A Good Start
Next time you go to brush your teeth, or take a shower, take a look around. Actually absorb your environment a little bit and pay attention to your surroundings.
How does it make you feel?
I’m a huge believer that the surroundings we create for ourselves have a real impact on how we live! If we feel inspired, comforted, safe, and happy in our home, then that will have an impact on our everyday life even when we are away from home. Our environment affects our attitude!
It all starts with the Bathroom!
For most people I know, the bathroom is the first stop of the day. Well, there may be a detour to let the dog out, but you get the point! Making a few simple improvements to the bathroom will start the day off right.
Here is the great news: Remodeling a Bathroom is Cheap! (er)
Compared to the cost of larger rooms, you can make more impact with fewer dollars in a bathroom than anywhere else in the house. In today’s world that’s huge! We need to find ways to make our lives feel better without spending thousands upon thousands of dollars. Here are a few possibilities:
- Replace your bathroom vanity (or paint it!)
- Replace your bathroom fixtures (or some of them)
- Learn to do your own tile work – replace your tile (or accent)
- Get some cool bathroom accessories (easy!)
- Replace your bathroom lighting (as low as $20.00!)
- Paint your bathroom in a hot new color! (attitude!)
- Or just a new shower curtain! (how easy is that?)
The great news is that none of these ideas have to be expensive! There are endless ideas available online for all of these things! You can find great deals on fixtures, cabinets, lighting, tile…all of it! Just look around a little! Get some inspiration and find yourself a how-to video and get to it! For much less than you think you can change the way your life feels by changing the first room you visit every single day!
Sounds like a plan to me!
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Oh yes! After we remodel a portion of the garage into a bonus room, the bathroom is next on the list. Thanks for the budget friendly tips!
Mrs. Q’s last blog post..You’re A Man…
Love the way your started this out.. it is so true.. your environment is really important.. I hate my bathroom well hate is pretty strong… It is just not what I like.. I am going to really get on it and get started.. thank you.
Joy’s last blog post..
I agree, bathrooms are great places to start. I just helped a friend refresh her bathroom- on a budget- and I think it turned out wonder.
We did a lot of what you mentioned! Great advice.
Great topic today, Tim. It really is easy to perk up a bathroom and add a touch of luxury for just a few bucks, and it’s a great pick-me-upper to start the day is a nice bathroom. I am eternally grateful that, as an adult, I don’t have to share my bathroom with every person in the house, like when I was a kid. On the other hand, my grown sons covet the huge walk-in shower in our master bath, and are forever asking if they can “borrow” it. What mom could say no?
Here are a few quickie bathroom ideas for anyone who’s ready for a change but not quite ready to remodel:
* Add scented candles and light them daily.
* Display your washcloths — folded or rolled — in a pretty basket on the countertop.
* Fluffy folded or rolled towels look great on an open shelf, ledge, or in a basket.
* Add a splash of color with brightly colored towels (for a designer look, add ribbon or lace to the edges, or have use iron-on monograms).
* For spa-style luxury, use oversized white towels. White is wonderful, because it can be bleached.
* Add music … a boom box, an iPod dock, or even a small radio.
* Add something natural … a plant, a basket of shells, or a bowl of pebbles.
* If you keep reading material in the bathroom, put it in a basket or an inexpensive wastebasket you can decorate yourself.
* If you lighting fixtures allow it, put in a higher wattage bulb … so you can actually SEE when you’re brushing your teeth. A lower wattage compact fluorescent gives off more light while using less energy and saving money.
* Replace your light switch with a dimmer switch, to control the amount of light as desired.
* If you don’t share your bathroom with children, replace the doorknob with one that locks (and can be opened without a key, for safety).
* Add a chair or a bench.
Still with me? Cool. After the kids are in bed, try this … light the candles, dim the lights, turn on the music, lock the door, and relax
)
victoria ~ auction girl vintage’s last blog post..Kitchen Remodel ~ Breakfast Room Wallpaper Update
I’m so glad that you talked about fixtures! I used to think that was so much work and so expensive but you are right–I found ADORABLE sink faucet thing a majigs for our bathroom for $35 each and my husband was able to “install” {it’s so obvious I know NO actual remodeling vocabulary} them himself.
I loved them but was mad that I hadn’t done it years earlier.
The Nester’s last blog post..Make Your Home Beautiful to You :: A Guest Post
I love checking out your blog for inspiration! The photos you choose are wonderful and your writing is top notch, too, BTW!
We’re currently finishing a newly constructed bathroom so I’m looking for spa styling ideas. The green bath here is so peaceful.
We’ve done lots of DIY projects — but will be our first ‘steam’ shower. I read somewhere that fiberglass is the best for walls — the steam works faster and isn’t absorbed into the shower surfaces. Stone tile is out of the question — but think I’ll have to sacrifice a little efficiency for cultured marble. I’d really prefer 1″ ceramic tile but I’m so past cleaning grout! Any ideas flood your mind on the subject??
I share your appreciation for small spaces. I’m so excited to be super-downsizing to BR, LR, K & BA! But, oh that BA is gonna be great!
Thanks for blogging!
Darlene
Bathrooms may also be surprisingly one of the more difficult places to begin.. space, theme (spa-type/ just downright functional- run in and out or linger with candle lights or wine..)
cool ideas you have here.
i also saw your blog after coming from the DJ’s lovely family blog.
My bathroom really needs some work – decor wise. It’s less than a year old and we put in a lot of upgrades, but I need to make it more homey. I really love the soaps in the jar in the first photo. I’m totally stealing that idea.
living with lindsay’s last blog post..Giveaway! Giveaway! Giveaway!
Fabulous pictures! Are those all rooms that you’ve done?
Kimm at Reinvented’s last blog post..Ten Minutes and a Can of Spray Paint
My master bath is definitely on my to list to get a makeover on a budget!
June’s last blog post..A Little Bit of Bathroom Organization
people sometimes skimp out on bathrooms but later realize that its one of the MOST used room in the house.
check out my blog on this for more ideas! ^ ^,
curious_girl’s last blog post..Contemporary Bathrooms
Very nice Bathroom Photos. I especially like the tile accents and the mirror surround ideas.
If you are changing your home layout before renovating you may wish to review free plan designs.
Free Bathroom Designs
http://www.homeplansforfree.com/Free-bathroom-designs/index.php
New Bathroom Planning
http://www.brandsconstruction.com/Blogb2/bathroom-ideas.php
Planning is essential to finding the right bathroom layout for your home. Plan out everything from the cabinet selection to the hardware type to ensure you stay in budget if you are planning a bathroom remodel for your home.
Wishing you the very best.
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