A bathroom renovation can be costly – in fact, it is the second most expensive room to renovate after a kitchen, what with having to buy a bathroom suite, choose flooring, tiles, sort out electrics and dispose of any sanitaryware you no longer need. If you have a bathroom that you’re not in love with, but the sanitaryware is in good condition, it’s worth giving the room a refresh, rather than ripping it all out. Indeed, just changing the bath mat and shower curtain can transform the look and feel of a bathroom.
Tiles
Bathroom tiles make a huge impact on the overall look of the room. Believe it or not, it is possible to replace them without undertaking a full renovation (though it is probably the most significant task we’d recommend without going all in).
Before you take a sledgehammer to your tiles, note that tile removal is a messy job and if you’re not careful, chipped tiles and debris can cause damage to your sink, bath or loo if they fall on the ceramic surfaces. Employ a professional and make sure to lay protective materials over delicate surfaces so that you don’t end up with chipped bath enamel as a result.
As for which bathroom tiles to pick, that’s all about what look you’d like to achieve. Zellige tiles will add textural intrigue and come in a wide range of rich colours, while classic marble will keep things clean and bright. Tiles can be costly, though, and you need to cover fairly large areas in a bathroom – for example to tile the three areas of wall around a bath would require 10m2. Get creative with it and choose cheaper tiles in two colours, then alternate them in a checquerboard or simple stripe pattern. For an affordable and creative finish, we would recommend plain white tiles with a coloured grout.
Bathroom storage
We all need somewhere to keep all those annoying bits of bathroom paraphernalia that clutter up sinks and surfaces (toiletries, cosmetics, clean towels, spare loo rolls, etc). The style of that storage can have a considerable effect on the finished look. While glass-fronted cabinets can seem like a very elegant solution, it is less practical given how much you then need to curate what’s on show. For those unwilling to keep all of their lotions and potions on display, we’d recommend a classic wall cabinet or below-sink storage, perhaps painted in a lively colour.
Think of storage as way to bring a decorative element to the bathroom, rather than a purely practical solution. Loo rolls look great piled in a rattan basket, for instance, and you can pop clean towels, spare products and the like underneath them all. (And if you have children, closed storage is key for keeping things tidy and safe.)
Paint
The power of paint colours in the bathroom should not be underestimated; just like any room in the house, it is simply amazing the difference a fresh lick of paint can have. If you’ve inherited some tiles that aren’t exactly your first choice but you can’t replace them, offset them with a contrasting tone on the walls to deflect attention – or simply swathe the walls in a complementary colour that is better suited to your aesthetic. Gloss paint is another good idea for a bathroom – especially a windowless one – but whatever you opt for, just remember that that you can have a lot of fun with any shade you like in the bathroom.
Wallpaper
A full repaint not in the cards? Why not consider wallpaper. We know, we know: wallpaper in a bathroom? What about the humidity? Surely you can't?! We’re here to say that you absolutely can, just as long as it has a window or is very well ventilated to prevent peeling and damage. Of course, we don’t recommend wallpapering around the bath or shower, but in a smaller bathroom with tiles in the key areas, why not paper the rest in something that makes you smile? You’ll need to check how bathroom-appropriate a paper is with the supplier before you rush in, but if you get the green light, it can instantly lift the mood. If wallpaper is too costly or complicated, follow Alexandra Tolstoy’s example (right) and get creative with some stencils – playful and worry free.
Panelling
For those who dream of a charming country bathroom, wall panelling could be the best option for you. Consider panelling the lower half of your bathroom wall, painting the panelling a contrasting colour to the walls above. This will bring a whole new character to your bathroom, even if it’s the only thing you change. As Anna Haines says, ‘Not only does this add a good textural element to what can otherwise be quite hard surfaces, it is an inexpensive solution to tiling.’
Hardware
In our guide on where to spend and where to save in your house, Katie Glaister of K&H Design gave the valuable advice to always spend on your bathroom hardware. Why? Because you touch it countless times a day, so you will always know if it’s cheap rubbish or the real deal. If you’re not renovating the bathroom entirely, talk to a contractor and see how feasible it would be to switch out tired taps for something of high quality. Trust us, your investment in better hardware will more than make up for its price each time you go to wash your hands, run a bath or turn on the shower.
