5 Budget-Friendly Bathroom Renovation Ideas
Here are some ideas for renovating your bathroom on a budget. These five easy ideas will save you money and give your bathroom an upgrade.
Are you considering renovating your bathroom but don't want to spend a lot of money? You're not alone. Whether you're renting and can't afford a full-scale renovation or simply want to keep your costs low, there are many ways to update your bathroom on a budget.
In this post, we discuss five low-cost ways to give your bathroom a makeover. From updating your old, out-of-style bathroom to adding some personality, these ideas will help you get the job done without breaking the bank.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
Update fixtures: Swapping out old faucets, showerheads, and cabinet hardware is an affordable way to refresh the bathroom's look.
Repaint or retile: A fresh coat of paint or retiling small areas, like the backsplash, can transform the space without breaking the bank.
Upgrade lighting: Installing modern, energy-efficient lighting fixtures brightens the bathroom and gives it a contemporary feel.
Add storage solutions: Incorporating budget-friendly shelves or organizers maximizes space and reduces clutter, improving functionality.
Accessorize: New shower curtains, rugs, and decorative accents provide an easy, low-cost way to elevate the bathroom’s style.
Plan and budget
Before starting your bathroom renovation, list things that need changes, what upgrades you want done, and how you can fix them. Divide your wishlist into must-haves and nice-to-haves. This process will help you set a budget and establish realistic timelines.
If you’re having trouble figuring out what to change or how you want your bathroom to look, look at home renovation shows, magazines and other bathrooms for inspiration. Consider using a tool like the Planner 5D software to create a digital version of your dream bathroom. This way, you'll be able to see how it will look and make changes before you start the remodeling process.
Planning is a great way to save time and stay on budget. Nothing is costlier than changing things up halfway through a project or hiring a professional to fix your mistakes.
DIY as much as you can without changing the layout
One of the best ways to save money on your bathroom renovation is to do it yourself as much as possible. This could include things like painting the walls, tiling the floors, or installing new cabinets. You can find many online tutorials for different home renovation projects that can help you.
The easiest and most budget-friendly way to give your bathroom a makeover is to keep things where they are. Remodeling, including changes to the foundation, plumbing, electrical wiring or removing walls, can be costly. Changing your bathroom's footprint can also add time and increase your budget, especially if you need building permits and hire contractors.
If you absolutely need to change the arrangement of fixtures or add square footage, keep the changes to a minimum and allocate this in your budget. Get cost estimates from different contractors to help you set a realistic number.
Be creative with paint
Painting is one of the easiest and most effective ways to spruce up your bathroom. A fresh coat of paint can automatically brighten and freshen up any space. Neutral and off-white shades can make your bathroom look bigger without costly remodels. You can also use paint to create an accent wall that adds brightness and creates a focal point in your bathroom.
Walls and ceilings are not the only surfaces in your bathroom that can benefit from a fresh coat of paint. Another often overlooked solution is to paint over your existing tiles, which is cheaper and more efficient than replacing them. Breathe new life into your cabinetry by painting it instead of replacing it with a new piece.
Always make sure to use the correct type of paint for the surface you're painting over in your bathroom, be that walls or cabinetry. Some bathroom projects, like tiles, require sanding and a water-based acrylic primer before a coat of durable latex or urethane paint.
Get creative and reuse
A little creativity goes a long way. To keep costs low, consider repurposing old furniture and pieces from other rooms in your house or those you got at a yard sale. Use decorative mirrors, frames and vintage light fixtures or consider refinishing an old dresser and turning it into a shabby, chic vanity. Some of the best places for second-hand materials are reuse centers like Habitat for Humanity, antique stores, eBay, Etsy or estate sales.
Another quick tip for updating your ugly tiles or floors is to use peel and stick tiles. They go on fast and instantly transform your space without huge costs. You can use the same idea for your countertop by instantly updating it with some inexpensive vinyl film that resembles faux marble. This type of finishing is easy to apply, waterproof and resistant to heat and cuts.
You can also get creative with refinishing some of the most costly fixtures in your bathroom - tiles, tubs and sinks. Instead of replacing that avocado green tub or ripping off that pink tile, you can refinish it with a specialized refinishing kit. Created especially for high-moisture areas, the coating will make your old tiles bright and your tub looks like new. You can find many instructional videos online on how to do it.
Update your fixtures
Another easy and affordable way to renovate your bathroom is to update your fixtures. Consider replacing your ugly faucet with a modern version, and updating your doorknob, towel racks and shower curtain rods. Swapping out the hardware on your cabinets can automatically modernize your existing vanity and give it a fresh look.
If you're looking for a bigger change, you could also replace your light fixtures or add a new mirror. These small changes can significantly impact how your bathroom looks and won't cost you a lot of money. You can buy many materials for your bathroom second-hand or wait for them to go on sale.
Conclusion
Bathroom renovations don’t have to be expensive. With a few easy steps, you can transform your bathroom from drab to fab and save money in the process. We hope our tips have helped you with planning your bathroom makeover. Now you can update your bathroom and feel good about it.
