Bathrooms are one of my favorite rooms in a home to renovate. They’re often small, so there’s not a lot of square footage to drive up the time and cost.
However, bathrooms also have some of the most expensive fixtures in the whole house. But you can revamp your bathroom with any budget, and I’ll show you how!
How I Renovated My Bathroom for $500
That’s not a typo. Using my skills and experience in the field as a home flipper, I overhauled my bathroom for just $500.
Keep in mind that I was lucky enough to have a reasonably new bathtub to work with, which eliminated a considerable cost.
However, if your tub is old or damaged, consider using a refinishing kit before replacing the unit.
What I Used
I used simple spruce lumber and constructed my vanity using a tutorial I found on Pinterest. Something that could have cost me a couple of thousand dollars ended up being around $80, including the cost of stain and varnish.
Instead of the expensive shower and tub tiles, I nabbed some 12×12 ceramic floor tiles on sale for a dollar apiece. I upgraded to the strongest mortar I could find and used the tiles to construct a new tub surround. Overall cost: $100.
For flooring, I headed to my local building supplies store and looked through their “off-cuts bin”. This is where they put pieces of lumber, flooring, and other items that are too small to sell or were leftover from a damaged item. I grabbed enough vinyl flooring for my small bathroom, which only cost $50.
Now, onto the more expensive items. I found a gorgeous amber glass vessel bowl sink on Amazon during a Black Friday sale for $50. I found an excellent Moen vessel sink faucet in the clearance bin at my local home supply store for $75.
Paint, a new towel and toilet paper hardware, lighting and mirror, a curved shower rod, and a fresh shower curtain took up the rest of my budget, and, in the end, I sat just under $500. You really can’t get any better than that.
Quick Tips for Keeping Costs Down
Renovating a bathroom can be costly and time-consuming, but there are several inexpensive ways to overhaul the look and feel of your bathroom without breaking the bank, I promise.
You can achieve a beautiful new bathroom without spending a fortune by making intelligent choices and being strategic about your renovations. You can even update your bathroom over time, as your budget allows. Try tackling these ten areas one at a time.
Paint
One of the cheapest ways to update your bathroom is to paint the walls. A simple coat of paint will make a massive difference, and it’s a project that most homeowners can do themselves.
When choosing bathroom paint, opt for moisture-resistant paint explicitly designed for bathrooms. The best choices will say ‘kitchen & bath paint’ on the label.
Update Hardware
Updating the hardware in your bathroom is another inexpensive way to give it a fresh new look. This includes things like faucets, towel bars, and drawer pulls.
New hardware will give your bathroom a polished and updated look, but it can also be more functional and improve the room’s overall functionality.
New Lighting
Replacing old lighting fixtures can also be a budget-friendly way to update your bathroom. Consider installing a new overhead light and adding sconces or other types of task lighting. Not only will this brighten up the room, but it can also add a decorative touch and make the space more inviting. For a unique and modern touch, you might want to explore Astro ceiling lights, which offer a sleek and minimalist design that complements various bathroom styles while providing efficient and stylish illumination.
Replace the Shower Curtain or Door
Another simple and inexpensive way to refresh your bathroom is to replace the shower curtain or door. This is super quick and easy to update the room’s look without spending much money. Consider choosing a new color or pattern to add visual interest.
Add Decor
Adding new decor to your bathroom can also be a budget-friendly way to update the space. Simple items like new towels, rugs, and art can add color and personality to the room. Consider incorporating plants or flowers as well for a natural touch.
Re-caulk and Grout
Re-caulking and regrouting can make an old bathroom look brand new. This is a relatively simple task that most homeowners can do, and it’s a great way to update the look of your bathroom without spending a lot of money.
Replace or Add a Vanity
A new vanity can be a great way to update the look of your bathroom, but it can also be a costly renovation. Consider replacing the countertop or sink on your existing vanity to save money. Another option is to add a new vanity to your bathroom to create more storage space.
Add a Mirror
Adding a new mirror to your bathroom can be a great way to update the space. Mirrors can reflect light and make a small bathroom feel larger.
They can also be decorative elements in many different styles and shapes.
Upgrade the Flooring
Upgrading the flooring in your bathroom can be an affordable way to update the space. Vinyl flooring is an affordable option that can be installed relatively easily. Another option is ceramic tile flooring, which is durable and relatively easy to clean.
Consider DIY
I think DIY projects are a great way to save money on bathroom renovations. From painting to installing new hardware, there are many tasks that homeowners can do themselves.
Not only will you save money by doing the work yourself, but you’ll also be satisfied knowing that you did it.
FAQs
Can I redo my bathroom for $5,000?
That’s a very generous budget; you can do that. However, if you’re replacing fixtures like the tub and toilet, it can get pricey.
How can I upgrade my bathroom for less than $100?
Pick one area you want to update the most and focus on that. It could be a fresh coat of paint, a tub coating kit, or new hardware.
What’s the cheapest way to remodel a shower?
A tub and shower finishing kit can breathe new life into an old shower.
Budget Wisely
Renovating a bathroom does not have to be a costly and time-consuming task. You can achieve a beautiful new bathroom without spending a fortune by making smart choices and being strategic about your renovations.
Ultimately, the key to a successful and budget-friendly bathroom renovation is prioritising your needs and wants and being creative with your solutions. With minimal planning and effort, you can have a beautiful new bathroom that you’ll love for years.