An average bathroom remodel costs around $10,000, while an upscale remodel can easily run over $20,000. However, if you do the work yourself and get creative, you can do a remodel for $1,000 to $3,000, or even less, depending on how much you want to change. Here are a few things you can do to give your bathroom a new look.
1. New faucets
Replacing an ugly bathroom faucet with a pretty one has become a relatively simple do-it-yourself task, with many faucets now sold in kits that include all the fittings and complete instructions. Make sure you have the right type for the number of hole openings in the sink.
2. Replace your countertop
Some companies will come in and reface your countertop with a ¼-inch veneer of granite, for the look of solid granite at a fraction of the cost. Alternatively, you can have a boring or worn laminate counter refaced with new laminate—there are ones on the market now that closely mimic stone, wood or other natural finishes, or go for something more fanciful to suit your tastes.
3. Update your mirror
Replace a boring plate-glass mirror with a framed version you can hang like art. Scoop up an ornate frame at an antique store (or pick out a nice one at a framer’s) and have the framer make it into a mirror for you. Attractive framed mirrors in every style, from Victorian to modern, can also be found at thrift stores, antique markets and home stores.
4. Extend the tiles
If your bathtub or shower is tiled inside the enclosure but stops at the edge, and if you can find matching tiles, have them extended the rest of the way around the bathroom. The advantage to doing this is more than aesthetic; it makes your bathroom much easier to clean, since you can wash the walls at the same time you do the floors.
5. Consider reglazing the bathtub
While the actual cost of a new tub might be only a few hundred dollars, changing the tub will cost you over $2500. You get soaked with labour costs for removing the old tub, along with the installation and plumbing for the new tub. If you decide to reglaze, costs can start as low as $300 for just the tub, while reglazing a tub and its surrounding wall begins at approximately $600. Once the tub is reglazed, it should look like new, retaining its glossy appearance for about 10 years.
Another often overlooked yet important detail is grout and caulk. When this gets grimy, it gets unsightly. By simply cleaning the grout and adding straight, clean lines of caulk around the tub and sink, you can add sparkle for a mere few dollars. You might be surprised at what a difference this can make! Grout and caulk are both cheap, so this is a very inexpensive way to freshen up your bathroom.
7. Update the lights
Many bathrooms are cursed with a single light fixture directly above the mirror, which creates unflattering shadows. If you don’t want to have side sconces wired in, look for a fixture with two lights side by side, which will at least direct the light a little more to either side of your face.
8. Experiment with colour
It’s amazing what a beautiful bathroom wall colour will do to add interest to the plainest room, and a small room takes only a day or so to paint. Be careful choosing colour as some like blues and greens can be cold and unkind to skin tones, while too bright a colour may be overwhelming in a small room like a bath. At the very worst, if you choose a colour and don’t like the effect, it’s easy to paint over again.
9. Make your own shower curtain
Making your own shower curtain is an easy job, even if you’re not a sewer. Measure the shower opening and purchase a few yards of beautiful fabric from a fabric outlet store. Finish the edges with iron-on hemming tape and sew curtain rings along the top. Buy a plastic curtain liner from a bath shop, and hang.
10. Add simple accessories
Think scale with bath accessories, but don’t think you have to display only small things. One beautiful vase or piece of artwork can have a fabulous impact in a small space.
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