Bathrooms in many rental homes tend towards being more functional than stylish.  However, if you're a renter and would like to spruce up your dull-looking or outdated bathroom without spending much of your hard earned cash, here are some ideas to help you perform that much-needed bathroom makeover without blowing your budget.

Introduce A New Color Scheme
Color has a huge effect on the appearance of a room and it's easy to bring color into your décor (or get rid of those lurid purple walls!).  Replacing bathroom tiles can be costly and requires skill, but simply repainting the ceiling, walls and woodwork is relatively cheap and easy to do.  You may be surprised at the difference a coat of paint can make!  There are special bathroom paints available that are more suited to damp conditions and inhibit the growth of mold.  They come in a wide range of colors, including popular blue/green shades.

Don't Forget Your Sink Vanity and Wall Cabinets
Bathroom cabinets and vanities tend to catch the eye, so if they look unattractive they can really let down the appearance of the whole room.  Start by having a good old clear out and get rid of any clutter that's taking up storage space or making your vanity top look untidy.  Then give your cabinets and vanity unit a thorough clean.  If they still don't look great after cleaning, consider painting the doors or changing the door handles to give them an entirely new look.  Try to then make better use of the storage space inside your cabinets, so your vanity doesn't become covered in toiletries and cosmetics.  If you run short of space in your cabinets, use some attractive wicker baskets or something similar to display all your makeup and accessories neatly on your work surface, rather than in a disorganized pile!

Accessorize
Changing the smaller details of your bathroom's appearance all adds up to make a big improvement on the overall look and feel of the room.  For instance, replacing a moldy or just plain ugly shower curtain with a cheap new one can make a world of difference.  Bathroom shower curtains come in all kinds of colors and patterns and are easy to hook into place.  Look for something that goes with the theme of your décor - aquatic and nautical themes are popular examples.  Add matching bath mats and towels that coordinate with or enhance your color scheme.  You get the idea!

These are just a few ideas to get you started - as you can see, with a little creativity it's possible to transform a shabby old bathroom and create a welcoming and relaxing ambiance - for minimal expense and effort.

About The Author:
Simon Phillips is a budget-conscious DIY enthusiast and a contributor to www.showers-bathrooms.com,  a site that offers lots of helpful bathroom design and decorating tips.