40 Creative DIY Ideas to Transform Your Bathroom For Less

Turn trash into bathroom treasure

Is your bathroom in need of a makeover? Look no further than these fantastic bathroom upcycling projects that you can get stuck into right now. Bathrooms are the perfect spaces to flex your creative DIY muscles as they tend to be smaller rooms that are used less often, so they’re ideal for experimentation. Plus, upcycling means you don’t need to spend a lot of money, so you can give your bathroom a refresh no matter what your budget is. Check out our pick of the most inspirational upcycled ideas…

Industrialize a shower screen

Crittall-style doors are super hot right now, but super expensive. That's why we applaud this quirky idea by Geri @overatno18 who has injected a little edginess into her daughter's bathroom. Using strips of black vinyl, the shower screen is transformed into a grid of gorgeousness and offsets the bright color.  

Square up the loo roll holder

Owner of Funky Junk Interiors, Donna, just couldn't face putting a regular loo roll holder up in her beautiful rustic farmhouse-style bathroom. So, she took two vintage checkerboards and a yardstick ruler and invented this delightful innovation. 

Opt for vintage faucets

Finish an upcycled bathroom vanity perfectly with vintage faucets. Brushed brass and ornate design will instantly define the feature. Antique and reclaimed restored faucets can be easily sourced from online marketplaces and antique fairs. @Chateaudelaruche has designed exquisite rustic bathrooms in their French "laid-back but luxurious B&B" with upcycled furniture finds. 

Feature a chandelier

If your bathroom is on the large side a chandelier will add grandiose to the space in an instant. It's a failsafe luxury bathroom idea that can be created at a low budget too, as repurposing a vintage or section-hand light fixture will add oodles of personality and character. 

Plunge into a mural

Murals are becoming more popular as feature walls but what about getting artistic on plain wooden bath panel instead? This countryside painted bath panel was created by Annie Sloan's own fair hand. What an incredible statement it makes. A vintage crewel work, alternative shower curtains and decorative amber glassware display turn the bathroom into an upcycled exhibition.

Get sticking

Here's a super simple finishing touch for a coordinated bathroom. Clear the space of mismatched toiletry bottles and containers by repurposing plain bottles with new stickers. @homebyrebecca has popped hers in an easy-to-reach spot in her uncluttered gray and white bathroom.

Slide in a barn door

@Kira_Turner has added warmth to her fresh gray bathroom by installing a sliding rustic barn door. The rolling design conforms well with the narrow space between the bed in her bedroom (where the shot has been taken from) into the ensuite, saving space and looking chic all at once.

Install an enamel utility sink

An enamel utility sink will give a bathroom an interesting industrial edge. Originally meant for commercial environments, they are ultra-practical and will stand the test of time. They should be easy to come by in most salvage yards and worn versions will evoke more vintage character. 

Intensify old storage

Add an explosion of color to your bathroom makeover by drenching upcycled furniture in a beautiful bright shade. Instagram influencer, @iamhayleystuart has chosen a cheery coral pink paint to jazz up this bathroom cabinet. The budget bathroom idea looks stunning displaying a collection of lush house plants in coordinating pots.

Include upcycled shelving

Got some wood offcuts you’re not sure what to do with? Try turning them into useful shelves. This dark wood combo by @eli_at_home looks purposeful and pleasant mounted above the loo. The storage solution makes good use of an awkward space too. 

Pop in a screen

Provide your bathroom with a touch of traditional elegance by including an upcycled folding screen. Source a vintage version from a reclamation yard. Or why not, build your own from pallets, old wood shutters or salvaged full-length mirrors? 

Warm up with copper pipes

Copper piping makes a striking material to use in bathrooms. We love the burnished tone and jiggly design of this vintage copper radiator created by Interior Designer and owner for Huxley Home, Zara Cowen. It adds a clever juxtaposition to an ultra contemporary bathroom. 

Refresh tired tiles

If the thought of chipping dated bathroom tiles off the wall fills you with dread - don't do it! Instead, reach for the paintbrush and stencil template. This hot pink splashback with pretty silver motifs fills @chapertwointeriors' bathroom with color and pattern. 

Paint the loo seat

We love this loo seat renovation by @sixtysevenbelmont. The pattern is simple yet so on-trend. This whole bathroom is practically upcycled too: the wall tiles have been painted all white to hide some questionable Grecian motifs underneath. And, the bath panel has been covered in funky leopard vinyl. The finished bathroom makeover is full of texture and warmth

Collect sea shells

Love coastal decorating ideas? If you’ve got a big, decorative seashell at home, or live near the sea and could pick one up, why not use it as a soap dish or wall planter for your favourite houseplant? Seashells always look great in a bathroom scheme, and a little greenery will add life to your space.

Lean a ladder

Give an old ladder a new purpose by bringing it into the bathroom. Mounted horizontally it will construct rustic shelving for bathroom accessories. Or, when leaned against a wall, the treads can be used to hang towels. 

Brighten up a bath caddy

If you find your essentials are always out of reach when you’re having a bath, why not make your own caddy tray out of a plank of wood? It’s perfect for balancing everything from your book to a scented candle. Or, give a plain one a new lease of life with a splash of soothing color. 

Make use of an old stool

Look out for seating that is well-loved and weathered to use as an extra surface and storage spot. This old wooden stall makes an ideal and characterful home for these warming woodland motif towels. 

Reinvent an old desk

If you’ve got a desk that you rarely use, why not turn it into a bathroom vanity? It’s quick and simple and a slim design will slot neatly into a smaller bathroom space. Give the desk a fresh coat of paint in a color that matches or offsets your bathroom scheme.

Paint the bath

If you’d like to add a splash of drama to your bathroom but think painting a whole wall might be overdoing it, why not paint your bath in your chosen shade? The monochrome black and white bath with silver claws shown here really makes this traditional bathroom pop. 

Reassign used jars

For eye-catching storage jars, simply collect large used jars from the pantry or look for them at vintage markets. Soak them in hot water to peel off the labels or clean and sterilize in the dishwasher. Then, hot-glue low-cost drawer handles to the lid tops! Also, keep an eye out for pretty, limited-edition bottles in the shops, these will make a striking statement.

Hang a rehomed planter

House plants thrive in the bathroom due to the humid environment so where better to hang an upcycled planter? Fix old trugs together and them hang by the bathroom window so they cascade down and enjoy the natural light. 

Look at the floor

Ready for a bathroom makeover? You might want to start with the floor. Old tiles can often look dull, but did you know that you can paint them? Tile paint is available at many DIY stores and is easy to use. Try painting each tile on your floor with a different pattern or color for a bold look.

Add texture with old wood

If you’ve got woodworking skills, why not challenge yourself to build a bathroom vanity unit out of reclaimed or pallet wood? The great thing about this project is you can build the unit to fit any space exactly, then add coordinating wooden slats to walls. The finished look will be warm and full of texture. 

Hang an indoor plant frame

Give your greenery an enviable position with a suspended growing frame made from an upcycled ladder. This brilliant idea from @stealmystyle40 uses glam gold chains fixed to the ceiling to hold pots of trailing plants over a tub, creating a tropical feel.

Personalize shelves

We love to personalize a space. Using some photo transfer gel, available from lots of DIY stores, and on Amazon, you can add any text or pictures you like to wooden shelving. You could even make a shelf for each family member with their name on it for a seriously organized bathroom.

Rope in new holders

Perfect for a nautical-themed bathroom, these toilet roll and towel holders are made out of pieces of rope, fixed to the wall with metal fittings. They are the ideal DIY project to use up old materials you’ve got lying around and you can cut the rope to the exact length you need.

Spray paint metallic shelving

Bathroom shelves looking a little dull? Time to give them a luxe makeover. Try spray painting them in a metallic shade to add glamour and adding artwork in rich colors, some scented candles and chic accessories. Even jazzing up just one shelf can give your entire bathroom a budget-friendly lift.

Swap in a surfboard

These hooks are mounted onto a vintage-style wooden surfboard, but you could definitely try this with an old skateboard, too. Here, a hand-cut shark bite adds a playful finish to the stylish design, perfect for a bathroom with coastal-style decor.

Wheel in a washstand

An old bike can double as a washstand, towel rack and vase. Vintage bicycles are easy to pick up either online or in an antique shop, but you may need to de-rust and respray your bike before it looks as charming as this one.

Tie-dye a shower curtain

Fed up with a boring plain white shower curtain? Give it a new lease of life with a home dye job. You can either try an ombre effect or experiment with different techniques to produce an infinite number of shapes and shades. You can also buy one ready-made on Etsy.

Spruce up with gold spray

Spray painting your bathroom accessories gold is the easiest, cheapest way to make your space look luxurious and opulent. The finish looks great on anything from mirrors to toothbrush holders, so go wild.

Create storage on wheels

Lots of us are familiar with the trick of using wooden food crates as an easy storage solution, but for a new twist add castor wheels for shelving that can be moved around easily. Use it to store towels, toilet rolls and toiletries to minimize clutter.

Glam up a hamper

Give an old laundry hamper a new lease of life with a glitzy gold paint job. Opt for spray paint on rattan or baskets to get an even coat that will match your brass handles and faucets.

Switch up a sewing machine stand

If you can get your hands on an old sewing machine base, you could use it to replace your washstand for a vintage vibe, a look that’s ultra-unique, but not over the top. There are usually a few of these available on eBay and Etsy, but alternatively, you could try vintage fairs or auctions.

Copper leaf a bath

Copper is showing no signs of going out of style. To add the trend to your bathroom, you don’t need to splash out on a copper bathtub. Instead, simply decorate your existing tub by applying copper leaf, which is sold cheaply on eBay and at art supply stores. 

Pipe in some storage

Glamour isn’t something we normally associate with toilet roll holders, but one with a built-in shelf to store little houseplants and trinkets is much prettier to look at. Make your own out of industrial pipes and wood offcuts.

Patch up a wood bath panel

Reclaimed wood is an essential part of any DIY enthusiast’s kit, and it can be put to great use in the bathroom. Try making paneling for your bathtub using planks in different shades for a rustic look.

Upcycle an oil drum

Sometimes an idea is so brilliant in its simplicity that you wonder why you didn’t think of it yourself. Such is the case with these brilliant wash basins made from upcycled oil drums. You’ll just need to cut a hole for the sink and another to fix the tap on to. Then it’s just a case of spray painting it in your favourite color. Genius!

Create color gradient crates

For a stylish spin on bathroom shelving made from stacked crates, paint all the crates using similar colors, each a shade up from the one below it. Here, light wash pastel hues create a calming watercolor effect.

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