If
your bathroom leaves a lot to be desired, work according to short- and long-term
goals. You will then have the immediate satisfaction of seeing some quick improvements
-- towels in fresh colors, for instance, or a new bath screen or shower curtain
-- while you wait for other longer term jobs to be finished, such as a new tiled
border or built-in bathroom cabinet.
Practicalities
Let's
begin with some practical maintenance and repair work:
Replace
the waterproof seal around the bath or basin; stop drips and dribbles by replacing
washers or faucets and installing a new shower hose, and consider installing an
exhaust fan if condensation is a serious problem.
In
a small room, rehanging a door with hinges on the other side may make better use
of space.
With
the room in working order, you can set about improving the style and adding color.
Walls
Tiles
are the most practical of finishes for bathroom walls, but what if they're in
an uninspiring design or color you no longer like?
There
are two ways to tackle tiles that are sound but unattractive: remove them and
put up new tiles, or -- much quicker and often just as satisfactory -- simply
tile over them. A third option, not normally recommended for an area subject to
dampness but worth considering as a short-term cover-up, is to cover the offending
tiled surface with a tile paint. This solves the problem if you are planning a
complete overhaul but have other priorities to see to first.
If
the tiles are merely dull rather than an eyesore, make them more interesting by
adding a tiled border to the existing tiles or, for a low cost facelift, experiment
with tile transfers.
If
you prefer wallpaper, choose a waterproof vinyl, which copes well with condensation
and damp zones. Alternatively, paint is a quick way of freshening up walls - look
for a type that's specifically made for bathrooms.
Floors
Tiling
isn't as hard or time-consuming as it looks. If you have an ugly tile or vinyl
floor, consider tiling over it. Dedicate an entire weekend to the project, or
better yet, a three-day weekend. Go to your local library and check out a book
on tiling; you'll find all the info you need.
Also
worth considering are well-sealed, floor-quality cork tiles and updated, vinyl
sheet flooring.
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