The cramped, poorly lit caves that pass for bathrooms in many rental apartments seem to exist in a different universe from the minimalistic, spa-like oases that populate Instagram. But there are ways to make your bathroom less tragic that don’t involve making it larger or installing a window.
If you rent, you want to do things that don’t cost much because you don’t own it. Here then are the fixes that will make your space more hospitable, don’t involve too much time or money, and won’t get you in trouble with your landlord.
Ugly or cheap vanity
Daily wear and tear takes a toll on bathrooms. Painting a tired vanity and installing new drawer pulls is a cheap project that can do wonders, but keep in mind that these are both permanent projects, so obtain permission from a landlord before starting.
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For a reversible option, try covering countertops and front cabinet panels with adhesive contact paper that can be peeled off when you move out. Just be sure to pick something that’s water-resistant, such as vinyl.
Old fixtures and appliances
The protective glaze on toilets and bathtubs can chip and peel over time, and low-pressure shower heads and faucets can increase your time in the bathroom (along with your water bill). A new toilet seat is a cheap investment, but a peeling bathtub is probably a sign of a previous repair that’s failed and is an issue to take up with your landlord. Installing a new shower head is a simple but significant fix that can go with you to your next apartment (just be sure to save the head you replaced). For appliances that require more than a cosmetic fix or tweak, contact your landlord to inquire about repairs.
Not enough storage
Many bathrooms don’t have enough room to store all the bottles and potions you and your roommates have accumulated over time. Culling your toiletries cabinet is an important first step that will help bring you more space.
Once you’ve narrowed down what you need, tuck clutter out of sight to help the space feel cleaner and larger instead of displaying everything on the counter. Find shelves and cabinets with doors to hide belongings, and check stores for under-sink caddies and storage boxes. For an added touch, remove shampoos, conditioners and lotions from their original containers and pour them into simple, refillable bottles.
Ugly floors
The easiest fix to hide ugly tile or linoleum is to put down a rug, Cooney says. Pick something that’s durable and absorbent, such as wool, and also easy to wash.
If you can persuade your landlord to let you re-tile your floor, use durable porcelain tiles, because they don’t show chips easily. Small tiles will make the space feel smaller, she says, so go larger if you can.
Wacky colours, weird spaces
Some bathrooms can look cold and clinical. To add interest and calmness to a neutral, monochromatic bathroom without using bold colour, add texture. Buy a pretty but neutral linen curtain for the window and then get a nubbier, chunky bathmat and actually layer the textures that you have in there. Keep the look consistent with quiet artwork and add interesting textural decorations such as coral pieces or baskets for a spa-like look that still has personality. To jazz up an all-white bathroom, accessorize with interesting or colourful textiles and art.
Some older buildings have bathrooms that are configured in odd shapes or done up in loud colours. Embrace the vintage look. If painting isn’t an option, adding an eye-catching piece of art over the toilet or putting up bold wallpaper draws the eye away from an unusual layout, and choosing monochromatic decorations within the bathroom’s existing colour scheme can help calm down the space.
- Washington Post
