10 bathroom makeover tips for renters

Itching for a bathroom makeover? If you ever find yourself stuck with mustard yellow tiling, bad paint, and old, garish overhead lighting, don’t fret. There are tons of ways to hide, transform and overhaul your bathroom without breaking off any agreements between you and your landlord.

As a renter, it’s pretty difficult to put up with ugly tiles, dated fixtures, and a lack of storage in your bathroom. When a total bathroom makeover is not an option, there are plenty of temporary solutions that can easily be reversed come moving day.

1. Clean it first

Nothing brightens a bathroom like a good cleaning can. If scrubbing grubby tiles is not your thing, there are plenty of cleaning services who will gladly do the dirty work for you.

2. Cover the tiles

Hands up to the person who invented removable tile decals. Tile decals are specially made for the bathroom and kitchen. They are waterproof, self-adhesive, and can be peeled off without a hitch in case you need to have them removed. With these lovelies, you can hide those ugly tiles in no time.

3. Use tension rods

Tension rods have been a favourite of renters for years. It’s cheap, versatile and gets the job done. By using a tension rod, you can put up a shower curtain without drilling holes in the wall. You can also use it to hang a curtain on your window or a curtain room divider.

3. Replace the fixtures

One of the fastest ways for a bathroom makeover is to update the fixtures. If the toilet seat has seen better days, don’t put up with it. You can easily replace it for less than $50.00. Just don’t forget to put the old one back in its place before you leave.

4. Use free-standing furniture

Own the bathroom and make it more cosy by adding free-standing furniture. If you’re going to put a chair or stool, use waterproof or outdoor pieces so you won’t have to worry about it getting water-clogged.

5. Add more storage

Most renters are plagued with a lack of storage space in the bathroom. Because of the limits, a free-standing cabinet is your best option.  You can place it anywhere and move it around when needed. Plus, you can take it with you when you leave.

6. Hook it up

Gone are the days of plain metal hooks. Today, because of the wide array of styles and designs, bathroom hooks are a great way to spice up your bathroom. You can place them at the back of your door, walls and even inside cabinet doors for added storage.

7. Add accessories

White fluffy towels, robes, and candles can have a big impact and create that spa-like feel. Add a colourful mat or shower curtain to counteract a drab paint job.

8. Be green

Place potted plants in key areas of your bathroom. Natural elements can calm and soothe your senses. They don’t just look good; they purify the air and help get rid of any stale and musty odour. Some plants, like the Spider plant, require little maintenance and are suitable for low-light bathrooms.

9. Paint away

If your landlord has no objections, just paint over the tiles and walls to easily cover any flaws and defects. To visually enlarge the space, use a neutral paint such as warm white and beige. For a more comfy feel, dark earth colours are your best bet.

10. Lighting

Lighting is crucial for setting the mood for any room in your house – and that includes the bathroom. Opt for warm light. It can do wonders for achieving that cosy and relaxing atmosphere.

The bottom line is you don’t need to gut the whole place just to have a bathroom that you like. By following these tips, you can convert your bathroom into an awesome, cosy retreat.

For more bathroom makeover ideas, get free quotes from our bathroom renovators.