By Kerry Hale

How to Update Bathroom Furniture

  • Tuesday 17 December 2024
  • 5 minute read

Is your bathroom looking a little dated? The good news is that you don’t have to plan a complete renovation to restore it to its former glory. From upcycling furniture to adding a fresh coat of paint, there are a number of fun, cost-effective ways to update this space.

Whether you want to revamp an older bathroom or are wondering how to refresh your cabinets, explore our top bathroom furniture ideas below.

How to give new life to old furniture

Looking to breathe new life into your furniture? From upcycling to restoring, here are some tips to make that happen.

Upcycle your furniture

Upcycling is a great way to transform tired furniture into exciting new pieces. Plus, by creating something new with the same materials, you’ll be doing your bit for the planet! 

So, how do you upcycle furniture? In bathrooms, the opportunities are endless. It could be something as simple as adding a new paint colour to shelves to help them look their best again – perfect if you’re on a budget! To do this, clean the furniture, fill in any imperfections, and then get started with painting.

 

Repurpose your furniture

If you have unwanted furniture or accessories lying around your house, consider repurposing them for your bathroom. For example, you could bring drawers and shelving into the room to use as storage. Or, if you have unused spice racks or jars in your kitchen, these could be used as bathroom organisers.

Restore your furniture

If you have an old piece of furniture that you’re reluctant to part ways with – don’t throw it away. Restore it to its original state by repairing any imperfections to help it look brand new. You could also add a new finish to the furniture to boost its visual appeal or change the colour.

Bathroom furniture refresh ideas

Elevate your space with these DIY bathroom ideas, whether you’re looking to add an upcycled vanity unit or create a fun focal point with a freshly painted cabinet.

Paint

One of our top ideas for bathroom cupboards is to add a new lick of paint. This is an easy, affordable way to upgrade your bathroom décor, and there are endless shades to choose from. Go bold with an eye-catching colour like red or green, or introduce soft neutrals for a luxurious look.

To make your furniture really pop, pick a shade that contrasts with the rest of the room. For long-lasting results, use paint that can withstand moisture and steam, and remember to clean the furniture with sugar soap before painting.

 

Stencilling

Want to add a fun twist to your furniture? Use a stencil to create unique patterns and prints that will boost the look of vanity units, drawers and cabinets. You can buy stencils online, or if you’re more experienced at DIY, try making your own. The design possibilities are limitless – you could opt for a seaside theme or add elegance to your bathroom with floral patterns. This is a simple, budget-friendly way to modernise an older bathroom.

Tiling

Consider fitting eye-catching tiles around your bathroom furniture to help it stand out. You could half-tile the walls for a subtle effect or tile the entire space for a bold look. Opt for tiles in different shades to create sections across your bathroom.

Install shower panels for a cheaper alternative to tiles. Available in a range of designs, they make a stylish addition to bathroom walls.

Wallpaper

Rejuvenate worn-out cupboards with peel-and-stick wallpaper – a great option for shabby chic bathrooms. Choose your favourite colour and pattern and apply the paper to your furniture to instantly update its look. When the time comes to remove the wallpaper, you can simply peel it off.

Upholstery

Add a unique touch to your cabinets with upholstery. This is an excellent alternative to painting, and you can choose almost any fabric you like to decorate the inside and outside of the cabinet. Be sure to select a fabric that can withstand the humid conditions of a bathroom, and use a strong adhesive to help it stick to the furniture.

Finishing touches

After you’ve refreshed your bathroom furniture, it’s time to add those all-important finishing touches. Here are some ideas to get started. 

Update the hardware

Updating your bathroom hardware can improve the room’s overall look. Consider replacing the hooks, toilet paper holder and towel bar to give the space a sleek appearance. 

With our handy replacement service, we’ll offer ready-made recommendation options to help you upgrade your existing shower. Head to our shower replacement page for more information and to book your installation. 

 

Add new tile trims

Tile trims can help protect the edges of your tiles, ensuring a neat finish. However, they can become worn out over time, so it’s best to add new ones if they’re looking a little worse for wear. This will help boost the longevity of your tiles, helping them look great for longer. 

Incorporate decorative accessories

Inject some personality into your bathroom with decorative accessories. This could be anything from plush towels to vases, candles and diffusers. Display them on open shelving – such as a ladder shelf – to add a sophisticated touch to the space.

Love these bathroom refresh ideas? Head to our blog for more design tips and advice, and update your bathroom with the latest showers, taps and other essentials from Mira.

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