8 Easy Bathroom Updates on a Budget

No need to spend oodles of time or money to give your bathroom a fresh new look.

Simple, inexpensive bathroom updates are one of the best ways to add value-and style to your home, without breaking the bank. Because this room is usually smaller than others throughout the home, inexpensive cosmetic alterations-paint, fixtures, décor, cleanliness, and easy DIY face-lifts-go a long way and make a huge difference.

To find out how, we queried designer John Gidding, host of HGTV's Designed to Sell, for his ideas for great, budget-friendly bathroom refinements.

1. Accessorize, and change up linens to bring in a high-end look. According to Gidding, spas have been doing the right thing for years. "Plush terrycloth towels, a bath pillow, teak shower shelving, fancy hand soap, a pretty container of bath salts-even a loofah-add interest, and make any bathroom feel rich and soothingly spa-like," he says. "Swap a dingy shower curtain for a soft terry curtain, and instead of hanging towels on hooks, roll them up and stack them into tiny pyramids on existing shelves."

Another great way to shore up your overall look? Sew your own window treatments and apply trim detailing on towels with the leftover fabric. Peaceful framed artwork and the odd potted plant also bump up the Zen-factor. But exposed toilet paper rolls and cleaning products? Not so much.

2. Update the mirror. If you can completely remove a lackluster looking-glass, replace it with a framed, decorative mirror that complements your overall style and theme. If you're unsure, "Compare existing light fixtures to the frontrunner. You'll get a better idea whether it'll work in your space," says Gidding. If outright removal is out of the question, Gidding suggests creating a new "frame" from a length of chair rail and gluing it around the mirror's edges. For a polished look, paint or stain the wood before attaching it.

3. Swap out, or enhance, fixtures. Faucets, showerheads, and drawer pulls should all coordinate. Extending the same metal finish throughout the room (towel rods, toilet paper holders and soap trays, too!) gives off a luxe, cohesive feel that guests will undoubtedly appreciate.

4. Know when to spend and when to save. "Spend money on objects people will touch and notice," says Gidding. "The faucet is a great place to splurge; the curtain rod isn't. Likewise, hand towels should be Turkish terry, but the rattan basket they're displayed in can be $15."

5. Get creative. Gidding swears some of his best work comes from thinking outside the box: "I once used a kitchen island as a vanity because it was much less expensive than those I was finding. I've also converted a stainless-steel salad bowl into a vessel sink -- talk about savings!"

6. Be smart about sources. Imaginative sourcing pays off, too. "Tile retailers often sell excess -- and discontinued -- remnants in-store, at a discount. Raid these sections to add accents or a backsplash -- you won't need tons of tile and you'll know exactly how big you can go, based on availability."

7. Focus on storage and de-cluttering. This is especially crucial in small spaces. Open glass shelving makes any bathroom look larger. "Gleaming horizontal surfaces imply space and utility and are surprisingly affordable," says Gidding, "To work in any space, they only need to be neat and clutter-free."

8. Choose color carefully. When deciding on the right paint color for your bathroom, both overly bright and darkly saturated hues tend to close in a space. Dead-set on adding some oomph? Inject color via affordable accents or "choose light, neutral blues, greens, or yellows on the walls." Gidding thinks earth tones work well too. "But," he concedes, "They're a little unimaginative."