Guest post by Zoe Price
These days, many of us are having to tighten our belts in order to have enough money for essentials such as bills, groceries and our rent or mortgage – particularly in London, where prices are always higher than average.
At the same time, we still want to be able to live in a stylish home that lifts our spirits when we walk through the door after a long, tiring day at work. If you rent or own a London home and you’re looking for low-cost ways to give your bathroom a makeover, read on for some helpful budget decorating tips that should give you a flying start.
Get Creative With Colour
Arguably the easiest way to update your bathroom is by giving it a fresh coat of paint. There are so many colours to choose from that can allow you to create a desired look or mood.
For example, if your bathroom doesn’t receive much natural light, you can create a feeling of brightness by painting the walls in pristine white, sunny yellow, or vibrant orange. Not only will this help to dispel any gloom from the lack of light, but it will also boost your mood every time you come in for a wash.
On the other hand, if you prefer rich, dramatic hues such as maroon, royal blue, forest green or a lustrous tomato red, then you can go bold with your palette choices.
You can also experiment with different textures. Chalk paint, for example, will create a shabby chic appearance. once you’ve painted your base layers, you can then enhance your fresh colours even more with some stunning floral or geometric stencilling for a truly eye-catching effect.
Embrace Upcycling Or Go Second-hand
The furniture you use in your bathrooms can make a big difference to how it looks and feels. If you have an old night stand, vanity unit, or a little stool or chair lying around, you can use some simple DIY techniques to give them a new lease of life.
On the other hand, if you don’t have anything you can fix up, you can always find a preloved bargain to introduce to your bathroom. Hunt through local charity shops, or search online. You never know what gems you can find on sites such as Facebook Marketplace or Gumtree.
Add A Touch Of Luxury
As well as fixing up the walls and sprucing up your bathroom furnishings, you should also think about the little details. Adding some affordable luxury to your bathroom can be as simple as investing in some high-quality textiles, such as fluffy cotton towels or towelling robes.
For instance, this selection from The Towel Shop offers the ideal blend of affordability, luxury and comfort. Not only will they add some instant style to your bathroom, but they will also make you feel like royalty every time you step out of the bath or shower and wrap yourself in their plush softness.
Clear Out That Clutter
It’s an essential decorating truth that even the most fashionable bathroom will begin to look a little shabby if it contains too much clutter. As a result, sometimes all you need to do to uplift your space is to invest a little time and energy into clearing out all of the things you don’t need.
Many of us – particularly women, it must be admitted – tend to hoard a wide variety of bathroom products; from shower gels and shampoos to bottles of fake tan and half-finished deodorants. If you’re guilty of amassing a rather large and muddled collection of bathroom items, then it’s high time for a spring clean – even if it’s the depths of winter.
Take a good look at the expiry date of each of your products to see whether they are still safe to use. Throw away any expired items and stow the ones with a longer date in a safe place out of sight, to be used later.
As for the products that need to be used up right away, you can make them look tidier and more appealing by finding a novel way to display them. A pretty floating shelf or two can work wonders, or you may want to try something a little different and prop a wooden ladder against the wall. Stack your items on each rung for easy access and a unique, rustic bathroom aesthetic that is both practical and chic.
Invest In Some Stand-Out Accessories
Often in the world of interior design, it’s the little touches that count. For a quick but effective upgrade, why not swap out any lacklustre bathroom accessories you have for some more vibrant options. You’d be surprised how many gorgeous items and accents you can find for your bathroom; from colourful toothbrush holders and soap dispensers, to characterful trinket dishes to keep your jewellery.
If you have a limited budget, you will easily be able to find some stunning items second-hand, either in charity shops or using preloved sites and apps. Styling up your bathroom on a budget has never been so easy – or so fun.
