Although the economy doesn’t seem as bleak as it used to, people are hesitant to break the bank to make any changes to their home. Here are some frugal ways that those who have outdated bathrooms have chosen to make improvements. We’ve given advise to our clients selling their homes to make these quick and easy changes and it has brought great responses from buyers that have come into open houses.

I decided to take one particular bit of advise that we give our clients/sellers and applied it to an outdated bathroom that I was tired of wincing at every morning. My purchases were paint for the walls, cabinets, and baseboards, a framed mirror, a medicine cabinet on clearance at Home Debot, and a new sink faucet. Proud to say, the total bill came out just under $400.

1. Color and LightSince bathrooms are typically the smallest rooms in a house, it’s better to choose a lighter color since they make spaces appear larger. A light color will also contrast nicely if the bath cabinets are a dark color. If you choose a darker color for the walls it will work best if the cabinets are a light tone. In my update I chose a creamy yellow, which acted as the base for the wall color. I added six inch stripes in a deeper, golden yellow that were taped off and painted to equal the size of the lighter yellow stripes. For the light yellow I chose a satin paint and the darker yellow, a semi-gloss. The two different textures add dimension. The vertical striping also adds height to the room.

2. The Vanity-CabinetsIf the existing cabinets are sturdy but the finish is sending out a distress signal, a well-executed paint job can turn it around. Either a dark, espresso brown or a clean white are safe to go with. Whichever, it’s best to use a high gloss paint when painting cabinets to make them look both glassy and classy. My outdated, golden oak cabinets were painted with a high-gloss in dark espresso brown.

3. Add sparkleIt will add a new point of view to the bathroom by replacing the metals; cabinet hardware, faucet, lighting and outlet covers. Thoughtfully chosen, simple finish up dates can seal the deal. I chose a trendy metal that is becoming more popular, which is a brushed bronze. A basic design will cost about $80+ at Home Depot. It’s an easy, and rather low cost job for a plumber if you’re not able to do the job yourself.