Interior Design & Decor

An outdated kitchen may be inconvenient andunappealing, but a behind-the-times bath can bedownright demoralizing. Shabby bathrooms are not onlyno fun to live with, they’re a big turn-off to potentialbuyers.But in today’s economy – and buyers’ real estate market– it doesn’t pay to go overboard and over-spend on abathroom remodel. A major remodel not only strains yourwallet, it can result in overly personalizing the bath intosomething that won’t appeal to a broad range of potentialbuyers.“These days, less really can be more when it comes toremodeling your bathroom,” says Dan Auer ofFaucet.com, a leading online retailer of decorativeplumbing products. “A mini-makeover can give you thebeautiful bathroom you crave, without breaking yourbudget. And you can create a space that is attractive toboth you and buyers when the time comes to sell yourhome.”Any remodeling project that doesn’t require you to dipinto your savings or go in debt to accomplish it canqualify as a “mini-makeover.” It’s possible to make a bigdifference in your bathroom with as little as a fewhundred or as much as a few thousand dollars. You cansave even more time and money by shopping online andby doing the work yourself.First, start with the walls. Obviously, tearing down wallsand relocating plumbing can’t be categorized as a “minimakeover.”But you can do a lot with your walls for verylittle money, from simply repainting to adding texture andart work. Don’t forget towel bars, towel rings andshelving; these necessities can do double duty asdecorative elements as well.Next, consider the focal points in the room – namely, thefixtures and mirror. If you’re working with a budget of afew hundred dollars, you probably won’t be able toreplace the old commode with a low-flush, designermodel or retile the shower stall. But you can upgrade thefaucets on your sink, tub and shower, replace or beautifythe mirror, and switch out a utilitarian showerhead forsomething more luxurious, like a rainfall or massagingshowerhead.For just a little more investment, you can replace an oldcabinet-style sink and vanity with a stylish pedestalmodel. If you’re committed to cabinets in the bath, besure to replace outdated door handles and drawer pullswith a more contemporary style. Many designers nowoffer handles and pulls in finishes like brushed nickel orbronze that coordinate with your bath accessories.Lighting can also revive a bath. An overhead light and/orlight directly above the mirror are necessities, but youneedn’t sacrifice beauty for functionality. Replace dateddressing room style bulb-bars with sconces or a fixturethat features decorative shades. Swap out oldincandescent lights with energy-efficient alternatives andyou’re not only beautifying the room, but reducing energycosts as well.As a crowning touch, tie the room together withaccessories. A new shower curtain and matching windowtreatment can give the bath a fresh look. Decorative handtowels placed on a towel ring beside the vanity are bothpractical and pretty. And don’t forget to throw in a touchof indulgence, whether it’s some high-end scentedcandles or a luxurious towel warmer.Finally, remember that time is money, even when you’redoing your mini-makeover yourself. Take advantage ofonline resources, like Faucet.com, to avoid wasting gasdriving around looking for just the right products or thefrustration of trying to find what you want in a big boxstore. The site offers thousands of products and plenty ofideas for your bathroom mini-makeover project – plusfriendly customer service that’s easily available over thephone.“The bathroom is one of the most used rooms in thehouse,” says Auer. “Easy updates will make sure it’smore enjoyable for both you and your guests.”