These 10 Cheap, Easy Bathroom Updates Make a Big Impact

If your bathroom is looking a little shabby, there's actually a lot you can do to make it look as good as new without breaking the bank. Here are a few projects that make a big impact on a tight budget.

1. Paint

New paint can make your bathroom look like a whole new room. Lighter colors make the room look bigger, but you may also want to consider cool hues like blue to create a relaxing atmosphere.

Instead of the walls, you could also consider painting the cabinets. You can use a stain to change the color of wood or paint to create a white theme or a fun pop of color.

2. Framed Mirrors

You can also replace your boring, outdated mirror with a new one to make your bathroom look trendy and cool. Consider a square mirror with a frame or a hanging round one instead of just one long mirror in the space. This will make your bathroom appear more modern and set it apart.

3. Floating Shelves

Floating shelves have become en vogue in recent years. They are often found in kitchens and living rooms, but why not try them in bathrooms as well? Floating shelves are a great way to showcase items and add storage to your bathroom, an area that could always use more storage.

On the floating shelves, try placing a mix of cute and practical items and fun, kitschy items. Small pieces you've accumulated on your travels are a great option, as are face towels. Everything placed on your floating shelves will be easily accessible, so you may want to consider what items would be most useful to have there.

4. Towels

Changing out the towels in your bathroom is another way to breathe new life into the room. White towels will give your room a crisp, clean look. If your walls and tile are a bit plainer, you may want to consider something with a pattern to be the focus piece of the room.

It would help if you also considered what towels would go with the other decor in the room. For example, if you have a painting in your bathroom with flowers on it, you may want to get towels in the color of one of the flowers to tie the room together.

5. Plants

A refreshing splash of green is a cheery sight, and many plants feel right at home in the higher humidity of a bathroom environment. Pick whatever kind you like to look at, just make sure they'll be happy with the lighting conditions in your space.

6. Nautical Decor

One popular decor theme for a bathroom is nautical. You can do a lot of things to accomplish a nautical theme in your bathroom, but generally speaking: think blue and anchors.

You could hang a photo with anchors on it and get other small items in an anchor shape. You can also get white and blue towels, or towels with anchors on them. There are also many shower curtains with nautical themes that you could easily add to your bathroom to accomplish the look. Starfish, seashells, and bottles filled with sand are other options that you can consider to accomplish a nautical theme in your bathroom.

7. Art

Even if you aren't doing a nautical theme, paintings are a great way to add to your bathroom. You could hang photos or paintings of beautiful landscapes, black and white photos for an edgier look, or even modern art. There really are no rules here. Pick photos or paintings that represent you and the look you want in your bathroom.

8. Cabinet Hardware

One cheap and easy way to add class to your bathroom is buying adding hardware to the vanity's drawers and cabinets. You can add pulls or knobs depending on how much space you have and what you prefer. This will make it easier to open the drawers and also make the vanity look more expensive.

9. Shower Curtains

Perhaps the cheapest and fastest way to change the look of your bathroom is by changing the shower curtains. Are they white now? Try a bright blue. All one color? Try a geometric print. The options are endless. Shower curtains can be changed out in a matter of minutes, making this the easiest way to change the look and feel of your bathroom.

10. Peel and Stick Tiles

If you are feeling a little bit more ambitious, try peel and stick tiles. Like peel and stick wallpaper, peel and stick tiles are simply stuck onto the area where you are using them and then peeled off when you no longer want them. Make sure you pick a waterproof option.

You can use these tiles to create a mosaic look or simple subway tiles. Visitors will be sure to ask you about the new "tile" in your bathroom. Don't worry, we won't tell them they were just stuck on!