Baths and sinks need a waterproof surround as a splashback, so if you're about to decorate, there are a couple of alternatives to tiling.

If you're on a really tight budget, you can simply paint the wall with a new Kitchen & Bathroom paint by Dulux (01753) 550555. This specialist paint protects against grease, food and drink splashes in the kitchen and against moisture in the bathroom, so it should fit the bill when it comes to painting around your bath. It comes in 36 colours as well as white and costs £15.99 for 2.5 litres, £1.50 for a tester pot and £8.99 for 750ml of non-drip gloss.

Don't rule out tiles though. Topps Tiles, (0800) 783 6262, produce a range of plain budget white tiles that start at just 40p each. That's £4.44 per square metre! Bargain.

Finally, if you can dig deeper into your pockets, you could add a panel of Formica for a really smart finish. Normally used inside showers, these 2420mm x 1200mm panels can be easily cut to fit around your bath, and even better, you get a completely waterproof, smooth finish with no grout lines. From marbled black to soft pastel blue, there are 14 finishes to choose from with each panel starting at £90, excluding installation. For more details call Rearo Laminates on (0141) 440 0800.