'Splish, Splash'

"Splish, Splash, I was taking a bath..."

Come to think of it, when was the last time you redid your bathroom? Not recently, I bet.

What are you going to do if you unexpectedly have a bunch of guests wanting to a’splishin’ and a’splashin,’ reelin’ with the feelin,’ movin’ and a groovin’ in your bathroom? Will they take the party somewhere else if they see your dated bath towels and amenities?

A tight budget is no reason to keep you down. The bathroom is the one room in the house where less is always more.

1. First, stock up on mini soaps, hairbrushes, towels, robes, toothbrushes and toothpaste. Think ‘hotel,’ but with the warmth and comfort your home can bring. Future guests will appreciate the gesture and not feel like they’re imposing should they forget to bring bath essentials.

2. While painting a bathroom a different shade sets the tone, you might not have enough time for a quick paint and dry. Picking a small handmade tile for your wall and inserting it with the rest is the fastest way change the face of your bathroom.

3. Change your vanities and shelving units. Protect your belongings from getting damp or wet in a new vanity – it doesn’t have to cost a fortune. When I remodeled my bathroom a few years ago, I replaced everything but the tub and bathroom wall tiles above it. But even with the new flooring and paint job, the biggest difference came from the shelving unit above my toilet and drawers next to the sink.

4. Curtains. From American country, to retro, or beach. Whatever your style or color preference, make sure your set of new curtains can withstand moisture and staining. The curtains should be easy to remove and clean, when necessary.

5. When it comes to applying makeup or shaving, having adequate lighting is key. You’re also going to need a good mirror. After leaning over my sink to apply my makeup in front of the mirror, I decided to place a smaller magnifying mirror next to the sink. Now, no more leaning over the sink and ruining my blouse.

6. The bathroom can be a place for rest and relaxation. Let the candles
take care of the romantic lighting. Use scented oils or incense for aromatherapy and get that bubble bath going!

Splish, splash, now you have a new bath!

-S. Gonzalez


*Photos courtesy of everythingturquoise.com/