Budget-Friendly Bathroom Renovations: A Guide to Keeping Costs Low

So you intend to make some bathroom renovations, but don't want to spend more than you can afford. The good news is that you don’t need a lot of money to remodel your bathroom and turn it into a relaxing, cool area. There are a lot of things you can do to remodel and renovate your bathroom on a budget.

Studies show that it'll cost an average of about $10,500 to remodel your bathroom, while on the upscale; it'll cost around $26,000. But if you do most of the work on your own and get creative, you can do a bathroom renovation for $1,000 or even less, depending on the things you intend to change. 

You have to know the amount you're willing to spend to determine the extent of changes you'll have to make. If you're working with a very low budget (less than $1,000), try and make just cosmetic changes, like adding a new sink, paint, or fixtures. If you have a bigger budget, you can make major changes like changing the tiling, shower, or window. This largely depends on your budget.

Budget-friendly bathroom renovations could be made up of:

• New window treatments
• Changing your shower curtains with more fashionable shower doors
• Fixing molding
• Repairing drywall
• Changing old tiles
• Updating paint colors
• Changing fixtures like mirrors, faucets, towel bars, and cabinets
• Replacing your sink

 

Choosing the Right Vanity Based on Space and Price

The right bathroom vanity can serve as a great centerpiece to your bathroom because it gives an excellent platform to show your sink and give enough storage space.

Vanity is made up of a bathroom basin or sink and storage space around it. Generally, it has a round, square, or rectangular shape, giving both storage space and an anchor point for your sink.

Having a vanity in your bathroom can dramatically help you change the aesthetic of your bathroom, particularly if you're remodeling the bathroom. Whatever style you wish to use, contemporary or vernacular, a bathroom vanity will give your bathroom an exclusive edge.

There are various options for bathroom vanities, both in terms of cost and design. A quality vanity may cost over $1,500. But there are some factors that you should take into account before choosing a new vanity. They include:

• What size vanity do you need?

The size of your bathroom will have a great impact on the vanity you'll need. There are vanities for all sizes of bathrooms, but most are more ideal for medium to big bathrooms. A vanity needs a lot of space to install and may not be suitable for smaller bathrooms.

A great place to install a vanity is in a master bathroom because it can use every available size of vanity. For a guest bathroom, you'll need a double or single vanity. 

• What material is the best bang for your buck?

The materials that the vanity is made of are vital in determining how the vanity will look and feel. Vanity is made up of two parts - a top and a base, both having different materials.

Top of the vanity

• Granite: This is a very durable material that gives the vanity a beautiful look. 
• Marble: It is made up of a metamorphic rock created from recrystallized carbonate minerals. Even though it lasts for a long time, it is very susceptible to scratching. 
• Quartz: Tops made with quartz are durable because they are harder than granite and are non-porous. 
• Glass: Countertops made with glass are aesthetically pleasing and visually beautiful. 

The base of a vanity

• Board: This is made from wood chips, making it a manufactured wood product. The benefit of particleboard is that it is affordable and easy to make. 
• Plywood: Made up of various layers of wood covered with veneer to make it stronger. Plywood is relatively affordable, easily found, and easy to work with. 
• Solid wood: This is naturally polished, lasts for a long time, and is aesthetically pleasing.

 

Deciding What to Re-Use or What to Add New (mirror, faucet, lights)

If you're remodeling your bathroom and finding it difficult deciding what stays and what doesn't remember that you only have to balance the advantages and disadvantages - and your budget.

Reuse if

• They’re not older than five years: Although some things can last for a lifetime, older materials are difficult to disconnect and reconnect compared to newer ones.
• You’ve never made a service call on them: Service calls mean they've gotten faulty or have aged. If you’ve never encountered an issue with your appliance, reuse it.
• They match with the new design: If you love an item in your bathroom and it matches with your new remodeling design, you can rethink reusing it.

Replace if

• They look old: Older items are more difficult to remodel compared to newer ones.
• You've repaired them severally: You should replace an item if you've had to call a professional to fix it.
• They take too much space: Having enough space in your bathroom can make it look newer. Consider removing larger items to create more room.

 

Setting a Plan for your Budget, and Sticking to it

To effectively remodel your bathroom at an affordable rate, you must plan for your budget and stick to it. Also, consider the things you want to change and things you can live with. Planning a budget for a bathroom remodeling project can be a test of your self-control. 

Even though you can create a spa retreat in your master bedroom, that doesn't mean that your family will live without food for the rest of their lives. Your big ideas shouldn't cancel out plans for other home remodeling projects. 

Therefore, approach the bathroom remodeling budgeting process realistically. You can do almost everything on a budget because manufacturers provide various fixtures and finishes that can get the job done. You should do your homework by researching all your available options on the market. Read through magazines and contact professionals.

 

Swapping out Accessories and Keeping Large Fixtures to Save Money 

This can make the space look refreshed very quickly for very cheap. The best option to save money is to retain and refurbish your existing bathroom materials. However, if you want to change materials, cheap alternatives can also look amazingly like the real thing. For instance, instead of getting real wood plank flooring, go for luxury vinyl flooring.

 

Add New Paint and Tile Styles and Keep Other Fixtures to Refresh the Space

Tiles can be very expensive, particularly if a contractor lays them for you. To save cost, reduce the number of tiles and focus on high-impact places such as the floor. You can also tile one horizontal strip along the wall and paint the remaining area. If you're working with a budget, repainting will be the cheapest and, perhaps, the most effective way to remodel your bathroom.

 

Final Word

A budget-friendly bathroom renovation is attainable, even if it seems impossible. Usually, bathroom remodeling takes a toll on homeowners due to their high costs. This is why you should think outside the box and get smarter and more economical alternatives. Not only will a budget-friendly bathroom remodel give you a clean, bright, and functional bathroom, it'll also help you save more money.