No matter your handicraft experience level, the bathroom is a prime target for a DIY project. Start with something as simple as changing your lightbulbs.

Dark colors are unexpected accents in bathrooms without natural light. A fixture with an exposed bulb allows you to easily change styles. Shutterstock

BULBS BEFORE FIXTURES. Look for models where a special bulb could be put on display. You can create your own pendant accents at Maine Hardware, picking your own wrapped wiring, sockets, ornate or high-tech bulbs and more. LED bulbs do not give off heat and last for over a decade. They come in space age or vintage styles, like the models on the opposite page by FEIT Electric. The Crystalina bulb by Globe Electric, also on opposite page, is incandescent in both meanings of the word. WiFi bulbs aren’t cute, but their colors, temperature or brightness can be controlled by a smart phone, presumably from the bath.

NEUTRAL FLOOR COLORS. “If you use the right primer, you can put floor paint on almost any substrate, whether it’s wood, metal, linoleum, or tile,” says Kristen Bisson, the Inventory and Promotions Coordinator at Maine Hardware. “For substrates that are very smooth or have a lot of shine, STIX by Insl-X (Benjamin Moore) is the primer of choice.” For the top coat, the Benjamin Moore Floor and Patio paint dries fast and lasts long. “Aegean Teal” pairs well with the neutrals “Silhouette” or “Atrium White,” generating a warm, oceanic vibe. All shades featured here are currently part of Benjamin Moore’s 30 most popular colors.

WALL COLORS AND PAINTS. The Benjamin Moore Aura Bath & Spa matte finish is specially formulated to withstand humid environments. Top neutral tones include “Revere Pewter” and “Stonington Gray.” Don’t talk yourself out of dark colors. It depends on natural lighting and in a darker room, it can still be used as an accent. “Hale Navy” is a profound blue that makes a strong match for bright white tiles or cabinets.

GO WITH THE FLOW. Stop living with clear, acrylic handles, or an “H” and “C” cover that keeps popping off. Black hardware creates a contemporary look and will complement enough that your hands don’t hit a monochrome design. Brushed nickel or chrome remains a classic choice. Either way, make sure this investment is versatile. The neck should be tall enough to fit a water the back of the sink.

ASK THE EXPERTS

“Painting a bathroom is one of the trickiest rooms to do on your own. The three most important things are preparation, picking the right paint and letting it cure. You need to clean everything off, then scuff it up with 120 grit sandpaper, then wipe it off. If you have mold or water stains, you want to have an oil-based primer to lock mold and water stains in place. If you have it in your budget, choose Aura. But if you want to save some money, you should use a gloss finish. The most important is the cure: do not take a shower for five to seven days. Maybe after three you can take a fast, cold shower with the door open.” —Lisa Hebets, Paint Department

LIGHTING

“With the advent of LED lighting, we needed to have a whole new vocabulary. It used to be just wattage and intensity, but now you have to consider the temperature of the bulb. That daylight, blue LED temperature that most people are familiar with is 5000K and it might make you look like a zombie in the mirror. Use 2100K or 2700K bulbs—they have a warm temperature that will give you a much nicer rosy look.” —Paul Gross, Lighting Department

PLUMBING

“More people are coming in to fix things on their own and we help them diagnose what is going on so they can just replace parts if they need to. No customer should feel like they’re invisible. We can help. If you’re just changing out a faucet, it’s pretty simple. We will make sure you have all of the extras you need, like putty, and we will give you advice if there’s something strange going on with the model you chose. Is matte black still cool? Well, that is totally personal preference, but we recommend matching to what you already have.” —Doug Brown and Chuck Sollmann