Americans love to remodel. In 2012 alone, we completed about 10.4 million remodeling projects.
A lot of those projects took place in the bathroom. Bathroom remodeling is extremely popular. It can be an easy and cheap way to renovate your home and give it a big makeover.
There are many ways to remodel your bathroom, from the simple to the extremely costly and complex. However, for most people, these cheap bathroom remodeling tips will go a long way toward getting them the new bathroom of their dreams.
If you are thinking about remodeling your bathroom, start by taking a look at the bathroom as a whole. Are you keen to replace the floor? Maybe it’s the counters that need work. Perhaps that old shower just has to go. Or you might just want a new look and feel for the room.
Whatever the case may be, you don’t need to break your budget in order to remodel your bathroom. Check out these 7 cheap bathroom remodeling tips to get you started on the path to renovating your bathroom.
1. Flooring
The floor is a great place to start when you are trying to think of cost-effective ways to remodel. Changing out the flooring might even be an opportunity for some DIY in your home.
Start by thinking about what kind of flooring might work best for your bathroom. You may want laminate flooring, ceramic, vinyl, or even wood. It will depend a lot on how your bathroom is used.
For example, if the floor is frequently very wet, wood or carpet might not be the best option. If it is a bathroom that is not used for showering, however, you might be able to get away with a wood flooring without worrying too much about the damage.
On the other hand, if your bathroom is very often used for showering and bathing, you might want something more like ceramic or stone tile. This kind of flooring is very durable and water-resistant. You can even use types of grout that will repel water, making this sort of flooring very long-lasting.
If you are looking for cheap bathroom remodeling tips, don’t just look at the raw price of the flooring. Something like carpet might be cheaper, but it isn’t going to last long or hold up well in a bathroom. That means you’ll be paying to replace it sooner. Constant replacement will be costlier in the long run than just getting the right kind of flooring initially.
This is why something like vinyl or laminate is great. It might cost you a little more upfront, but if you run the numbers over the years you will see a big difference in cost over time. Don’t just think about the cost the day you purchase your flooring if you are thinking about cheap bathroom remodeling tips. Also, calculate for the long run.
Doing installation yourself can save you a lot of money when it comes to replacing the flooring in your bathroom. This might make something like stone or concrete a bit out of reach for most of us. However, there are still many types of floors that are simple for nearly anyone to install.
2. Maintenance Projects
It’s not as exciting to think about, but you should still keep in mind regular maintenance when you are considering remodeling your bathroom.
That clogged sink might be a minor annoyance now, but it can grow into a major problem if it is left unaddressed too long. Before you dive into any larger projects, simply go around your bathroom and check that everything is in good working order.
A little due diligence now will make it so much easier and more satisfying to remodel your bathroom. You wouldn’t want to complete a remodel only to find you have a leaky shower head. Nothing will kill the mood quicker in your lovely new bathroom than irritating maintenance projects.
This, too, is among our cheap bathroom remodeling tips because proper maintenance saves you money over time and is often the kind of project you can treat like a DIY. You don’t need to call a plug for a leaky shower head or clogged drain. You simply need to get the right tools and set aside some time for maintenance.
Of course, for larger plumber maintenance issues you should contact a professional. It may be pricey now, but it will cost a lot more to let a major issue go unaddressed until it can cause serious damage to your home.
3. Bathroom Furniture
A great way to give your bathroom an instant facelift is with some new bath furniture. There is actually a fair amount of furniture in our bathrooms, from shelves to cabinets to baskets and trash cans. These items don’t need to be merely functional. While you are remodeling your bathroom, you can make simple and cheap upgrades to these items to have them looking brand new.
A great way to stick to some cheap bathroom remodeling tips is to upgrade used furniture for your bathroom. Maybe you have an old bookshelf. You can clean it off and give it a fresh coat of paint. Suddenly, it can sit in your bathroom as a place to store things like towels, lotions and other toiletries.
While you are thinking about bathroom furniture, also consider the things around it. If you have hand towels out or decorative soap dispensers, you can try to match the furniture to the themes and colors of those items. Again, this can be as simple and cheap as a fresh coat of paint. Even this small change can make a huge difference in how your bathroom looks and feels, however.
Giving your bathroom a fresh start doesn’t need to be expensive. One of the best cheap bathroom remodeling tips is simply to reuse old items in new ways. Think about new ways you could use furniture that is sitting in storage or just not being utilized.
4. Bathroom Countertops
The countertops in your bathroom are both functional and aesthetic. There are some important qualities you’ll want to keep in mind if you’re thinking of replacing your bathroom countertops. Because they may frequently get wet, you will want countertops that are water-resistant, as well as easy to clean and durable.
However, those are not the only important considerations. You should also consider how easy they are to install. Again, one of the best cheap bathroom remodeling tips is simply to do some of the work yourself. If you find countertops that you can install yourself, you stand to save a lot of money during this process.
Naturally, the look is also very important. Even while trying to save money, don’t skimp on the look and feel you want for your bathroom. The purpose of this remodel is to get the bathroom of your dreams. Cutting too many corners just to save money will not do you any favors in the long run.
There are many pre-made bathroom countertops out there already. You may be able to browse a local hardware store and bring home samples to see what feels right to you for the look you’re going for.
You can also consider a custom bathroom countertop. This will tend to be a bit more expensive than a premade countertop, but if it is the look you truly want then it may be worth that extra cost. Weigh the pros and cons of the extra cost versus how long you plan to stay in your home to figure out what is right for you.
5. Bathtub and Shower
The bathtub and shower are the cornerstones of any bathroom. They can be places of relaxation as well as places that get frequent heavy usage.
You don’t need to get a brand new bathtub and shower to upgrade your bathroom. Consider whether it may be worth it to stick with what you already own. If your current tub and shower aren’t working great, you might need a bathtub repair service to come fix underlying issues. This in and of itself can be a big upgrade for the home and bathroom, so consider it part of the costs of your remodel.
However, you may truly be looking to replace your tub and/or shower. There are some cheap bathroom remodeling tips that can help in this area as well.
As with so many other aspects of a remodel, the materials and labor costs will probably be separate things. It is possible you can do the installation yourself, but it’s likely there is a place where you will want a professional bathtub & shower installation.
A good way to make use of cheap bathroom remodeling tips here is in the materials. You may be able to save a little money on materials. Rather than getting the fanciest tub out there, you may be able to get a most cost-effective tub that still has the look you’re going for.
Plus, fancier materials don’t always mean better. Pay close attention to how long various materials are expected to last and factor that into your overall costs for remodeling your bathroom. You may find that there is a middle ground between initial cost and longevity where you can get the most bang for your buck.
6. The Water Heater
You’ve done a lot of good work thinking about the bathroom itself. Now it’s time to think about two major systems that affect the bathroom but sit outside of it.
While you are thinking about a remodel, spare a little thought for your water heater system. This system is intricately linked to everything you do in your bathroom, from taking a relaxing shower to simply brushing your teeth in the morning. Having it running effectively and efficiently is very important.
There are opportunities here to save a little money. It might not sound like it, but it’s true. One of the best cheap bathroom remodeling tips is just to make sure your water heater is running well. This system is so vital that a problem in it can be a big cost.
You don’t want to remodel your entire bathroom only to find that your water heater is broken, either. If you think it might be getting close to time to replace or repair your water heater, get on top of that before you do any remodeling. Having this system in good working order is critical to the rest of your bathroom.
Plus, water heaters get expensive. If you are worried about your budget for your bathroom remodel, you need to consider your water heater. Imagine budgeting out an entire remodel down to the last dollar only to find you need to spend hundreds or thousands on replacing a busted water heater. Nip that in the bud by uncovering problems in the water heater system before you make major changes to the bathroom itself.
7. Septic System
The same goes for your septic system if your home has one. Not all homes use septic systems anymore, but if yours does, you should give it a quick check before remodeling your bathroom.
This is among our cheap bathroom remodeling tips for the same reason the water heater is. A problem in this system can be a major cost for you. You don’t want to find that out midway through your bathroom remodel. Hire septic services if you aren’t sure where to start and just make sure everything is smooth sailing before you proceed.
Design Your Dream Bathroom
Cheap bathroom remodeling tips don’t need to be a bummer. You can still get all you hope and dream for out of your bathroom remodel while saving money.
Think about where you can save money on materials, both now and in the long term. Make sure your maintenance is up to date, including plumbing maintenance. Also, do the installation yourself as much as you can. These things will make it much more cost-effective for you to remodel your bathroom.
In the end, however, you can only save on costs so much. You should still design to your heart’s content and get as close to your ideal vision as you can. It is possible to get the bathroom of your dreams even while saving money!