Renovating a bathroom doesn’t have to be an expensive endeavor, as long as you are willing to purchase a few materials and get your hands dirty. Bathrooms are simple. Tile floors, open space, toilet, shower, and maybe some cabinets. Here are a few simple things you can do to “freshen” up your bathroom, and give it a makeover on a budget. See our tips on how to renovate a bathroom below.
Re-grout the tile
This is inexpensive, and makes a huge aesthetic difference. You can easily do this yourself, and it can be done for about a hundred dollars and a day’s work. Start by slicing out the old caulking with a razor, and grinding down the top layer of grout with a grout saw. You can rent one at your local hardware store if you don’t own one. After you make the grout mix, spread the paste evenly with a dollop across the tiles at a 45-degree angle. Make sure you apply pressure, and it’s best to spread it a few times from different angles to ensure maximum coverage. After you’ve filled the grout, scrape off the excess from the tiles at a diagonal angle. It is important to work at a swift pace so the grout doesn’t harden, and become difficult to work with. Once the grout is no longer sticky, and feels firm it is time to start sponging. This will get any excess that was left, and remove the grainy texture of the grout, giving it a nice smooth finish. Make sure you are using a tile sponge, and move in a circular motion. The last step is to quickly scrape the grout out from the corners, so you can fill them with caulking for a nice finish.
Add a fresh coat of paint to the ceilings
Bathroom ceilings often fall victim to stains because of constant moisture, so a quick fresh coat of ceiling paint will brighten things up nicely. Be sure to cover the floor with drop cloths to make sure you have a simple and effortless cleanup process. Another simple tip to freshen up the bathroom is to bleach the bathtubs. Sometimes you won’t even notice the mild stains that can mask your tub until you bleach it off, and see how sparkly it can be underneath.
Clean the hardware
Clean your faucets to restore the shine in your metal surfaces. Depending on the material of your faucets, you may need to take a different approach specific to the surface type. For brass, get a brass cleaner. For thick, tough metals you can polish it with a wool sponge, and knock off any excess stains and buildup from daily use.
Change the showerhead
Changing your showerhead can be an inexpensive update, and also has some hygienic benefits. If you do not change the showerhead, it is a good idea to give it a thorough cleaning every now and then to make sure there are no bacteria or mold building up.