LIGHTER spring days are almost here – and your bathroom may start showing up everything you tried to ignore over winter.
From cluttered surfaces and dull lighting to tired walls and grubby finishing touches, these problem areas will start to look more obvious.
But the good news is you do not need a full rip-out to give the room a revamp.
Instead, just a few simple updates can make a bathroom look cleaner, fresher and far more expensive without the cost and chaos of a full renovation.
So if your loo is looking a bit flat, then you’ll want to take note as these easy upgrades can give it a lift in time for spring.
Here, Mark Tones, founder of Aquaroc, reveals the seven changes that can quickly make your bathroom look more polished.
Clear the clutter off every surface
A bathroom packed with half-used bottles, toothbrush chargers and piles of products will always look cheaper than one with clear surfaces.
It is less about having less stuff and more about not having it all on display.
Mark said: “When every item is left out, the room instantly feels busier and smaller.
“Keeping just a few essentials on show and storing the rest away helps the space feel calmer, cleaner and far more put together.
“A simple tray, mirrored cabinet or basket can make the room look more organised in minutes.”
Swap a small mirror for something bigger
A tiny mirror can make the whole bathroom feel mean and underwhelming.
A larger one, on the other hand, reflects more light, helps the room feel bigger and gives the space a more considered look.
Mark added: “A well-chosen mirror can completely change the feel of a bathroom.
“It bounces light around the room and makes the space feel more open, which is especially useful in smaller bathrooms that can otherwise feel a bit boxed in.
“It is one of the easiest upgrades to make the room look more finished without touching the layout.”
Update harsh or dated lighting
Bathrooms often get stuck with cold, unflattering lighting that makes the whole room feel clinical.
Swapping dated fittings for warmer, softer lighting can make it feel instantly more welcoming.
Mark added: “Lighting has a huge effect on how expensive a bathroom feels.
“If the light is too harsh, it can make every surface look flat and unforgiving, but a softer, better-placed light gives the room a much more flattering and relaxed feel.
“It is a simple fix that can make the whole room feel less builder-basic.”
Refresh the walls instead of redoing the room
Bathroom walls take a lot of visual punishment. Steam, splashes and everyday use can leave them looking marked, tired or simply past their best, and once the walls look worn, the whole room can start to feel dated.
Mark said: “A simple wall update can make the whole bathroom feel smarter.
“That could be as easy as repainting marked areas, replacing tired wall panels, or updating dated paint, old tiles or discoloured grout so the whole space feels cleaner and more current.
“People often think the only answer is to strip everything out, but refreshing the wall finish can dramatically improve the room.
“Clean, smart surfaces make the bathroom feel newer straight away and help create that polished look people want.”
Add one smart finishing touch instead of lots of extras
Bathrooms can start looking cheap when too many little accessories are crammed in to ‘dress’ the room.
One or two simple finishing touches usually work better than a
load of bits competing for attention.
Mark added: “You do not need to overfill a bathroom to make it feel stylish.
“A neat stool, a good-quality towel or a simple plant can soften the room and make it feel more thought through without adding clutter. Less fuss often looks far more expensive.”
“Focus on the small things first and the whole room will start to feel fresher, cleaner and far more expensive without the stress of a big project.”
Upgrade old taps and handles
You notice bathroom hardware more than you think. If taps, handles and fixings are scratched, dated or mismatched, they can make the whole room feel past its best.
Mark added: “Hardware is like the jewellery of a bathroom. You do not need lots of it, but what is there should look smart and consistent.
“Even changing a few dated fittings can make the room feel far more stylish and expensive. This is one of the best quick wins if you want visible change without a major job.”
Replace tired sealant and tidy up the edges
Nothing drags a bathroom down faster than old sealant that has gone yellow, patchy or mouldy.
Even a decent-looking space can start to feel grubby if the edges around
the bath, shower or basin look neglected.
Mark added: “Fresh sealant is one of the quickest ways to make a bathroom look cleaner and newer.
“Crisp lines around the edges make the whole room feel better cared for, and it is a small job that makes a surprisingly big visual difference.
“If your bathroom feels dated but you cannot work out why, start here.”
