Easy Ways to Freshen Up Your Bathroom Countertop
From a new surface to simple decorative touches, try these clever, budget-friendly countertop tips from designers and DIYers.
Luxury for Less
Right Place, Right Time
Save with your materials and color choices. These bathroom countertops are Silestone, a quartz material that can get pricey. But Atlanta DIY blogger and stylist Jo Torrijos purchased them from a home improvement store at the right time -- when there was a special offer. Plus, she says the color she chose was in the “A” category, so it was one of the less expensive color options and comparable to lower-priced granite.
Past Becomes New
Usher an heirloom into the 21st century by turning it into a vanity. The wash basin belonged to the homeowner’s parents, so metro Atlanta builder Austin Lineberry fitted it with a vessel sink to turn it into a wash station flowing with character.
Au Naturel
Flawless Finish
Think outside the box with vanities in small spaces. Jo Torrijos, an Atlanta DIYer and stylist, created a makeup vanity area in her spa blue bathroom with a shelf that’s deep enough to hold the essentials. She used a small slab of Silestone for the shelf.
Secret Design
Saved Leftovers
A small countertop in a guest bathroom is an opportunity to use remnant pieces, achieving high style with huge savings. Metro Atlanta builder Austin Lineberry did just that to save money per square foot on this granite counter. The gorgeous gray tile complements the counter and looks more expensive than it was, because it was stock glass tile from a home improvement store.
A Bit of Bling
High-Design Dispensers
Hint of Color
Unexpected Items
Age Can Be Beautiful
Sleek Shelves
Instead of using the typical bathroom counter with cabinet underneath, follow Unique Techniques designer Cindy Garten’s example and sandwich a stylish sink basin between sleek shelves that match your bathroom. This eliminates the usual bulkiness that comes with a bathroom countertop and cabinet and creates a more eclectic design.
Shiny Space
Floral and Fresh
All the Senses
Tile Accent
Spa-Like Scene
A great way to balance your counter’s decor is to have similar or identical containers holding different items. Here, sponges and bath salts add a pretty, spa-like quality to the decor without overwhelming the visual space, and the silk flowers in the center add a soft, organic touch.
Decorative Towels
Red Hot
If the countertops are in good condition and a neutral color, a simple bright tray can really jazz things up. Designer Jennifer Foster redid this 1990s builder bathroom for a client who did not want childish decor that her two sons would soon outgrow. The red metal tray fits with the primary colors in the pictures of Matchbox cars hanging on nearby walls, which Foster’s husband photographed specifically for the space.
Winning Textures
If you’re decorating your counters with several similar color tones, it’s important to add interest with textures and size. This large coral piece and wooden bowl make a beautiful display, and the bowl is a great place for sponges, soaps and other spare toiletries for guests.
