Three Things That Are Dating Your Bathroom (& How To Swap Them)

Does your bathroom feel like it's stuck in a time warp? From '50s-era pastel-hued tiles, tubs, and toilets to glass-block walls and Hollywood-style bar lights from the '80s, many outdated bathroom designs are easy to spot. Others are so subtle you might not realize your bathroom is an offender. Common issues that date your bathroom include frameless mirrors, a lack of accent lighting, and worn fixtures.

Your mirrors and lighting go hand in hand since adding vanity lighting to your bathroom is a must to make your morning routine easier. Older bathrooms often have large, frameless mirrors that span the width of the vanity. Not only is it boring and void of personality, but it also feels like a cheap, builder-grade feature that devalues your bathroom. Bar lights above the mirror, especially the large, bare-bulb Hollywood style, age your vanity area. Even more, a lack of accent lighting can leave your bathroom stuck in the past. Without it, your bathroom lacks the light layering effect, leaving it to look lifeless and without depth.  

Bathroom fixtures with finishes that are outdated or worn can make the entire space look old. Fixture styles that don't fit with the rest of the room's design also take away from the look. An outdated tile countertop with grimy grout or an antiquated deck-style tub may call for a replacement.

Now that you've identified the culprits, how do you update your bathroom? You could renovate the entire room, which could cost tens of thousands of dollars. If that's not in the budget, address specific problem areas. For starters, remove that big mirror and replace it with smaller framed vanity mirrors above each sink. There are also easy ways to upgrade your frameless bathroom mirror, including adding a wooden frame or accenting it with a floating shelf.

Next up is accent lighting, which uses directional lighting to draw attention to a certain area. It's also ideal for lighting nooks, crannies, and corners that don't receive illumination from your overhead lights. Accent lighting amplifies a mood or style, adds depth, and adds a luxury feel on a budget. Examples for your bathroom include sconces, a lamp, lighting in open shelves, LED lights along the vanity base, and spotlights over the tub. Don't underestimate picking the perfect size light fixtures to fit the scale of the bathroom. Coordinating the style and finishes with other design elements is also important.

Upgrading your sink and shower fixtures is a relatively inexpensive way to refresh your bathroom. Chrome, brushed nickel, and stainless steel are classic finishes that endure, or opt for a modern finish, like champagne bronze, brushed gold, or matte black. While traditional design leans toward matching metal finishes, you can mix and match metal types and finishes. Stick with a dominant metal for about two-thirds of the metal surfaces, with the rest in an accent color that complements the main metal.