How to spruce up your bathroom on a budget

Following your kitchen, your bathroom is probably the hardest-working room in your home. It’s a frequently used space that has to stand up to the wear and tear of daily traffic and the dampness caused by hot baths and showers. These factors mean that, without proper care and upkeep, your bathroom can start to look less than fabulous pretty quickly. Products like mildew-resistant paints will help to combat the potential damage caused by steam, and a vigorous cleaning regimen will help to keep your bathroom fixtures sparkling. But when it comes to giving your bathroom a pretty, stylish look, inexpensive accessories and chic colour choices can make a world of difference.

We checked in with Karl Lohnes, contributing style editor at Style at Home magazine to learn a few tips and tricks for making your bathroom beautiful.

CanadianLiving.com: What colours are hot for bathrooms right now?
Karl Lohnes: The best bathroom colour choice is pure white. Always has been, always will be.

CL.com: Any colour combinations that you particularly love right now?
KL: My favourite colour combinations right now for bathrooms are crisp white, pale blue and foggy grey.

CL.com: When it comes to accessories, what are some bathroom essentials?
KL: Essential bath accessories include towel rings for a hand towel and an interesting bathmat. Try bamboo, woven wood, woven silk or industrial rubber for something different underfoot!

CL.com: How can you keep your bathroom organized and stylish, without spending a fortune?
KL: To keep your bathroom stylish and organized, give every family member their own travel tote to bring to the bathroom each morning. Treat your bathroom like a shared Euro hotel bath and keep personal items out of the room altogether.

CL.com: What are the best things you can add to your bathroom to give it a fresh new look?
KL: A fresh coat of paint (pale blue or orange sherbet are two favourite colours). Add a matching shower curtain for big change and impact.

CL.com: Any suggestions for being 'green' in the bathroom?
KL: Buy a water-saving showerhead (for as low as $30), install a smart flush toilet when renovating and consider taking showers as they use less water than baths.

Quick tips for making your bathroom a soothing sanctuary
Lohnes provides some simple suggestions for making your bathroom a more relaxing space to spend time in.

1. Treat yourself to a luxurious, high-quality towel
2. Get a mini iPod speaker and play music while showering
3. Install a dimmer switch to lower the lighting when bathing to create a tranquil ambiance
4. Add a small water feature in the bathroom to give a soothing sound

Check out our slideshow and find 10 beautiful bathroom accessories under $50.

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Natalie Bahadur is the Senior Editor of styleathome.com and is a regular contributor to CanadianLiving.com.