Bathrooms are the most heavily trafficked room in a home – they see lots of use at all times of the day and night; most bathrooms need to be updated on a regular basis with new towels, shower curtains, bath mats and so on. Updating any bathroom can be a bit of a challenge because you are limited in terms of what you can do with the sink, tub and toilet – switching out fixtures falls under the heading of a renovation instead of routine maintenance and a general sprucing up of the room so it’s not something you are likely to do any time soon.
What you can do is thoroughly clean the bathroom so the fixtures shine; be sure to clean the windows and the light fixtures and replace any burned out bulbs with new ones at the highest wattage recommended for the fixture. This is also a great opportunity to switch to energy efficient light bulbs if you have not already done so. Vacuum and wipe down the walls and clean the exhaust fan because this will help to stop dust from circulating into the room plus the fan will perform better. Clean any mirrors and wipe down door knobs, drawer pulls and any metal bath fixtures with a glass and hard-surface cleaner so the room sparkles.
New textiles are the easiest way to transform the look of a bathroom in minutes plus it is a good idea to replace them on a regular basis. The shower curtain is one way to define a room since it is a large swath of fabric; window treatments are another way to make a décor statement; use a bold print or a bright color to attract attention and draw the eye away from any deficiencies in the bathroom. Once you have set the stage with a focal piece such as the shower curtain, you can then complete the look with a bath rug, commode cover or new towels in a coordinating color.
Update a mundane vanity with new drawer pulls and knobs; carry the theme throughout the bathroom with matching bathroom fixtures or coordinating bathroom hardware and shower curtain hooks. If the shower looks dated and a good cleaning is not enough, give your shower an instant facelift by swapping out your existing showerhead, handle and tub spout for new ones. Buy a trim kit that uses the existing trim valve and you won’t have to call a plumber or touch anything inside the wall. Extra towel bars, towel rings and robe hooks can make any bathroom more functional and attractive.

