Your Bathroom Looks Dated
We talk a lot about kitchen remodels and big garden projects that keep our homes looking modern, and while bathrooms do get their share of facelifts, their ability to look outdated isn’t entirely down to plumbing and tiling. Decor, too, can make even the most updated toilet look more outdated than it actually is. Here’s what to throw away to bring your John back to the modern age.
Trade in your wallpaper for fresh paint
According to Realtor.com , wallpaper can really age a bathroom, especially if it’s dented or peeled off. A site that knows a thing or two about preserving the value of a home suggested fresh paint instead of wallpaper in the bathroom. Here are some general painting tips , but some are just for tiles .
Giovanna Maciejka , an interior designer based in New York City, told Lifehacker that wallpaper by itself won’t necessarily date your bathroom, but if you decide to decorate it, you should “be sure to use an adhesive that can withstand moisture.” ” The peel and stick options are not suitable for rooms that have as much steam as bathrooms.
In terms of paint colors, she advised “going beyond fun” and suggested “dark and moody” blues and greens, “bright and poppy” pinks and oranges, or “soft and serene” shades of sage and ivory. If that sounds like a big deal, she said her favorite bathroom decor hack is to simply paint the ceiling so that “a fun splash of color will accentuate the rest of the room.”
Update your lighting
There are so many types of lighting available today . In the bathroom, in particular, you want soft lighting that won’t offend guests or dazzle you in the morning, so keep that in mind when choosing fixtures and wattage. Whether you’re renting your space or don’t have the time or money to make an entirely new lighting scheme, Maciejka said there’s still an easy solution: replace existing fixtures with “something more modern, light up the globe.”
Perform equipment replacement
You don’t need new cabinets or a new vanity to upgrade your bathroom. According to Maciejka, you can achieve the same effect by simply changing the hardware. Head to your local hardware store and select coordinated versions for the following:
- drawer handles
- Wardrobe pulls
- Faucets
Don’t be afraid of the latter. Here are the instructions for replacing the faucet .
Why not try some plants?
Here’s a tip from Maciejka that might surprise you: add some greenery to the bathroom to make the space feel “more alive and dynamic.” It makes sense; a bathroom might be too damp for self-adhesive wallpaper, but many plants will love it— these plants with high humidity will do especially well in a bathroom . (And if you’re worried about your ability to keep things green, Maciejka added that it doesn’t matter if the plants are real or fake.)
Other Notable Outdated Bathroom Trends
Some of the above things are easy to fix, but if you want to take things a step further, here is a list of other more expensive fixes you should consider upgrading your bathroom from Family Handyman :
- Get rid of “glass block” walls that look outdated
- Don’t use “Hollywood” style vanity lighting.
- Get rid of everything with a chevron pattern
- Replacement of any granite countertop
- Get rid of all copper
Maciejka also recommended replacing the shower curtain and bath mat with “something that will burst.” She said that Urban Outfitters usually has great options for trendy, contemporary pieces that will keep the bathroom fresh.