Get a Luxury Bathroom Inexpensively

We spend quite a bit of time in the bathroom. Not including the "half-hour with a magazine" times, we are showering, getting ready for the day and for bed, and if we're lucky, relaxing in a bath every now and again.

And no matter how nice your sitting room may be, guests will get a much more accurate picture of your lifestyle from the bathroom. 

Also, if you are thinking you might sell, the bathroom is also one of the most important value-adding aspects of your home.

It's important that your bathroom is nice, but that does not have to mean that it has to cost a small fortune. There are simple ways to make your bathroom look classy and expensive that are easier and cheaper than you may think. Here are some how-to's for how to class up your bathroom on a budget.

We'll hit this from two sides:

1. Surface Remodeling - you can change structural aspects of your bathroom without a major remodel of the floor plan or layout
2. Decor - Little superficial changes that can make a huge difference for the overall look

Surface Remodeling Tips 

Anytime you are dealing with plumbing, electrical, flooring, etc, it's going to be complicated, dusty, and expensive. However, if your bathroom is structurally sound and just needs a new look, here are tips for how to do that well.

1. Cover, Don't Replace

This is the guiding principle of any surface-level renovation, with the caveat that you never want to cover anything because it needs to be replaced.

For example, there is no better way to cover up the lower potion of walls than with easy-to-install wainscot. It's a pre-fab board that extends as high as 48" and will eliminate the need to fix any unfortunate wall dings and minor holes. But should that wallboard be speckled with mold and mildew, the last thing you want to do is cover it up. Unfortunately, you need to track down the source, stop it, and replace affected portions of wallboard.

2. Refinish Tub Instead of Replacing It

Bathtub or shower refinishing is a prime example of "cover, not replace." If the problem is mainly cosmetic--a yellowed surface and some cracks and nicks--you can refinish your shower or bathtub .

Bathtub and shower liners--a staple of infomercials and the hidden secret of many nice-looking bathrooms--are actually not as cheap as they seem. Never a permanent fix, they will carry you through a few years. Liners require professional installation.

3. You Don't Need That High-End Flooring

You think you want that radiant-heat granite floor but we are talking about a relatively small space here - a durable and highly cost-effective option is Vinyl Flooring.

Vinyl looks better than ever these days with innovations such as luxury vinyl flooring (LVF) and plank vinyl. Give it a try; you'll never look back. Trust me. 

4. Install Your Own Toilet

Don't call in the plumber to switch out the old toilet with the new. Install your toilet yourself . It's much easier than you can imagine following the step-by-step guide at this link.

5. Paint It Yourself

Bathroom walls are taken up with mirrors, showers, tile, bathtubs, etc. You're only dealing with a few square feet. You can paint the bathroom yourself in two days using this great step-by-step guide.

8. Install Your Own Bathroom Vanity and Top

Because bathrooms are small, it's possible for you to buy nearly or fully assembled bathroom vanity units and vanity tops and have them in place within a couple of hours.

Vanity units come in certain sizes ranging from 24 inches to 60 inches wide. Coordinating tops (counters) can be purchased that even have sinks fused into them--no sink installation and caulking woes!

Remember, these are SURFACE solutions. If you are doing anything more complicated (moving plumbing or electric, changing the floor plan, etc.) hire a professional. 

Decor Tips

If you already like the blank canvas of your bathroom, there are lots of inexpensive options for improving the decor and making it look much more expensive than it was.

1. Light It Up

Bright lighting makes your bathroom look bigger and cleaner. You try lighting fixtures like bulbs fixed into the bathroom sill or the false ceiling. You can also have mood lighting in the bathing area.

2. Keep it Clean

Even expensive bathroom fittings are of no use it is dirty and drab. Keep the sink, the tub and the tiles spotless clean. Your bathroom will automatically look classy.

3. Classy Mirrors

You must use mirrors that look expensive (but are not). 
For example, try covering an entire wall of your bathroom with a mirror. In this way, you will be saving on tiles.
Or, you can find unique used mirrors and re-purpose them to create the personalized look you want.

4. Bathroom Fixtures

Fixtures are like your bathroom's jewelry. They must be functional, of course, but there are so many options and looks that they are a great way to add a bit of pizzazz. Remember also that if you have furniture-like vanities, the drawer pulls and handles are included as fixtures.

5. Shower Curtains

This is the biggest piece of fabric in your bathroom, so this could be your gorgeous focal point, a splash of color, or just subtly blend with your other decor. Good quality shower curtains are not expensive and they really impact the look of your bathroom.

6. Bathmats

Chances are, if you are ready for a new shower curtain, you are also ready for a new bathmat. Remember from our Decorating Mistakes Blog that toilet rugs are no longer acceptable, but there are many options to add interest and class to a bathroom from the ground up.

7. Details

What is around your sink and on your shelves? These details make a big difference in the overall impression of your bathroom. Pour your favorite products into decorate pump bottles.

8. Artistic Touches

Dried flower petals and scented candles can give your bathroom a relaxing feel. Wall art and photos add you personality into it. But your bathroom decor could be anything from vases and lamps to themed decorations - there is no limit to what you can do.

Whether you are changing out a counter top or changing out a bathmat, there are many ways to get a gorgeous and classy bathroom for not a lot of money. You spend at least an hour a day in the bathroom. Your guests see it. Your family bathes there. Make it the beautiful bathroom you deserve.