Definitely paint what you can - either the walls or the cabinet and mirror. Adding more storage above the toilet would be helpful as well. Answer from Level-Up-Jas on reddit.com
🌐
DIY home decor
yourdiyfamily.com › home › blog › 9 tips to make an old bathroom feel new (on a budget)
9 tips to make an old bathroom feel new (on a budget) - Your DIY Family
September 17, 2022 - If you have white grout and it’s gone all dirty and grey, you can buy a grout whitener and have it looking super white in no time. If you have coloured grout, you can sometimes get coloured grout restorers but colour matching could be a problem. Instead, what I’ve recently done is got a good grout cleaning brush and it’s really spruced up my dark grey grout. If you do nothing else on this list, this one tip will make a big difference and will go a long way to make an old bathroom feel new.
Discussions

What can I do to update my bathroom (no money or any permanent renovations at the moment so paint/other suggestions are welcome!)
Definitely paint what you can - either the walls or the cabinet and mirror. Adding more storage above the toilet would be helpful as well. More on reddit.com
🌐 r/femalelivingspace
79
101
February 25, 2022
Newbie DIY Bathroom renovation for £300 - £500…is this possible?
Having kinda done what your thinking of doing my advice would be: Don't. Save and do what you want in one hit and first time. It's functional but ugly so the absolute bare minimum to make it livable for you. Even if it's stupid like painting tiles ect. The reason I say this is because your planning on tiling ect but keeping the current set up. All that means is you'll do it, your plans and requirements will change and something will need removing again. If you do it in one hit you can plan better, hide pipes and box things in ect. Over all it will cost you less money and you'll have a better end product. More on reddit.com
🌐 r/DIYUK
11
1
July 23, 2023
How to make this bathroom look better without full remodel?
I feel like this is cool again or about to be. Hold tight. Could just upgrade the fixtures and medicine cab (kohler makes really nice ones) More on reddit.com
🌐 r/Remodel
316
180
March 23, 2024
Hubby and I completely renovated our old outdated bathroom. We're so happy with the results! (Before/during/after pics)
Can we get color photos of the after? More on reddit.com
🌐 r/DIY
141
792
September 10, 2024
🌐
Architectural Digest
architecturaldigest.com › ad-it-yourself › 70 refreshing bathroom ideas for a dreamy, steamy sanctuary
70 Refreshing Bathroom Ideas for a Dreamy, Steamy Sanctuary | Architectural Digest
November 12, 2025 - This old studio bathroom was dark, cramped, and cavelike. Luckily, architect Aaron Korntreger was on hand to make the most of the small space by opting for white stone and removing the shower door entirely. Post-makeover, the space is bright and inviting and looks about a million times bigger (okay, maybe not a million, but you get it).
🌐
Caroma
buildmat.com.au › blogs › building-renovating-tips › how-to-transform-a-bathroom
7 Ways to Transform Your Bathroom From Old to New (Without a Remodel) (2025) – Buildmat
December 18, 2024 - One effective way to update the look of an 80's bathroom is to replace the old fixtures, like the basin, mixer and the toilet. Another way to update an 80's bathroom is to replace the tile or resurface it with a new finish to give the space ...
🌐
Houzz
houzz.com › magazine › 8-ways-to-spruce-up-an-older-bathroom-without-remodeling-stsetivw-vs~27685367
8 Ways to Spruce Up an Older Bathroom (Without Remodeling)
The style of these two items can transform your bathroom and don’t involve changing the tile at all. If you’re dealing with a colored tub, consider having it resurfaced. You can paint the walls and · medicine cabinet white and let the tile color — whatever it may be — speak for itself. With a cleaner background, your colored tile could be a new favorite.
🌐
Kylie M. Interiors
kylieminteriors.ca › home › home updates: tips & ideas › home update ideas › affordable ideas to update your outdated 1990s bathroom
Affordable Ideas to Update Your Outdated 1990s Bathroom -
July 17, 2024 - Here’s the basic inspiration behind the above look (colors are tweaked for this bathroom). While it will take a little DIY, I would take a wee saw and cut out the molding above the mirror. I’d purchase a vertical mirror and place it approx. 2-3 inches above the countertop ledge and 2-3 inches from the baseplate of the light. This is where we need to lean into the warmth of the tile and the countertop and look at beige. But rather than choosing a janky old 90s beige, we’d look at one of the more modern shades of beige (on the ceiling, too).
🌐
Hausmatter
hausmatter.com › blog › 2024 › 8 › 5 › how-to-make-vintage-bathroom-tile-look-amazing
How to Make Vintage Bathroom Tile Look Amazing
August 10, 2025 - A designers tips and tricks for how to make vintage tile look amazing without removing it. There's so much you can do to make it feel more updated and intentional. I'm also sharing what I would do if the tile is chipped or the grout isn't the color I would want. How to cover old grout. How to fix ch
Find elsewhere
🌐
Reddit
reddit.com › r/femalelivingspace › what can i do to update my bathroom (no money or any permanent renovations at the moment so paint/other suggestions are welcome!)
r/femalelivingspace on Reddit: What can I do to update my bathroom (no money or any permanent renovations at the moment so paint/other suggestions are welcome!)
February 25, 2022 - Look for cool old cut crystal/glass dishes for soap/cotton balls/toothbrushes. With a coat of paint and totally a hanging pothos or a string of pearls/bananas plant at your cool window, you'll find it so much more cozy!
🌐
Martha Stewart
marthastewart.com › 2140511 › bathroom-upgrade-without-renovating-tips
How to Upgrade Your Bathroom Without Renovating It
May 26, 2022 - Lay a new pattern on the floor for an updated look on a budget. "This makes the most noticeable difference, and there are lots of good options for around two dollars a square foot," Smith says. Another savvy idea for any surface: Borrow a sheet material like quartz from the kitchen, Aragon suggests. "You'll use less grout, which makes it much easier to clean." ... "Wallpaper is a quick and simple way to add a ton of punch to a bathroom," says Julie Massucco Kleiner of Massucco Warner Miller.
🌐
House Beautiful
housebeautiful.com › design inspiration › latest home design updates › 60 designer bathroom remodel ideas that show there's potential in every space
60 Bathroom Remodel Ideas to Inspire Your Next Project in 2025
1 month ago - However, ask any designer, and they'll tell you that no room is too far gone—yes, even your bathroom that probably hasn't been touched since the 1980s. Even if there's nothing functionally wrong with this ultra-personal space, updating the look and layout will make a huge difference in your enjoyment of it.
🌐
This Old House
thisoldhouse.com › home › 25 bathroom decorating ideas on a budget
25 Bathroom Decorating Ideas on a Budget - This Old House
July 8, 2025 - A flea-market coat rack can serve as an attractive and practical towel holder. Before installation, be sure to seal its aged finish with clear polyurethane to protect it from bathroom humidity. For a more traditional look, consider installing a row of Shaker-style pegs. Choose pegs in a finish that complements your bathroom’s existing hardware for a cohesive look. ... Add a custom surround to give your drop-in tub a vintage makeover.
🌐
Daitool
daitool.com › home › daitool blog › 15 diy bathroom remodel ideas: easy makeover on a budget
15 DIY Bathroom Remodel Ideas: Easy Makeover on a Budget
May 28, 2025 - Prior to painting, a sanding block helps smooth uneven surfaces and remove old paint, ensuring better adhesion for new layers. In tiled areas, a grout pen provides a quick and effective way to refresh grout lines without the need for full regrouting. Updating bathroom fixtures offers a simple and effective way to refresh the space without undertaking a full renovation. The right tools make each adjustment precise and long-lasting.
🌐
Better Homes & Gardens
bhg.com › bathroom › remodeling › projects › quick-bathroom-updates
24 Low-Cost Bathroom Updates That Won’t Drain Your Savings
October 21, 2025 - ... When your existing vanity cabinet offers good storage, nice lines, and sturdy construction, renew the look with a fresh coat of paint or stain. For a previously stained cabinet, sand off the old finish and apply updated stain color.
🌐
Real Simple
realsimple.com › home-organizing › decorating › decorating-bathroom › bathroom-update-ideas
These Are the Most Simple Ways to Update Your Bathroom—No Reno Required
January 12, 2024 - Look for handles that are the same ... drilling new holes and filling in the old ones. Unscrew a couple of knobs to see if the area underneath is discolored. If it is, shop for replacements that will cover the same area. Changing the hardware in a bathroom is like accessorizing an outfit—it's a finishing touch that can upgrade the entire look. Not only can a stylish shower head make a bathroom ...
🌐
Pinterest
pinterest.com › explore › home decor › how to make an old bathroom look modern
How to Make an Old Bathroom Look Modern
Discover Pinterest’s best ideas and inspiration for How to make an old bathroom look modern. Get inspired and try out new things.
🌐
Maria Killam
mariakillam.com › home › blog › colour rescue: simple fixes for your dated bathroom
Colour Rescue: Simple Fixes for Your Dated Bathroom - Advice for Homeowners
November 13, 2023 - I framed the mirror (since it was not centered under the light), installed new light fixtures, and I just hung a stagecoach shade in white linen with navy ties. My bathroom honestly looks like a hotel bathroom now. I would never choose that tile or that vanity, but I made it work because I was not going to redo a 3 year old bathroom.
🌐
Abby Organizes
justagirlandherblog.com › home › decorating › 10 simple and inexpensive ways to update a builder grade bathroom
10 Simple and Inexpensive Ways to Update a Builder Grade Bathroom
September 1, 2022 - Swapping the faucets also makes a world of difference and brings a fresh look as new hardware does. As long as the new fixture has the same measurements as the old one, the process of changing them out is fairly straightforward. In many of our bathrooms we have just had the very large, plain builder grade mirrors.
🌐
Quora
quora.com › How-do-you-completely-transform-your-bathroom-without-renovating
How to completely transform your bathroom without renovating - Quora
Answer: I will try to answer this assuming without renovating means no touching of everything that’s existing but have the budget for add ons. Here goes, (since I don't have an idea of the bathroom size and layout, hope this is applicable to your bathroom) 1. Change your mirror into a rectangula...
🌐
Kitchenandbathclassics
blog.kitchenandbathclassics.com › revitalize-old-bathroom
10 Simple Ways to Revitalize Your Old Bathroom
January 18, 2018 - Replace the chrome taps in your old bathroom with something more unusual, like brass or copper. This will give your new updated bathroom a unique and aesthetically pleasing look when the new modern tap glistens under the light.
🌐
The Spruce
thespruce.com › beautify-a-small-bathroom-without-remodeling-4016600
Discover 17 Ways to Beautify a Small Bathroom Without Remodeling
October 14, 2021 - Two companies make good ones: The Smart Tiles and Tic Tac Tiles. To install, just apply to a clean and dry surface. When it's time to remove, heat with a hairdryer. The tiles featured in this picture are the style Hexago from The Smart Tiles. The Best Peel and Stick Tiles The Spruce Has Tested ... This lively bathroom from Suburban Faux Pas went from plain-Jane to Pinterest-worthy just by adding removable wallpaper. Walls can get a glam new look using patterns like Dalmatian Dots from Spoonflower.