DIY: Quick Kids' Bathroom Make Over

If you have always dreamed of making over a room in your house, but have hesitated because of budget or time constraints, the bathroom is the perfect place to start. Of course you will have to pass up the urge to knock down walls, replace cabinetry, flooring and major fixtures. However, with even $100, you can give your bathroom a quick makeover that will be both fun and refreshing.

A child's bathroom is a great bathroom to make over because you can have fun with color and accessories. You can also experiment with different painting techniques. Best of all, a child's bathroom makeover can be completed in just a day or two. Here are a few steps to quickly update your child's bathroom.

Find an Inspiration Piece

Do you have a set of whimsical towels you absolutely love? What about a picture that would look perfect in a kids' bathroom? Start off with something you love that can serve as inspiration for your quick bathroom make over. Use this item to choose paint colors and all the other things that will be used in the make over. If you need inspiration, check out your local mass retailer. They are sure to have a big section of bathroom accessories and supplies.

Paint

Working with the colors in your inspiration piece, choose a paint color. Don't be shy. This is a child's bathroom and you can afford to have a little fun with your paint color choice. Softer colors will work better if you are going to paint the whole bathroom one color. However, for an added touch of whimsy, consider two or more colors. You can do a striped or plaid wall with the help of a little blue painter's tape and some small rollers. Trace around a dinner plate to create a dotted wall, or make your own stamps by cutting shapes out of sponges.

Finally, if your walls are already painted an off white, use that to your advantage by keeping that your base color, or painting half the wall. Paint from the ceiling, half way down the wall, or from the floor, half way up. Cut out a template with a wave pattern and trace a line around the wall. Using an angled paint brush, follow the line as you paint to make a fun, wavy look.

Since the room is small, you won't have to buy a lot of paint. A $6 pint just might be all you need.

Accessorize

If you haven't already done so, purchase towels, soap dispensers, toothbrush holders, or whatever other accessories you will need for your new bathroom. If your bathroom is small and your bath tub is in relatively good condition, consider a clear shower curtain. It will make your bathroom look larger. A solid colored shower curtain will make the bathroom look smaller, but it will also hide an older tub.

Nesting baskets are great for storing extra towels and wash cloths. A smaller basket can corral the kids soaps, shampoos, lotions and other bath products. As for the bath toys, keep them organized with a net bag or other kind of bath toy container.

Consider a rug or bath mat for the floor. Many rugs are available in fun shapes and themes. Or you can stick with a more traditional shaped rug in a solid color. Just make sure the rug can easily be thrown in the washing machine as needed.

Special Touches

Kids will love to hang their towels on hooks that are placed so they can be easily reached. If more than one child will be using the bathroom, put a hook for each one, so they can have a special spot for their own towel. For an added touch, place the initial of each child above his or her towel hook. Wooden letters can be painted to match the décor, or vinyl letters can be purchased in a variety of colors and sizes and applied directly to the wall.

If you don't already have art work, framed prints will give your bathroom a special touch. You don't have to spend a fortune on artwork. Check out online poster retailers for a huge selection of artwork. If you choose standard sized prints, like 5x7 or 8x10, you will be able to easily find inexpensive frames and mats to finish your look. Another great idea for wall art is you take a few photos of your kids in a tub full of bubbles or wrapped up in bath towels. Enlarge the pictures if needed and find inexpensive frames to finish the look.

Finally, if your walls still need more attention, wooden letters can be purchased to spell out "Splash" or "Bath Time" or anything else you can think of. Paint them using a little craft paint and attach them to the wall to make a fun statement.

These kids bathroom decorating tips will give your kids bathroom a quick and inexpensive update. Kids will love their fun and whimsical new bathroom.