Skip to content

Cart

Your cart is empty

Article: 16 Easy Bathroom Upgrades That Don't Require a Gut Job

16 Easy Bathroom Upgrades That Don't Require a Gut Job

16 Easy Bathroom Upgrades That Don't Require a Gut Job

Unless you've won the real-estate lottery, odds are, your bathroom isn't perfect. Sure, it might get plenty of natural light, but those unsightly tiles, cheap linoleum floors, and lackluster light fixtures are likely holding you back. Luckily, a little creativity can help you transform a ho-hume bathroom without a major overhaul — whether you're a renter who can't make extensive changes without losing your security deposit or a homeowner who's on a strict budget.

The three biggest, most impactful things you can do to your bathroom (no gut-job required) are: paint, switch out lighting, and swap out hardware. Then, depending on how handy you are, you can swap out your faucets too. But honestly, those first three will really change the look and feel of the space an insane amount. Also, never underestimate the power of some great accessories."

Ready to improve your bathroom without stripping it down to the studs? Scroll on for 16 easy bathroom upgrades that don't require a gut job.

Oval mirror bathroom mirror wall mirror
Swap your bulky, builder-grade medicine cabinet for a beautiful mirror. Though convenient, medicine cabinets take up a lot of real estate and tend to look rather generic. A beautiful mirror is an instant upgrade.

 

02 Swap Out Your Sink Faucetbathroom mirror wall mirror arched mirror

ANDY STAR Silver Arched Bathroom Mirror 

Allow us to demonstrate the transformative power of swapping out your sink faucet. Here, a sleek polished nickel faucet adds a bit of modern edge to a bathroom filled with traditional details like a pedestal sink and board and batten molding.

 

03 Update Your Shower Hardware

bathroom ideas bathroom modern bathroom

Update your shower hardware (i.e. your shower head, shower rod, bathtub faucets, etc.) to revamp your entire space. Don't be afraid to mix your metals for an on-trend look. 

 

04 Adorn Your Walls With Eye-Catching Wallpaper

oval mirror wall mirror bathroom mirror

ANDY STAR Brass Gold Oval Bathroom Mirror 

Adorn your walls with eye-catching wallpaper. Wallpaper tends to be more expensive than paint, so this bold application is especially prudent for a powder bathroom refresh.

 

05 Slather Your Walls in a Fresh Coat of Paint

bathroom mirror circle mirror round mirror wall mirror

ANDY STAR Silver Circle Bathroom Mirror 

Pick up a can of paint to give your bathroom a quick, easy, and relatively inexpensive makeover. Not sure which shade to select? Here are the bathroom paint colors interior designers swear by.

 

bathroom mirror wall mirror rectangular mirror silver mirror

ANDY STAR Silver Rectangular Pivot Mirror 

Temporary and relatively inexpensive, they offer an ideal solution for renters or budget-conscious homeowners.

 

bathroom mirror wall mirror rectangular mirror
 
Pick a few backyard branches to display in a tall vase on your bathroom counter. Tall greenery always makes an instant statement in a room — and (bonus) it's virtually free.

 

bathroom mirror wall mirror rectangular mirror

ANDY STAR Brass Gold Rectangular Bathroom Mirror 

Give your floors a fresh look with a new bathmat, this seemingly simple swap can have a major impact on the overall look and feel of your space.

 

bathroom mirror wall mirror oval mirror

ANDY STAR Matte Black Pill-shaped Oval Bathroom Mirror 

Forgo simply slathering your walls in paint or wallpaper in favor of adding architectural interest to your bathroom walls instead. O-groove paneling adds character to basic bathroom walls.

 

10 Replace Your Toilet and/or Your Sink

rectangular mirror wall mirror bathroom mirror

ANDY STAR Brass Gold Rectangular Bathroom Mirror 

Consider undertaking a slightly larger project and replace an unsightly toilet or sink to give your bathroom an upgrade that's equally practical and aesthetically minded. 

 

11 Swap Out Your Bathroom Light Fixtures

bathroom mirror wall mirror rectangular mirror black frame mirror

ANDY STAR Matte Black Rectangular Bathroom Mirror 

For a low-lift bathroom upgrade that will immediately have a huge impact on the entire space, swap out your light fixtures (i.e. sconces, pendants, etc.)

 

12 Hang Up a New Shower Curtain
bathroom decor modern bathroom
Something as simple as hanging a new shower curtain can make all the difference. If you want to make a bold statement on a budget, this inexpensive yet impactful, this bathroom upgrade is foolproof.
13 Liven Up Your Bathroom With a Potted Plant
bathroom modern bathroom
Liven up your bathroom with a potted plant. Opt for a tall variety like a Guiana chestnut (a.k.a. money tree) to draw the eye up and make your bathroom look and feel larger than it is.
14 Install a Tile Backsplash in Your Bathroom
bathroom mirror rectangular mirror wall mirror
Allow this bathroom demonstrate the visual impact of a patterned tile backsplash.

If you're on a budget, install a backsplash in a powder room (versus a full-on bathroom) as it will require fewer tiles to get the same effect.

 

15 Update Your Bathroom's Window Treatments

bathroom decor modern bathroom decoration bathroom mirror bathtub

Although often overlooked, window treatments have the power to completely transform any space. Natural fiber roman shades add some much-needed texture to a neutral bathroom.

 

16 Swap Your Standard Cotton Towels for High-Quality Linens

bathroom mirror rectangular mirror wall mirror gold mirror

ANDY STAR Silver Rectangular Pivot Mirror 

No bathroom is complete without high-quality linens. You can't go wrong with fluffy cotton towels or tasseled Turkish Towels. Bonus points if you display them on a ladder, as in the chic master bath pictured here.

Leave a comment

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Read more

10 Tips to Make Your Bathroom Smell Good All the Time

10 Tips to Make Your Bathroom Smell Good All the Time

Bathrooms can so easily swing on the pendulum from "spa-like retreat" to "smelly, dirty, and damp," sometimes seemingly overnight. But funky smells in the bathroom are not inevitable. By ke...

Read more
33 Clever Ways to Turn a Small Primary Bathroom Into a Luxe Oasis

33 Clever Ways to Turn a Small Primary Bathroom Into a Luxe Oasis

While many homes come equipped with sprawling primary bathrooms, many do not. If you haven’t been blessed with an incredibly spacious bathroom, your options might seem limited. Most of the primary ...

Read more