• Adding colour to your bathroom

• Buying a new bathroom (Part 1)

• Essential, but never boring….toilets!

• How to pay for a new bathroom?

• A guide to bathroom furniture

Improve your bathroom without breaking the bank – Part 1

2022 has been tough financially on many and the next six to nine months look bleak. News bulletins continue to focus on the cost of living so when it comes to home improvements the dream of a brand-new bathroom, ensuite or cloakroom may need to go on hold.

If money is tight, the first thing to ask yourself is whether you really need to start from scratch, or whether a few clever updates might be enough to give your bathroom a new lease of life. If you do decide to go ahead and install a completely new bathroom, there are still ways to save money. The most important and most cost-effective is to work with your existing layout rather than strip everything out and start again as this will avoid the costly task of rerouting plumbing and wiring.

Most homeowners work to a budget but with these being forever squeezed, it’s worthwhile looking around for clever ideas for quick, easy, and affordable updates.

Below are a few that can make a real difference:

Lick Of Paint: The simplest way to refresh and update is to grab some masking tape, a roller and tray and some brushes. Paint instantly lightens and brightens up a tired space. Apply a couple of coats of a soft neutral or bright white to walls, ceiling, door and window frames and skirting boards and immediately you’ll appreciate the difference.

Cabinet Makeover: Why stop at walls and woodwork? If you have a bathroom cabinet which is structurally sound but feels a bit dated, you could paint or replace the doors and drawers for a fraction of the cost of replacing the entire unit. Add some new handles and the cabinet will feel completely different - from brushed brass to satin, chrome to matt black, there really is a finish to suit every kitchen.

Remove Cabinet Doors: Assuming the cabinet carcass is sound, consider removing cabinet door altogether. This will create simple, open shelving for an airy, more modern look and feel. You could paint or paper the inside of the cabinet for added interest or, if you’re not so keen on the fully open look, get some curtains made of your favourite fabric to bring a touch of colour and style into the room.

Create A Feature Wall: Wall panelling is very much on trend and a great way to add colour and vibrancy and breathe life back into a tired, old bathroom. Choose the most prominent wall – usually behind the bath or the walls within a shower cubicle and fit with the wall panelling which is waterproof and steam resistant. Low maintenance and no grouting, wall panelling will provide a seamless, sleek new look.

More affordable ideas to follow in our next bathroom-compare.com blog including flooring, tiles, taps and finishing touches. Watch this space!