Have you been thinking about remodeling your bathroom, but put it off because of the costs? If you don’t have a lot of money to spend, you can still give your bathroom a fresh, new look that will fit your small budget.
Typically, an average bathroom remodel can cost about $10,000. The amount you spend will be determined by the extent of changes you make. If you have a small budget, less than $5,000, stick to cosmetic changes like new paint, fixtures, hardware and decorative accessories. With a bigger budget, you can consider new tile, new tub or shower, and new lighting. Talk to a local contractor to get your free quote.
Paint
It you’re on a tight budget, new paint is the cheapest way to give your update your bathroom. You can repaint the walls, ceilings and cabinets for minimal costs. Although your bathroom may be small, painting will take some time due to the amount of other surfaces that need to be masked off. When purchasing paint, invest in a good quality paint with a gloss or satin finish for easy cleaning. Since mold and mildew grow easily in a bathroom with temperature and humidity changes, you may want to invest in a specialty paint that will resist mold growth.
Tile
New tile can be expensive to purchase and install, but you can cut costs by limiting the tile. Focus on major areas like the floor, shower stall or tub enclosure. If you can’t afford to tile all three areas, just do one area and accent the other areas with a border. Look for floor tiles with a non-slip surface or finish and wall tiles that are easy to clean. If you have existing tile you want to keep, clean the grout and add new caulk around the sink and tub. New grout and caulk are inexpensive ways to freshen up your old tile.
Countertops
Bathroom vanity tops are rather small, so a new granite countertop may not cost as much as you think. Neutral colors like beige, tan and brown are popular, so they’re often more expensive. To save money, consider less popular colors. You can also save money by buying a slab with imperfections. If the imperfections are located in the middle of the slab where your sink and faucets will be installed, they will be cut out.