Updating a bathroom can cost thousands of dollars, especially if you hire an interior designer and opt for high-end finishes like granite countertops and modern designer fixtures. While you may want a fancier bathroom, your pocketbook probably puts limits on what you can spend. Fortunately, there are affordable ways to update your bathroom, from easy fixes for worn cabinets and old fixtures to infusions of style with modern wall décor and accents. If you’re not among the nouveau riche and want a stylish, up-to-date bathroom that doesn’t cost more than a new car, read on!

New fixes for worn cabinets

Outdated cabinets can be given a fresh, modern look for the price of a pint of paint. Remove the door and drawers and place them on a work surface; lightly sand them along with the cabinet with medium-grade sandpaper; Wipe up residue with a clean, damp rag, then apply a coat of primer sealer. Let it dry completely and follow up with latex enamel paint. Creamy shades of off-white, neutral gray or brown, or even gloss black will make the cabinet look modern and stylish. Go one step further and replace the outdated sink and countertop with a one-piece molded unit that drops into the cabinet. Finish it off with a little sparkle: Sleek new faucets can be found at your favorite home improvement store, and new cabinet hardware—from polished stone to gleaming metal to stainless steel—can be found in every color, shape, and theme. to give your bathroom a new attitude.

Easy ways to modernize

o Swinging pendant lights from decades past can be easily replaced and brought into the current century by changing the lighting fixture. Simply replacing the accessory in its current location is the quickest and least expensive way to go. But if you want to install an additional or new lighting setup, the fixtures are inexpensive enough to make this upgrade worthwhile, especially if you can do the work yourself. If necessary, take a class at a home improvement store or hire an electrician by the job, not by the hour.

o An outdated medicine cabinet is fairly easy to replace with new styles that look like contemporary framed wall mirrors. Tilting mirrors that rotate on hinges are another great modern look. Bring the look together by adding wall decor and modern accents that complement the new mirror.

o Keep the look clean and modern by minimizing clutter. Countertops that showcase modern tabletop accents will give the bathroom a spa chic appeal. Less is more; let a few well-chosen pieces set the mood and style. Repeat colors and styles in wall decorations that add subtlety and style. A wrought iron wall hanging in a bold graphic shape will add dimension to walls while keeping the room looking airy and open. Choose accents that don’t add clutter; For example, simple glass shelves with modern metal brackets allow you to store daily necessities in simple glass containers while adding a decorative vase or small sculpture for a dose of modern flair.

o Go with the flow when your bathroom has flooring or tile in good condition. Even if the colors are dated (think 1960s aqua blue), you can use this feature to your advantage. All white porcelain fixtures against aqua tile will look fresh and clean. CHOOSE YOUR LOOK WITH ACCESSORIES: Vintage-inspired chrome hardware and towel racks add a retro touch; matte gray accessories can inspire a calmer, more neutral palette; Or make it fun and colorful with brightly colored striped towels and a shower curtain that echo the aqua hue along with hints of hot coral and sunshine yellow.