50 Ways to Brighten Up Your Bathroom

Summer's a great time to give your bathroom a bright makeover. Perking up your bathroom doesn't have to be expensive, either. Below are 50 cheap ways to update one of the most used rooms in your home, provided by StyleatHome.com:

'1. Repaint - nothing perks up a room like a fresh coat of paint.

2. Invest in new towels to replace any that are looking worse for wear.

3. If you're running out of space to store toiletries, keep the overflow in a rustic wooden bowl or wicker basket.

4. Declutter. Clearing off the surface of your bathroom counter does wonders for making the room look fresh and clean.

5. Install new faucets for a quick upgrade.

6. Add fresh flowers.

7. Opt for colorful towels if your bathroom walls are a neutral color.

8. Play with patterns without having to turn to wallpaper or a new paint job with inexpensive wall decals.

9. Floating candles in a glass bowl on the counter add warmth.

10. Toiletries in beautiful packaging can go a long way to pretty up your counter.

11. Replace your shower curtain.

12. Place a tall vase filled with dried flowers on the floor for some rustic charm.

13. Incense in an ornate holder is functional and decorative.

14. Line the counter with matching accessories (toothbrush holder, soap dispenser) ideally from the same line, for a uniform look.

15. Install a floating shelf above the toilet and line with small plants that don't require a lot of light.

16. Shampoo, conditioner, and soap dispensers eliminate clutter around the tub.

17. Place a small stool in one corner of the bathroom and neatly stack towels on it.

18. Search out some interesting hooks for bath towels.

19. Room diffusers are both decorative and do a lot to refresh the room.

20. A wall-mounted magazine rack creates space.

21. House extra rolls of toilet paper in a ceramic pot or urn.

22. Find a new use for an old chair by painting it a bright color and stacking magazines on it.

23. Line drawers with pretty wallpaper samples.

24. Fill a square, glass container with shells you or your kids have collected from various family vacations.

25. Group candles of varying sizes around the bathtub for instant ambiance.

26. Tie colorful ribbon around small groupings of rolled up neutral-colored hand towels. Display on the counter.

27. Put a small shelf behind the toilet to store books.

28. Frame a piece of corkboard and use it to house your jewelry. Chances are you're probably choosing accessories at the same time you're applying makeup.

29. Frame vacation photos of the beach or waterfalls for some aqua-themed style.

30. Clear up clutter around the tub with a simple shower caddy.

31. If there is a window in your bathroom, add plants for a nice splash of green in your space.

32. Stagger towel hooks for an asymmetrical display of bath towels, ideally in graduating shades of the same color.

33. Purge all the junk that's accumulated in the drawers of the vanity. No wonder you can't find the tweezers!

34. If you have kids, avoid countertop chaos by assigning each their own toiletries basket. There are many inexpensive options at most home decor stores.

35. Treat yourself to a bamboo bath caddy, with spots for a book, candle, and glass of wine.

36. Clean out the medicine cabinet regularly to avoid a pile-up of expired creams and capsules.

37. Do away with the ratty bath mat and replace with something plush and soft.

38. Line the back of the counter with small glass bottles and place a fresh cut flower in each.

39. Clean the bathroom from top to bottom to make it sparkle.

40. Add artwork if you have the wall space.

41. A stack of three neatly folded black or charcoal towels on a white countertop makes a style statement, so long as the counter is clear of clutter.

42. Replace an over-the-sink medicine cabinet with one that fits tightly in the corner if you have the room. Install an elegant mirror in its place.

43. Store the little things in a pretty box or basket with a lid to avoid a tidal wave of trinkets taking over the counter.

44. House makeup in a vintage-inspired jewelry box.

45. Remove the door to one cabinet and show off your prettiest toiletries and perfume bottles.

46. Get rid of any cleaning products you have lying around. Store these under the sink in the kitchen.

47. Put a small end table beside the tub (of the same height) and use it to house your bath towel while you're soaking.

48. Install new knobs or pulls on cabinets. Brushed metal is a stylish option.

49. Put dimmers on light fixtures so you can have the option of softer lighting.

50. Try to keep clutter off your counter all the time, not just when company's coming.'

Do you think any of these options can help you upgrade your own bathroom? Follow these tips to keep your bathroom looking and feeling fresh.

Bathroom Spring Cleaning Tips

Now's the time to get your spring cleaning done in the bathroom! Read these spring cleaning tips to make sure that your bathroom is in tip-top shape for summer:

• Grab all necessary supplies (basket, mop, hamper, trash container, disinfectant wipes, glass cleaner).
• Dust the ceiling and corners of the room.
• Dust all vents and fans.
• Take down draperies, curtains, or blinds to wash or have cleaned according to the directions.
• Scrub your shower and tub.
• Scrub down the toilet.
• Wash the inside and outside of the medicine cabinet and linen closets.
• Wash the sink and other bathroom fixtures.
• Shake out bathroom rugs.
• Sweep and mop the floor.
• Empty and wash out the trashcan.

These tips will prepare you for summer and leave your home looking and feeling cleaner. 

Tips provided by About.com.

ABOUT BATH PLANET®

Based in Palatine, IL, Bath Planet® was created by BCI® Acrylic Bath Systems founders Tom Barzantny and Scott Rosenbach. BCI® recognized a need for greater consistency between manufacturers and dealers in the tub and shower liner industry, and established their one-stop-shop company in 1999. Bath Planet® is backed by BCI®, a privately held, manufacturer of tub and shower-liner systems with a network of more than 550 independent dealers throughout the United States and Canada. Bath Planet® has earned the coveted Good Housekeeping Seal, recognizing the exceptional quality of its liner systems. For more information about Bath Planet®, visit our website at www.bathplanet.com.