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I have lived in two rented houses that had horrible bathrooms. They were horrible for different reasons. One had a low-ceilinged shower recess with stained tiled sides, an ugly plastic shower curtain, and was situated such that no light entered it once the curtain was closed. A charming added extra was that in winter, when the shower recess was permanently wet, slugs would climb up the plughole and across the shower walls. The room size was average, and had a small, quite pretty semi-enclosed window that only just allowed a reasonable amount of light to the rest of the room. The other bathroom had sufficient light, from a long, narrow window set above the vanity, but was old, in a tacky, tired way. It hadn't been updated for a long time, and years of tenants meant ingrained stain in the grouting and along the bathroom edges. The lino was worn and faded, and the room itself a little on the small side.

My approach to sprucing up bathrooms is based on these experiences. When it is your own bathroom and there is money available the best thing to do is rip up and tear out but this is not an option in a rental property, or when financial resources are limited. What is needed then is imagination, an eye for a bargain, and a preparedness to try anything. To be brave, and not be limited by any predetermined ideas of what a bathroom should or shouldn't be. A bathroom is an intimate space, and should be celebrated as such.

But, first things first:

IDENTIFY THE PROBLEM
Identify exactly what the major problem or problems are. Anything in a bathroom that causes discomfort or anxiety - whether it be cold, damp, smell, problems with water flow, space for storage ... slugs - will contribute greatly to how you experience the room. And given that bathrooms are also high functioning, intimate rooms, used on a daily basis, and often shared, basic comfort is essential.

TEMPERATURE PROBLEMS/DAMP
can be fixed with a small heater, at a safe distance.

The main problem with damp is mold, this can be fixed by repainting with mold resistant paint. The other problem with damp is smell, this can be overcome to an extent with air fresheners, incense, a dab of perfumed oil on the light globe. And by keeping it very, very clean. Leaving the fan on for a period also helps.

WATER PRESSURE
If it is a rental property you can contact the real estate agent but if it your own, you will need to take a deep breath, and get in a plumber. For a quote at least. It may be as simple as a washer. Or not. But first

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