It looks so easy on TV . . . the designer waves a hand and says “this is a total gut job” and 40 minutes later a shiny new bathroom appears on the screen. Out here in the real world, it doesn’t work like that. The good news? You don’t need to demo your bathroom to make it better. Small surface changes can make a big difference. You don’t have to do them all, or all at once. Keep reading to see some of our favorite bathroom updates.

UPDATE YOUR WALLS

Depending on how much wall space you have in your bathroom, this might make the biggest impact. We hear wallpaper is making a comeback, so if you want pattern that’s always an option. Apartment therapy suggests choosing a vinyl wallpaper to help resist moisture. (If you already have wallpaper and don’t want it anymore, we can remove it for you.)

Or you can keep it simple with a fresh coat of paint in a new color. Then all you have to do is pick a color and decide between moisture-repellent paint or mold- and mildew-resistant paint or… did we say simple? It is if you let us help you find the perfect paint. Request a consultation and let’s talk about it.

REFRESH THE VANITY

While a new vanity—or one of those new/old vanities crafted from a piece of furniture—is a great upgrade, you can get a lot of bang for your buck with a couple coats of paint on your existing cabinets. That’s much less expensive than a replacement and you can do it yourself over a weekend or two or we can do it for you in even less time. Thinking of tackling it yourself? See how Carrie did it over at Lovely Etc.

PUT SOME JEWELRY ON THOSE DOORS

If your cabinets don’t have knobs or handles, you’ll be amazed at the difference adding them will make. If you do have handles, but they’re a little tired—or you’re just tired of looking at them—consider replacing them with something new and shiny. Or new and matte. Whatever suits your style.

SPLURGE ON NEW FAUCETS

Faucets are a great investment since they’re something you’ll see and use all the time There are an almost infinite number of options these days, from finishes to styles to fancy features like touch free. Check out this helpful article from HGTV for advice on how to pick the right one for you.

CONTAIN COUNTERTOP CLUTTER

Maybe all you need is to reorganize and redecorate your countertops. Give your toothbrush a pretty place to rest, invest in a few attractive containers or shop your house to see what you can repurpose, add a tray or a candle, maybe some new hand towels…

Happy redecorating!