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.

It makes sense to consider replacing a tub with a shower for a number of reasons. Showers use far less water than bathtubs, and save on associated energy and water costs for that reason. They’re also usually quicker to use, and can be fitted with luxury features such as non-slip tiles and benches.

Also, showers are more “user-friendly” for an aging population. Tubs can be difficult for older adults and people with injuries or disabilities to get in and out of, whereas easy-entry shower stalls are much more accessible.  As millions of Baby Boomers reach retirement age, these trends should only continue to rise in popularity.

Deciding WheN TO DITCH THE TUB

Renovating your bathroom is a great home investment, but before you take the plunge and rip out that tub, give this decision some careful consideration.

First, consider use. How much use does your tub really get? If you have small children, tubs are much easier than stalls, of course. If you only have one bathroom available and your kids are under the age of 8, you might want to hold off on the project until they’re older.

Most homeowners are also concerned about resale value before making substantial changes to bathrooms and kitchens, and that’s wise. After all, your home is also an investment, and it’s only prudent to avoid making changes that can lessen its value.

Tubs are just “expected” by some home buyers, and there’s no getting around that. But the lack of a tub might not be a detriment to a later sale. It depends on your market and what buyers are willing to accept. In an area with a high demand for housing and a limited supply, a home that lacks a bathtub will still sell, all other things being equal.

One way to preserve your options in resale value is to keep one tub somewhere in the house. A shower-only house can be a tougher sale down the line. But if you have two or more bathrooms available, by all means exchange one of those tubs for a bigger and more luxurious shower stall.

Finally, look carefully at the cost. The least expensive options — shower stall kits — start at $200 but can rise in price dramatically, and that’s before you hire a contractor, adjust your water lines, remove the tub, or modify surrounding flooring.

If you have the budget, we’d strongly encourage you to hire a licensed, experienced contractor, especially if you’re planning to put in a curbless shower (as we discuss below). If you tackle this one on your own, expect to spend at least a full weekend at it.

How Big a Job Is It to Exchange a Tub for a Shower?

Simple one-to-one conversions — that is, taking out a tub and installing a shower stall in the same space — are fairly simple if you’re working with a tub in a recessed alcove. Taking out a tub will leave a working space of approximately five feet in length and anywhere from 30 to 34 inches on average deep. That’s more than adequate for a roomy shower stall. The water lines shouldn’t need much adjustment, so the total project won’t be terribly complex.

But if you’ve got a freestanding tub, or one located beneath a window (which isn’t uncommon) you’ll have a slightly tougher — and more expensive — job ahead of you. You may need to relocate water supply and main lines, and that could add several hundred dollars to the budget.

Space needs should be reviewed carefully. Modern building codes require a shower floor space, or shower pan, of at least 30 inches square, which should make the removed-tub space sufficient. But some industry standards suggest a minimum of at least 36 inches square, in which case you’ll have some overage if you’re working with a standard tub footprint.

You’ll also need a height clearance of at least 80 inches, and at least 15” (preferably 18”) of space should remain between the side of the toilet and the side of the shower wall. And, of course, if there’s a swinging door entrance into the shower stall, you’ll need to make sure it completely clears any possible obstructions such as cabinetry or fixtures.

What Kind of Shower? 

One of those popular choices among homeowners who are ditching the tub and moving to shower-only baths is the walk-in shower. These designs offer both ease of use — especially for an aging homeowner — and a more modern, streamlined aesthetic that conveys a sense of luxury.

Another consideration in choosing to replace a tub with a shower is whether to select a stall with or without a curb.

Many stalls feature a curb — a “lip” usually constructed out of tile that protects the rest of the room’s flooring by acting as a little dam for the water before it drains through the floor. A curbless shower stall uses a shower pan that’s flush with the rest of the floor of the bathroom, without that lip.

While curbless stalls do look more modern and are definitely trending in popularity these days, they’re also more difficult to install correctly, often requiring adjustments to the existing floor height and adding to the project cost.

So if you think you’d like the curbless option, review your options with your licensed contractor carefully, and seek their input and recommendations.

As Harvard University’s Kermit Baker comments on This Old House, bathrooms are one of the main areas prospective purchasers look at. That’s why making an investment can really pay off. According to HGTV some research finds that sellers recoup two or three times the cost when they sell their homes.

Cost of Small Bathroom Renovation

How much does a bathroom remodel cost? It varies widely. Home Advisor puts the average cost at $9348, with a low of $2600 and a high of a whopping $20,000. Let’s face it, that last number would make most people think twice. The good news is that you can keep bathroom remodel costs under control so you add value and beauty to your home without draining your bank account.

If your home has a small bathroom, you’re already ahead of the game because less square footage means less expenditure. But you can keep the budget even lower by thinking carefully about every aspect of your bathroom renovation project.

How to Save Money on Your Bathroom Remodel

Starting at the top, crown molding can make a room look finished, making a nice transition between the walls and the ceiling. The question is: does that really matter in the bathroom? Crown molding doesn’t come cheap, so eliminating this is a good bet for a budget small bathroom renovation.

Let’s talk tiles. Some people want floor-to-ceiling tiles, but this can be costly. Save money by limiting the areas you tile and painting the rest. If you only tile the floor and bath or shower surround, you’ll cut tile usage in half and make big savings.

You can also save money when tiling by avoiding the subway tiles which are currently in fashion in favor of a bigger tile. Since every tile has to be placed and grouted manually, the more tiles you have the more labor you need. Bigger tiles mean less labor and lower costs. If you love the way small tiles look, cheat by getting a large tile in a mosaic pattern, like this porcelain tile from Floor & Decor.

How to Save on Plumbing and Fittings

Another area where you can make big savings is in plumbing. You may want to switch things round, but is it really worth the additional cost? That applies to electric wiring, too. Leave plumbing and electrics where they are and refresh your small bathroom by changing the fixtures and fittings instead. Good budget options include:

• Replacing a single light fitting offering double the lighting, like this Home Depot vanity light.
• Installing a single sink instead of a double.
• Using an old dresser as a sink surround instead of purchasing a new one.
• Retaining the base of your toilet and simply updating the toilet seat and lid.

Glass shower enclosures look great in any bathroom, but they also increase the cost of your remodel. Replace the enclosure with a shower curtain and rail to keep costs down. For bathroom faucets, go with chrome instead of brushed nickel to save a small fortune – the most expensive faucets for your sink cost a couple of hundred dollars and shower heads can be even more costly.

Most people need bathroom storage, but do you need a medicine cabinet as well as under-sink storage? Save on this area of your small bathroom by installing a mirror and storing your medicines elsewhere. Alternatively, use open shelving and save on the price of doors.

Finally, did you know you can get combo packages for bathroom fittings? It’s another great way to keep the cost down.

Good bathroom renovations aren’t cheap, but they don’t have to bust the budget either. With our tips, you can achieve a beautiful remodel and still have money in the bank.