It’s easy to ignore your bathroom when you’re thinking about making upgrades and changes around your house. Maybe you and your family are the only ones that see it or use it, especially if it’s not a guest bathroom. But, that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t give it the attention it deserves.
While keeping your bathroom clean and organized can make a big difference, it should also be used as a space you can go to relax. You don’t have to have a large bathroom in order for it to feel like a sanctuary.
Unfortunately, the average bathroom remodel can cost anywhere from $9,600-$11,000, and can take weeks to complete.
The good news? You don’t have to blow your budget or spend a lot of time in order to remodel your bathroom into a space you and your family will truly love.
With a few free days and a limited budget, you can create the bathroom of your dreams by thinking outside the box. Let’s cover a few tips you can use to complete a cost-effective bathroom remodel.
- Limit The Amount of Tile You Use
Tiling your bathroom can be one of the most expensive remodeling projects for the space, especially if you hire a contractor to do it.
You can save time, money, and stress by limiting the amount of tile you use. If you have your heart set on using real tile somewhere, use it as an accent instead of covering the whole floor. Line a wall with tile. Or, create a tile strip in the center of the wall with bright and bold designs, and paint around it for a beautiful accent that everyone will notice.
When you limit your tile usage, you don’t necessarily have to hire a contractor to get the job done because there’s less measuring and less mess involved. You don’t have to completely dig up your old floor when you decide to use tile as more of a decorative statement.
- Repaint
If you don’t have a big budget for your bathroom remodel, painting will give you the biggest bang for your buck. You’ll have to invest more time than money into your paint job because bathrooms have a lot of details to paint around. You’ll need to go slowly and be careful around your vanity, your tub, windows, etc.
If you have the patience to paint, though, it’s an inexpensive way to breathe new life into your bathroom, especially when you choose certain accent colors to really allow the room to showcase your personality.
- What’s Old is New
There is a big trend when it comes to repurposed, vintage, and upcycled style right now. If that fits what you’re looking for, you might be able to find a lot of great stuff at local antique shops or thrift stores, including decorations, vanities, mirrors, etc. Sometimes, things will already be in great shape and you can use them “as is,” but don’t be afraid to think outside the box and use your imagination while you’re browsing. Sometimes, a fresh coat of paint or a good cleaning can bring even the oldest of items back to their original glory.
Because the rustic/farmhouse style has become so popular, many companies have also started to create “distressed” or cottage-style bathroom furniture. So, if you’re looking for a unique farmhouse bathroom vanity, you may be able to find a new one that looks like it belongs in a vintage farmhouse in the country.
Going the “old fashioned” route can really help you to feel more and home and more comfortable in your bathroom. If it’s a guest bathroom that’s getting the upgrade, your family and friends will love talking about all of the character and charm your bathroom has.
- Update Your Fixtures
If you can’t afford to change out your vanity and you don’t have the time to install a new shower/tub, you might be surprised at how much of a difference switching out your fixtures can make.
Sink and shower fixtures come in a variety of different styles, so you can upgrade them to fit your personality. If you want to focus on a farmhouse style, choose something in antique bronze. If your style tends to be more modern, try brushed steel or a brighter fixture to tie everything together.
You can change out your light fixtures, too, to match the sink and shower! You might not think many people are looking up to check out your light fixture, but since they are typically in the very center of the ceiling, they can become a real focal point and set the overall tone for the room. Make sure your light fixture(s) match the style you’re going for.
Fixtures are quick to get ignored when people start to consider bathroom upgrades, but if you want an impactful change in a matter of hours, there’s no better way than to switch them out.
- Go Green and Save Money
If you do have the time, and you want to make your bathroom remodel into an investment, one of the things you should take into consideration is making your bathroom more “eco-friendly”. Nowadays, many bathroom fixtures are naturally environmentally-friendly, including low-flow toilets and showerheads.
If you’re getting new appliances for your bathroom, get on board with going green. You’ll save water and energy in the process. As a result, you’ll start to notice some of your monthly utility bills going down. So, while investing in these things up front can cause a dent in your budget, you’ll quickly make some of that money back when it comes to your monthly expenses.
As you can see, you don’t have to break your budget or spend a lot of time making impressive changes to your bathroom. The DIY lifestyle is becoming more popular than ever. While there are some things you should hire a contractor for, doing these simple remodels in your bathroom doesn’t have to be one of them. Find a bit of extra time, get creative, and have fun creating the bathroom space you’ve always wanted!
Kori
Latest posts by Kori (see all)
- Cultivating A Happier Home Environment In 5 Steps - March 1, 2024
