Remodeling your bathroom is one of the best ways to add value to your home. In fact, the average bathroom remodel will get you 70% return on your investment.
But you don’t have to spend a fortune to get the bathroom you’ve always wanted. To save money, do the project yourself. All it takes is a little planning and some tricks up your DIY sleeves.
Let’s look at several ways you can get a stylish DIY bathroom remodel on a budget.
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Paint Your Way to Savings
To get more bang for your remodel buck, paint your bathroom a new color. It’s inexpensive, easy to do on your own, and will give your bathroom a brand-new look.
Since bathrooms are high humidity areas, be sure you pick out a quality satin paint that resists moisture, mold, and mildew.
Plus, you don’t have to focus only on the walls. Give your wooden vanity and cabinets a facelift with a new color. Or if you want to give your tiles a new look on a budget, paint over them with a paint made specifically for tiles.
Be Creative with Tile
It’s easy to blow your DIY bathroom remodel budget on tile. It can be expensive, especially if you have a bigger sized bathroom. To help cut the costs, all you have to do is get creative with it.
Instead of tiling your entire bathroom, focus on one area. For example, tile the floor then use paint on the walls. Or tile your shower while using another material on the floor.
If you have your heart set on an expensive mosaic tile, try mixing it in with more inexpensive tile. Subway tile has a timeless design and it’s easy on the wallet. Make it look more custom by using the mosaic tile as an accent.
Crown Your Bathroom with Molding
Crown molding is a desirable interior feature that’s usually expensive to install. Yet, it’s perfect for a bathroom budget remodel since bathrooms are smaller square footage.
Shop for crown molding made of urethane. Unlike wood, this material won’t expand and contract with the humidity changes in your bathroom. Plus, you’ll enjoy that it’s a lightweight material to install and cheaper than wood per section.
If you prefer to use wood molding, you’ll need to seal the back of it to protect it against moisture and warping. Use a primer to seal painted molding or a wood conditioner if you plan to stain it. And be sure your bathroom has proper ventilation.
Refresh Your Caulking and Grout
There’s a simple way to refresh a tired, dingy looking bathroom that many people overlook. In fact, it’s super cheap and easy to do on your own.
Refreshing your grout and caulk lines will give your bathroom a needed facelift. These lines get discolored, mildewed, and cracked over time. And it doesn’t matter how hard you try, no amount of cleaning gets them white again.
Re-grouting or caulking will make your bathroom look brand-new, especially if your tile is still in good condition.
Make a Statement with New Fixtures
Sometimes a new look is all in the details. To make a big impact on a small budget, change out the hardware and fixtures in your bathroom.
These details include the faucets, showerhead, light fixtures, cabinet pulls, and towel racks.
It might surprise you how little changes can transform the look of a bathroom. Plus, switching out these fixtures are relatively cheap to do.
Add a bit of sparkle or choose more rustic pieces. You can even think outside the fixture box by using unexpected materials. For example, installing a pipe to use as a towel rack will give your bathroom an industrial feel.
Give Your Bathtub a Facelift
A new bathtub comes with a big price tag. If your bathtub only has some minor wear and tear, give it a simple facelift to save money.
For minor issues or if you own a heavy cast iron clawfoot tub, refinishing is your solution. This process involves an expert sanding out your tub, filling in any cracks and worn areas, then applying several layers of primer and paint.
If your tub is in rougher shape, don’t worry. You can reline your tub instead of buying a new one. Relining consist of an acrylic replica of your existing tub that adheres on top of the old tub.
The best thing about relining is it gives you more options. You can get it in any new color or style you like for a different look!
Go Green to Save Green
Doing a bath remodel on a budget is the plan, but what if you could continue saving money after the project is long finished? That’s when you need to start thinking green.
Low-flow toilets, faucets, and showerheads will conserve water while saving you money on your monthly utility bills. To make the deal even sweeter, these fixtures are usually the same price as the traditional ones.
If you don’t feel comfortable installing a new toilet, don’t be afraid to call in plumbing services for help. It’s worth it for the saving benefits you get with low-flow features.
Use Lookalike Materials
A DIY bathroom remodel doesn’t have to look cheap. Especially if you use inexpensive materials that look like the pricier alternatives.
Use faux-stone tiles in your shower to mimic the look of marble or travertine. Luxury vinyl flooring looks amazingly like real wood. Or quartz countertops can look just like high-quality marble.
Lookalike materials can give you the designer bathroom you’ve always wanted while keeping your budget intact.
Save Money with Style on Your DIY Bathroom Remodel
You don’t have to sacrifice style when remodeling on a budget. By using these DIY bathroom remodel tips, you can create the look you want without breaking the bank!
For more home improvement ideas, check out our blog!
