
A new one can be a big investment, but it will single-handedly revitalize an older vanity or pedestal sink, and is a quick job, since the footprints for faucet and handle openings are standardized. If your faucet is tarnished, try to remove buildup first with a solvent such as CLR. It's a great way to save on money and not sacrifice the look of the bathroom." "Oftentimes, chrome will save you a good amount of money instead of polished nickel or a custom finish. "I highly recommend going with chrome fixtures," she says. Like us, she loves brass and chrome (which she describes as "the next 'new' thing in bathrooms"), as well as matte black ("a great alternative to oil-rubbed bronze"). Ideally, you want major fixtures to match, Smith says, but you can introduce a second finish with knobs and accessories. If your sink and shower or tub fixtures are in good shape, start by changing the hardware on your cabinets. Installing new drawer pulls, towel bars, and even faucets isn't any trickier than painting-just a little pricier (all those knobs do add up). characterized by healing I keep using it close at hand. Ready to give your bathroom a quick (and contractor-free) revamp? The following smart bathroom upgrades range from simple swaps of everyday items to afternoon projects and two-day transformations. Kedsum lighted travel makeup mirror, 1x/10x magnifying compact mirror with rechargeable led. "These small and simple staples can instantly up anyone's bathroom design game." "Great smelling soap, good hand towels, and three-ply toilet paper are essential in any bathroom," says Jean Liu of Jean Liu Design. "Bring light fixtures into your bathroom to create a warm combination of both natural and supplemental light." Of course, when all else fails, remember being thoughtful about the little things also elevates the ambience in a pinch. "The most important element in a well-designed bathroom is good lighting," says designer Lee Ledbetter of Lee Ledbetter & Associates. In addition to upgrading some decorative elements, there are other ways to spruce up a bathroom without calling in a contractor. "Now the space feels completely new," says Bean. the seed under a dissecting microscope or view it under a hand held magnifying glass. Then they updated the cabinet hardware, towel hooks, and tissue holder. The mirror is usually concave on 1 side and flat on the other. "We painted the walls, trims, and cabinets in a shade of gray that beautifully complemented the original countertops, as well as the new marble shower," she says.

The designer recently completed a bathroom project in which her team gut-renovated the shower, but gave the rest of the space a little facelift without any major construction. "A bathroom can be updated without a total renovation," assures Mel Bean of Mel Bean Interiors. What do you do then when your bathroom is due for a makeover, but for whatever reason- budget, time, or lease agreement-you can't commit to a full renovation?

That's why it's especially important to make it a space you actually enjoy spending time in. It's where most of your self-care routine-from face masks to hot soaks-takes place. Your bathroom is one of the most personal and private areas of your home.
