HGTV Stars Share Their Top Tips For Upgrading An Outdated Bathroom Design

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Giving your bathroom a stylish upgrade doesn't have to bust your budget. The stars of HGTV are excellent resources for design ideas and low-cost flips. With Hilary Farr's sophisticated advice and Christina Hall's modern approach, you can easily find a hack for your unique space. From swapping hardware to reimagining your color scheme, there are tons of tips to consider.

A bathroom should be a space of relaxation and rejuvenation. If your bathroom appears outdated and dull, it can undoubtedly affect your day-to-day mood. It's important not to neglect this room as you're designing your living space. Instead, you can explore small bathroom ideas that will make your space bigger or key changes that will make your primary bath shine. No matter the scale or the current state of your space, the right piece of advice can transform your interior. Even if you're not a DIY pro, these concepts are accessible and pack a major design punch.

In Season 2, Episode 5 of "Christina on the Coast," Christina Hall renovated her best friend's outdated primary bathroom. She was working on a tight budget, so she focused on affordable ways to make a modern impact. Hall explained her plan for the finishes: "I'm thinking we do a nice modern flat panel cabinet. White quartz counters. What would look really nice is black hardware." This simple combination turned her friend's dated bathroom into a sparkling, spa-like space.

Although countertops can be pricey, new cabinet doors and hardware are a simple way to upgrade your bathroom. Simply paint your vanity a fresh color to give it a facelift, and buy new doors from places like The Home Depot or Amazon — both of which let you order custom sizes. By keeping the cabinet cavity, you'll save yourself hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars, making it a budget flip.

If you're a fan of the sleek, flat-panel look like Hall, make sure to familiarize yourself with everything you need to know about slab cabinets before installing them in your home. She opted for the best of both worlds when she added matte black hardware to the flat panel surface. This eliminated the issues that come with handleless slab cabinets (hello, fingerprints) while maintaining a modern appearance. These Ravinte Cabinet Handles resemble Hall's pick, and these Ravinte Drawer Pulls are a great option for knobs.

It can be tricky to renovate a vintage home while ensuring that the upgrades suit the space. In Season 3, Episode 5 of "Fixer to Fabulous," Dave and Jenny Marrs transformed a dated bathroom in a 1905 Victorian cottage. They used white subway tile throughout the shower to create a sleek space that wouldn't clash with the history of the home. That's because subway tiles became popular in the early 1900s, making them period-appropriate. Jenny described it as "timeless, but it goes with the house." Not only is it timeless, but it's an easy stock tile to find mass-produced at any discount hardware store, making this an attainable flip.

If you want to recreate this look, opt for a classic subway tile in a running bond pattern for your shower makeover. Tiling your shower yourself is entirely possible as long as you follow the correct steps. First, install cement backer boards and a tile membrane for moisture resistance. Then, spread your thinset mortar, followed by a sealant. The tiling process includes applying another layer of thinset, laying the tiles on the wall, and using grout to fill the gaps. You can also choose several different patterns for your subway tiles. A vertical pattern is more contemporary, whereas the offset horizontal pattern will appear classic. These Squarefeet Depot Glossy Finish Ceramic Tiles are an affordable option.

As a part of her "Church Lane Project," Leanne Ford updated an old bathroom by washing it in white. While it felt airy and relaxing, she made it memorable by mixing warm-toned fixtures and updating the space with statement hardware. "I'm all about brass mixing with copper," she explained. Although she made additional upgrades, the statement fixtures exemplify the visual impact new faucets and hardware can have in your space. It's an easy way to create a striking, contemporary atmosphere without breaking the bank since they're accents rather than focal features, like showers or vanities.

There are pros and cons of brass and copper hardware. Unlacquered brass can develop a natural patina over time, which is a look you may have to embrace. Some designers love the vintage-inspired look that this material provides, but it is something to be aware of, depending on your taste. Copper hardware won't rust, but it can also develop a patina due to oxygen exposure. However, you can help prevent this using copper wax. Keep in mind copper is typically one of the more expensive hardware options, which is why using Ford's technique of mixing different finishes can be a great way to add a stylish touch without breaking the bank.

In Season 1, Episode 8 of "Tough Love," Hilary Farr helped flip a house that was deemed frozen in time. She had to work on a tight budget, which meant retiling the dated bathroom wasn't an option. Instead, she opted for a more affordable solution. She explained the clever concept to her clients: "There was all that tile, and that yellow, and that...ugh. So, all we've done is reglaze." This technique is an excellent way to instantly breathe new life into your old bathroom since it allows you to change the color. 

You can use Hilary Farr's genius trick to refresh your outdated bathroom tile as long as you follow a few key pointers. Because epoxy products are used in the glazing process, it is recommended to ventilate the area and wear protective gear. You should also make sure to tape the areas you don't want affected by the glaze, as well as cover any nearby surface with plastic sheeting. Once your area is prepped, sand down your tiles, apply primer, and finally, spread your epoxy glaze over the entire surface. Always check the manufacturer's instructions to determine how long each layer has to dry. Products like Rust-Oleum's Tub & Tile Refinishing Kit are a simple way to take the guesswork out of the process.

If your floors are old and grimy, then they can severely bring down the mood of your bathroom. But swapping them out can be a costly update, putting the task on the bottom of most flipper's to-do lists when updating the space. Luckily, Nate Berkus has a great way to do so on a budget. In a clip by NJ Kitchens And Baths, the designer revealed that his go-to move is to use marble tile, which looks like natural stone but is substantially cheaper. He revealed, "I have to tell you that floor -– $79 to install. It's not stone, it's marble tile. It's totally waterproof." Marble tile can give your bathroom a brand-new look without breaking the bank. Plus, it's much easier to install than real stone slabs.

If you want to create a luxurious look in your bathroom, consider Carrara marble tiles instead of their solid stone counterpart. This luxurious material is significantly cheaper when purchased in a small tile format. You can find these modern tiles for less than $10 per square foot, and they are ideal for elevating areas like your guest bathroom floor. If you really want to save money, you can find marble-inspired tiles made from porcelain. With designs that feature stone-inspired striations, you can get the look for much less. Plus, porcelain is much more durable than natural stone.

When Tarek and Christina competed against each other in "Flip or Flop," they both redesigned outdated bathrooms with the modern homeowner in mind. Tarek made a jaw-dropping choice to install decorative tile from the backsplash all the way across the entire shower. This turned the bathroom from drab to showstopping with a single material. These mosaic tiles he used can easily be found in a budget-friendly, easy-to-install sheet format. The guests raved, "This is beautiful. What's great about the backsplash is that they filled the entire bathroom with it from floor to ceiling." Another guest commented that the change made the bathroom look much larger.

Micro-patterns are a tile trend that is small but mighty, and Tarek's concept reflects this contemporary concept. There are several colorways to choose from that come in convenient sheets, making these striking tiles much easier to install than individual pieces. If you want to recreate a similar look, try searching for the term "mosaic sheets" since "tile sheets" will give you only peel-and-stick options, which aren't appropriate for the bathroom. Some examples of mosaic sheets are the STAINMASTER Calacatta Ceramic Marble-Look Mosaic, which comes in a 10x12 sheet even though it's comprised of small hexagon tiles, or the STAINMASTER Zelliege-style Mosaic, which offers a navy herringbone tile design in a 9x12 sheet.

Emily Henderson originally didn't want to spend the money on updating her children's bathroom. However, she ultimately decided that a modern makeover would create a more cohesive interior. One easy adjustment she made was changing the mirror. In a tour on her YouTube channel, she said: "I was nervous about the mirror and I had played with maybe, like, 10 different options. But, I really liked how graphic and round this one is and how modern it is above the more vintage-like, antique vanity." If you have an outdated bathroom with old tile or retro finishes, a contemporary mirror is an easy way to make it look current.

Although a round mirror is a great contemporary choice, there are other shapes and styles to consider. For a funky twist on this statement, go with an organically shaped option like this WallBeyond Asymmetrical Mirror. Or, for a space-saving streamlined look and contemporary atmosphere, the Smiror Irregular Led Bathroom Mirror's sleek design includes a backlight.

HGTV's Jenny Marrs has a unique solution for outdated bathroom vanity lights that can make a big impact. In Season 4, Episode 10 of "Fixer to Fabulous," Marrs made this simple switch and completely transformed her client's bathroom. She hung two symmetrical pendant lights, one over each mirror. This instantly created a minimalist, architectural appearance. Her upgrade is proof that swapping your bathroom vanity lights is a great way to update the bathroom on a budget, especially if you don't have the means to flip the rest of the space just yet.

There are a few different styles of pendant lights to choose from. If you want a rustic yet modern look, try these Alaislyc Black Farmhouse Pendant Lights. For a more mid-century modern take, opt for a design like Amber Glass Pendants. Last but not least, the Zslongying Rattan Pendant Light Fixtures have an earthy look if you want to give your home a bohemian touch. To create a cohesive look, try matching your hardware to the finish on your new pendant lights.