Hey y’all! Way back in the summertime, I told you guys that I wanted to go room-by-room, showing you how we renovated our house. I didn’t finish that Home Improvement series so I’m picking it back up this year.
In some spaces of our house, we did major upgrades by knocking down & moving walls, running new plumbing lines, etc. We also did lots of budget-friendly upgrades and remodeling our bathrooms was one of them.
Before:
Our master bedroom was previously a den + a laundry room, that had a toilet closet attached. The original master bedroom had a bathroom attached as well but neither spaces are that big so we turned the den into a master suite. We added a shower, a double vanity, removed the exterior door & created a different entrance into the bathroom.
After:
So here’s some of the most helpful tips I can provide, for those of you that want to renovate your own bathrooms!
- Price materials + labor beforehand, set a budget & try your best to stick to it. In the construction/remodel world, that phrase is so much easier said than done but it is absolutely necessary to have an idea of what you’ll be spending, before starting a major project like this. Have tradesmen (plumber, electrician, tiler, etc.) give you estimates on the work you’d like done – many of which will do this for free. Also, do your research on the types of materials you’ll need. Once you have a ballpark range of what you’ll be spending, add 10% to the overall costs. That will give you a cushion in case there are any mishaps, which occur far often than you’d think.
- Save $$$ by doing things yourself. Now this tip is directed at those who are currently DIY-ers. If I hadn’t been pregnant during the majority of our renovations, I would have helped Orlando lay our tile. It was his first time doing so, after taking a couple quick courses at our local Floor & Decor + watching YouTube tutorials. Once you get a rhythm going, it isn’t too tough of a project. Swapping out sink & lighting fixtures is pretty simple too. However, hiring a professional for tasks like electrical updates & plumbing repairs, is a must.
- If you can, work with the layout you already have. Shifting plumbing lines can get very expensive, making bathrooms one of the priciest areas to renovate. Updating the fixtures, tiling & flooring, can typically be done without moving the plumbing lines for toilets & sinks. As you can see in the pictures above, we have 3 sinks in our bathroom! Our house was built in the 1970s & the building codes were different back then so our toilet was vented through the sink across from it. Initially, the idea of this annoyed the h*** out of me but it was much more affordable to keep the plumbing as-is.
- Check discount stores/websites for affordable materials. A quick google search can give you easy access to affordable materials like vanities & light fixtures. Websites like Lightsonline.com & Overstock.com are great sites for budget-friendly materials. Hardware stores like Lowe’s & Home Depot run sales a lot so keep a look out for discounted materials at those places too.
- Here are a few specific ways to update your bathroom without breaking the bank
- Paint or add wallpaper! Adding a new coat of paint, in a completely different color, can do wonders for updating a space. Peel-and-stick wallpaper is fairly easy to apply so that can be done too, to liven up the space.
- If you want to update your tile, opt for larger pieces over smaller ones. You can save on time & material costs.
- Replace small details like the mirror frame, towel racks/hooks, cabinet knobs & storage pieces. Those items can make a big statement, at a low cost.
- Purchase a vanity with the top included, vs. spending extra on a separate granite/marble countertop
- Have your bathtub refinished instead of completely replacing. You can buy a refinishing kit to do it yourself, or hire a local company to do it for you.
I’m loving the after of your bathroom renovation. I love how you broke down the steps to avoid breaking the bank. Refreshing the details in any space makes a major difference. Chelsey you all did an awesome job Thanks for sharing
Thanks so much Kangelia! I agree!! Small updates can go a long way & the bigger ones don’t have to be crazy expensive!
Wow!!! You guys did an exceptional job on the renovation! I love the overall look and the colors you guys used.
Thank you Caressa! Definitely a labor of love but it was worth it.
Amazing job with the renovation! I’ll definitely be referring to your blog for more renovation tips and sharing it. I’m always here for affordable tips when it comes to home renovation and repairs.
Yes!!! Thanks so much Delle.
I am obsessed with how this came out. I am loving everyone of your updates. Ill be saving all your tips for when I start tearing my own house apart. Amazing job!!
Thanks so much Shana! I hope it helps you out when the time comes!
I love how your bathroom came out! And I had no idea that Floor and Decor offered classes. That’s such a good tip!!
Yes! & they’re free! Thank you Taylor!