We share 8 easy ideas for updating your bathroom -  whatever the budget - with help from Maria Schindlecker. The bathroom above is by Sydney interior designer Justine Hugh-Jones.

Do you dream of having a day spa permanently attached to your home for relaxation and serenity at the end of a long day? Or do you long to add colour and texture to a plain-Jane functional space? Whatever your style, and however bad things seem, we're here to help with small style ideas that will have a big impact.


Image via Domaine Home.

Vanity fair
Replacing the handles of your vanity unit makes a big impact for a relatively small cost. If the unit is made of timber, a new coat of paint will dramatically change its look. You could consider decorating inset door panels with wallpaper, or line the drawers for a fresh feel.


Image by Roger Davies via Desire to Inspire

Reflected glory
If you have a plain mirror, switch it to one with a decorative frame to add character. Increasing the size of the mirror can also allow more light to bounce around and make the room feel larger.


Image via Lonny.

Wonder walls
Even bathroom walls deserve attention. Framed art, photographs or wall decals can make the space feel less clinical, but make sure you don't hang them too close to a steamy shower. Go crazy in a powder room, where steam isn't an issue - we love wallpaper in a small space, too.


Image by Nikole Ramsay for Inside Out.

Linen love
Make sure your towels are up to scratch, and consider updating to a new set. Don't forget your bath mats and hand towels, which are often the first to wear out.  If a day spa is your dream, sticky to the fluffy white variety. Otherwise, try Aura's vibrant colour and graphic designs or make the switch to lightweight Turkish (hammam) towels in sorbet stripes for Summer. Changing the colour and design of your towels can change the mood completely.


Image via Pinterest

Waxing lyrical
A beautiful scented candle is an indulgent treat for the bathroom, especially when it comes in a pretty container or glass jar. A stylish accessory with mood-lifting qualities is a win-win in our book.


Michael C Hall's bathroom, via Lonny.

Form over function
Make sure any of the accessories you display in your bathroom are beautiful as well as functional. If not, transfer products to glass, ceramic or wooden vessels or bowls, or natural baskets to add a natural element and a hand-made feel.


Image via Pinterest

Blooming beautiful 
Beautiful flowers are a stylist's greatest trick. Fresh cut flowers or foliage, a single bloom or branch, or an elegant potted orchid or fern. Nature is never wrong.


Image by Steven Carlisch for D Magazine

Vintage vibe
If you have the space, incorporate a freestanding piece of furniture to make your space unique. A rustic ladder, a small table or timber stool, or a weather cabinet will all add a sense of patina.

All images from our Bathrooms Pinterest board - follow us there to see over 100 beautiful bathrooms.