanity.
Updated handles are a quick change that makes a big different

When it comes to bathroom cabinetry, many people think of the cupboards and forget about the importance of great handles. But replacing bathroom hardware is a low-cost, high-impact exercise – and it’s something you can DIY in very little time.

Handles and drawer pulls in matte black, brushed brass or brushed nickel make a statement and inject modern flair into dated rooms. They also look fantastic paired with matching coloured tapware.

Don’t forget to explore modern textures and shapes as well – gone are the days when all handles looked the same!

Upgrade your handheld shower

Trending brushed nickel rain shower head.
A new handheld shower means better looks and performance

Yes, it is possible to upgrade your shower without calling a plumber!

If you have a handheld shower, whether on a single rail or part of a twin rail shower system, screwing on a brand-new handset can be a piece of cake. High-quality ranges come in several different finishes, so it’s quite possible to find a handset that matches your current rail.

Another huge pro of upgrading to a modern handheld shower is the technological benefits it brings. With innovations like Greens’ patented and uber-luxe BubbleJET® technology now available in a handset, showering becomes therapeutic, indulgent and relaxing. Ahhh!

Change up your bathroom accessories

Brushed brass tapware and bathroom accessories.
Hand towel holders and robe hooks are ready for a refresh!

Small bathroom accessories contribute greatly to the overall look and feel of the room. Swapping them out for some newness is a quick and fuss-free way to refresh your bathroom.

From new toilet roll handles and soap dispensers to upgraded towel rails and robe hooks, several pieces can be easily replaced to bring your bathroom into the modern age, even on a budget.

Experiment with trending finishes like brushed copper and gunmetal and see how epic the transformation can be!

And don’t forget wall art!

Guest bathroom with blue wallpaper and brushed copper taps.
Wall art can bring a room together

Artwork absolutely has a place in bathrooms and it’s such a fun way to refresh spaces. Of course, you just need to be mindful of positioning and mount it away from any potential splashes.

A captivating framed print or stunning wallpaper instantly adds substance, colour, depth and flair to rooms. Better still, it’s a way to weave a personal touch into your bathroom that might reflect a location, history or your beautiful family.

Whether you go with one oversized piece or a few small artworks, they are a godsend when it comes to tying the colour scheme of a room together and creating cohesion. Want to create a link between your tapware and your floor tiles? Use artwork to tie the two together.

WOM Network is working with Greens Tapware to bring you this article. Expertly designed in New Zealand for the modern lifestyle, Greens Tapware proudly sits at the forefront of technological tapware innovation and trends through constant research and innovation.

This article first appeared on Making HOME.

We may get commissions for purchases made using links in this post. Learn more.

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Comments

  • Just be careful with artwork – you don’t want to put something really valuable in there which is going to be damaged by the damp. I’d suggest removable decals can be a great option – you can get lots of different ones, and some look very stylish. And they’re not too expensive.

    Reply

  • If only I had a lovely big wall on which to put some mirrors as I would like that, but the rest of the bathroom is kept without any junk on the vanity top and I do have a small plant on one side, the one thing I wouldn’t do is the wall art unless the bathroom was for children only.

    Reply

  • Great tips!! I love the look of the mirrors

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  • These bathroom ideas look great! Its amazing how sometimes the simple ideas can make a space look fantastic. I will take note for when we spruce up our bathroom.

    Reply

  • There are some lovely ideas here. We do our best to keep it simple and streamline in the bathrooms, we add colour by changing the towel colours. I have a small simple bright green and white succulent plant in our ensuite and the kids bathroom has a baby monstera which brightens up the bathroom.

    Reply

  • These are some great suggestions and some beautiful pictured bathrooms here for the rich and whealthy. We have it a bit more simple. I don’t like clutter for sure and try to keep things clean. But I’m always shocked as to how quick dust gathers in the various area’s especially in bathrooms where the family members change

    • Personally I don’t think it’s practical to have plants or fake plants in the bathroom. They often sit in the way (especially when you are cleaning) and are just another dust catcher although they may look nice. I’m sure not everyone agrees with me and that’s okay, some people do really think plants in the bathroom are a must have

      • I agree with you and avoid plants of any description in the bathroom. I do find that they attract dust and clutter up the bathroom. I really do like a minimal amount in the bathroom. The only exceptions; we do like fluffy towels, face washers, hand towels and a variety of soap in the bathroom.

      • Yes defenitely ! The luxe of fluffy towels, face clothes and a good variety of soaps and toileteries are lovely ! However recently I’ve become a bit more plain as my youngest has been wasting the products and randemly throwing products like body wash, shampoo, hair foam, hair spray and even my perfume in the bath water :(

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  • These are all great suggestions. Easily found at Bunnings too which is helpful. Love the back-lit mirror, looks fresh.

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  • We keep our bathroom very clean and also keep it clear of any clutter that is simply not needed in the space. We like to have a bright and light and minimal looking bathroom. We clean it regularly and it helps to make it feel fresh and inviting all of the time.

    Reply

  • I would love to refresh my bathroom, the bathrooms in these photos look so beautiful and clean. I want that for my tired bathroom. I am going to have to head to the shops and look for some ideas based on these photos to do a refresh of my bathroom. You have me very inspired now.

    Reply

  • What stunning bathrooms! I absolutely adore the strip lights in the shelf nook behind the shower in the last photo. The floating cabinet and large round mirrors with back lighting are fabulous. It’s incredible the designs people come up with for bathrooms. We spend so much time in there, daily, it’s a smart idea to make it something special.

    Reply

  • This article is giving me a lot of ideas for a bathroom upgrade in a budget! Thank you!

    I am looking at changing bathroom mirrors, the handles, storage solutions and throwing out unwanted items in the vanity and under the sink and adding greenery. Maybe I will opt for a real instead of a faux plant this time.

    Reply
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