Splash out

How many of us live with the bathroom from hell? You know the story... you love the house, except for the awful loo. Whether it be a yucky avocado suite, or the postage-stamp size of the room, most of us have a problem or two with our bathrooms.

The good news is that with a little bit of cash, a lot of imagination and a fair amount of hard work you can transform your bathroom into a room of which you can be proud.

Long gone are the days when the bathroom was merely functional. Yes, it is a private room, but one which family and friends will use as well. Most of all, it is the place we first enter at the beginning of the day, and unwind in late at night in a hot tub. It should be capable of invigorating us and helping us relax.

So it makes sense to want our bathroom to look the best it can.

If your budget doesn't stretch to a new suite, don't worry. You can still give the room a revamp without breaking the bank. Here's how:

COLOURED SUITES

Many homeowners will have inherited coloured suites when they bought their houses. While avocado or navy blue suites may not be your first choice, careful use of paint colour and accessories can turn them into a style success.

For example, neutral shades of creams and off-whites teamed with natural flooring, wooden cabinets, loo seats and toilet holders and perhaps a linen or bamboo blind would complement an avocado suite and bring it out of the Seventies into the 21st century. If in doubt, ask your local DIY shop for advice.

Or if you want to decorate an old cast iron bath, Plasti-Kote has a range of spray paints which can give it an up-to-date look. Remember to use an anti-rust primer first. The even better news is that bathroom accessories can be spray painted in the same colour for a co-ordinated look. Plasti-Kote decorative spray paints come in 23 colours and cost around £5.99 for a 400ml can.

Again, seek advice from your local DIY shop.

WALLS

Colour will help create the right atmosphere and mood for your bathroom. When thinking about colour, take into account the lighting of your bathroom. A 'cold' dark room needs a warmer-coloured suite such as soft cream or peach, whereas a bright sunny room often looks best with the lighter shades of suite and decor.

Mirrors and extra lighting can often make a big difference.

For a stylish and striking look, you could opt for tongue-and-groove wood panelling, which rather than being painted could be decorated with a colour wash so you keep the lovely grain effect. Cuprinol Woodwashes from Barnitts, Colliergate, York, will do this job.

TILES

If you have an ugly suite, chances are you've also inherited some unsightly tiles. Before you contemplate stripping them off and starting again, remember you can paint over them. Ask at your local DIY shop for products you can use to paint over existing tiles. International has a range fit for the job. To use, make sure your tiles are clean, apply a tile primer over the surface and grout. Once dry, sand lightly to remove brush marks and paint another coat. Finally, apply some tile gloss in the colour of your choice. Leave to dry for six hours for a hard-wearing waterproof finish.

ACCESSORIES

This is where you can really make your bathroom your own. Stamp your mark with your pick of shower curtain, towels and bath mats.

Don't forget mirrors, toilet-roll holders and soap dishes, which can all help create your desired look. And if you choose a theme, such as seashore or stainless steel, shopping for the desired items shouldn't be too hard as bathroom accessories have become a boom industry in recent years.

High street shops such as Bhs, Next and Marks & Spencer have a great selection, and would be a good place to start. Other good sources are Argos, Habitat and Barnitts of York. It might also be worth checking out Just Bathrooms, Main Street, Acomb, a new specialist shop offering a wide choice of bathrooms and accessories as well as a design, consultation and installation service.

PICTURE: Brighten up a plain white bathroom with these fresh colours from Dulux. Walls are painted with Fresh Aqua kitchens and bathrooms soft sheen emulsion and woodwork in Soft Lilac satinwood