How to Update a White Bathroom

A well-placed splash of color can transform a basic white bathroom like this.

White bathrooms can make you feel like you're in a spa as the light shades create an instant environment of openness and cleanliness. However, years of having a white bathroom can become dull, making the atmosphere heavy, as if you're in a colorless zone of plain white walls. Luckily, it doesn't take a major overhaul of the bathroom to give it a splash of color, texture and energy. A few strategic decor and design moves will instantly update your white bathroom.

Things You'll Need

• Paint color
• 3-inch nylon brush
• Bath accessories in new color: bathmat, towels, shower curtain
• New window treatments
• New bathroom mirror

Instructions

1. Select your complementary color. You truly are bound by no design rules on this, as nearly every color looks good with white. To more drastically update your bathroom, select a color that's bold, such as black, red, blue or green. Pick a color that goes with your decor style, such as black and white for a contemporary bath or blue and white for a country style.

2. Paint the trim of the bathroom in your selected color. For example, paint the window frames, door frame and other areas in this color.

3. Donate all your white accessories and replace them with accessories in your chosen color. Alternatively, you can use your white accessories in other rooms of the house, using the white bathmat as a throw rug in the laundry room, for example. Replace your bathmat, shower curtain, towels and toothbrush holder all with items in your new color.

4. Select window treatments that complement your new color and the style of the bathroom. For example, cafe-style curtains are suitable for a country or rustic style bathroom. Use a lighter or darker shade than you use in your accessories to make the window treatments stand out.

5. Replace the mirror with a sleek new mirror that complements your new decor scheme. Add a picture or photograph to the wall, framed in a frame that matches your complementary color -- or a brushed silver or chrome frame to add a touch of something funky to the room.

References

• "The Bathroom Planner: Hundreds of Great Ideas for Your New Bathroom"; Suzanne Ardley; 2001

Resources

• The Painter Lady: Use Faux Painting To Update A Small White Bathroom