Budget-Minded Bathroom Remodeling Tips

The Easy Stuff

If budget is a factor in updating your bathroom, first consider these “low-hanging fruit” ideas. These changes will not cost a lot, and many are easy to do yourself if you own a screwdriver and hammer.

Consider heading to your local home store to replace the following:

Light plates and floor vent covers. You’ll be surprised how much replacing your old rusty vent covers and plastic light plates with something more stylish will spruce up the room.

Mirror over the vanity. Mirrors can be a work of art. Find one that makes a statement. Keep maintenance in mind when selecting a framed mirror – toothpaste spatters are easier to clean off a smooth frame than an intricate one.

Bath mat and towels. Practical and necessary, they can also add a little luxury. Move that smashed-down mat to the garbage and splurge on a plush new bath mat that coordinates with your new plush towels!

Accessories. Take a look at your soap dish, toothbrush holder, shower curtain – even your trashcan. Moldy? Mismatched? Head for the store and have some fun upgrading these items to achieve a more cohesive and decorative flair.

Hardware. Maybe new cabinets are not in the budget, but consider replacing the pulls on doors and drawers for a whole new look. And hey, you might as well upgrade your towel racks and toilet paper holder while you’re at it!

Light fixtures. Lighting can dramatically change the feel of a room, especially a dark bathroom. Swap out your task lights – the lights you use to shave or put on makeup – and consider putting them at eye level rather than above the mirror to avoid shadows on your face. Also, improve ambient (indirect) lighting with recessed cans or by adding a fabulous decorative chandelier.

Shelving. Install open shelving to save on the cost of adding cabinetry. Not only will this provide more storage – and get your toiletries off the vanity and into a decorative container on the shelf – but adds a place to show off photos or other special trinkets that add personality to the room.

Furniture. Who says you can only have a toilet and a sink? Get a spa feel with homey accents – a small table with flowers, an old trunk filled with towels or a comfy chair.

New paint. We know you already thought of this idea, but be sure to pick the right finish for a bathroom. In the past, most experts recommended a satin or semi-gloss finish in bathrooms to protect walls from moisture. However, if your walls have a lot of imperfections, such as nicks from removing wall paper, the shinier paint finishes will emphasize these lumps and bumps. Nowadays, some paint manufacturers offer products specially formulated to be moisture resistant and matte finish, which is better for masking imperfections. Talk to your paint dealer to find the right paint finish for your situation.

Wall art and window treatments. Pull your room together with these finishing touches. Consider hanging a large clock as wall art, and never be late for work again! Add privacy and style with bamboo shades, wooden shutters or plastic window film that looks like stained glass.

A Few More Ideas

If the update you envision goes beyond the little things, here are a few more tips for your remodel:

Some things are better left alone. If you want to change the floor plan, be sure to consider what’s behind the walls and under the floors before you begin. It’s much less expensive to keep the plumbing where it is. And for older homes, it may be more trouble than it’s worth to remove wall or floor tiles if they were installed on an old-style concrete bed.

Cabinetry. To save cash, consider re-facing existing cabinetry instead of buying new ones. Or look for stock, off-the-shelve products instead of custom building. If your bathroom is small, you can gain space by recessing a storage cabinet into the wall between the wall studs.

Vanity. Your bathroom sink and countertops don’t have to cost an arm and a leg. You can have the look of natural stone and even an undermount sink at a fraction of the cost of real stone by choosing laminate surfacing. Solid surfacing is another less expensive option that gives you a seamless look and allows for an integrated sink and backsplash. Read more about bathroom vanity top options.

Plan Where to Splurge, Where to Save

Before you begin your remodel, decide your priorities. You can easily spend $1,000 or more on a luxury whirlpool tub or heated floor. Plan to spend more on your must-haves and save in other ways with some of the ideas above.