Give your bathroom a budget makeover

Cheryl Dangel Cullen • April 7, 2010 • Chicago Home Improvement Examiner

In today’s tough economy many Chicago area homeowners are opting to stay in their older homes, remodeling and sprucing them up. Fixing up your home helps build equity, and bathrooms are a huge selling point and the most popular room to remodel. Why wait? Fix up your bathroom and enjoy it yourself.

Your bathroom should be practical as well as stylish. It doesn’t take a lot of time and money to give your bathroom a makeover – and you can take it from dull and tired to bright and inviting without a lot of money.

Here are some bathroom tips that will take years off the age of your home:

Deep Clean - Start off your bathroom project with a nice deep clean, and sort the things that you need and throw away the stuff that you don't use. You can find great clear plastic boxes, bins, drawer dividers and clear cosmetic bags to hide your things out of sight. For the items that will stay in sight put them in nice decorative storage containers.

Paint or Wallpaper - Add a little color to your space with a nice bright semi-gloss paint made just for bathrooms and kitchens. These paints are not only easy to clean, but the ones made for your bathroom are also mold and mildew resistant. Wallpaper can be challenging since the moisture and humidity in the bathroom might cause the wallpaper to peel off. Wallpaper just one wall to add an extra punch!

Use Color – Don’t be afraid to experiment with color. Try neutral colors for warmth, or go bold with a brighter hue. You also can repaint the cabinets for an updated look.

Replace the Bathtub/Shower – Instead of removing your bathtub, which can damage flooring, walls and plumbing and puts your bathroom out of service for days, get an acrylic bathtub or tub liner installed over the old tub. Companies like Bath Fitter can do this in just a few hours and for a fraction of the cost of a new one. To find an installer in the Chicago area, just click here and enter your zip code.

Install New Countertops – Granite is very popular now, and you can sometimes find smaller cuts of granite that are less expensive. Porcelain marble – even imitation porcelain marble - is a less expensive alternative and gives your bathroom a beautiful sparkle.

Update the Fixtures – Update those old gold fixtures (don’t forget the door knob!) with nickel, pewter or stainless steel fixtures for a modern look.

Replace Linens – Old faded and stained towels give your bathroom a drab look. Invest in some fluffy, bright towels to match your color scheme.

Accessorize - Throw rugs, shower curtains, bath mats, soap dishes and pictures are easy and low cost add-ons for any bathroom.

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