Budget bathrooms: Give your bathroom a new look without a complete renovation
IT’S possible to give your bathroom a new look without a complete renovation, writes Chelsea Clark.
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IT’S relatively simple to update the look of a living or bedroom without any major work.
A quick coat of paint, a bright new artwork, a rug or doona cover and some co-ordinating cushions are all you need to refresh a tired space.
When it comes to the kitchen or bathroom though, things can get a little more complicated.
Factors such as plumbing and large fixtures come into play and what started out as a quick weekend project can quickly end up in the ‘too hard’ basket.
But, according to the experts, there are lots of ways you can refresh your bathroom without enduring a major renovation.
“There are plenty of ways your bathroom can scrub up well and present itself in a new, clean and valuable light,” says interior designer Darren Palmer.
“Just look at what is letting your room down and replace, refinish or refresh so your bathroom becomes the tranquil oasis you need at the end of a hard day, or a long night.”
If you want a completely new on-trend look, Rachel Gilding from Beaumont Tiles says there a few options to choose from.
“The industrial look is still very popular, particularly when teamed with bright pops of colour like towels or pot plants,” she says.
“Edgy modernist designs are delivering high end looks while neoclassical black and white is back in vogue for a vibrant and strong look.”
All-white bathrooms were a major trend a few years back but it seems colour has now re-entered the picture.
“There is most definitely a move away from an all white look,” says Rachel.
“People are injecting their own personality into their homes and the bathroom has become the latest area to get really creative.”
Accessories such as towels or storage canisters are the easiest way to inject colour to your bathroom but for something with more impact, feature tiles are a great option.
“Creating a feature wall with shaped tiles, or a niche space using coloured, textured or mosaic can update a bathroom without spending a fortune or doing a complete overhaul,” says Rachel.
“A small feature strip on a wall instead of a full feature is another option and is a great way to test out your creative flair when you’re not sure about committing fully to a specific pattern tile.”
A simple strip of new feature tiles can update your existing tile pattern too.
“Existing tiles with character may be worth saving and can be achieved with a simple clean-up or new feature wall to complement,” says Darren who is an ambassador for Carpet Court’s range of tiles.
“I recently worked on a lovely 1930s era bathroom which needed to move into the 21st century where the existing marble tiles were yellowed and worn.
“Getting them buff and updating the grout saved the character of the room while making it look new again while some new feature tiles above the existing tile line added another level of detail and gave the room a lift by creating contrast.”
For a real “wow” factor look, 3D tiles are among the latest tile trends on the market.
“The brilliant thing about 3D tiles is that they create the impact all on their own,” says Rachel.
“Using bold coloured 3D tiles creates a vibrant and playful element while neutral 3Ds are great for the more conservative renovator.”
If your schedule — and budget — allows, a more substantial update to your space might be possible without too much hassle.
Updating just one major element in your bathroom — such as the bath, shower or basin — can lift the look of the whole room.
“A freestanding bath makes a strong design statement, particularly if used as a centrepiece for the room,” says Adam Cole from Bunnings.
And the vanity might not be as difficult to replace as you might think.
“Your vanity, as long as your taps end up in the same place, is a very easy replacement process and can make quite an impact,” says Darren.
“Look at opportunities to increase the amount of storage, keeping in mind what you store and how you access these items.”
If a smaller change is more your speed, updating tapware can add a new look to your existing bath, shower and basin.
You could also consider spraying your bath or basin to update tired enamel and refresh the look of older fittings.
One of the keys to refreshing any space in your home is to get organised.
Bathrooms — especially smaller ensuites — can quickly become messy if storage is an issue.
A simple set of drawers or a small shelving unit can often be enough but if your bathroom has limited storage consider a larger option such as a corner unit comprising cupboards and shelving.
Extra towel rails or over-the-door hooks will always come in handy too.
When choosing lighting for your bathroom, think about how the space will be used.
“For putting on your make-up, it’s best to have the light angled in front of you,” says Darren.
“Aesthetics are also important so don’t be afraid to spend a little more on a nice fitting to add appeal and value.”
And don’t forget those luxurious finishes.
“For a true luxury bathroom, add a wooden stool with some great bathing accessories like back scrubbers and hard wooden brushes,” says Darren.
More Beaumont Tiles, beaumonttiles.com.au; Bunnings, bunnings.com.au; Carpet Court, carpetcourt.com.au; Reece, reece.com.au
Fans of The Block Glasshouse will know the hidden cistern toilet is a must-have in modern luxury bathrooms.
A favourite with judges throughout the season, the hidden cistern leaves only the bowl and button panel on display with the cistern enclosed within the wall of your bathroom or a bulkhead wall.
“Purchases of in-wall cisterns have doubled over the past couple of years thanks to their space-saving qualities and growing customer demand for a cleaner bathroom aesthetic,” says Daniela Santilli from Reece.
Reece’s new Hideaway+ cistern system has several installation options including in-wall front access, in-wall rear access and under counter access.
More reece.com.au
If you’re buying new taps or a shower head for the bathroom, it’s worth paying attention to the WELS rating.
WELS, a joint government and industry program, measures water efficiency — the more stars on the WELS label, the less water that product will use, and the more money you will save.
* Installing a water-efficient showerhead saves about 14,500 litres per household each year
* A standard showerhead uses about 15-25 litres of water per minute — a three star rated water efficient showerhead uses as little as seven litres per minute.
* Gas hot water costs for a standard showerhead are around $1,500 over 10 years but with a water-efficient shower head, that cost is reduced to about $790 over 10 years or a 47 per cent reduction.
* Typical taps discharge 15-18 litres per minute compared with low-flow and aerating models which use as little as two litres per minute depending on the intended application.
Source: waterrating.gov.au
Originally published as Budget bathrooms: Give your bathroom a new look without a complete renovation
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