Weekend Warrior: Quick Bathroom Updates

Design: Terracotta Design Build
https://www.wayfair.com/Shop-The-Look/Photo/Wilton-Home-Master-Bathroom-P107012

Ah, the powder room—a welcoming oasis in a world of chaos; your haven from the troubles of the day; your home's one small, spa-like isle of respite. Wait—it isn't?! If your bathroom is more of a hassle than a happy place, it's time to reassess. A weekend of quick fixes could be all that's standing between you and a washroom you love. Whether you've got all day or only a moment to spare, we've got tips to make your bathroom better.

A Few Minutes

Design: Design Studio M

1. Clean Your Exhaust Fan
Nobody likes a moist, dank bathroom. (Hello, mold!) Over time, dust and moisture can build up in your exhaust fan's grate, causing it to clear the air less efficiently. It's gross, but grabbing a vacuum or bristled cleaning brush and scrubbing out the grime only takes a minute, and will mean less work cleaning the rest of your bathroom over time. Win!

2. Organize Your Medicine Cabinet
This is one of those two-minute tips that saves you serious time in the morning. Especially if you share your space with a significant other or roommate, staying organized keeps people happy—create separate areas for each person and toss old or rarely used items.

Tip! If you've got multiple shelves, consider organizing your items in the order you use them for a hassle-free morning routine. 

3. Add Some Tunes
Mornings are tough. Installing a shower radio won't make them easier, but will definitely make them more fun! As easy as linking to your phone's Bluetooth, this quick improvement takes less than a minute. The only question will be WHO is in charge of the daily playlist. 

An Afternoon

Design: Upscale Urban Design

1. Set up a Spa Tray
Create a little corner of luxury for yourself. Grab a tray and layer on bath salts and decorative soaps, aromatic candles, and all your favorite bath time musts. Even when you're not using it, this lovely vignette will add a touch of glam to your space.

2. Add a Shelf
Clear out the clutter with more shelving ... and then, style it! The real change will come from the placement. Group like items together and try to stick to items in the same color family. Use your favorite decorative storage containers, and make it a showcase for your perfumes, face towels, and glassware. 

3. Create a Cohesive Color Scheme
A surefire way to make your bathroom look out-of-sorts is to fill it with mismatched towels and rugs. That one sauna towel you "borrowed" from the resort and a dinosaur beach towel? Not cutting it. This tip calls for hard decisions: Choose one color (white is a perfectly valid option) and stick to it. You'll be rewarded in the knowledge that your bathroom is always guest-ready.

All Day

Design: Frahm Interiors
https://www.wayfair.com/shop-the-look/slp/zen-bathroom--photo-id108302

1. Change Your Shower Head
It's nearly impossible to think about dirty laundry or scrubbing the toilet when you're under a relaxing rainfall shower head. It might seem daunting, but replacing your shower head is actually a simple process. Read our Guide to Replacing Your Shower Head for easy step-by-step instructions.

Tip! Have children or pets? Install a multi-function retractable shower head or hand shower to make bath time a cinch!

2. Change Your Hardware
Whether they don't match or you're just ready for a change, switching out the hardware on your bathroom cabinetry is sure to make a noticeable change. Choose something really fun and trendy or sleek and timeless—just be sure it coordinates with the other features of the room.

3. Change Your Fixtures
The grown-up version of swapping out your hardware, this project requires tools. Before you tap out, take a look at How to Install a Bathroom Faucet and see how doable it really is! 

4. Add Wall Sconces
Life is hard enough without bad lighting. Improve your morning routine (and perfect your liquid liner application) by installing sconces beside your bathroom mirror. With so many styles—including no-fuss plug-in options—there's no excuse for harsh overhead lighting.