Cheap Bathrooms Ideas: 12 Simple Updates For Under £100

Despite being one of the busiest rooms in your home, decorating your bathroom is often a low priority for homeowners. For some, this is due to the idea that bathrooms are simply there to serve a purpose and not to look pretty. However, for a large majority, the decision comes down to cost – a complete interior overhaul is often enough to make anyone wince.

But what if we told you that you can get that gorgeous bathroom update on a small budget? 

In this post, we’re going to prove that you don’t need to win the lottery to give your bathroom a new lease of life. Our cheap bathroom ideas will help you transform your bathroom style for under £100, so you can get that Insta-worthy spa space you deserve.

Low-cost bathroom decorating ideas

When you’re on a budget, you need to work a little harder to make your money go further. This is why, when it comes to redecorating bathrooms on a budget, it pays to look at updating smaller fittings and accessories. 

Small details can play a big role in bringing the overall aesthetic of your bathroom design to life, so be sure to think about the finer nuances of your design before you splash out on larger features.

From upgrading towels and toothbrush holders to revamping taps and handles, a relatively small investment in these areas can provide big results. 

To help you on your way, here are some cheap bathroom ideas to get your creativity flowing:

1. Give it some green

For quick and affordable bathroom update ideas, allocate some of your budget to greenery. Modest plants have become a mainstay in modern bathrooms, providing a natural splash of colour and an organic vibrancy you just can’t replicate with manmade features. 

Most plants are cheap and many thrive in the humid bathrooms, which makes them an ideal addition for a budget bathroom update. Whether it’s the popular spider plant or a beautiful Boston fern, an inexpensive pot plant could add a lot to your interior without taking much away from your pocket. And, if you’re worried about keeping your plants alive, there’s always room for some faux fauna!

2. Update small fixtures & fittings

Another effective way to update your bathroom on a budget and with minimal effort is to swap out your old and worn-out fixtures for shiny new ones. 

This could mean getting rid of your old taps or shower and replacing them with glamorous gold, bold brass or matt black equivalents. To make sure your upgrades are built to last, shop the sales to bag yourself premium quality products at discounted prices. 

If new taps or showers aren’t within your price range (or you just fancy a bit of a DIY job), why not buy some interior spray paint and change the colour of your existing fixtures yourself? 

For example, give your bathroom a unified and sleek finish by making sure all the little details match. From toilet roll holders and towel rails to mirror trims and door handles, a fresh coat of spray paint can go a long way in giving your bathroom a stylish, modern twist.

3. Revamp vanity units with vinyl

If you want to give your bathroom’s vanity unit a little TLC, you don’t have to go to the expense of ripping it out and replacing it. Instead, you can give it a fresh new look with the beauty and convenience of vinyl wrap. 

Naturally, the cost of your vinyl will vary depending on your personal taste and quantities, but it still offers an inexpensive solution for bathroom furniture upgrades. Available in a huge array of designs and finishes, you’ll have carte blanche to give your bathroom a new decor theme as you see fit. 

From luxurious marble vinyl wrap sink countertops to glossy navy cupboards, embracing the beauty of vinyl offers countless ways to give your bathroom vanity unit a fresh and funky finish.

4. Paint your ceilings

We’re fairly confident in saying that most bathrooms you walk into will have the ceilings painted white. While there’s nothing wrong with this, mixing up your ceiling decor is sure to elevate your bathroom to a new level. 

If you’re striving to pull off a modern, spa-like feel in your bathroom, painting your ceilings could be just the ticket. For one, it doesn’t cost much to do, but secondly, this often overlooked canvas is an easy way to add interest to your bathroom space, giving you something special to admire while soaking in the tub.

For a standout look that elevates the feel of the whole space, we’d suggest going for bold contrasting colours for optimal impact. In small spaces, don’t be afraid to go loud and proud with bright colours. For instance, a sunny yellow against white tiled walls is sure to inject a sense of fun, or evoke a sense of the outdoors with a sky blue or sage green. Alternatively, add some drama to large bathrooms with moody greys and midnight black on the ceilings.

5. Invest in stylish storage

Storage is a necessity in any bathroom from a practical and aesthetic point of view. But old and bulky units can make your room feel tired and dated. Ideally, we’d recommend investing in new bathroom storage units designed with both functionality and style in mind, but that could be costly. 

Instead, look to update the existing units you have. This could be treating them to a lick of fresh paint and some new handles. Or, if they’re beyond salvaging, investing in some open shelving can prove an affordable and chic choice. 

Whether you opt for open shelving units or floating shelves, the key is to make your shelves serve as storage and still look pretty. This means you don’t want everything on display, so pick out some cute wicker baskets or wooden crates for storing any essentials you want hidden away. At the same time, handpick a few decorative pieces such as candles, house plants and bath linen that can be stored neatly on view. 

6. Install a small splashback

We won’t be the first to tell you that tiling an entire bathroom can be pretty costly, but who says you need to tile the whole room? Not us! 

For a cheap and cheery update, try tiling a small section to create a decorative feature that has the ability to transform how you view the entire space. This stylish and striking update won’t break the bank, especially if you’re using cheap sale tiles.

One idea is to use mosaic bathroom tiles to create a pretty and practical splashback behind your sink and mirror. Or, you can revamp a shower cubicle or bathtub surround to make them a key focal point in the room. This means your eyes are drawn to the areas of the bathroom you want to see, not the parts you’d rather remain blissfully unaware of. 

7. Paint with an unusual colour

If you have untitled walls in your bathroom, a new coat of paint is one of the cheapest and easiest ways to brighten them up, especially if you opt for a less conventional hue. 

Forget versatile white, cream and grey and instead head to the other side of the colour wheel. Mellow yellows, blush pinks, dreamy blues, gorgeous greens and warm terracottas are a sure fire way to add some colour and character to this typically functional space. 

To ensure the overall finish feels cohesive, be sure to pick a shade that naturally complements (or perfectly contrasts) the existing colour scheme – otherwise, it defeats the purpose of a cheap update.

8. Add bold wallpaper

If painted walls don’t add enough drama for your liking, there’s always bathroom wallpaper. 

You may think wallpaper has no place in the bathroom, but you’re wrong. With modern designs and the right placement, wallpaper can be the perfect way to give your bathroom walls a luscious feel. 

Choose rich, vivid colours and prints for maximum impact as a backdrop for your vanity mirror, or use it on the top half of tiled walls for added texture and depth. Whatever design you choose, be careful not to place wallpaper in direct contact with water and always ensure the room’s well ventilated. 

9. Invest in new bath linen

Simple yet effective, upgrading your old frayed bath towels and mats with new ones is an incredibly quick and cheap way to freshen up your bathroom design. 

However, you can take this to the next level by also upgrading how they’re stored and displayed – after all, having spent money on them, it’s only right they should be admired.

An affordable and funky way to hang your towels is to use an old wooden ladder propped up against the wall. Leave it au naturel for a rustic look or give it some sass by painting it in a bright hue.

10. Jazz up your bathroom accessories

Another easy and affordable way to jazz up your bathroom design for just a few quid is to replace your bathroom accessories. 

We’re talking about the practical everyday knick-knacks that make your life easier, like soap dispensers, toothbrush holders, bath and shower caddies, toilet roll holders, storage jars and more. 

Coordinating the style and colour of your accessories can help to give your bathroom decor a more unified and high-end feel. The introduction of small yet impactful elements like this also instantly freshens up the whole room, without you having to spend a great deal at all. 

11. Brighten up bathrooms with mirrors

Bathroom mirrors aren’t all about practicality – they also provide a focal point, reflect light to make a room feel brighter and inject a whole lot of style. This is a particularly good budget-friendly idea for small bathrooms, as mirrors work to expand the space and add depth.

If you only do one upgrade in your bathroom this year, a new bathroom mirror is a solid choice. To optimise its visual impact and light-reflecting potential, don’t shy away from going for an oversized mirror, although always be mindful of keeping the overall scale of the room well balanced.

Whether you go for vintage gilded frames or trendy black metal trims, make sure you’re investing in quality mirrored glass to ensure it provides the perfect reflection. 

12. Banish the grime

If you have next to nothing to spend on upgrading your bathroom, then this tip is definitely for you. You can give your bathroom tiles a whole new look by giving the tile grout a thorough clean.

All you need is some tile cleaning cream and an old toothbrush to apply it, or you can go natural with a baking soda and white vinegar mix. Simply apply the paste into all the tile joints and corners and give it a gentle scrub with the toothbrush. Leave it for half an hour, then wipe it off with clean water and a sponge.

The end result will be sparkling clean grout lines that are a sure-fire and virtually free way to spruce up your bathroom tiles. 

When it comes to cheap bathroom ideas, we hope you’ll see it doesn’t have to cost you an arm and a leg. With a little creative thinking and some elbow grease, you can easily revamp your bathroom on a budget.

If you fancy trying your hand at a budget bathroom splashback, explore our huge range of cheap tiles for bathrooms online now. With so many colours, sizes and finishes to suit any budget, you’re sure to find just the right option to give your bathroom a new look for less.