Update Your Bathroom for $100 or Less

Got a bad a case of the bathroom blahs? It happens to all of us. Colors fade, tastes change, and you just get plain tired of some patterns after a while. You don't have to hire a decorator or even take any of Martha Stewart's high dollar tastes to heart. You can breathe new life into a stale bathroom faster - and cheaper - than you think. If you know where to shop and teach yourself how to spot a bargain and combine colors and textures, the project will go much more smoothly. You might even save more money than you imagined!

Paint

The wall color is essential to creating the look that you want. If you choose the right one, you can easily add accessories in an array of matching colors and patterns that will complement your new hue. Remember that a lighter colored ceiling will add more height to the room rather than painting it the same color as the walls. Estimated costs: $15

Rugs and Runners

Look for a bathroom set that contains a runner, a toilet rug, a seat cover, and a bowl cover. Find a color and pattern that ties in well with the color on your walls. This ensemble alone will transform your bathroom. Anna's Linens is a great place to look to find these sets. Estimated costs: $15

Toiletry Accessories:

The gems are easy to find - and cost a cool $1 each - at your local Dollar Tree store. You can find toilet brushes, waste baskets, soap dishes, toothbrush holders, soap pumps, and many other useful sink top items. The selection varies between plastic and ceramic in many colors. You can also find the items you need to fill them, such as soaps, in the same trip. Estimated costs: $15

Handtowels:

Even if you can afford to restock all of your bath towels right now, two or three well chosen hand towels prominently displayed in your bathroom can add a burst of color and detail.
Estimated costs: $15

Curtains:

Your shower curtain and tub area will probably be the focal point of your bathroom space. This is where you should incorporate the busiest patterns so that the rest of the accessories can tie into the color scheme of the curtain. Flashy curtain hooks will also draw the eye up higher and add more interest to the room. Anna's Linens is also a great place to find shower curtains and hooks. Estimated costs: $25

Deck Your Walls:

Artwork on the walls adds interest to the room. Dressing the walls with pictures, instead of the countertops with things like floral arrangements, saves valuable countertop space. All you need in order to create your own custom layout and look is your computer, printer, paper, and some funky frames. You can create a large collage of pictures that tie in together or you can choose single ones. The internet is chock full of royalty-free public domain images that you can incorporate into your new space. Frames are easily affordable at your local Dollar Tree stores for - surprise!- only $1 each. Basically, in any size, shape, and color you choose. If you can't find exactly what you're looking for, you can always buy the plain wooden frames and spray paint them a more suitable hue. Estimated costs: $15

Total estimated costs: $100
The satisfaction of getting exactly the look you want by doing it yourself: Priceless