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Do you want to give your bathroom a makeover? There are many ways to transform your small bathroom on a budget and make your ideas come to life. Remodeling your home can be expensive and unnecessary or even restricted if you’re in a rental. These ideas can refresh your space and make it appear new so that you can give your budget a break before your next significant renovation.
Small Bathroom Upgrades to Elevate Your Space
These simple upgrades will make even the smallest bathroom feel like a relaxing haven. Try out one or two this year to achieve the bathroom of your dreams.
1. New Shower Curtain
Adding a new shower curtain can give your bathroom a whole new look. A patterned print on your shower curtain can liven up your space and make a bold statement. Your bathroom doesn’t have to be boring.
Choose a pattern that gives off good vibes and let it brighten up your bathroom. Consider going without a shower curtain to make your space appear even more prominent. Or, if it’s within your budget, install a glass door to your shower.
Sage Green Farmhouse Shower Curtain: $27.99 on Amazon
2. Fresh Towels
New towels that match the aesthetic of your bathroom can give it a fresh look and feel. Get some new towels that match your patterned shower curtain or some patterned towels that offset the pattern in an ideal way.
Mixing prints can work wonders for a small space if you know what you’re doing. Don’t let the patterns overwhelm your area–use them to create a focal point for your small bathroom. If you hang your towels on a curtain rod, you can use them to decorate your space.
Checkered Towel Set: $34.99 on Amazon
3. Decorative Storage
Another excellent budget small bathroom idea is to use decorative storage to kill two birds with one stone. You can install a medicine cabinet to store your toiletries to free up counter space. You can use woven baskets for towels, plants or other bathroom essentials.
Floating shelves or bookshelves are also fantastic budget small bathroom ideas. You can use crates to make a cubed bookshelf that could add a ton of extra storage space. You can also get a ladder bookshelf to store towels, toiletries and decorative items.
Utilize the space over your toilet with a space-saving shelf that won’t take up any more floor space.
Over-Toilet Storage Shelf: $ 53.99 on Amazon
4. Wallpaper
A fresh coat of paint can change the whole vibe of any room. When you paint a small room a light color, it can open up the space and make your room appear much larger than it is–dark colors can cramp your space. Choose an accent wall to create a bold statement.
You can paint it a daring color or use patterned wallpaper to create whatever vibe you want. Temporary peel and stick wallpaper is an excellent way to test out what you like before you splurge on moisture-resistant wallpaper for the room. Consider putting wallpaper on the wall behind your mirror and extending it to an area of the ceiling for a long look that can elevate your space.
Peel and Stick Wallpaper: $29.02 on Amazon
5. Mirror Update
Updating your mirror can modernize your bathroom and give it an entirely new look. Mirrors are one of the best small bathroom ideas on a budget since they increase the sense of space and add light to the room.
A circular mirror can elevate your small space and give it a calming vibe. You don’t have to mount your mirror either–you can simply position the mirror on a shelf and lean it against the wall. The larger the mirror, the more depth you can create in the room.
Round Mirror: $31.99 on Amazon
6. Aesthetically-Please Storage Containers
If you want your bathroom to be more aesthetically-pleasing, organize your products with cohesive storage containers. Nothing ruins the picture-perfect bathroom like products cluttering the counter.
Instead, store your hair, dental and hygiene products in baskets on a shelf or a set of drawers. For small items like cotton swabs or floss picks, put them in glass containers rather than the original packaging so they look more organized.
You can also use under-the-sink organizers to keep things tidy and out of view. Reducing clutter is the easiest way to elevate your space, and aesthetically-pleasing storage solutions will get the job done.
Nesting Baskets: $19.99 on Amazon
Clear Bathroom Containers: $8.99 on Amazon
2-Set Under Sink Organizers: $39.99 on Amazon
7. Fun Bath Mat
Like a shower curtain, a new rug can liven up your space. If you’ve had your current bath mat for a while, it may be due for an upgrade.
Go for a pop of color or a fun phrase to bring some joy to your bathroom. Make sure it will fit in your space so it’s both fun and practical.
“You Look Good” Bath Mat: $23.99 on Amazon
Half Circle Sunrise Bath mat: $23.99 on Amazon
8. New Tiles
If you’re on a budget and up for a DIY project, consider putting new tiles in your bathroom. If you don’t want to remove existing tiles from your shower, choose a blank wall to add some new tiles. Add a backsplash above your sink or toilet for a simple project. A pop of color can brighten your space without being too overpowering.
You can also put peel and stick tiles on the floor for a temporary, renter-friendly upgrade. Make sure to line up the tiles and be precise when applying them.
Peel and Stick Floor Tiles: $13.90 on Amazon
Peel and Stick Backsplash Tile: $32.99 on Amazon
9. Plants
Plants can easily bring new life to a room. Choose the best plants for your space based on the amount of light you get in the bathroom. You should also do some research on what plants will thrive in bathrooms, where they’ll be exposed to a lot of moisture.
You can install floating shelves to house your plants in the best position to get light. However, if you don’t have a window in your bathroom, you can opt for faux plants.
If you want something fresh but don’t want to commit to the upkeep, you can buy eucalyptus branches every few weeks to hang in your shower.
Set of 3 Fake Plants: $19.99 on Amazon
10. Monochrome Decor
If you’re starting from scratch with your bathroom decor, go for a monochrome color scheme for a simple but cool design. To pull off monochrome, though, don’t just pick up items in the exact same color. Instead, choose varying shades of the same color to add depth to the room.
While a white monochrome scheme may appeal to minimalists, don’t be afraid of some color. If you keep your walls neutral, even a bright color can still feel tasteful.
Budget Small Bathroom Ideas
You can create a ton of space and update the appeal of your bathroom with any of these small bathroom ideas, no matter your budget. If your budget allocates for new furnishings, consider searching for quirky pieces at local flea markets to use as a vanity. Updating your bathroom can be fun— you can use trial and error to see what works best for you!
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Original Publish Date 2/15/23 – Updated on 7/3/24
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