Update Your Bathroom on a Budget

Remodeling your bathroom can increase the value of your house, as well as the value you get from living in your home. It’s one of the smallest rooms, so there’s no need to have a large budget. Here are a few budget-friendly ideas to help you get the bathroom of your dreams and update your bathroom on a budget.

Small Updates, Big Impact

You don’t have to make a big change to give your bathroom an all new look. The follow small, inexpensive updates can provide an instant facelift:

Change out the old light fixtures. If your bathroom has outdated over-sink lighting, add a new fixture in oiled bronze or brushed nickel. Even new globe covers on the old fixture can provide a new look.
Your mirror or medicine cabinet is one of the first things you see. Trading it out for a more modern design is a simple an inexpensive change.
Does your cabinet hardware leave something to be desired? Get rid of old chrome knobs or outdated wood or plastic handles. Add new decorative knobs to breathe new life into the cabinets for just a few dollars.

Freshen Up the Tub

The bathtub takes up a lot of real estate in the bathroom, making it the centerpiece of the room. Stained, dull tubs don’t require a full replacement. Instead, get the tub reglazed so it looks brand new again, but at only a fraction of the cost of a replacement. You aren’t limited to just the tub. If your bathroom counters or tile has also seen better days, you can get these reglazed. Tile may also require fresh grout, but it’s a small cost compared to a completely new remodel.

Add a Fresh Coat

Paint can work miracles in your bathroom. A fresh coat on the walls and ceilings can brighten up a dingy bathroom. Don’t overlook the cabinets – paint can bring an outdated wood cabinet into the modern era when combined with new knobs and a freshly reglazed sink. Even the frame on a boring wood mirror can suddenly pop with a coat of paint.

It’s In the Details

Don’t overlook the small details when you update your bathroom. A few changes here and there can pull together the entire look of your new bathroom. The top 5 details you shouldn’t overlook are:

Change the linens. It’s well worth the small expense to add a new shower curtain and bathroom rug. If your towels are on display, consider upgrading these, too.
Upgrade your old unframed builder’s mirror without replacing it. You can build your own frame from molding to give it a finished look.
Add paneling or a chair rail to the walls. These small details can have a big impact.
Update your baseboards. If your bathroom is graced with old rubber baseboards, change them out. If you are worried about wood and moisture, you can get vinyl baseboards that look just like painted wood.
Is old linoleum dragging your bathroom into the past? Add tile floors for a facelift. Bathrooms are usually small, so it isn’t an overly expensive project.

You don’t have to implement all the changes at once. Begin with one major change with a big visual impact, such as reglazing the tub, and then do a few small changes as your budget allows. In no time it will feel like a brand new bathroom.