Are you looking for bathroom remodel ideas on a budget? Here are ten ways you can renovate your bathroom into an inexpensive and luxurious space.

Key Takeaways

• You can save money on your bathroom remodel by purchasing affordable lookalikes to expensive materials. You can also repurpose and reuse items in the original design to create a fresh new look.

• Installing water-conserving touchless faucets with metering capabilities will allow you to monitor how much water your family uses. You can also control the amount of water that flows from the faucet.

• Adding new faucets can help you save money by limiting water waste. Switching the hardware can make the space look and feel new, and refinishing your tub is an affordable alternative to replacing those fixtures.

• A fresh coat of caulk, grout, and paint can give the room a new look without a large investment. Your tiles will look new, and the right color will brighten the space.

10 Bathroom Remodel Ideas When You’re on a Budget   

The average bathroom remodel costs between $5,000 and $15,000 depending on whether you opt for a low-end or high-end look. However, you can lower your expenses without compromising the aesthetics of the space.  

Don’t compromise style. Here are ten of the top bathroom remodel ideas for people who are on a budget:

1. Purchase Affordable Yet Expensive-Looking Materials

Why buy the expensive materials when you can purchase affordable lookalikes? You don't have to place real wood planks down for flooring. You can opt for low-cost vinyl flooring that looks like actual wood. 

Top-quality laminate is another excellent alternative. It works for both flooring and countertops. You can also choose to use quartz countertops instead of granite. 

2. Repurpose and Reuse Materials Where You Can

When remodeling your bathroom, the best way to save money is by reusing and repurposing items whenever possible. For instance, the couple in the video below are remodeling their master bathroom. 

They are reusing and repurposing items by resurfacing the space, like their vanity, and upgrading the hardware.   

Another suggestion would be to repurpose materials like tiles. For example, once you have removed the old tile from the shower or the floor, you can create DIY mosaic art pieces for a personal and unique look. You could even make a countertop with the broken pieces of tile.

3. Limit Your Use of Tile   

Quality tile can be expensive. By limiting the amount of tile you use in the bathroom, you can keep the costs of a remodel down. 

Labor costs are why tile is so expensive. If you feel you can do the work, that will save you some money. However, tile labor is not something you want to skimp on, and laying tile can be challenging without experience.

There are a lot of tile alternatives. You can opt for surface materials like broken wood panels, boards, and beadboard. You can also install Wainscot on the walls for an aesthetically pleasing alternative to tile. 

4. Add New Money-Saving Faucets 

You can get a modern bathroom faucet that is also inexpensive. However, the real savings comes from choosing a water-efficient touchless faucet. 

These faucets have metering capabilities that allow you to control the water flow. You can program the fixture from your smartphone and check water usage. It puts the control of water conservation in the palm of your hands.

5. Switch to New Hardware     

Sometimes the quickest fix to a bathroom upgrade is to change out the hardware. You may not be able to afford a new vanity. Yet, if the piece is in fair condition, changing out the knobs and hinges will give the vanity a new look.

6. Renovate the Tubs and Sinks   

You can’t always afford a new sink or bathtub. Not to mention, replacing the tub is expensive. You can reline, refinish, or reseal the bathtub to keep costs low. That way, you can brighten the space.

When you refinish the surface of the tub or sink, you can seal holes, fix cracks, remove rust, and bleach away yellow spots. That allows you to save money on the bathroom renovation. 

You can also consider bathtub inserts. They are cost-effective alternatives to replacing your bathtub. You can have them customized for your space and style. 

7. Invest in Better Lighting

Better lighting does more than add aesthetics to the room. It can also create an energy-efficient space when you replace existing fixtures with those that use low-watt bulbs or LEDs. 

You can also incorporate natural light with Solar tubes. They are budget-friendly ways to brighten the room. 

8. Refresh the Caulk and Grout in the Bathroom

Nothing is more unsightly in a bathroom than dirty caulk and grout. Freshening these will make the room look cleaner and more aesthetically pleasing. 

Both are inexpensive to buy, and you can do it yourself without hiring a professional. It will look like you have made a significant upgrade.

9. Cover with a Fresh Coat of Paint

A fresh coat of paint is an inexpensive way to brighten up the space during a remodel. With so many options on the market, you can spend as much as you want to get the desired look. 

You don't have to stop at the walls. You can also add a fresh coat to the vanity, cabinet doors, and drawers.

10. Purchase Secondhand Fittings When Possible

Some places sell secondhand bathroom fixtures. You can even purchase a used toilet or sink from one of these retailers. You can shop on eBay, Craigslist, or any of the smartphone apps that focus on reselling used bathroom items that are still in good condition. 

You can also get used:

• Mirrors
• Doors
• Sinks
• Other fixtures

Upgrade Your Bathroom with Fixtures from Geberit  

Another way to add aesthetic elements to your bathroom remodel is to add in-wall plumbing fixtures like a wall-hung toilet or urinal. Not only will you enjoy the look of the space. You will also appreciate how easy to clean these bathroom fixtures are. 

Are you looking for more home improvement projects that you can do yourself? Head over to our Know-How page for tips and tricks.