Do you want more out of your bathroom? Are you looking for a way to refresh its style and aesthetics without breaking the bank? This guide on how to remodel a bathroom on a budget provides the answers you’re looking for! From adding a new coat of paint to shopping wholesale, there are many ways to refresh your bathroom. Here’s how to make your bathroom look gorgeous without remodeling it from the ground up.
Assess Your Bathroom
The first stage of any bathroom remodel is to evaluate your current bathroom. Take a close look at what needs to be changed, keeping these points in mind during your evaluation:
- Function: Determine whether your bathroom components — including your toilet, shower, sink and lights — are functional or if they need to be replaced.
- Style: Are you happy with the style of your bathroom? Does the style need to be updated? Do you need to repaint, retile or redecorate? Does the color scheme clash? What new style would you like to invest in?
- Usability and layout: Evaluate your bathroom’s layout. Consider whether you have enough storage, if the bathroom feels cramped or if you want to revamp your vanity. These issues might require higher budgets to solve, but there are some ways to improve functionality while staying within your budget.
- Size: A small bathroom remodel on a budget can easily be achieved with the right approach. Even larger bathroom remodels can be done without breaking your budget with sufficient planning.
Set a Budget
The most important part of planning a bathroom remodel on a budget involves planning the budget itself. When you know what you want from your new bathroom, you can set your budget and see if the project can commence or if you need to alter your plan. Consider these factors to plan a reasonable budget:
- Plan accordingly: The scope of your remodel determines your budget. If you decide you want to rebuild your bathroom from the ground up, your budget must reflect that. If you plan to upgrade and replace existing parts, your budget should reflect that, too.
- DIY vs. contractors: If your remodel project is small and uncomplicated, you might be willing to try out some do-it-yourself solutions. However, if you are an inexperienced DIYer, you’ll want to build your skills before tackling a big project. Tackling the remodel yourself could reduce your spending, but if you make mistakes, you may pay more to fix what went wrong.
- Labor costs: Large-scale budget bathroom remodels require additional labor. Make sure you factor in any labor costs to your budget.
- Set aside extra money: Planning your budget to the last cent is not a good idea. You always need to set some money aside for unexpected expenses. For example, bathroom remodels involve plumbing and electrical work, and it’s common to encounter unexpected problems that need fixing, like damaged wiring. You should keep at least 20% of your budget aside for these unplanned expenses.
- Materials: There are many materials you can use for your bathroom remodeling. If you choose to work with a contractor, it’s cheaper to provide your own materials. This way, you ensure you get the materials you want and control how much is spent on them. Contractors should help you with materials like drywall and insulation.
- Use your existing layout: Keep your project scope realistic. A full ground-up renovation of your bathroom will require a large budget, while using the layout of your current bathroom will reduce costs.
Recommended Budget Breakdown
Here’s a breakdown of bathroom remodel costs and how much of your budget should be allocated to each part of your remodel:
- Shelving and cabinets: 25%
- Shower and bathtubs: 22%
- Contractor costs: 13%
- Flooring: 7%
- Countertops: 6%
- Fixtures: 6%
- Demolition and preparation: 6%
- Faucets and plumbing: 4%
- Doors and windows: 4%
- Ventilation and lighting: 2%
- Sinks: 2%
- Permits: 2%
- Toilets: 1%
Bathroom Remodel Ideas on a Budget
Try these cost-cutting methods to remodel your bathroom without sacrificing quality. These will add value to your bathroom, making your remodel a better investment while being budget-friendly:
- Shop wholesale: Search for wholesale shops online or through your community. You can find hidden gems to decorate your bathroom with at great prices.
- Replace hardware: Replacing hardware like handles and knobs can elevate your bathroom’s aesthetic. These small changes go a long way in getting the most out of your money.
- Add more storage: Installing new cabinets and cupboards can enhance your bathroom’s style and practicality. Adding more built-in storage is an easy and inexpensive DIY activity. If you have the budget, then you could get a service to install high-quality storage at affordable prices.
- Repair or replace: Repairing something is often cheaper than replacing it. For example, you may be able to repair a leaky sink rather than purchase an entirely new faucet.
- A new coat of paint: Simply painting your bathroom walls can significantly affect how they look and feel. A repaint is far more budget-friendly than a full remodel but can be just as effective.
- Renew your groat: Painting your tile grout — using specialized grout paint — is a fantastic way to renew your bathroom’s look. It’s easy to do and can bring new life to outdated floors.
- Mix the old and the new: A remodel doesn’t mean you have to change everything. Keep your favorite parts of your bathroom while mixing in some new elements. For example, you could keep your old light fixtures but add new doorknobs and handles.
- Install a backsplash: A backsplash is an extension of a countertop. It can be as high as the ceiling or just a few inches higher than your countertop. It prevents water, soap and other messes from splashing onto your wall. A backsplash can be installed anywhere to prevent damage or dirt while adding to the aesthetic of your bathroom.
Find New Ways to Enhance Your Bathroom at WG Wood Products
WG Wood Products has provided over one million customers with pieces that have elevated their bathrooms for more than a decade. Our products are made in the United States with durability, functionality and aesthetics in mind.
We offer an extensive range of more than 10,000 products — including recessed cabinets, toilet paper holders and magazine racks — to help remodel your bathroom while sticking to your budget. We provide exceptional customer service and can say with pride that we have a 99% feedback rating of five stars.
Shop our products online, or contact us today to learn more about what we can do for your bathroom!
