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How can I make my bathroom look nice and homely?

41 replies

Adayinthelife · 25/07/2016 15:59

I've moved recently (rented) and the bathroom is really horrible and old fashioned. It's tiled from floor to ceiling in really horrible tiles too and the suite is a browny/beige colour apart from the white toilet seat

Both me and dh have scrubbed it with bleach but it never looks clean. We're having a family party soon so dh has been in there again this weekend just scrubbing away and it just looks awful.

It's just all so run down and dirty looking. There's a manual extractor fan in the window which is just impossible to get clean. It really doesn't feel homely or inviting.

What can I do? I obviously can't rip it out and put a new suite in, and I am on a budget so I'm just wondering if there's anything I can do to make it feel nicer? It's a downstairs bathroom too so I want to make it feel 'warm' if you see what I mean?

As the floor is so cold we bought a bathmat and toilet mat thing from ikea. We got white ones as I didn't really think any other colour would go with beige, but now I'm wondering if that's just making it seem even more colder and unwelcoming.

We have a turquoise bin in there. Would it be an idea to maybe buy some mats that colour or dye the ones I have? We have a white hand towel too. We can't accessorise the shower curtain though as it's glass.

Any other ideas of what I can do? Help is appreciated. Thank you :)

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justdontevenfuckingstart · 25/07/2016 16:04

Just make a joke about how awful your bathroom is? I really don't think people care that much.
I would definitely put your bin in the nearest skip tho.

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KittensandKnitting · 25/07/2016 16:06

You have to go with it...

Buy an 80's pineapple icebucket Grin

Ok not helpful! Lots of fluffy white towels maybe? Few candles...think the bin must be clashing so either go full on clash or stick with a lot of white things to try and tone it down

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KittensandKnitting · 25/07/2016 16:07

Oh and be grateful it's not avocado...

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Adayinthelife · 25/07/2016 16:07

I could make a joke about it, but I also want it to feel nice for me too. I can't enjoy any relaxing baths anymore as the room is that depressing!

What's wrong with my bin?!

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KittensandKnitting · 25/07/2016 16:09

Well if it's bright turquoise it's going to not match the white & beige....

Beige and turquoise don't got IMO, but if you love it them go for it!!

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justdontevenfuckingstart · 25/07/2016 16:10

Are you having the party in your toilet?

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Adayinthelife · 25/07/2016 16:11

Just seen your post about the bin kittens Blush It's from my old house where it actually did look nice, I promise! This is why we got white bath mats etc recently as I couldn't think of a colour that wouldn't clash with beige but I don't know whether the white is washing it out and making it seem even more cold and dreary so I wondered if a splash of colour would help. Obviously not! Grin

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KittensandKnitting · 25/07/2016 16:12

I had an avocado bathroom suite once... Now that's disgusting! Even the toilet was avocado.

Pick another colour so turquoise if you think it goes (remember I don't know what type of beige I have off brown in my head) and then just have lots of that colour to jazz it up.

Buy candles so it smells nice and you can have a bath in the dark, can you put a cabinet up? I did in my rented house left it behind when I left... I now have the bathroom of my dreams, love it so much and is most defiantly my sanctuary so I do understand where your coming from :)

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scurryfunge · 25/07/2016 16:12

Take the lightbulb out so no one can see?

Can you add any canvasses or prints to liven it up?

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EarthboundMisfit · 25/07/2016 16:12

Sounds like my bathroom! I don't like mine either!

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KittensandKnitting · 25/07/2016 16:13

It might go!! If you love it then keep it :)

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KittensandKnitting · 25/07/2016 16:14

I also had one once that was all white, tiles, bath, floor originally felt like a morgue...

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Adayinthelife · 25/07/2016 16:15

No...Obviously not.

It's just a bit embarrassing with how crap it looks but as I mentioned I also want it nice for ME. I have depression and a lovely hot bubble bath used to be a nice way to destress. I was spoilt as we had a brand new bathroom that was lovely. So I just feel like I can't relax properly in this bathroom as it's so grim, things are broken etc. It's about 30 years old so I just want to try and make it look nice that's all. I'm sorry I posted.

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Grassgreendashhabi · 25/07/2016 16:15

Can you change toilet seat? And bath eBay for a bath panel usually around £10.

Stick up a new light (that you can take with you, new shower curtain and pole (again take with you)

New bath mat and sink mat.

If a window a little blind or curtains

I put lino down in mine it cost £15. Out of a carpet shop. I fitted it over the tiled floor it looks much better.

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LadyMonicaBaddingham · 25/07/2016 16:16

Could you post a picture so we could make suggestions?

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ozymandiusking · 25/07/2016 16:16

Do you have a window sill you could put a house plant on. My bathroom is white, and the tiles are white so it is quite bland, so I use turquoise accessories, a bath mat, shower curtain ( I do realize you have glass)
Have a look at Dunelm Mill they have lots of coordinated items, lovely towels.

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scurryfunge · 25/07/2016 16:16

Would your landlord let you paint over the tiles?

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KittensandKnitting · 25/07/2016 16:16

Nooo don't be sorry you posted!!

People are making good suggestions :)

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Grassgreendashhabi · 25/07/2016 16:18

Photo would be helpful.

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Adayinthelife · 25/07/2016 16:18

It's tiled so we can't put a cabinet or a canvas up or anything. The bath panel is broken and there's lots of concrete exposed on the ground, dents and chips on the side of the bath, super glue over the tiles etc but we're not allowed to try and fix any of it, so that's why I thought some colour or a plant would take the focus of that a bit as the concrete is the first thing you see really as you walk in.

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apintofharpandapacketofdates · 25/07/2016 16:18

I use a little basket with rolled-up face cloths in contrasting colours. If you have a tourqoise bin then maybe some that are orange/white/turquoise?

Also a plant pot (and plant obvs)
I use a ceramic plant pot for my toothbrushes/toothpaste.... Sits on sink with naice hand soap.... (Home Bargains is your friend)

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Adayinthelife · 25/07/2016 16:19

I have a sleeping dd on me at the moment, but when she wakes up I'll take some photos if you think that will help?

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ladydoer · 25/07/2016 16:19

I would try fuchsia elements..should go well with the beige I think? (well, depends on the beige, but I do have this combination in a room)

White will make the room even more dull I think..or, combine white with funchsia.

Use larger mats, decorate the bathroom lamp, put colored hangers or stickers on the inside of the bathroom door. Make sure the bathroom is pleasantly deodorized and - hey, enjoy life, none of your guests will pay attention to the bathroom, i never do! :)

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justdontevenfuckingstart · 25/07/2016 16:23

You can put some lino or LVT on the floor and look on Amazon for those sticky hook things so you can hang some pictures up. Or put a sign up and a jar 'our bathroom is awful, all contributions for improvement are welcome'

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Adayinthelife · 25/07/2016 16:25

The door doesn't even open all the way either. If we renew the tenancy I am really going to push to be allowed to put a new door in as the fact you have to slide sideways into the bathroom doesn't help either.

We have a fuchsia kitchen and the kitchen has the same tiles as the bathroom and it goes quite well so that might work :)

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