As most renters know, there are only so many upgrades you can make to your apartment without your landlord getting a little miffed (if not very angry). They own the apartment, after all, so they should have a say in any updates or renovations that are going on.
But that doesn't mean your hands are tied– especially when it comes to the shower. Here are seven upgrades renters can make to create picture-perfect showers:
I've said it once and I'll say it again: Switching out the shower head is one of the easiest and most effective bathroom upgrades anyone can make.
Shower heads are inexpensive, easy to replace, and can make a serious difference in water pressure and flow options. Just don't forget to take the new one with you when you move!
A cute shower curtain can make a huge difference in a bathroom's style, and you don't have to spend a ton of money to get the look you're going for. Pick up a basic white shower curtain, some fabric paint in a color that complements the rest of your bathroom decor, and a stencil in a nice pattern.
Then, stencil the design across the curtain, or even just along the top and bottom. Finish the DIY project with some pretty shower curtain rings, and you'll love the end result.
For a chic shower look you can also use two curtain panels (like the ones you would hang around your windows) and have them open in the middle instead of on one side. To do this, pick up two thin shower curtain liners and two curtain panels.
To use your shower curtain rings, simply cut small holes into the top of the curtains. Hang them as you would a single shower curtain!
If you have a bunch of shampoo bottles, body washes, shaving creams, and who knows what else lining the sides of your tub, you may want to find a storage solution to make the shower look less cluttered.
Hang a mesh shoe organizer on the curtain rod or pick a pretty over-the-shower-head caddy in which to keep all of your products.
For the most part shower walls are made up of plain white or off-white tiles. While painting them may not be an option, you could use tile decals to make the shower wall a bit more decorative.
Place decals every so often along your wall, then just peel them off when you're ready to move out.
Although most of your upgrades will likely be focused on the inside of the shower, there's one thing you may want to think about changing outside of it: the light fixture.
If your bathroom only has one overhead light, you may find your showers are a little darker than you'd like them to be. Replacing the light fixture with one that allows more light into the entire room could make a big difference.
Do you have a window in your shower? Many renters do, and often their windowsills are lined with an array of shower products. However, if you store your shampoo and body wash somewhere else, the windowsill is the perfect spot for shower decor.
Place one or two candles or a couple of small plants that can handle the humid environment on the sill.
Upgrading your shower may be pretty simple, but the best way to keep it looking nice and feeling luxurious is keeping it clean.
There's nothing quite like stepping into a sparkling bathtub (unless it's taking a shower under your new swanky shower head).
Lindsay Smith is a Chicago-based freelance writer who uses her deadline-oriented writing skills for clients like Apartment Guide, Rent.com, Womensforum Media Group and Brafton.