Affordable Bathroom Renovation Ideas

black white modern bathroom with plants

Credit: Adam Albright

No matter the size, remodeling a bathroom can be a big project. But these budget small bathroom remodels prove you don't need a ton of space or cash to make a big impact. See how these petite baths were completely transformed while keeping cost and style in mind.

Before: Old-Fashioned Bathroom

Filled with dated fixtures and surfaces, this space badly needed an upgrade. The budget small bathroom remodel replaced the old flooring, pipes, tub, and vanity to make it more functional for a young family. The overall layout and an octagon-shaped window were the only elements left unchanged.

After: Modern Black-and-White Bath

newly renovated bathroom with black-and-white tiles

Credit: Julie Soefer

Boldly patterned cement tiles set the tone for this small bathroom design. The tile's high-contrast color scheme is repeated on matte black fixtures and stretches of white subway tile with black grout lines. An inexpensive IKEA vanity replaced the old one while keeping costs low. Wood drawer fronts add texture and dimension to the contemporary space.

Before: Old, Impractical Bathtub

brown and yellow bathroom before renovation

Credit: Courtesy of homeowner

The original 1948 pink tub instantly betrayed this bathroom's age. And for a family that preferred showers over baths, the 5x8-foot space struggled to keep up with their morning routine. A remodel added a more practical shower and tons of style to this small bathroom.

After: Stylish Small Bathroom Makeover

black white modern bathroom with plants

Credit: Adam Albright

A subway tiled walk-in shower takes the place of the decades-old tub to give this remodeled bathroom a fresh look. To stay within budget, the homeowners kept the original vanity and simply updated it with paint and new hardware. Instead of replacing the old floor tile, they covered it with inexpensive peel-and-stick tiles for a quick, low-cost update.

Before: Stuck in a Timewarp

small gray and white bathroom

Filled with charms and challenges, this 4x8-foot bathroom in a 1920s bungalow needed a few spruce-ups to unlock its full potential. A leaky water-guzzling toilet, a stained pedestal sink, and dated fixtures topped the must-fix list. This small bathroom remodel was accomplished on a $1,500 budget (excluding labor) and some DIY sweat equity.

After: Classic Bathroom Design

small bathroom with blue intricate patterned wallpaper

Credit: Jay Wilde

The bathroom remodel preserved and enhanced the classic details while updating the functionality of the space. The blue floor tiles inspired the addition of sophisticated navy-and-gray damask-print wallpaper, which the homeowners hung themselves. New beaded-board wainscoting painted bright white restored some of the room's architectural detail and proved to be more cost-effective than taking the wallpaper to the floor.

Money-Saving Fixtures

close-up toilet small bathroom with blue wallpaper

Credit: Jay Wilde

The homeowners have already noticed savings in their water bill after replacing their bath's original toilet during the remodel. The new WaterSense-certified model is much more efficient, saving both water and money. Toilets built before the 1980s can use up to 5-7 gallons per flush while today's high-efficiency models use as little as 1.28 gallons.

Improved Bathroom Sink Area

close-up sink and mirror small bathroom with blue wallpaper

Credit: Jay Wilde

A pedestal sink fits the home's style but lacks storage, so a glass shelf and a new medicine cabinet stand in as handy storage. During a bathroom remodel, make sure the new cabinet will fit the existing hole before applying wallpaper in case the opening needs to be modified. Replacing the 1990s oak medicine cabinet with a white-framed version furthers the bathroom's lighter, bright aesthetic.

Personalized Small Bathroom Ideas

monogramed shower curtain small bathroom blue wallpaper

Credit: Jay Wilde

Inexpensive, store-bought accessories can help keep your small bathroom remodel budget in check. These homeowners personalized the space with a few DIY projects. Here, an embroidered monogram and ribbon were glued on to the shower curtain with permanent fabric glue to create a custom look.

Bathroom Design Details

built-in storage small bathroom blue wallpaper

Credit: Jay Wilde

Thoughtful touches give the room additional character. Inspired by the vertical lines of the beaded board, the built-in cabinet's existing doors were modified with receded glass. Grosgrain ribbon glued to an inexpensive Roman shade window treatment lends custom style. Finally, new chrome accessories added sparkle to the space.

Budget Small Bath Updates

Quick and affordable changes took this small bath from drab to fab. The total budget for the small bathroom remodel was less than $500. See how you can use the same tactics in your bathroom.

Before: Opportunity for Bathroom Remodel

black white before photo of LInda Roberts master bath

Credit: Courtesy of Linda Roberts

This bathroom badly needed a redo, and an unfortunate incident finally made it a necessity. A pet hamster's escape to inside the bathroom wall required a rescue that included tearing into the wall. The subsequent bathroom remodel was completed with a budget of around $1,500.

After: Eclectic Small Bathroom Design

after photo linda roberts bathroom with butcher table vanity

Credit: Gene Pollux

With a DIY mindset, the owners of this small master bathroom created a personal sanctuary on a budget. This Asian butcher table, found at an antique shop, was repurposed for the vanity. The table maintains its authenticity with a simple above-counter sink. A new mirror adds a modern touch, while a pebble-tile "rug" on the floor adds texture and a spa-like accent.

Stylish Bathroom Storage

floating shelves above toilet

Credit: Gene Pollux

Inexpensive shelves from a home center transform the wall above the toilet to provide a storage spot for bathroom essentials. Throughout the bathroom, a simple light-and-dark palette helps the space appear larger, and the same neutral scheme was applied to the vignette above the toilet. The dark tones on the shelves, picture frames, and art contrast with the white towels, photo mats, and bud vase.

Modern-Antique Mix

Detail of bathroom vanity with vessel and chrome bath fixture

Credit: Gene Pollux

Mixing modern with antique is the secret to this small bathroom's signature look. Both the vanity and sink/faucet combination are simplistic but foster vintage and contemporary aesthetics. This single-lever faucet is easy to use, and the tall spout is the perfect height to deliver water to the vessel sink. A nickel finish on all the fixtures creates a cohesive look in this master bath.

Budget-Friendly Small Bathroom Ideas

pebble floor detail with smooth border

Credit: Gene Pollux

This eclectic bath got a one-of-a-kind floor with a pebble-tile "rug" created with mesh-back river rock tile squares. Using just a few pieces of the more expensive pebble tile adds a luxe touch to the bathroom without adding much to the remodeling costs. The pebble tiles are the same color as the border tile, which creates an uninterrupted visual plane along the floor and helps the small bath feel larger.

Spacious Walk-In Shower

Shower room with half wall divide

Credit: Gene Pollux

Simple subway tiles give this walk-in shower's modern design a classic feel. A painting, coated with a polyurethane sealer to waterproof it, creates a focal point on the back wall. Although this shower is open, it is wide enough that overspray is not a problem.

Before: Basic and Boring

black and white before small powder room

It took two rounds of remodeling to take this 5x5-foot powder room from basic to fantastic. The thoughtful planning strategy allowed the homeowners to make updates gradually. This smart spending tactic helped keep the budget for this small bathroom remodel at just over $2,000.

After: Posh Powder Room Remodel

bathroom bead board wallpaper

Credit: Jay Wilde

With just a few affordable changes, this powder room got an elegant new look. A slender pedestal sink adds a graceful shape to the room without taking up much space. The easy-to-clean wainscoting behind the sink adds a pretty architectural element in this small bath. Installing the painted beaded board just past the midpoint of the wall draws the eye up and lends a sense of height and a layer of charm.

Small Bathroom, Big Style

close-up pedestal sink

Credit: Jay Wilde

The white pedestal sink has a classic and versatile look that will withstand time and trend. With no base cabinet, the simple pedestal on the sink visually opens up the room. The sink was outfitted with the timeless appeal of a brushed-nickel faucet, and its wide rim is a perfect spot for pretty soaps or a small vase of flowers.

Bathroom Walls That Wow

close-up towel on circular hanger

Credit: Jay Wilde

The bold, oversize paisley-pattern wallpaper amps up the small bathroom's style and offers ornate contrast to the simple lines of the wainscoting below. The rich gray and light blue design adds visual interest while keeping the overall color scheme neutral. The cool tones nicely complement the brushed-nickel hardware.

Pretty Bathroom Accents

close-up pink flowers and clear soap container

Credit: Jay Wilde

Storage needs are often minimal in a small powder room. Incorporating a small cabinet provides a place to tuck away extra rolls of toilet paper and hand towels. Plus, there's place on top to display decorative accents.

Style Underfoot

weave pattern flooring detail

Credit: Jay Wilde

Although this small bath remodel was done on a budget, its footprint didn't require much flooring material, which provided the homeowners an opportunity to splurge a bit. This woven mosaic tile is a perfect complement to the bathroom's style and will wear well. To stretch your remodel budget, surround decorative tile with more affordable plain tile around the perimeter of the room.

Before: Tight Quarters

black and white before bathroom 3/4 tile wall

Credit: Courtesy of Young House Love

This 7x6-foot bathroom left a lot to be desired in the style and size department. But a smart remodel transformed the tiny bath's style and function without adding a single inch. The total remodeling budget came in right around $2,000.

After: Compact Bathroom Remodel

narrow modern style green bathroom

Credit: Erik Johnson

Two avid DIYers transformed their 7x6-foot hall bathroom into a polished, serene space. They achieved their updated look with smart shopping and by doing most of the work themselves. To make the small room feel larger, they chose a calming color scheme of soft green, white, and brown.

Small Bathroom Paint Ideas

sink modern style green bathroom

Credit: Erik Johnson

The serene, soft green paint helps to visually expands the small room. The white sink, towels, and robe provide crisp counterpoints to the green walls. A rich brown vanity, framed mirror, and accents add drama to the bathroom color scheme.

Refresh and Repurpose

vanity drawer modern style green bathroom

Credit: Erik Johnson

To help save on remodeling costs, an inexpensive nightstand was turned into a vanity. It's a sophisticated alternative to a stock vanity and offers the look of a higher-end model. The nightstand drawer is still functional and can be used to store small items. A large above-counter sink minimizes splashing, and the nightstand was treated with a lacquer finish to make it water-resistant.

Open Bathroom Storage

wicker basket storage in linen closet

Credit: Erik Johnson

Removing bulky linen closet doors helped open up the small bathroom and keep items accessible. Corralling like items, such as washcloths and cosmetics, in baskets prevents the open storage from looking cluttered. Open glass jars holding other bathroom essentials continue the streamlined look.

Inexpensive Bathroom Art

artwork above toilet

Credit: Erik Johnson

Art doesn't have to be expensive to offer a gallery-like look for your small bathroom. A trip to New York City inspired this subway sign art. These signs were made on a computer, printed, and affixed to slim boards with glue, then covered with a decoupage medium.

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Affordable Bathroom Renovation Ideas

Source: https://www.bhg.com/bathroom/small/budget-small-baths/

Affordable Bathroom Renovation Ideas