There is a good reason to start redecorating projects in the bathroom – -it’s small. What ever upgrades are considered will cost less, and if they look isn’t quite right, there will be time and money left over to allow a do-over or two.
For example, painting the walls is inexpensive and will provide an immediate change in the look and style of the room. Faux techniques can be tried, and if they don’t work, can be repainted the next day. Soft shades of purple, pink, lime green and turquoise are trendy paint colors this year, but gray can serve as a neutral, allowing for bright colored accents. (Bathroom formula paint should always be used to help prevent mold and mildew).
When a homeowner isn’t ready to replace the bathroom floor, there is the next best option to consider… Divert attention upwards. To get the look of old fashioned tin ceilings, there are several ceiling tile wallpapers available which are paintable. This textured wallpaper gives the impression of embossed plaster and will keep visitors looking upward. Another option is a ceiling sized stencil, some paint and crown molding, to create a one of a kind ceiling space.
Staying at ceiling level, a space saving addition to consider is a narrow shelf, over the doorway, just wide enough to hold extra rolls of toilet paper. A 6 inch deep shelf can be supported directly on the door frame, held in place by small bracket. This small shelf can also be used to house decorative items that take up too much space on the vanity tops.
Even with a new ceiling, the bathroom floor can’t hide forever. Wood floors are a popular option in most homes today, But homeowner shy away from wood floors in a wet environment such as a bath. Today, it’s possible they have both the warm look of wood and the durability of vinyl. Vinyl planks are available from most Home Supply Stores and come with textured finishes that simulate real wood. Finishes include oak, maple, bamboo and other exotic woods. Cost can range from $1.00 to $4.00 per square foot, and the small size of the room makes it possible to lay a new floor in a day or two.
If the bathroom floor is vinyl, but one that is looking tired and worn out, a coat of paint and 5 to 6 applications of polyurethane can give a floor a whole new look. To do the job, the floor needs to be primed first with a specialty primer. It can then be painted using a stencil to mimic a tile pattern or to create a border. One decorator has experimented with using brown paper bags to create the look of leather or stone on a bathroom floor. She suggest tearing off irregular pieces of the bag, gluing them to the floor and topping with 4 to 6 coats of polyurethane.
Even a change as small as replacing hardware to the bathroom and much needed a lift. Toilet handles, cabinet handles, and or hardware and towel racks can all shine brightly and give the bathroom some sparkle. You can even change the hardware and trim on a shower stall from gold to a trendier color, and without removing doors are other shower hardware. It can be done using 220 grit sandpaper, steel wool and elbow grease, for starters. Once the hardware has been thoroughly scraped, spray on automobile primer needs to be applied. Metallic spray paint in black or another color goes on last. The technique can even be applied to shower fixtures. One caveat – lay in an adequate supply of painters masking tape.
Simple things like a new toilet seat and a pedestal sink are relatively easy and inexpensive fixes.
Leave a Reply