Easy ways to upgrade a bathroom

There’s nothing nicer than a hot shower on a chilly morning, but a bathroom that’s icy cold, functionally subpar or just plain grotty can take the joy out of the experience. With this in mind, autumn is an ideal time to turn your attention to easy D.I.Y. maintenance and improvements to upgrade a bathroom, with an emphasis on changes that will bring comfort on a cool day.

Tip: Always wear the appropriate safety equipment (safety glasses, gloves, ear muffs and a mask, for example) and always follow the instructions for the product or equipment.

At a glance: How to upgrade a bathroom

• Focus on regular deep cleaning and minimising mould growth by regular cleaning of the exhaust fan
• Fix mouldy or degraded silicone
• Upgrade the blinds and shower head and add a heated towel rail
• Declutter the surfaces and add stylish storage baskets
• Add simple decor such as a stool, pot plants and new towels 

Focus on regular bathroom maintenance

Winter is when little niggles can turn into big problems, as the combination of hot showers, cold surfaces and minimal ventilation (all those windows tightly shut) creates the perfect environment for mould to grow. Pre-winter maintenance should be a combo of these prevention and cure tips:

• Clean the exhaust fan regularly. D.I.Y. expert Natasha Dickins of Little Red Industries recommends this to ensure steam from hot showers is removed efficiently. “Turn the power off first to stay safe while cleaning,” she says. “Then remove and wash the cover, vacuum dust from the blades and clean them with a barbecue wipe. Make sure the cover is dry before you replace it.”
• Fix damaged silicone. This is a common issue in bathrooms and only gets worse in unfavourable conditions, but it’s a simple fix. “Remove mouldy or degraded silicone using sealant remover gel with a silicone scraper,” suggests Natasha. “Then clean with a mould remover, mask both sides of the gap with tape and apply new mould-resistant silicone. Spray with diluted detergent before removing any excess silicone with the scraper.”
• Do a deep clean. The benefits are obvious – making your bathroom nicer to look at and the surfaces more hygienic. Consider putting these jobs on your list: clean tile grout; wash or replace the shower curtain; flush drains with baking soda and vinegar, followed by hot water; and scrub the loo (Borax works well for hard water stains). “My top tip is to clean the tiles and shower screen thoroughly, then treat each surface with a preventative specialty product (like EnduroShield) that keeps working long after the initial application,” says Natasha.
• Upgrade the low cost basics. “Changing handles and a new shower curtain can make the space feel more clean and fresh,” says stylist Tilly Roberts.

Boost warmth and comfort

Bathrooms aren’t innately cosy spaces, but there’s plenty you can do to take the edge off the washroom chill:

• Keep the heat in. Look at where your heat is escaping; gaps around windows are solved with adhesive draught-stopper strips, while gaps around the outside of the frame can be fixed with caulk.
• Style the windows. Tilly says upgrading windows with Roman or bamboo blinds can make a big difference to the look and feel of the space. “Adding window furnishings introduces softness, privacy and can help to keep the warmth in!” she says.
• Turn up the heat. Add a heated towel rail, which needs to be installed by an electrician, or D.I.Y. if you choose a plug-in version. “Heated rails provide the ultimate luxury of warm towels while drying them quickly and also helping to heat the room,” says Natasha.
• Replace the showerhead. If your current shower is more like a trickle, a new showerhead can dial up the comfort and be as easy as screwing on a new one. Complete your makeover with fluffy bath mats and towels. 

Add some styling elements

Not just for the sake of looks, styling tweaks can dramatically transform the mood and even enhance the functionality of a bathroom.

• Focus on storage. Start with these practical fixes, to keep surfaces clear. “Add storage out of eye level to keep the space feeling calm and uncluttered,” advises Tilly. “Baskets underneath vanities make great storage without adding visual clutter.” If there’s room, a tall and narrow cabinet is ideal for everything from makeup to toilet rolls.
• Bring in colour. To combat the cold effect of an all-white bathroom, simply adding a punch of pattern with matching towels can work wonders. Or, if paint is an option, Tilly suggests colour drenching. “Painting the entire space in one colour can have such an impact,” she says. “Don’t be afraid to do this even in a small space – it creates drama and interest without too many different ideas going on.”
• Add extra layers of decor. “A wooden side table or low stool next to a bath or shower can give warmth and texture to an otherwise clinical-feeling bathroom,” advises Tilly. And add personality with decorative objects on a floating shelf, such as pot plants, a small artwork, candle or interesting ceramic piece.

Keep in mind...

• Check manufacturer’s manuals for advice before cleaning appliances.Wear a mask and gloves for serious cleaning tasks and store all cleaning products out of reach of children and pets.
• Any hardwired electrical work must be done by a licensed tradie.
• Never leave lit candles unattended.

Want more bathroom makeover inspiration?

Discover how to plan a bathroom renovation.

Photo credit: Caroma, Adobe Stock, Brigid Arnott.