Bathroom Updates: Paint, Cabinet Handles, Faucets, Flooring & More for the Holidays

It’s not uncommon for guest bathrooms to go to the bottom of the home improvement lists. In many cases, they are not used frequently and could be out of sight and out of mind.

If this is true in your home, some easy-to-do DIY projects can bring new life to your guest bathroom before guests visit for the holidays.

Cardinal has you covered! Here are several quick and easy update ideas that can give your powder or guest bathroom an inexpensive, painless facelift.

Install new lighting

Replace outdated vanity lighting and sconces. Many lighting fixtures are easy to replace and mount into the existing power box to which your current lighting fixture is likely attached.

Always disconnect the power at the breaker box before doing any electrical project. Most fixtures will easily disconnect with mounting nuts and then are connected by three wires with wire nuts. Try selecting fixtures with the same footprint for easy installation.

Change the wall color

It’s always amazing how a coat of paint can transform a room, and with a smaller bathroom footprint, you can complete the project with minimal effort and time. Just make sure to prep correctly and use mildew-resistant paint. Need color assistance? Check out our Benjamin Moore’s color of the year palette, or bring in a favorite color, and our Cardinal Home Center team can match it.

Install a bathroom grab bar

The holidays may involve out-of-town visitors. Nothing can ruin the fun of a holiday visit quicker than an injury. Older relatives may not be familiar with your home’s layout and can be unsteady on their feet. A grab bar installed in the shower assists in avoiding a fall and injury.

Change a leaky or outdated faucet

Tired of the chrome faucet that was there the day your dad graduated high school? Replacing a faucet is not difficult. First, determine the type of faucet designed for your bathroom sink. Is it a single hole, center, or split set (also called widespread)? Make sure your new faucet has the same layout. Read our article on how to replace a faucet, and you’ll be washing your hands in no time.

Add a frame to an existing bathroom mirror

Maybe you have a large mirror that screams, take me back to 1995. Here is a quick and easy update. Construct a frame for it. With a stain, a fresh coat of paint, and some molding, frame the outer edges of the mirror for a modern and sophisticated look.

Install a beaded board or wainscoting

Installing bead board or wainscoting is not a complicated project, and with so many moldings and paneling available, it can also be inexpensive. Dress up plain walls and guard against scuffs and damage simultaneously. A bonus? Using paneling in a bathroom can help warm up a room where cold porcelain fixtures, ceramic floors, and tub enclosures dominate.

If you have questions or want further guidance, ask one of our Cardinal professionals!