It's a problem faced by homeowners across the Midwest: How to update a bath with limited funds. Frankly, most of us can't afford a total renovation. So what's the next best thing? Improving what you have, and letting the little things make a difference. Here's how our home editor remade her own bath, adding style, some much-needed storage and a few indulgences, all for under $900 (bubble bath included)! See if her easy, cost-saving ideas would work for you.

By Carol Schalla. Photographs by King Au.

Updated Bathrooms

(ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED: JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2004)

BATH CLUTTER STRESSES ME OUT! Everyday life stresses me out even more! So when I decided to redo my bath, I knew I wanted to create a serene retreat that was organized, comforting, and easy on the eye and my pocketbook. A low-cost bath "enhancement" seemed to make good sense to me. (A survey taken by a kitchen-and-bath trade journal found that basic redos-those under $2,000-are the popular choice for most consumers faced with space or money constraints.)

Here's my advice for planning a budget bath redo: (1) Play up the positives; minimize the negatives. (2) Plan to work around existing fixtures. (3) Update fittings. (4) Hide the clutter. (5) Find a way to pamper yourself!

My bath had pluses. It was roomy and had a window. It had a separate shower stall and tub, and a large vanity cabinet. It had white fixtures and a white ceramic floor. The negatives: orangey-stained oak woodwork that limited wall color choices; a nondescript single-lever faucet; a dated wrought iron light fixture. Gold knobs on the cabinets didn't fit with the chrome fittings. A sheet mirror covered one wall.

Using the classic white of the existing fixtures as a decorating starting point, I painted the woodwork white to match. Simple chocolate-brown paint (as opposed to patterned wallpaper) created visual calm, contrast and architectural interest, with just a $25 price tag. Discount store towels, in bright green, became colorful accents.

Since the sink area was a main feature, I focused on it. I'd planned to hang a collection of antique mirrors in the room, so I chose a new $100 Victorian-style faucet, with white porcelain levers. Brushed-silver knobs replaced gold knobs. Cup pulls added more vintage style to the drawers—a $60 touch that had big impact. A timeless $90 chrome light fixture took the place of the iron one. Silver in these new items and the old mirrors became a design theme I repeated in smaller accessories.

The existing wide single-sink countertop provided space for two new $150 storage cabinets, with glass doors, on either side of the basin. A repainted $75 floor cabinet from a flea market provided more room to hide and organize bath clutter.

Coordinated finishing touches pulled it all together. A wire chair holds white towels. (Furniture pieces in a bath make it look less antiseptic.) White 3-inch wood blinds control privacy or let in the sun. Simple accessories in glass, white porcelain and silver keep the new look classic. And displayed personal collections of prized seashells and old mirrors make it mine.

Final tally? $879.75. Which just proves that you don't need to spend thousands of dollars to add to your bath enjoyment level, and you'll probably improve the resale value of your house in the process!

PAMPERING ON THE CHEAP
KEEP A COLLECTION of soothing bubble baths, bath oils and lotions near the tub.
OUTFIT A TUB with a bath tray to prop a book or support a beverage or snack.
LINE THE TUB AREA with numerous scented candles for relaxing aromatherapy.
ADD A TERRY-CLOTH NECK ROLL for soft comfort during long, leisurely soaks.
INSTALL a pulsating showerhead for on-the-spot massages.

Related Links: