7 DIY Tips for Redesigning Your Apartment Bathroom
This post was last updated on April 19th, 2021
Tired of the old tile, boring white walls, and outdated fixtures in your bathroom? Of course, you are!
Living in an apartment has its perks, but the design of the bathroom usually isn’t one of them.
As a tenant, you can’t rip out the tile or put in a new sink—those projects will have to wait until you buy your own home. But, that doesn’t mean you can’t give your bathroom a brand-new look.
Ready to get started? Check out these seven DIY tips for redesigning your apartment bathroom.
#1 Paint or Paper
If your landlord will allow you to paint, head to a home improvement store and pick out a new color right now. You’re one lucky tenant!
Painting your bathroom can instantly give it new life. If painting the entire room is more work than you want to do, just paint one. Even one fresh wall can transform your bathroom!
Not allowed to paint? That’s okay; there are other options.
Peel-and-stick wallpaper is a great way to freshen up a bathroom without making any permanent changes. It’s easy to apply, easy to remove, and your landlord will be none the wiser
If hanging paper isn’t in the cards, consider decorating those walls with framed art instead. Use Command strips and you won’t have to worry about putting a nail into the wall!
#2 Update with New Linens
New bathroom blinds and curtains, new towels, and new floor mats can make a big difference in how you view your space.
To add a bit of color and excitement, opt for a printed shower curtain with matching towels and bathmats.
Prefer a more serene, spa-like feel? Hang a white fabric shower curtain and buy some new white towels. House them on a shelf to make your bathroom feel like a fancy spa!
For something truly unique and unexpected, check out bath mats and shower curtains from DenyDesigns. With hundreds of styles to choose from, you’re sure to find a style that suits your taste.
#3 Install New Hardware
Hate your current showerhead? Change it out for a new one!
There’s no need to mess with the pipes in the wall. With many showerheads, all you need to do is unscrew the old one and screw on a new one.
You can also replace little things like drawer knobs, outlet covers, and towel bars. Just look for new ones that are the same size as the old ones so you don’t have to drill any new holes.
Be sure to keep any old hardware that you remove (including the nails and screws that come with it). Even if your new ones are an improvement, your landlord may deduct the missing ones from your security deposit. It’s always safer to put the old hardware back in place before you move out.
#4 Add a Rug
You may not be able to rip out and replace your tile floor, but you can cover it up! A large floor mat or runner will usually do the trick.
Just make sure that you buy something machine-washable. That way, you can toss it in the laundry when it gets dirty.
#5 Add Storage
Just because you can’t install a new cabinet beneath your sink doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy some custom storage. If you love a good DIY project, you can get creative and customize one to look exactly how you want.
Looking to add some color to the room? Buy a wooden storage rack and paint it to match your walls or linens!
Prefer a more rustic look? Buy a white wood storage unit and distress it to make it look old and worn!
Whichever look you prefer, shelves will help you personalize your bathroom and keep your apartment organized!
#6 Get a New Toilet Seat
In a matter of minutes, you can update your bathroom with a brand-new toilet seat.
Standard toilet seats attach with just two screws, and the holes are pre-drilled, making this an incredibly easy job.
Just be aware:
Toilets (and toilet seats) come in two standard sizes: round bowls and elongated bowls. Make sure you know which one you have before you buy a new one.
As with fixtures, keep the old seat and replace it when you leave. You can buy a new one for as little as $7, so just toss it when you move out and put the old one back on.
As a tenant, you don’t have the option of installing a brand new toilet. But sometimes, just having a new seat can make it feel fresh.
#7 Embrace the Existing Tile (And Decorate Around It)
If your bathroom hasn’t been renovated in a while, you’re probably living with old, retro-colored tiles (peach…really?). There’s nothing you can do to change it, so learn to embrace it instead!
If your bathroom tile has a retro feel, consider decorating with retro accessories. Work with it; don’t fight against it.
The same goes for the floor. Those old black-and-white mosaic tiles may look a bit outdated. But if you keep the black-and-white theme consistent throughout the rest of the room, it will look purposeful!
Conclusion
When you rent, you don’t have the option to gut your bathroom and hire contractors. However, you can get creative and do a little DIY to make it look new.
Paint or add peel-and-stick wallpaper to freshen up the walls. Invest in some new linens, add a rug, or swap out some of the old hardware. Install a new shower-head or install a new toilet seat to make it feel like a renovated bathroom.
There’s no point in getting frustrated by an old tub or old flooring. You can’t do much about that. Instead, embrace what’s there and learn how to work with it.
With just a few dollars and a few minutes, you can give your bathroom a new look and make your apartment feel more like home!
Author Bio
Ryan Sundling is a Group Marketing Manager at Cardinal Group Management. He has over ten years of experience in the student housing industry and works with Sakara every day to grow their online presence.
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