If you love a good shower, you already know—your bathroom isn’t just a place to rinse off. It sets the tone for your mornings and your wind-downs.
Whether you own, rent, or are just dealing with a small, outdated, or blah bathroom, this one’s for you. A full remodel might not be in the cards (because who’s dropping 5 grand for fun?), but that doesn’t mean you can’t give your space a glow-up that feels fresh, modern, and yes, even Pinterest-worthy.
Want to start your bathroom glow-up? Start smart:
Contents
Want to glow up your bathroom? Start here first!
Set a budget. Even a rough one helps narrow down decisions fast.
Measure everything. Then, measure again. And maybe again. It’ll save you money, returns, and headaches.
Clean before you decorate. A deep scrub, fresh caulk, and clean grout can make your bathroom feel brand new before you even buy anything.
Small changes = big impact. Focus on what catches the eye: mirror, faucet, lighting, towel hooks, shelves, and some wall decor. You don’t need to rip out tile or plumbing unless you’re really feeling adventurous.
Bathroom Glow Up DIY Ideas
Here are 12 easy and CHEAP ideas to give your bathroom a total transformation.
Idea 1:
This tiny bathroom got a serious glow-up with some smart, space-saving upgrades.
A friend helped install a skylight (big win for natural light), and they opened up a storage nook with a fun wallpaper accent—no door, just clean and easy access.
The porthole-style bathroom door is a quirky touch that also lets in extra light.
Idea 2:
This bathroom renovation in Amsterdam proves that a smart layout shift can make even a small space feel brand new.
The homeowner knocked down the wall that separated the toilet from the rest of the bathroom—common in Dutch homes—which opened up enough space to slide the washer into its own tidy corner.
My favorite part about this bathroom is the fog-free LED mirror adds style without splurging. Smart, sleek, and space-savvy.
Idea 3:
Do you need a master bath glow-up? This is one of those makeovers that looks fancy, but actually leans smart and doable.
Instead of gutting everything, they kept the original vanity base—just added new drawer fronts and a genius 4” topper to raise the height (tall people, rejoice!). The moody green (Sherwin-Williams “Global Green”) plays beautifully with dusty pink accents.
Not fully DIY, but full of affordable, creative touches.
Idea 4:
Threequarterturn’s bathroom is proof that you don’t need a designer budget to create your dream space—just clever planning and some solid IKEA hacks. They used an IKEA Godmorgon vanity, mounted IKEA kitchen cabinets as side storage, and gave everything a stylish upgrade with Semihandmade fronts.
The star move? Using budget tile from Floor & Decor (less than $4/sq ft!) and making it look high-end with thoughtful touches like smart grout color and champagne bronze hardware.
Idea 5:
A Reddit’s user bathroom redo in Portland nails that warm, mid-century-boho vibe, and while it wasn’t exactly a shoestring-budget reno, they made clever trade-offs to keep things reasonable.
The custom walnut vanity? Pricey, but the star of the space. To balance it out, they went with budget-friendly vinyl tiles from Lowe’s (under $100!) and skipped lux extras like heated floors.
Also, Screenshots + PowerPoint became their unofficial mood board—honestly, very relatable.
Idea 6:
Fbus shared this bright and bold bathroom refresh that shows how much impact the right design choices can make—even without going full DIY. They brought in a friend to help with the electrical work, but the rest came together with smart planning and a clear vision.
The standout feature is definitely the sunshine-yellow tile, which lights up the whole room—especially in the morning. If you’re on a budget, you can still get a similar effect by using peel-and-stick tiles or painting just one feature wall.
Idea 7:
This tiny Scottish flat bathroom got a bold upgrade.
They swapped out the old tub for a sleeker shower setup, opened up the layout, and brought in a big personality with deep green walls and playful patterned tiles.
Idea 8:
What really makes this bathroom pop is that hunter green vanity with gold hardware. That color? So good. It’s bold without being too much, and it gives the space this cozy, upscale vibe.
Paired with the marble countertop and those gold lights and faucets, the whole thing feels like a nice step up from the usual plain white setup.
Idea 9:
The star of this $1k bathroom makeover has to be the dramatic wallpaper. It totally transforms the space and gives it that moody, gothic vibe that’s hard to ignore.
Instead of going the usual bright-and-neutral route, the homeowner leaned all the way into personality—dark tones, bold patterns, and even a velvet unicorn painting to match.
It’s not for everyone, and that’s exactly the point. The wallpaper, sourced from Spoonflower, became the anchor for the whole look and proves that peel-and-stick can be both affordable and eye-catching when you know your style and fully commit to it.
Idea 10:
Here’s one way to make the most of a weird bathroom layout. This space was tiny and awkward, with the shower right in the middle and no divider at all, so every time you showered, the whole floor got soaked.
The homeowner fixed that fast with a glass door. It keeps the water contained, giving you a more pleasurable experience.
Idea 11:
One thing I really love about this reno is how the homeowner turned a cramped, outdated bathroom into a walk-in shower space that feels twice as big.
Removing the old tub was a bold move, but it paid off, the layout is so much cleaner now. And the fact that they went for a curbless shower with a tiled floor sloped toward the drain is genius.
It gives the whole bathroom a sleek, modern look without sacrificing function. No more tripping over tub edges or wrestling with a soggy shower curtain. Just step in, step out, and done.
Idea 12:
This tiny UK bathroom got a sleek, smart makeover. With just 1.8m x 1.4m to work with—and a massive waste pipe that couldn’t be moved—they still managed to pull off a full renovation: new layout, bigger shower, compact sink, and built-in toilet with shelving above.
They kept it light and clean with big tiles, soft tones, and a large mirror to make the space feel bigger. The total cost? Around £7K, including installation. Not bad for such a solid transformation.
