We all spend a lot of time in our bathrooms — it’s a fact of life! While it’s easy to write them off as utilitarian rooms that don’t need to look pretty in order to serve their purpose, you would be surprised at how much you can alter the quality of your life by changing up the appearance of your bathroom.
That might be a big statement, but we have compelling evidence to back it up! It’s a fact that interior design is directly linked to health and well-being. What’s even better is that it does not take a lot of money or know-how to create a room that can work wonders on your overall health. In this list, we will explore some of our favorite Do-It-Yourself projects for the bathroom that look great, don’t cost a whole lot of money, and can be accomplished alone over the course of one weekend (or less!)
Bathroom “Ladder” Shelf
If you have spent any time at all in an Ikea showroom in the past few years, then you know the magic that is the bathroom ladder shelf. There is something about crossing the barrier between indoor and outdoor that can result in satisfying interior design. The bathroom ladder shelf is functional, trendy, and easy to make yourself from materials you can get at a hardware store — here is a simple tutorial.
Spray Painted Lighting Fixtures
When it comes to updating our rooms, lighting fixtures are often left out of the equation. While it may seem unnecessary to plan out every small aspect of your room’s design, a detail like a lighting fixture can make or break a room’s design. The good news, though, is with even just a bit of “DIY” spirit you can transform your lighting fixtures with some spray paint. This page walks you through just how easy it is to update light fixtures (specifically the ever-so-popular brass fixtures).
Spray Painted Bathroom Fixtures
While we’re on the topic of updating lighting installations with spray paint, did you know that it’s actually possible to give the same treatment to other fixtures in your bathroom? Specifically the door knobs, shower knobs, and faucets. Here is a wonderful tutorial from Making Manzanita. One small change like this can take your bathroom into the 21st century!
River Rock Floor
If you’re unacquainted with this unique floor pattern, here is a brief explanation: it is a type of floor covering that is made from an assortment of “rocks” or “pebbles”. It is most often used for shower flooring, but it can also be used as a bathroom floor. While it is perhaps most closely associated with hotels and resorts, you can have your own river rock flooring in your bathroom for a small price — here is a tutorial as to how.
DIY Vinyl floor
Speaking of floor patterns, if you have your heart set on a bathroom renovation, then changing your floor is the most impactful way to make it happen. If you’re searching for more traditional flooring options, then vinyl flooring is a professional and easy option. This overview from Dove Cottage really shows how much of a difference a new floor can make.
Flower Pot Shelves
For many of us, we could never have enough storage space in our bathrooms. If you are like most homeowners, your bathroom likely did not come with an adequate amount of storage built-in. The only solution, then, is to take it matters into your own hands and create your own storage. We love this DIY flower pot shelving that is made from copper cups and a wooden blank. Check out the brilliant idea from Balcony Garden Web.
Easy DIY Toilet Tray
Not many of us use the top of our toilet as a reciprocal for our belongings, but if you really think about it, in a room as small as a bathroom, the top of a toilet tank is really wasted real estate space. Luckily, there is a solution to this waste: enter the toilet tray! As its name would suggest, the toilet tray is made from wood or similar material and designed to hold items such as toilet paper or tissue. Learn how to make one of your own from Fixer Upper Farmhouse.
Chic Bathroom Wallpaper
Wallpaper may seem like a thing of the past, but this is not your grandparent’s wallpaper! Whether it’s their Instagram-ready appearance or endless possibilities for customization, wallpaper has been enjoying somewhat of a resurgence in popularity over the past few years. Here’s a great how-to from Livette’s Wallpaper that covers using removable wallpaper in the bathroom.
Simple Cupboard Repaint
Cupboard repaints come up a lot in kitchen renovations, but here’s the thing: most bathrooms have cupboards, too! And just like the cupboards that we use to hold our bowls and plates can become outdated and change the entire appearance of a room, repainting a bathroom cupboard or two can have stunning results. Allow this tutorial to show you how.
DIY Farmhouse Sink
This DIY farmhouse sink and vanity may seem a bit more involved at first glance, but it’s still a project that can be easily achieved by most beginners. Even if more effort is involved, the end result will be worth it for anyone who has ever yearned for a farmhouse sink but has been scared off from the retail price tag. For a fraction of the price, you can get the same results as you would get in stores by following this tutorial from Shanty 2 Chic.
Dresser Turned Vanity
If farmhouse chic isn’t your thing, there are other ways that you can create a vanity through a DIY project. One of our favorites is the creative “dresser turned vanity” example from AnOregonCottage.com. We love the way that this project doesn’t require starting from scratch, but instead takes advantage of an underused and underloved piece of furniture that you may already have around the house. This is upcycling at its finest!
DIY Faux Marble Countertop
Marble countertops are one of the most desirable features that a home can have, and while it is most often associated with the kitchen spaces, it can also be a great high-end feature in the bathroom. However, like most “high-end” features, marble counters come with a “high-end” price tag. If you are interested in emulating the appearance of a marble counter but do not want to spend the money to get the real thing, you can apply a DIY version that takes only a few supplies but offers impressive results — get the scoop over at Sweet Teal.
Dollar Store Wicker Shelving
If you are short on space in your bathroom, then you might want to consider using your walls for additional storage! One easy way to install shelves is by purchasing inexpensive but stylish storage compartments from your local dollar store and installing them on your wall. See examples from Better Homes and Gardens.
DIY Wall Tile
If it’s relatively easy to tile a bathroom floor, what one be correct in assuming that you could also tile other areas, such as the walls? Turns out that this is exactly the case, as this tutorial from At Lane and High proves. Turns out that it is not all that different than installing tile on the floor — if anything, it is even easier because you are working at less of an awkward angle.
DIY Toilet Paper Holder Shelf
We might not all talk about it, but most if not all of us are guilty of bringing our phone into the bathroom with us. Long gone are the days of keeping reading material in close proximity to the toilet! However, keeping our smartphones close to the toilet bowl is not only dangerous (nothing worse than dropping your phone in!) but it can also get unsanitary pretty quickly. Keep your phone safe and germs at bay with this clever DIY shelf that sits just about your toilet paper hanger. It’s the perfect place to fit your phone, extra toilet paper — whatever your heart desires! Get the lock from DIY Show Off.
DIY Farmhouse Mirror
What is a bathroom without a fully functional mirror? Updating your existing mirror is one of the most effective ways to change the overall look of your bathroom. This tutorial from Homemade Lovely is easy to follow and will result in a stunning farmhouse style mirror!