Budget-Friendly Ideas For A Bathroom Makeover

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A bathroom makeover can be both exciting and intimidating, especially when you're on a tight budget. However, with some creativity and the right strategies, you can transform your bathroom into a stylish and functional space without breaking the bank. In this article, we'll explore 25 budget-friendly ideas to help you redesign your bathroom, from simple updates to more involved projects.

1. Revitalize Your Claw-Foot Tub

Sometimes an old tub simply needs a boost rather than being replaced. Instead of spending thousands on a new tub, consider reglazing your existing claw-foot tub. This process involves applying a new layer of enamel to the surface, which can be done professionally or as a DIY project. You can make it a graphic focal point by coloring the outside a deep or vibrant hue, or give it a soft contrast between a white interior and muted exterior, whichever treatment suits your space best.

2. Have Fun With Wallpaper

Wallpaper is an excellent way to add color and pattern to your bathroom without the high cost of new tile or paint. Look for coated wallpaper that's easy to clean and can stand up to high humidity. Alternatively, you can create your own graphic wall covering using inexpensive peel-and-stick designs. This is a great way to add personality to your bathroom without spending a fortune.

3. Use Faux Candles

Create a candlelight effect in your bathroom without the fire hazard by using battery-powered LED wax pillars. Install salvaged wall candle sconces to hold them, giving your bathroom instant ambiance. This is a simple and cost-effective way to enhance the lighting and aesthetic of your bathroom.

4. Try a New Towel Rack

Update your towel rack with a flea-market coat rack. Just be sure to seal its aged finish under clear polyurethane for durability. Alternatively, turn towels into decorative accents with a row of Shaker-style pegs. This adds functionality while also enhancing the visual appeal of your bathroom.

5. Add a Tub Surround

Give a drop-in tub vintage appeal by paneling its exterior. To guard against rot on wood surrounds, make the deck out of plywood topped by a sheet of waterproof laminate, and cap just the edges with solid stock. Use exterior-grade beadboard plywood for the sides and skirt the bottom with baseboard. Alternatively, craft a rustic and rustproof surround for your drop-in bathtub out of corrugated, galvanized-steel roof paneling. These materials are readily available at home centers for less than $100.

6. Create a Place for Two

Set between matching pedestal sinks, a tiled-back vintage washstand creates a his-and-hers vanity for a fraction of the cost of a new dresser-style model. This not only adds functionality but also brings a touch of elegance to your bathroom.

7. Save By Not Building In

Instead of installing recessed medicine cabinets, use easy-to-hang flush-mount mirrors. These don't require wall-busting construction and are easy to swap out, allowing you to change up your bathroom's style on a dime with mirrors from resale shops.

8. Add a Subway Wall

In the confines of a bathroom, a small investment can make a big splash with an accent wall made from subway tile. Taking the tile all the way up to the ceiling will make the room appear taller. Subway tiles are available at The Home Depot starting as low as 99 cents per square foot, making this an affordable option for adding visual interest.

9. Seek Out Salvaged Shutters

Dress up a window with painted shutters instead of pricey shades. Louvered-on-top designs offer privacy without blocking light, and the adjustable slats let you direct the sun's rays. This is a great way to add character to your bathroom without breaking the bank.

10. Try a Mixed-Material Floor

Add some variety underfoot by combining textures such as wood planks and pebble tile surrounding the bath. This unexpected twist brings the great outdoors inside and adds visual interest to your bathroom floor.

11. Create a Beadboard Canopy

Give the ceiling a lift with this budget bathroom idea by covering it in beadboard and extending it down the walls several inches for a canopy effect. Paint it a tranquil shade of sky blue to evoke old-timey porch ceilings. This adds a cozy and inviting atmosphere to your bathroom.

12. Choose a Checkerboard Floor

Use vinyl composition tile to create a durable and inexpensive alternative to a two-toned ceramic-tile floor. To get the look of small squares, use a vinyl tile cutter to slice 12-inch tiles into 4-inch ones. This is an easy DIY project that can transform your bathroom floor without costing a fortune.

13. Repurpose a Vintage Vanity

Retrofit a mirrored dresser as a sink cabinet by making a cutout in the top for a drop-in lav. Find inexpensive but characterful dressers at garage sales and flea markets. You can choose to keep the unique appearance of the original surface or refinish the piece for a clean, vintage look.

14. Carve a Curved Backsplash

A custom demilune backsplash gives a wood vanity the look of a vintage washstand. Instead of using warp-prone wood, use a sheet of marine-grade polymer that's easy to cut with a jigsaw and never needs paint. This adds a touch of elegance to your bathroom without the high cost of custom tile work.

15. Brighten the Existing Tile

Refresh a vintage tiled floor by painting the grout lines a contrasting color. This simple trick can make old tile look new again and add visual interest to your bathroom floor. Alternatively, use a tile paint specifically designed for ceramic and porcelain tiles to give your existing tile a fresh new look.

16. Update Lighting Fixtures

Replace outdated lighting fixtures with new ones from IKEA or other budget-friendly stores. For example, Tanya from Dans le Townhouse used a $24.99 ceiling fixture from IKEA to update her bathroom lighting without breaking the bank.

17. Add Bold DIY Art

Create bold DIY art to distract from elements you couldn't change in your bathroom. This can include painting the walls, ceiling, and even the tile backsplash. Adding some bold artwork can make the space look remarkably updated without spending too much money.

18. Use Paint to Transform

Paint everything in your bathroom, including the walls, ceiling, oak trim, oak cabinets, tile backsplash, cabinet hardware, and even the ugly little vanity light. This was Tanya's approach to updating her bathroom on a tight budget. The only new items she purchased were a $24.99 ceiling fixture from IKEA and a chrome towel bar.

19. Keep Dated Elements

Sometimes it's best to keep dated elements if they still have charm. For example, Tanya kept the minty green laminate counter because she liked it and thought it looked nice with the dark grey. This approach can save you money by not having to replace everything at once.

20. Utilize Resale Shops

Visit resale shops for affordable mirrors, lighting fixtures, and other bathroom accessories. These items are often gently used and can be easily integrated into your bathroom makeover without breaking the bank.

21. Mix Textures

Combine different textures like wood planks and pebble tile to create an interesting and unique bathroom floor. This adds depth and visual interest to your space without requiring expensive materials.

22. Create a Focal Point

Use a statement piece like a vintage washstand or a colorful tub surround to create a focal point in your bathroom. This draws the eye and adds personality to the space without needing extensive renovations.

23. DIY Projects

Engage in DIY projects like making your own graphic wall covering or creating custom demilune backsplashes using marine-grade polymer. These projects not only save money but also provide an opportunity to express your creativity.

24. Shop Smart

Shop smart by looking for deals on materials and accessories at home centers or online retailers. For example, subway tiles can be found at The Home Depot starting at 99 cents per square foot, making them an affordable option for accent walls.

25. Plan Carefully

Before starting any project, plan carefully to ensure that you stay within your budget. List the steps necessary for completing a task before starting it, think about strategies you will fall back on if problems arise, and keep good records of the projects you’re working on.

In conclusion, a bathroom makeover doesn't have to break the bank. With these 25 budget-friendly ideas, you can transform your bathroom into a stylish and functional space without spending too much money. Whether it's reviving an old claw-foot tub, adding a subway wall, or repurposing vintage items, there are countless ways to update your bathroom on a dime. So, get creative and start making those changes today