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Let’s be honest: A full bathroom renovation is rarely in the cards. Sure, you might be yearning to start completely fresh, but the reality is, a complete remodel is expensive—in fact, a whopping 64-percent of homeowners underestimate how much it really costs. But that doesn’t mean you have to live with a space you’ve grown tired of. There are plenty of ways you can upgrade without shelling out a ton of cash.
These simple tweaks—many of which Domino homeowners have pulled off themselves—prove that paint, peel-and-stick, and a little ingenuity can go a long way. From making over your medicine cabinet to faking a custom sink skirt, these are the easiest ways to transform your bath without a demo.
Skip Tile in Favor of Wainscoting (and Wallpaper)
You don’t need to tile your walls to make your bathroom feel finished. Instead, steal a page from Dan Pelosi’s Hudson Valley house and go halfsies—literally. Wainscoting panels (which you can find pre-cut at most hardware stores) painted in a punchy hue look instantly polished and protect your walls. Top it off with wallpaper or a bold paint color above, and you’ve got a high-impact combo that costs way less than marble.
Upgrade Your Exhaust Fan With a Minimalist, Easy-to-Install Mount
Most bathroom exhaust fans are eyesores. But if yours is working just fine, there’s no need to replace it—just cover it up. Fittes’ Framed Exhaust Mount Lite hides the bulk of your fan behind a sleek panel that blends right into the ceiling. It’s easy to install and makes your bath look so much more considered.
Dress Up the Sink With a DIY Skirt
If your pedestal sink or open vanity leaves little to the imagination (hello, cleaning supplies and TP), a simple curtain can be your best friend. Use adhesive brackets to hang a gathered fabric panel around the base and secure it with velcro tape. No sewing machine? Hemming tape will do the trick. Bonus points if you pick a print that plays nicely with your bath mat.
Give Your Showerhead a Glow-Up
Swapping out your standard-issue showerhead for a sleeker, smarter version is the fastest way to make your morning feel a little more spa-like. Whether you opt for a rainfall model, a high-pressure hand shower, or one with built-in LED lights, this is a 10-minute install that makes a daily difference.
Frost Your Windows for Light-Friendly Privacy
If your bathroom window faces the neighbors (or the street, or your own backyard), you’ve probably been forced to choose between privacy and natural light. And if that window is in your shower, there’s really no debate—you need this fix. Peel-and-stick frosted window film blurs the view while still letting the sun pour in, and it holds up in wet zones. It takes about 15 minutes to apply.
Rethink Your Medicine Cabinet and Sconces
A clunky medicine cabinet can quietly derail an otherwise serene bathroom. Upgrade to a mirrored version with hidden storage to streamline your morning routine—and the overall vibe. If changing it out isn’t in the cards, a fresh coat of paint on the frame goes a long way. Complete the picture with new sconces in a finish that rounds out the look. Just like that, your sink wall becomes the most considered corner of the room.
Give Exposed Pipes a Fresh Coat—and a Fresh Look
Take a cue from the founders of Quiet Town, who gave their under-sink plumbing a makeover with a little bit of paint in unexpected hues. Just make sure to use a formula that works for metal (and let it fully dry before turning the water back on).
Swap Out Your Basic Toilet Seat for One With a Bidet
You don’t need to overhaul your toilet to make it feel high-end. A bidet seat attachment is surprisingly simple to install—just unscrew the old seat, pop the new one on, and connect it to the water line. It’s a small upgrade that delivers daily luxury, no renovation necessary.
