Chronicles of The Shoestring Diva

By offering "how to" advice and bargains, the Shoestring Diva is your go-to-person for living life to the fullest... on a budget. Each dilemmas is tackled with funny, practical and informative solutions. Comments and emails are welcome.







Search This Blog

Tuesday, June 1, 2010

5 Tips to Creating a New Look for Your Bathroom

Guest Diva Vivica Ashford, owner of One of a Kind Interior Designs and Renovations gives us some tips on how to turn your bathroom from drab to fab for less.

Smooches, The Diva


5 tips To Creating A New Look for Your Bathroom
Vivica Ashford

Spring is almost over and summer is approaching fast, some homeowners still haven’t tackled there Spring project list or what I like to call “The Honey Do” List. One of the projects on the list may be renovating the bathroom. I know you are tired of that old outdated look. In my experience, renovating doesn’t mean gutting the entire bathroom, which can cost thousands of dollars. Turn a room from drab to fab in just a weekend in a cost effective way. These days are about fantastic living. Your bathroom is no longer a place to just take a shower, it’s a place where you can unwind and relax. So turn your bathroom into a spa resort this weekend by using these 5 tips.

Tip #1 Paint

Paint can give your bathroom a fresh look and it’s also the most inexpensive way to transform your space. The process of choosing a paint color can be a bit overwhelming. Just relax…it can be really fun. First pick out your favorite fabric and take it to your local paint store. Select colors from that piece to inspire your paint choice for your bathroom. You can never go wrong with a neutral color, but I challenge homeowners to think outside the box and jazz up you space with some color.

Tip #2 Hardware

Bathroom hardware is the easiest way to spruce up an old bathroom. Simple changes like switching out faucets, handles on vanities, shower rods, and towel rods with the same finish can be a less expensive element. Many older bathrooms may have chrome or old rusty bronze faucets and handles. Try something different such as brush nickel finish or if you like the bronze look just replace the hardware with an oil bronze finish. You’ll be amazed with the outcome.

Tip #3 Lighting

The light fixtures are one simple way to brighten your bathroom. A vanity light allows you to upgrade a key part of your bathroom’s décor. Vanity lights are more stylish than ever. They come many shapes and sizes. Pendant lights are very popular. They come in a variety of colors but they don’t give off excess light. I recommend pendant lighting if there is plenty of natural light in your bathroom. If you bathroom has little or natural light, I recommend a modern track lighting system.

Tip #4 Caulking

Caulking is a waterproof filler and sealant that is used to make a watertight seal. In older homes, caulk is the white sealant around your sink and tubs. If your caulk was white and now has mold, it needs to be replaced. This is something that you can do yourself. It will give a fresh look to your bathroom. They even have colored caulk to match the décor of the bathroom. There are different types of caulk depending on the structure of your bathroom. I recommend cut a piece of the caulk with a razor and taking it to a professional. They can inform you on what type of caulk to purchase at your local hardware store such as Lowe’s or Home Depot.

Tip #5 Accessories

Another simple way to improve the look of your bathroom is using accessories. If you have a plain space and don’t have a lot of money to spend on decorating, this is a great way to give your bathroom a makeover. You can accessorize with colored towels, a retro style shower curtain with bold colors, and wall art. An inexpensive way to add artwork to your wall without busting your budget is to purchase a few picture frames and wallpaper of your choice with pop colors such as reds, yellows, and greens. Cut out the wallpaper to fit the frame and insert the wallpaper as you would a photograph and hang them on the walls of the bathroom. This is a good way to achieve the look you may be going for without purchasing expensive artwork. Now you’ve created an original piece or art!


One Of a Kind Interior Designs and Renovations is owned and operated by James and Vivica Ashford. With more than 5 years of carpentry and renovations experience One of a Kind Interiors is dedicated to providing quality service. Their mission is to provide the innovative designs and home renovations at an affordable price. Contact Vivica at oneofakindrenovations@yahoo.com or 803-800-4017.

No comments:

Post a Comment