It is possible to update your bathroom on a budget, and here are a few simple tips that will take your bathroom from the 1970s to 2014 without spending a fortune: Paint the bathroom with a bold, contemporary color, and buy accessories such as a shower curtain and hand towels that will help compliment your color palette. Compare bathroom lighting costs online to ensure you are getting the best price. Use an old piece of furniture as a vanity and get granite remnants for the counter top. Perhaps most importantly, have a solid plan and all of your materials purchased before beginning work. More here