Budget Decorating
(featured column)
5
Ways to Dress Up Your Bath, in a Flash, for Little Cash
by Kathy
Wilson
Often the
bathroom is one of the most overlooked rooms in the home when it comes to
decorating. We tend to see it as a utilitarian space, even though we spend quite
a lot of time here. (More, if you have teenagers!) Take an afternoon to turn
your bath into a relaxing and soothing retreat for yourself and your guests,
without spending a lot of cash. More...
1. Paint the whole room, including the ceiling a deep, rich color. Even though
this is a small room, a deep color on the walls allows them to fade away, and at
once makes the room cozy and seem more spacious.
2. Get rid of the clutter! If you can’t get most of the makeup and shaving
cream under the sink, (and who can?) pick up a few baskets from the dollar shop
and corral them in. Make sure there is a hamper. If you are short on space, use
the kind that hangs on the back of the door. A large drawstring bag would work
for this also. (He might actually even use it… ok, it’s a dream.)
3. Dress up that large frameless mirror. Hang swags of fabric from cup hooks to
hide and soften the edges of the mirror, and to give it a “frame.” Or
actually use cut lengths of 1x4 lumber, and attach them to the wall over the
edges of the mirror to simulate a real wood frame. You can paint or stain them
as well to coordinate with your cabinets.
4. Speaking of cabinets, how about giving them a quick redo? Paint them black
for a sophisticated look, or white with sponge painting for a country theme. Try
any of the hot faux finishes. You can even paint the Formica counters. Just
clean well and use a special primer first such as BIN or KILZ. Then seal with
4-6 coats of polyurethane after the paint dries. Should last for years!
5. Lastly, add some detail to the room. Sew fabric edging to your towels, add a
shell for a soap dish, and stitch up a pretty shower curtain to cover that vinyl
one. Hang some calendar pictures on the wall in dollar store frames… perhaps
of a faraway place you can dream about as you soak away your cares? If you have
natural light in the room from a window, add a plant or two.
Now light up some candles, turn on some music, and fill the bath with sweet
smelling bubbles. Your getaway awaits!
* * *
Copyright © 2006 by Kathleen Wilson. All
rights reserved.
Budget
Decorating Article Index
Want more money-saving tips? Get a FREE
Subscription to our monthly newsletter!
