This article was submitted by guest author Carol Ruth Weber, of Weber Life Design. Carol, an Interior Designer and Personal Life Assistant, has 27 years experience in the field of design.
Everyone dreams of having that beautiful, huge, Master Bath that we see in magazines. The whirlpool is large and sits in front of a beautiful picture window. His and her vanities are spacious. Everything is in place and shining. We always want what we do not have. Think about how you can make the most out of what you do have. Evaluate your Bathroom. What is the best quality? What do you think you can do, short of demolition, to change the things you do not like?
The simplest things to do to add some newness are changing towels, Window Treatments, and shower curtains. You can coordinate on a budget. Buy flat sheets in the color and pattern you love. Low thread counts are the best to use, so this will already save you money. Use one for the shower curtain. You can use the wide trim at the top of the sheet as a rod pocket. Make sure you hang a liner behind your new curtain to protect it from the shower. Use another sheet to make a matching valance for the window. Again, the wide trim can be use for a rod pocket so all you have to do is sew a hem on the bottom. Buy new guest towels and trim the bottom with strips cut from the sheet pattern. You now have a custom look within your budget.
Everyone needs extra storage, especially if you have a pedestal sink. Measure the area you would like to place a cabinet. See if you have an item of your own you can re-purpose and use in the bathroom. Perhaps something that is not being utilized in another room or has been forgotten and left in the basement. You can also look in garage sales. Little side chests or old telephone tables can work well. If you do not like the finish you can be paint it in a high gloss enamel to match your color scheme. Cabinets or shelves can be placed over the toilet for more storage.
You would love to re-tile and buy new fixtures but it is not in your budget. Refinishing is a good alternative. Make sure you get someone who is experienced to do this. Refinishing is great if you have an old claw foot tub. Have the inside professionally refinished and you can paint the outside yourself in a unique finish with a high gloss enamel and a coat of polyurethane to seal it.
A new vanity can be made from an old chest. If it is 32 inches to 36 inches tall cut a hole for a sink in the top and have a stone counter-top put in with the sink. If it is less than 32 inches high you can use a vessel sink.
For additional easy decorating ideas change the towel rods. New faucets will freshen up the look of your sink. Buy new lighting fixtures to replace your old ones.
Now fill up your bathtub with bubbles, light some fragrant candles, put on some music, lock the door, slip into the bath, and relax and enjoy the serenity of your bathroom. As it is said “a little imagination can take you a long way”. Be proud of your accomplishment and never be afraid to dance!
