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Easy Bathroom Updates

Updating your bathroom is a great way to give your home a new look, and adds equity. This means, while you may spend some money to update your bathroom, you will be increasing the value of your home as well.

If you have a large budget for a bathroom upgrade, you can hire someone to give the entire bathroom a makeover. This would include removing the sink, mirror, tub, shower surround, toilet and floor, and replacing them with new materials.

If you are looking to do an easy bathroom update though, this option probably won’t work for you.

Instead, check out this comprehensive list of easy bathroom updates. I’ll go through each section of your bathroom, highlighting some easy DIYs that will make a big difference in your bathroom. I’ll start with the least expensive and, likely, the easiest option, and end with the most expensive and time intensive type of upgrade.

While some of these options may require a bit of work, completing any update on this list will really update the look of your bathroom.

This post may contain affiliate links. If you have any questions, please see my disclaimer page.

Easy Ways To Update Your Bathroom Flooring

Paint the Grout

Bathroom Update Cost – $

Time Investment – A couple of hours

Painting the grout is an amazingly cheap and easy way to update your bathroom floor. It require very little skill. Apply the paint to the grout lines, rub off any excess, and you’re done! Plus, a bottle of grout paint and sealer is very inexpensive!

Here is a tutorial on how to paint your grout lines.

Check out the difference it makes!

Update Your Bathroom by Painting Your Grout

Paint the Floor

Bathroom Update Cost – $

Time Investment – Several days

Painting your floor can make a huge transformation in a bathroom. I have seen many home improvement writers take on this task. It is very time consuming to complete, and requires priming the floor, painting it a solid color, possibly stenciling a pattern, and then applying several coats of a top coat. While many have reported that it has held up great, I did find one honest blogger who noted that leaving a wet bathmat on the floor ruined the paint job in that spot. So while, it is possible, it may not be the best choice for a bathroom floor.

I’ll leave it to you to decide. Here is a tutorial on how to do it.

Replace the floor

Bathroom Update Cost – $$-$$$$

Time Investment – One to several days, depending on the size of the room

Replacing your floor is a third way to update your bathroom floor. Removing the existing flooring in the bathroom will require some work, as both vinyl and ceramic tile take a bit of sweat to get off the subfloor. Once the old flooring is removed, you can begin to apply the new flooring. Ceramic tile and wood floors area always in style in a bathroom. While this option for updating your flooring is the most expensive and the most difficult, it also has the most longevity. Once your floor is replaced, proper cleaning and care will ensure that your new floor looks amazing for years to come.

Update Your Bathroom By Replacing the Flooring

Easy Ways To Update Your Bathroom Vanity

Replace the hardware.

Bathroom Update Cost – $$-$$$

Time Investment – A few minutes

Replacing the hardware on your cabinet base is a great way to change the look of it. Tired, shiny gold pulls can be traded for soft, brushed nickel pulls, giving the bathroom an updated look.

Here are some high quality hardware picks. (Click on the picture for price.)

Paint the vanity base.

Bathroom Update Cost – $$-$$$

Time Investment – A day

Painting a vanity base is easy if you know how to do it! With some light sanding, a coat of primer and two coats of paint, you will be able to create a durable finish for your vanity base in whatever color you choose.

Replace the vanity top.

Bathroom Update Cost – $$-$$$

Time Investment – A few hours

Replacing the vanity top is a great choice if your vanity has an outdated top. Changing from a bisque colored vanity top to a white vanity top will brighten up the room and give the impression that the vanity is updated. More than likely, you’ll also want to replace the faucet, since the old faucet may be out of style or have years of grime on it. Replacing the vanity top, paired with changing the faucet and painting the base of the vanity, is an easy way to change the look of your bathroom on the cheap!

Recently, I picked up a brand new-in-box white vanity top from The Restore for $20! But, if you don’t have an option like that, here is an inexpensively priced one from Amazon.

Changing a vanity top isn’t hard. You only need to disconnect the plumbing, cut the caulk lines, and pull the vanity top off (did you know that vanity tops are only held on by caulk?!?). Once the old top is removed, you can apply new caulk, set the top on, and plumb the new vanity top with a matching faucet.

Change the faucet.

Bathroom Update Cost – $-$$$

Time Investment – A few hours

A new faucet can cost anywhere from under $50 to over $400. Replacing your old faucet will make your bathroom look shiny and clean.

Reface the cabinets doors.

Bathroom Update Cost – $

Time Investment – A few days (to allow for glue and paint drying)

Refacing the cabinet doors on your vanity can take a tired, outdated cabinet with great bones and give it a new life. Older cabinets were pretty well made, and have stood the test of time in terms of their durability and water resistance. But unfortunately, the style of door or wood color may really date the bathroom.

Refacing the doors only requires a few strips of wood or moulding, some wood glue, clamps, and a saw box (and of course some sandpaper and paint). The clamps and saw box that I linked there are super easy to use – I know because they are the exact ones I use!

Even if you have to purchase the tools to complete this DIY, its still a very easy and economical way to update your bathroom.

Add feet to the vanity base.

Bathroom Update Cost – $

Time Investment – An hour

Most of the vanity bases that are sold today are set on furniture feet. This differs from the old style that had a kickplate (a flat piece of wood on the bottom with the cabinet doors overhanging it). Adding feet to your vanity base makes it look like a newer base, even if they are just decorative.

Here is a tutorial on how to add feet to your vanity base.

Replace the entire vanity.

Bathroom Update Cost – $$$-$$$$

Time Investment – A day or two

Now, if you want to do all of the above with the least amount of work possible, and you have a larger budget for your bathroom updates, replacing the entire vanity is a great option for you.

It is an easy bathroom update because it requires a few simple steps. Undo the old sink plumbing, cut the caulk from the sides and back of the vanity top, and unscrew the screws that hold the vanity base to the wall. Then, pull the vanity out (it’ll be heavy, so get a friend to help!).

Replacing the Vanity

Easy Ways to Update Your Bathroom Mirror

Frame the Mirror

Bathroom Update Cost – $

Time Investment – A day or two (with time for glue and paint/stain drying)

Framing a builder grade bathroom mirror is a simple DIY with a big impact. It imparts style to the mirror and creates a distinction between the wall and the mirror.

Here is a tutorial on how to frame a builder grade bathroom mirror.

Replace the Mirror

Bathroom Update Cost – $$-$$$

Time Investment – A few minutes

Replacing your bathroom mirror is a super easy way to update the bathroom. While it is a little more expensive than adding a frame to the existing mirror, you can find reasonably priced mirrors.

Easy Ways to Update Your Bathroom Toilet

Replace the seat.

Bathroom Update Cost – $

Time Investment – A few minutes

Replacing your toilet seat is easy! Remove the nuts from the bottom of the back part of the toilet (wearing gloves… it is super disgusting under there…), and pull the toilet seat off. Then attach the new seat and you’re done!

Remember that there are two styles of toilet seat – round and elongated. Make sure you purchase the correct one.

Here are two great toilet seat options. (Click to see price.)

Replace the handle.

Bathroom Update Cost – $

Time Investment – An hour

Replacing your toilet handle is very easy, makes the toilet look new and updated.

Check out these amazing options for toilet handles! (Click to see price.)

Replace the toilet.

Bathroom Update Cost – $$-$$$

Time Investment – A few hours

Replacing the toilet in your bathroom is an easy bathroom update that requires much less skill than you would think! It’s a dirty job, but it takes just a few hours and will make your bathroom feel new again.

Toilets don’t have to be super expensive either. They can range from around $100 to over $500, making it a very affordable upgrade.

Here is a tutorial on how to change a toilet.

Easy Ways to Update Your Bathroom Tub/Shower

Paint the grout.

Bathroom Update Cost – $

Time Investment – A day

Painting the grout in your shower is the same as painting the grout in your bathroom. It takes a little bit of time, but makes the whole bathroom look clean and new.

Pick up some Grout Renew here!

Recaulk.

Bathroom Update Cost – $

Time Investment – An hour

Recaulking your shower is another cheap and easy fix for an unsightly shower. Replacing those dark and stained grout lines with fresh white stains makes a huge difference!

Prior to adding new caulk, use a caulk removing tool (and maybe some caulk softener) to remove the old caulk. While the caulk is out, spray a bleach/water mix in the spaces to kill any mold thats growing back there (if you don’t, it’ll grow into your new caulk lines in time). After allowing it to dry for a day (or blowing it dry for a while with your hair dryer), apply new caulk to the area using a tube of white caulk. Wet your finger with water and smooth your finger along the bead of caulk until it is a nice, perfect line.

If you want to make it look like a pro job, make sure to tape off where you don’t want caulk to be, and remove the tape prior to the caulk drying.

Caulking a perfect line

Change the shower head and faucet.

Bathroom Update Cost – $$-$$$

Time Investment – A few hours

Changing the shower head and faucet in your shower can bring new life to an old shower. It is not that hard to do either!

Here are some great sets at amazing prices! (Click on the picture for the price.)

Here is a tutorial on changing your shower head and faucet.

Build a decorative tub side.

Bathroom Update Cost – $$

Time Investment – A few days

Building a decorative tub side makes your tub look like a custom tub. It creates a focal point for the bathroom, and really requires little more than wood, caulk and paint. It is a little trickier than some of the other DIYs on the list, but can easily be accomplished if you follow the steps of a good tutorial.

Here is a tutorial on building a decorative tub side.

Replace the tub surround and/or tub.

Bathroom Update Cost – $$$-$$$$

Time Investment – Several days

Okay, replacing the tub surround or the tub isn’t actually an easy upgrade. While most of the tasks on my easy bathroom updates list are something that someone with fairly little skill can accomplish with a helpful tutorial, replacing a tub is a lot more difficult. A seasoned DIYer may be able to do it with good results, but most people should probably leave this job to the professionals.

For the sake of completeness, I wanted to include it in the list.

Easy Ways to Update Your Bathroom Walls

Paint

Bathroom Update Cost – $$

Time Investment – A few hours

Changing the paint color will make your bathroom feel clean and new again.

Check out this whole house color scheme for inspiration!

Here is a tutorial on how to paint your walls.

Wainscoting or Beadboard

Bathroom Update Cost – $$

Time Investment – About a day

Adding wainscoting or beadboard to your bathroom walls gives the bathroom a custom look and feel. It adds texture and interest to the walls.

Here is a tutorial on how to add wainscoting to your walls.

Wallpaper

Bathroom Update Cost – $$

Time Investment – A few hours or so, depending on the amount of wallpaper you are applying

Wallpaper is back, folks. Modern prints and styles can be used as an accent wall in your bathroom, above wainscoting or beadboard, or in the entire bathroom. Plus, I hear that the new types of wallpaper aren’t nearly so hard to remove!

Easy Ways to Update Your Bathroom Lights

Vanity Light Fixture

Bathroom Update Cost – $$-$$$

Time Investment – A few hours

Changing a vanity light really isn’t hard! Just be sure to turn off the power to the light from the breaker before you start!

Here is a tutorial on how to change a light.

Check out these options for new vanity light fixtures. (Click on the picture for price.)

There is your comprehensive list of easy bathroom updates!

Pick one or several of the tasks on the list, and your bathroom will look amazing!

Let me know what you think!

24 Easy Upgrades for your Bathroom

24 Easy Bathroom Updates

Thanks for sharing!

Faylinn

Thursday 16th of July 2020

I absolutely loved that you mentioned that you can replace the entire vanity if you want to give your bathroom a new look with not much work. Recently I moved to a condo by myself and I am thinking about remodeling the upstairs bathroom to make it a private one for myself. It would be awesome to add a vanity and for this, I will definitely make sure that I look online and check different stores.

Lauren

Saturday 18th of July 2020

Good luck Faylinn!