Room Design
Bathroom Design
By
Tessa Cooper
Tessa Cooper
Tessa Cooper is a lifestyle writer and freelance photographer with more than 6 years of experience writing for publications like Apartment Therapy, 417 Magazine, and Feast. She lives in an 1886 Victorian home in Springfield, MO, that she restored with her husband.
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Updated on 06/24/24
If you’re a renter or a homeowner on a budget, there are plenty of affordable ways to upgrade a bathroom of any size. From painting or wallpapering walls to changing the grout color of tile, updating faucets or bathroom vanity knobs, to installing new window treatments, open shelving, or beadboard wall paneling, there are manageable remodeling projects for all skill levels that can be completed in a weekend to transform your space for years to come.
We've rounded up a few budget-friendly bathroom remodel ideas to help spark inspiration, including some tips from Brenna Darling, writer of the Tastemade's Weekend Refresh.
Meet the Expert
Brenna Darling is the writer of Weekend Refresh from Tastemade.
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Add Peel-and-Stick Flooring
One of Darling's favorite ways to breathe new life into a bathroom is through peel-and-stick flooring, and it's more durable and long-lasting than you may think. "Peel-and-stick flooring is often a vinyl-like material," she says. "It's meant to be walked on and be cleaned."
Plus, peel-and-stick flooring often comes in playful patterns, so you can go for a bold flooring look without the commitment.
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Hang Wallpaper
Wallpapering a small bathroom or powder bath is a project you can easily tackle in the hours between Friday to Sunday. While peel-and-stick flooring is usually a safe bet for a bathroom, the same isn't true for peel-and-stick wallpaper due to its lighter weight and, therefore, its tendency to lift.
"I definitely only would recommend pasted or traditional wallpaper for a bathroom," Darling says. "Peel-and-stick is not going to be your friend because if it gets steamy in there, it's going to peel right off."
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Add Beadboard Wall Paneling
Adding beadboard backsplash is a bit more of a complex DIY that does require some power tools, but its impact on the space makes it worth the effort. A little design tip from Darling: Wallpaper the top half of your bathroom above the beadboard, and paint the beadboard in a hue featured in the wallpaper. You can even have the paint store color-match the paint to the wallpaper.
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Paint the Walls
Sometimes all a bathroom needs is a fresh coat of paint. If you're working with a small windowless bathroom, the best approach may be to go light-and-airy with a pastel color.
However, a small powder bath is also a great place to make a bold statement with darker paint. If your bathroom features tile with an accent color, painting it a variant of the accent color will tie everything together.
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Change Your Grout Color
Grout doesn't last forever, and if it's past its prime it can be difficult to clean. Giving your grout a new coat is an easy DIY job that only takes 3 to 8 hours and $15 to $30 dollars depending on the size of your space.
If you do decide to go the re-grouting route, you can switch from a dark color grout to a light color grout. Or, you can really make the grout pop by using a staining product to go from light to dark grout.
Darling recommends using a grout pen. "A grout pen is a marker that is meant to go on grout," she says. "Once you color the grout, you can wipe it off the tile and clean it like usual. It just really updates your whole look if you have fresher, brighter grout."
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Upgrade the Vanity
When you don't have the time or the funds to replace your bathroom vanity, paint paired with new knobs can do wonders. Just be sure to prep your cabinets accordingly and use bathroom-friendly paint that can withstand moisture.
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Install a Wall Niche
Malcolm Simmons, a design contributor for Emily Henderson, added a small niche to the right of his bathroom sink as part of his bathroom remodel. This is a great option if you have a sink without any counter space or storage, such as a pedestal sink. Just be sure to check for live wires or plumbing pipes before cutting into your drywall.
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Hang a New Mirror
If you're unhappy with your current mirror, changing it out is easy and often budget friendly. Opting for a round mirror instead of a classic rectangular one can add a modern yet soft touch.
If you have a creaky old medicine cabinet that has seen better days, you can change it out for a new one that's a similar size. If it is a recessed medicine cabinet, you may need to create a slightly bigger hole in your drywall or fill in any small gaps with caulk.
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Repurpose an Old Mirror
Building a frame is an easy DIY project that's not just for art. If you have a basic bathroom mirror, you can add some pizzaz by building a custom frame and attaching it to the mirror with command strips. "A frame can make your mirror look a little more stately and give it a cool vintage look," Darling says.
Change Window Treatments
Windows without trim can sometimes look a bit bare. If you want to channel a more historic or maximalist look, consider adding thick, ornate trim around them. Or add a new roller or Roman shade to add color and pattern to your space.
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Install a New Shower Door
Perhaps you have a frosted shower door that's dating your bathroom, or maybe you have a shower curtain setup that always seems to let water escape. Whatever the case, installing a new shower door isn't out of the question. You can cross this project off your to-do list in as few as three hours and with about $300 dollars.
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Shiplap Your Ceiling
For those of you who are up for a slightly more involved project, installing shiplap on a ceiling requires an intermediate skill level and about 1 to 2 days of your time. You'll be looking at about $500 in materials. If that's out of your budget, you can achieve a similar vibe by painting your ceiling an accent color.
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Skirt Your Pedestal Sink
Pedestal sinks are timeless but can leave you with a storage issue. With a few stitches, you can fashion some fabric into a sink skirt and stow a basket of toiletries or spare toilet paper beneath.
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Install Open Shelving
If a sink skirt isn't exactly your style, shelving is another way to affordably add more storage. Darling recommends supporting shelving with brackets and wall anchors and hanging them on studs when possible.
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Elevate Your Hardware
If you're someone who appreciates the small details in life, opt for a unique towel hook and toilet paper holder. With the right screws and wall anchors, updating these features takes less than 30 minutes.
You'll be left with a functional decor piece that will bring you a bit of joy each time you. In a similar vein, you can also swap out basic vent, light switch, and outlet covers for more aesthetic ones.
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Upgrade Your Sconces
While changing out your sconces is certainly something you can take on yourself, a much easier and affordable alternative is to simply update the light covers. Also, Darling says to never underestimate the power of choosing the right type of light bulb. She recommends soft white bulbs since they are flattering and are optimal for helping you see to apply your makeup.
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Create a Vanity Backsplash
Demolishing and replacing your floor or shower show tile can be expensive and intimidating. However, adding a small backsplash behind your vanity is a much more approachable way to try your hand at tiling.
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Hang a Statement Chandelier
Above a bathtub is a chic place to hang a modern or classic chandelier. If you don't have a hookup for a light over your bathtub, you can swag the light fixture with a chain and hang it on a hook. Bonus points if you decide to add a medallion.
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Update Your Faucets
If your sink faucet seems to scream "builder grade," you can totally replace it. Replacing a sink faucet typically only takes one to two hours.
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Paint Your Floor Tile
While bold peel-and-stick floor tile is a wonderful option for adding intrigue to your bathroom floor, painting a pattern on your tile with a stencil can be an even more budget-friendly alternative.
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Repaint Your Bathtub
Don't love the look of your bathtub? It's actually possible to paint it. Clawfoot tubs can look stunning with a fresh new coat on the exterior. Reglazing your bathtub is another project you can DIY, but it may not have the same longevity as professional reglazing.
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Swap Out Accessories
If you feel like something is still lacking in your bathroom at the end of a remodel, it could be small accessories. For example, placing a small wooden stool for towel storage next to a soaking tub can add functionality and warmth to the space. Additionally, Darling encourages you not to skimp on art. She recommends canvas pieces since they can generally withstand humidity.
FAQ
What is the normal budget for an affordable bathroom remodel?
A normal budget for an affordable bathroom remodel can be as low as $300 and still result in high-impact changes. If you want to do an extensive bathroom remodel, you can expect to spend at least $100 per square foot.
What are some ways you can do a bathroom renovation on a budget?
To do a bathroom remodel on a budget, look to make high-impact, low-cost changes. Starting with the floor, you can make a big difference by recoloring your grout, painting a pattern on the tile, or applying peel-and-stick wallpaper.
Update walls with wallpaper, beadboard, or a fresh coat of paint. Don't underestimate the power of swapping out hardware and accessories for design-forward ones, like your toilet paper holder, mirror, towel hook, and bathroom faucet. Enhancing your storage options with shelving or a sink skirt can also make a huge difference.
Can I still renovate my bathroom if it's small?
You can renovate a bathroom of any size to make it work better for you and keep it looking fresh and current. It’s especially important to upgrade a smaller space so that it’s as functional and beautiful as it can be with smart storage options and aesthetically pleasing finishes and fixtures.