The bathroom is critical to your home. It’s the one area of the room you need at its best. That’s why bathroom issues are fixed without delay. If there’s a plumbing issue, you’ll likely call the plumber the same day.
For the same reason, you need to take the bathroom’s design very seriously. A relaxing bathroom experience can help you start the day on a positive note. It sets the tone for the day. To this end, we’ve identified several simple DIY bathroom design ideas to help transform your bathroom into a welcoming and functional area.
1. Radiant heat flooring
Bathrooms can feel extremely cold, especially in the winter season. This is particularly true for tile-floored bathrooms. Temperatures on the floor often dip below zero degrees. This can cause some of the kids to avoid the bathroom. It may also make the bathroom experience not too pleasant for adults.
An easy way to solve this problem is to install radiant flooring. Radiant heat below the tiles makes them toasty and comfortable. The best part is that you don’t need to install heated flooring throughout the house. Just purchase a small electric mat to install in the toilet.
2. Install tile flooring
While installing the heated electrical mat, you may also want to use the opportunity to refloor the bathroom. This project can be a little more expensive than installing radiant heating. However, it’s totally worth it. A new floor makes the bathroom cleaner and more appealing.
The best material for bathroom flooring is tile. Specifically, go for porcelain glazed tiles. Porous natural stone tiles such as limestone are also attractive. However, unless sealed vigilantly, they can absorb a lot of water and become stained over time.
3. Change the shower organizer
Fortunately, you have multiple options. We would specifically recommend a recessed cubby. Unlike clunky over-the-showerhead organizers, a recessed cubby gives shampoo and soap a permanent home, whether used alongside the shower or a tub. It also doesn’t take up much space.
To create balance within the room, size the cubby to minimize tile cuts. Also, consider lining the bottom with a leftover piece of stone or solid surface countertop. This way, you won’t have to scrape away scum from the grout lines.
4. Refinish the tub
You can always replace the tub (with a showerhead or another tub). However, that’s a massive project that’s both demanding and expensive. A more manageable option if you’re strictly going for a DIY makeover is refinishing the existing tub.
For instance, most tubs lose their shiny white color and begin to yellow with time. It may also have cracks and patches. A refinish can seal all those areas, effectively restoring the tub’s appeal. Alternatively, consider a re-touch.
5. Freshen up the walls
The walls of the bathroom set the tone for the space’s style and décor. Thus, tired, stained walls can such the life out of your bathroom. The walls may also begin to peel with time, leaving the bathroom looking dingy and drab.
A minor update is all you need to freshen up the walls. There are several options to try. For instance, you can decide to apply a new coat of paint. Alternatively, you can install new wallpaper or a board and batten. Whichever option you choose, remember that the best colors for the bathroom are light colors.
6. Customize the vanity
The vanity is the largest piece of furniture in most bathrooms. Thus, it’s the focal point in the majority of bathrooms. This means that a dated vanity can have a drastic impact on the bathroom’s décor. Freshening it up can uplift the bathroom’s décor massively.
You can replace it altogether if you wish. However, you can also settle for personalization. If you choose the latter, consider updating the cabinet faces, laying a faux marble countertop, and even building clever, chic shelving on the vanity for extra storage. You can also update the vanity hardware.
7. Upgrade the lighting
Finally, lighting is at the top of the list of bathroom design ideas with the highest impact. There are two broad approaches here – replace the existing lighting fixtures or add new layers of bathroom lighting to upgrade the ambiance. The latter tends to work best.
For instance, consider installing a chic light directly onto the bathroom mirror. You can also build a modern brass branch light to install above the vanity mirror or bring in an industrial-rustic light fixture into the bathroom.
Summary
As you can see, the best bathroom design ideas aren’t always the most expensive. Even a few minor touches are enough to change the feel inside the bathroom.
