8 DIY Fixes to Give Your Old Shower an Instant Makeover (Budget Hacks)
You don’t need a lot of money to redo your bathroom and give it a whole new vibe. That may sound surprising, and potentially unrealistic, but it really isn’t.
A lot of it is because you don’t need to rip everything out and replace it with new stuff just because things are starting to look a little old and outdated; there is so much you can do with your two hands, a limited budget, and a quick visit to the hardware store for your supplies.
Your shower is included in this list, and there is quite a bit you can do in order to bring your shower into the modern age or just get it to blend in with your new decor.
So, before you decide to throw it all out and spend a fortune on a new set, take a moment to sit back and read through our eight key pieces of advice for giving your shower an instant makeover, all on a budget, all DIY, and all with the aim to answer your biggest question; how can I redo my bathroom for cheap?
1. Paint Your Tiles
This might seem a little odd at first, but it can actually be the defining feature of your bathroom, as well as an incredibly affordable way to mix things up a little.
Retiling your shower can be really expensive after all, not to mention that it takes up quite a bit of time and resources.
All you need for painting your shower tiles is your bathroom tile paint of choice, primer, and some paintbrushes. You can paint the tiles one colour, or if you are feeling more artistic, you can even create new patterns and imagery that will bring the whole room to life.
There are some really beautiful things you can do with your bathroom tiles, so why not take this opportunity to experiment a little? If you have a few tiles left over in storage, you can even use them to practice on.
2. Get Yourself a Shower Caddy
Having all of your toiletries, facecloths, and other bathing accessories sat on the side of the bath on sprawled on the shower floor is quite unsightly, and it can also lead to grime and scum collecting much faster than normal.
If you pick up a shower caddy, you will have a safe and tidy place to store everything you need when you step into the shower, and it will be available at an accessible height.
There are loads of different styles available on the market as well, so you are sure to find one that suits your current decor perfectly.
3. A New Shower Screen
This doesn’t necessarily mean that you are going to need a new shower screen, but instead that you can get your current one looking brand new with very minimal effort. Over time, your screen might become a little cloudy, or it may even get so bad you can hardly see through it.
The solution? Some good old-fashioned baking soda. If you mix the baking soda with some white vinegar, you can spray it onto the shower screen and scrub it gently with a damp soft cloth.
After scrubbing, rinse it with warm water and repeat until the cloudiness is gone and you are left with lovely clear glass.
It’s a very simple solution that delivers some fantastic results. There may come a time when your screen or enclosure will need to be replaced though, and if you notice that it is splintering, then you need to buy a new one.
This is for your safety as well as for hygiene reasons. A new screen or enclosure can be very inexpensive, and they also tend to be easy to install alone or with another person.
4. Replace the Shower Head
A new showerhead can breathe life into a bathroom that is starting to look weary and old, and you can pick them up for incredibly low prices.
On top of that, replacing a showerhead yourself is incredibly quick and easy, and we even have a guide on it that you can read through if you want some further advice. To give you a rough idea of what the process involves though, we have a quick run-down for you below:
- Remove the old head
- Clean the arm and surrounding area
- Attach the new head and seal it
- Check for leaks by testing the water
On top of that, we also have a detailed buyer guide for a variety of showerheads if you aren’t entirely sure which one you want to invest in.
5. Kill the Mould
There is no shame in having a little mould in your bathroom, it is something that has happened to us all and no doubt will again – especially during the winter months where ventilation tends to be more restricted.
Getting rid of any mould in your bathroom is the first step to improving its overall feel and appearance though, and we have a few tips to get the job done effectively.
If the mould is on the paintwork, you can try washing it with a very diluted bleach solution as this will kill the mould.
However, it could cause the paint to fade, and there is no guarantee it won’t come back. The best thing you can do is actually remove the paint with a scraper, use some mould treatment on the area, and then repaint with some kitchen and bathroom paint, or one that has been designed to prevent mould.
If the mould is on your tiles, it can be washed off effortlessly with soapy water. If the mould is actually on the sealant in your shower the most effective course of action would be to remove and replace it.
It’s the ideal option for your health, and to prevent regrowth as you can invest in a dehumidifier to try and stop mould and mildew from forming in your bathroom in the future.
6. Cover and Re-Surface Instead of Replace
The concept of not fixing things if they aren’t broken comes to mind here, and it really is true. We throw so much away just because it is looking a little rough, when all it actually needs is a little love and maintenance so that it can get back to looking amazing. Are your cabinets looking a little worse for wear?
Why not paint them so that they have a more rustic appearance, or give them a coat of white paint for something fresh. Similarly, the bottom of your walls might start looking scuffed and mistreated, but the quickest way to deal with this is by using a pre-fab board known as wainscot.
If there are holes and scuffs, the board will cover things up nicely, leaving your wall looking brand new again. If your entire wall is looking a bit dinged, you can even get some wainscot that will extend to the very top.
The most important thing to remember with this DIY fix is that if you’re bathroom furniture just needs a little love; it is worth repairing it rather than replacing it. Not only will it save you a lot of money, but you can actually create a very stylish bathroom as a result.
7. Search for Low-Cost Substitutes
Price isn’t everything, and you will actually be surprised by how good the stuff you can get for bargain prices actually is.
A lot of this is because the quality of the cheaper items is actually improving, especially when it comes to vinyl flooring – which looks and feels more realistic than ever before.
So, when you are searching for tiles, wall coverings, and flooring, it is worth considering the budget options and looking through them. The same goes for the furniture and plumbing in your bathroom as well, none of this needs to be expensive.
You can buy a gorgeous budget bathroom that looks and feels just like a luxury one, and while this doesn’t necessarily relate to the DIY aspect, it is worth keeping in mind if you ever need to replace the bath, shower, or other plumbing items in the room.
8. Refinish Your Tub Instead of Replacing it
Ok, so this is a big one because when the bath starts to look a little sad many of us (myself included) are guilty of replacing it instead of taking the time to see if simply refinishing it will help.
A lot of the cosmetic issues with your bathtub, or even your shower, can be fixed by simply taking the time to refinish it – and this includes things like cracks, little chips, and yellow staining that has occurred over time.
You also have the option to line your bathtub or shower instead, as this will provide it with some much-needed protection. However, it should be noted that liners will need to be installed by a professional, and they are a lot more expensive than refinishing the tub.
While the liners will last you a few years before they need replacing, we guarantee they won’t look as good as a refinishing.
Bonus Tips
While we have already gone through our eight DIY tips for making over your shower, we would also like to offer you a few bonus pieces of advice before you embark on your next renovation adventure.
After all, when you are creating your dream bathroom is there such a thing as too many tips? We think not, so take a moment to flick through the following headings for some more inspiration.
Replace Shower Door Rollers
Over time, your shower door rollers will become loose, they might get damaged, or the doors just won’t be opening as smoothly as they used to. When this happens, the best move you can make is replacing them with a new set.
You can buy them pretty much anywhere, but it is always best to go with ones that have been manufactured by the same company that made your shower because they will fit better and are often easier to install.
They also tend to be very affordable, so you don’t have to worry about breaking the bank when the time comes to get new ones.
Remove Old Silicone
We briefly mentioned that removing silicone that has mould on it is an important step to take, but old silicone, in general, should also be removed. This is because over time it may become loose and start to lose its watertight properties, allowing moisture to seep through.
Additionally, there is also the risk of it becoming stained and discoloured, taking away from the overall look and feel of your bathroom. Replacing it with new silicone is really good for the aesthetics, but also more hygienic and better for the longevity and protection of your walls.
Updating the lighting in your bathroom can have a big impact as well, especially in terms of the atmosphere. Bulbs that are too bright can take away from the calming atmosphere when you are having a bath or shower, so a medium glow is often the best choice to make.
Consider investing in some new fixtures that go with the decor, or taking a moment to really scrub the ones that already exist – you’d be surprised how much dirt and dust they are able to collect.
Small and simple things like this can make a noticeable difference to the appearance and vibe your bathroom provides.
Can a fiberglass shower be painted?
Instead of replacing the entire shower, you can bring new life to it by painting the fiberglass. Use enamel paint, which is waterproof and stands up well to the moist conditions in the shower. Enamel paint comes in many colors and can be matched to your current bathroom decor.
To Conclude
We hope that these DIY tips and tricks (as well as our little bits of bonus advice) have helped you to get a better understanding of the ways in which you can completely change the way your shower looks without spending a fortune.
Even a fresh coat of paint can be enough to brighten up your space and give your bathroom a new lease on life. A lot of bathroom shower makeover in Melbourne is down to general care and maintenance as well, with touch-ups and refreshing instead of all-out replacement.
What did you think of our guide to redecorating your shower room? Has it been everything you needed in order to inspire you, or are there things you felt were lacking and needed a little improvement? We love hearing from you, so feel free to leave a message in the comments below.
