My Weekend Bathroom Refresh: Small Changes That Made a Big Difference

Bathrooms are often the most neglected spaces in a home — we use them every day, yet they rarely get the attention they deserve. A few months ago, I decided my bathroom needed some love. Nothing major. No demolition. No new tiles. Just small, intentional changes.

What happened surprised me: the room that once felt dull and outdated suddenly felt brighter, cleaner, and more modern — all done in one weekend.

Today, I’m sharing the exact updates I made, so you can give your bathroom a quick refresh too.

The First Step: Decluttering and Reorganizing

Before making changes, I removed everything from the counters, shelves, and drawers. It shocked me how much visual noise disappears when surfaces are clear.

I added a few matching baskets under the sink and suddenly the room felt calmer.

Painting the Vanity — My Favorite Part

The vanity was old and fading, but it had good bones. Instead of replacing it, I sanded it lightly and painted it a beautiful deep navy blue. With new brushed-gold handles, it looked like an entirely new piece.

Cost? Under $40.

Upgrading Fixtures Without Replacing Them

Instead of buying a brand-new faucet, I cleaned the old one with a lime remover, polished it, and it looked nearly new.

The mirror frame got a coat of matte black spray paint, instantly modernizing the space.

Lighting Makes the Biggest Difference

I swapped the old warm bulbs for daylight LEDs, and suddenly the room looked fresh and clean.

If you do nothing else — change the bulbs. Trust me.

The Bathroom Today

It feels like a boutique hotel bathroom now, even though I didn’t touch the tiles, flooring, or layout. This project reminded me that home improvement doesn’t always need big budgets or big renovations — sometimes a refreshing weekend is all it takes.