8 easy ways to update your bathroom, no remodeling required

"Update the bathroom" lands on many home to-do lists, but all "someday" tasks are too easy to procrastinate. There are tons of ways to refresh a bathroom without retiling or tearing down walls.

Repaint the walls

A coat of paint is one of the easiest ways to give the space a new look. If you have a small bathroom, or if the lower half of the walls are tiled, you likely only need a single gallon of paint. For less than $100 (including new brushes and rollers), you can revamp this room. Pick a hue that works with what's already in the space, keeping in mind the wood tones, tile colors and flooring. Consider a satin finish, which is easier to wipe clean and will repel moisture more than matte paint.

Switch out hardware

When replacing the vanity and cabinets isn't possible, changing the hardware is a cost-effective update. Before shopping for new handles and knobs, measure existing ones. Look for handles that are the same length as current ones to avoid drilling new holes and filling old ones. Unscrew a couple knobs to see if the area underneath is discolored. If it is, shop for replacements that will cover the same area.

Replace shower heads

A stylish shower head can make a bathroom look more modern and elevate the experience of using the bathroom. A new low-flow shower head can also reduce water usage, saving money and making a home more eco-friendly. To improve the flow of a current shower, remove mineral buildup by soaking it in white vinegar.

Upgrade shower curtains (and bathmats)

A colorful curtain can change the color palette of the room (no painting necessary), while a white shower curtain makes a room feel clean and calm. Consider switching out old curtain rings too. Pair the new curtain with a coordinated bathmat and hand towels to complete the makeover.

Improve lighting

To introduce ambient lighting without replacing fixtures, consider a dimmer switch. That way, you can adjust the light as needed.

Introduce extra storage

Adding some stylish storage to the bathroom will enhance the space. In a spacious bathroom, consider a freestanding cabinet that can stash toilet paper, hair styling tools and clean towels. In a tiny bathroom, let a slim rolling storage cart hold spare toiletries.

Refresh the grout

You don't need to retile the entire room to give old tile a new look. In fact, even giving the grout a good scrub can dramatically improve its appearance. Another option: change the color of the grout. If you want to change light grout to dark gray for a more modern look, consider grout colorant. The colorant is brushed onto the grout lines to change their color, and then the excess is wiped off the tile using a sponge or cloth. This process is tedious and time-consuming, but if you DIY the job, you can upgrade your bathroom for less than $50.

Apply peel-and-stick wallpaper

If your bathroom has a fan and decent airflow, it is possible to install peel-and-stick wallpaper and keep it looking good. Select a removable wallpaper that's labeled "moisture-resistant," then adhere it to one accent wall (or all the walls) of the bathroom. Have tile on the lower portion of the walls? You're in luck -- this project will require half the amount of wallpaper.