It’s easy to overspend when renovating a bathroom. Here are a few tips for freshening up your bathroom décor on a budget.
Time it right
The cheapest time to undertake renovations is usually January. Most people are recovering from Christmas during this time and can’t afford to remodel their homes. This means that there’s little demand, and so contractors can often end up slashing their prices to get business. You may find that everything from wall paint to bathtubs is cheaper during this period too. Of course, this does require planning financially ahead so that you too have enough money to spend after Christmas.
Splash out on new taps
New bathroom taps could help to transform an existing sink and make it look brand new. Whist some styles can be expensive, there are plenty of budget tap options that still look sleek and stylish. You can buy taps for your bathroom online. Make sure to factor in the cost of plumbing if you don’t feel comfortable installing these taps yourself.
Reflect on your mirrors
If your bathroom mirror is starting to look mottled, it could be time to replace this too. A new mirror isn’t likely to cost much in the grand scheme of things and could help to instantly revitalise your bathroom. Mirrors are great for making small bathrooms feel bigger – especially large mirrors. You’re best opting for a mirror without a frame for a more modern feel.
Regrout, don’t retile
Installing new tiles may not always be necessary. In many cases, some steam cleaning could be all that’s needed to remove the grime on these tiles and make them look brand new again. Meanwhile, if you don’t like the colour of your tiles or there are marks that won’t shift, you could consider simply adding tile covers over the top – these are much cheaper than adding new tiles. The only part you may want to physically replace is the grouting as this can get grubby and may be impossible to scrub clean. Adding new grout won’t cost you much and could be a simple way to bring your bathroom to life.
Don’t relocate fixtures
When it comes to your bathtub, vanity and toilet, you may want to think twice before moving them around. Relocating these fixtures will result in extra plumbing costs, which will soon start to add up. You can buy new fixtures by all means, but try to keep them in the same position as the previous ones unless you really find the location of them to be impractical. When switching from an enclosed tub to a freestanding tub, you may have no option but to relocate the tub and pay for extra plumbing – bear this in mind if you’re planning on upgrading to a freestanding tub.
Shop second-hand
When shopping for new tubs and vanities, don’t rule out the option of second-hand fixtures. Just because they’re used and someone is selling them doesn’t necessarily mean they’re in poor condition – you’ll find many practically brand new tubs and sinks being sold online for cheap. If you’re buying online, try to buy from trusted sellers and don’t be afraid to ask for extra photos if you need them. If you’re buying locally, you may have to pick up the item yourself as delivery may not be an option – in these situations you may want to consider the cost of hiring a van or potentially hiring a moving company if you don’t trust yourself manoeuvring the fixture into your home.
Think beyond white
White has become the go-to colour for modern bathrooms. It’s the best colour for adding value and it certainly creates a clean and sterile feel, however opting for other colours could potentially save you money in some cases – particularly when it comes to fixtures. For some people this could be a step too far and you may prefer to stick to classic white (a lime green bathtub is certainly an acquired taste).
Consider the small details
Sometimes, just changing the smallest of details can have a big impact. Consider those small items such as shower curtains, toilet seats and toilet roll holders – switching these out for swanky new accessories could result in a huge transformation. Even replacing baskets and toothbrush holders could make a difference. All these items are likely to be cheap and won’t require any upheaval, making them suitable changes if you live in owned or rented property.
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