The bathroom is the most used room in a home, but it may be time to give it a mini makeover if there are several rugs used to decorate the space.
"Rugs in front of the toilet and all over in the bathroom - those days are over," said Diane Schober, an interior decorator for
Design In A Day Interiors.
By changing up your rugs and making a few other changes, a bathroom can be made to look like new for about $300. When you have to watch a budget, Schober said it is important to concentrate on a few particulars. This includes paint, light fixtures, a new shower curtain and rug.
"Put a nice, fresh spa rug in front of the shower to give the bathroom a new look," Schober said. "It will feel good, too." If a spa look is desired, go for a soothing color palette of creams, buttery yellows or light slate blue or gray. It also may be a good idea to give the bathroom a sponge-paint look.
The next change Schober suggested is replacing the light fixtures. Another small change is to possibly install a light in the tub or shower area and even a dimmer.
While an electrician will likely make you go over a $300 budget, there are several Web sites that provide
do-it-yourself instructionsSchober added that a decorative trunk can serve as creative and decorative storage space. Of course, buying a new rug, soap dish and toothbrush holder, bath linen and shower curtains will be needed to complete the new look, she said.
De-Clutter Space
It is important to de-clutter the bathroom if you want to make it look like a new space, so be sure to get rid of the knickknacks that can be found in many bathrooms.
"I'm a big one on clutter-free space," she said. "So the first decorative tip I'd have would be to clear off the counters and floors. Then bring back only your favorite pieces. The decorations should be soothing and comforting."
Before you decide on the color for the bathroom, Nafie suggested using the same color or shade of color from an adjoining hallway or bedroom for the bathroom.
"Yellow is cheery and brightens up a small space without windows. A soft pink or mauve is flattering," she said. "And all-white fixtures, linens, walls, molding, and flooring can look very contemporary and sophisticated."
Get Crafty
Nikki Willhite, of
www.allthingsfrugal.com said bathrooms are one of the easiest and least expensive rooms to decorate in a home.
"Perhaps we neglect making our bathrooms more pleasant because they are rooms that are not usually seen by other people," she said. "Sometimes we forget how important we are. A small amount of money goes a long way in the bathroom."
Willhite provided several tips on her Web site on how to spend a little bit of money and make big changes.
"In bathrooms with windows, fabric can make a big impact," she said. "Don't skimp on the fabric, and the room will look better. Use it on the windows, and also for the shower curtain."
Replacing knobs is another decorative tip that will not cost a lot of money, but will make the space look differently. Live plants are also an inexpensive decorative choice.
Displaying towels in a large basket and using candles are other changes that will add character to the space.
"Dried flowers work well also," she said. "I have some dried Eucalyptus leaves tied up with a ribbon (in my bathroom). They are very fragrant."
Several mini-makeover ideas have been suggested by interior decorators and experts. Each bathroom is different so some of the ideas may or may not work for every bathroom.
With that in mind, implementing a combination of the changes and keeping a budget in mind, a bathroom can be made to look like a personal day spa.
More Resources 
