Are you looking to redo your bath on a budget? We know all the tricks to help you get the look you want for less, and we’re going to share them with you. We recently completed a budget-friendly design project for a client of ours, so we’ll walk you through the steps of how we achieved the look they wanted at a price they loved—and how you can do it too.

Decisions, decisions

It all starts with making strategic choices about what to keep vs. what to replace. If you’re working with a very lean budget – let’s say $500 to $1000 – stick to cosmetic changes only. A new coat of paint, a couple of accessories, a thrifted mirror, and a new plant can make a huge difference for little financial outlay. One of our favorite ways to give any space a new look for a few (or even zero) dollars? Clean or change your light bulbs! Wipe them off to remove any accumulated dust, or better yet, increase the wattage—once it’s safe, of course. Simply moving from 40W to 60W can give your space a super-easy facelift.

WHAT WE KEPT

Ok so let’s get down to the nitty gritty. Here’s a list of the items that we kept in order to make our budget stretch further.

Toilet

Let’s be honest: a WC is what it is. The only real requirements are that it be functional and leak-free—and that’s all. Anything beyond that is a nice-to-have. Our client’s toilet was in like-new condition, so we were able to save money by not switching it out.

Tub

Their tub is in great condition, and fit into the aesthetic of the new design, so we opted to keep it as well. Plain white standard tubs get a bad rap in today’s “overdesigned” culture, but we actually love them because of their versatility. Every item in a space can’t be a superstar, or it can quickly start to look chaotic. Considering that the average cost to install a tub is approximately $2,000 – which does not include the cost of the tub itself – this was a big win for cost savings.

Tiles

The tub surround was decorated with standard 6 inch tile in a subdued bisque tone, which means that it was neutral enough to blend easily with any design changes. Like the main fixtures in the space, the tile was in mint condition, and therefore provided another opportunity to save big.

WHAT WE CHANGED

Fixtures

Hands down, changing the hardware on your sink is the most cost-effective way to update your bathroom. Every room needs a touch of black, so we switched the faucets and shower-head from standard-issue chrome to elegant oil-rubbed bronze.

Paint

There’s nothing like a fresh paint job to update a space, and it’s also very cost-effective. You save even more if you put in the elbow grease and do the painting yourself. For our Farmhouse theme, we went with “Watery” by Behr.

Tip: When considering where to paint, look beyond the walls! You can drastically change the look of the room by painting the ceiling and/or floor.

Vanity & Sink

These can be pricey, but we were able to source a vanity/sink combo that was budget friendly as well as elegant. The sink is generously sized and has a cottage/farmhouse feel, plus there is ample storage in the vanity below.

Hardware

Amazon always comes through, especially if you’re on a budget. We updated the existing hardware with a 5-piece oil-rubbed bronze set that included a towel ring, toilet paper holder, 18-inch towel bar, 24-inch towel bar, and robe hook. Best of all, it was all under $40.

Mirror

If your bathroom is an outfit, the mirror is the statement accessory. We turned to Amazon again, and found the perfect one for under $100. The slightly distressed bronze finish coordinates with the hardware in the room without being too matchy-matchy.

Backsplash

Tile can be expensive, so limiting the amount that you use to a confined area is a smart way to refresh your space on a budget. We installed a new tile backsplash that includes the blues, browns, whites, and other tones found throughout the space.

Lighting

Completely replacing all the lighting would have been more than our client’s budget could handle, so we narrowed our focus. We installed a new ceiling light fixture (and yes, a brighter bulb) and left the task lighting as-is.

Shower Curtain

When in doubt, use fabric! It’s cheap (or it can be), showy, and voluminous. We got a new shower curtain in a plain white fabric, but its layers of tiers added interest and texture. Amazon to the rescue again, for under $20.

See? It can be done! We hope these tips help you to design the bath of your dreams—and keep costs under control. If you’d like some more pointers, or if you prefer to leave it to the pros, feel free to contact us. We’d be happy to discuss your vision for your space, and provide you with a free estimate.

Before we examine the top 7 home renovations with the best ROIs, it’s important to realize that there is no “one size fits all” answer to this question. What plays in Peoria — or earns a great resale value in Virginia City — may not work that well in another region of the country.

In fact, many factors can affect your resale value and how much of the cost of your project you can expect to recoup when you sell your house: climate and weather, your specific neighborhood, the housing market in general, local events and economic factors, and more.

Additionally, resale value should never be your only consideration when deciding whether to go forward with any kind of home improvement project. If you’re planning to continue living in your home, your future enjoyment of the improvement and your house in general should also be considered.

That being said, it’s definitely a good idea to include your potential return on such a substantial investment in the mix when you’re making home improvement decisions. So let’s take a look at the 7 projects that earn back the most in resale value for savvy homeowners.

These are the Top 7 home renovations That will pay off in resale

1. Fix Up the Attic

Surprised? The champion home renovation project where ROI is concerned is fixing up your attic. Whether it’s simply adding fiberglass insulation to your home’s attic (108% of the cost recouped on resale) or converting the entire space to an additional bedroom (93.5%), attic improvements bear great dividends.

And remember, this is just about resale value and cost recoupment. It doesn’t include additional energy savings (in the case of installing insulation) or the significant increase in usable square feet in your home.

2. Mini-Makeover on a Bathroom

At 102% of its cost recouped on resale, a minor bathroom improvement project can more than earn back the project costs.

Here, we’re talking about smaller projects — replacing a fixture, for example, or swapping out old, tired flooring for a new set of tiles.

You don’t have to replace the tub to spruce it up, though. Re-caulking and re-glazing for a new finish can also freshen up your bathroom’s look, as can a fresh coat of paint or wallpaper.

3. Improve Your Landscaping

Don’t neglect your yard! An overhaul of your home’s landscaping can earn back the full cost of the project at 100%.

With costs ranging anywhere from a few hundred for plants from your local garden center to $3000 or more for a full-blown professional landscape design, there’s a wide range of improving you can do to your great outdoors.

If you’re not the outdoors-y type, and don’t have the budget for a professional designer, start with your favorite big-box garden center or local nursery. They’ll often sponsor free workshops and design services.

4. Improve Your Home’s Exterior

While we’re thinking outside the box, take a look at your home’s facade, as well. Repairing or replacing old, worn-out vinyl siding or chipping paint, updating your porch and outdoor entry space, and freshening up the shingles can all greatly increase your home’s curb appeal

And at an average return on resale of 95.5%, it’s a sound investment in your home.

Just plan carefully before you begin, and explore new materials for even better results. For example, wrought-iron railings make for a more attractive entryway than boring old wood supports.

5. Tweak Your Kitchen

Great news: if you want to give your kitchen a new look, but aren’t interested in a complete overhaul, even a minor tweak to the busiest room in your house can earn you up to 98% on resale.

New countertops, re-facing for your old cabinets, and swapping out old, clunky appliances for more energy-efficient models will all help you recoup the cost of improvement, and perhaps even save you additional money in electricity costs going forward.

You can also give your kitchen a budget-friendly makeover with new flooring and improved lighting fixtures.

6. Overhaul a Bathroom

If your bathroom needs more than a simple spruce-up job, a major renovation can earn you 93% on resale.

Relocate or replace your major fixtures, or swap out an open or curbless shower for an old-fashioned tub. Upgrade to a ceramic tile floor and replace the exhaust fan.  Swap out old counters for a cleaner one to give your old vanity a whole new, more contemporary look.

7. Swap Out Front Door for Steel

For a low-cost improvement with a high-sale recoupment percentage of almost 91%, consider swapping out your old, existing door for a steel model, perhaps with decorative window panels at the top for added visual appeal.

Doors like this will cost around $1000-1500, and earn back about $900-1200 on average, so they almost pay for themselves.

Bonus: This is a simple job that won’t take a lot of time to accomplish, and if you select the right color, it can add an eye-catching visual element to your home’s exterior as well.

Ready … Set … Renovate!

If you’d like to spruce up your home, but aren’t sure which project to start with, why not consult with a qualified, experienced home contractor in your area today?