TOP 10 BUDGET SAVING TIPS FOR REMODELING YOUR BATHROOM
Keep your plumbing fixtures exactly where they are
I know..I know…everyone says that, but it’s reality! Moving a sink may not be a big deal – but better think again about moving that toilet. In a worst case scenario situation, you’d be looking at either reframing the floor system, having to install a new vent pipe, new plumbing drain line, and the list goes on on and on. Get creative. Design obstacles usually force you to think of a better solution in the long run anyway. [how’s that for a silver lining???]
Get creative with materials
Use simple, beautiful but inexpensive field tile in your shower. Splurge on an accent tile or stone threshold or niche shelf.
Use a stock shower door
I know..i know… ewww gross!! Buttttt they’re really not gross anymore!! Many are available frameless, and some come with cool industrial style or barn door style rails. Again – put all your preconceived notions aside and save them for shoe buying.
Source single hole faucets
They often cost less than their 4″ or 8″ widespread counterparts and are sleek and modern anyway. #winwin
Stick to a simple install pattern when it comes to tile
Think straight, brick, or third lay. Herringbone pattern, not so much. More complex tile installation = more expensive installation costs. Or, if you keep the tile basic (hint hint, inexpensive) then go ahead and splurge on that custom lay.
Comb those slab yards for a remnant
With a little wee bit of patience, you can usually score yourself an amazing stone remnant. The fabricators often toss all the “extras” in their yard, and you get to pick from their salvage pieces. Just be sure to inspect them carefully before buying, as they are often sold as is and may have small surface imperfections or chips.
Think outside [the box] for your vanity
Found an amazing slab of wood? Drop a vessel sink on it and hang a sleek towel rod below. Into the thrift shop scene? Grab that old chest of drawers or table and have a local refinisher breathe w new life with a bold or moody paint color. Or, if you did find that amazing remnant above, keep it sleek and simple with a single white lacquered cabinet.
Play with proportions to create drama
Think…floor mirror leaning on your vanity bringing the eye up to the amazing gold leafed ceiling you painstaking applied one rainy Saturday afternoon. Which brings me to….
Don’t skimp on the lighting
Often neglected or an afterthought, lighting can make or break a space. The right lighting will not only be functional but can completely transform a space. Even just a little strip of LED lighting under your countertop adds a touch of the unexpected. Google “stunning bathrooms”. Go ahead…I dare ya . See a pattern? Yup. dramatic lighting. Bad lighting is kinda like… wearing a couture dress with flip flops. oopsy.
Summons the Bob Ross buried in your soul
Can’t afford that Anthro wallpaper? Throw a piece in a poster frame and lean it behind that freestanding tub. Buy some inexpensive pieces of trim and nail [or glue] to your ceiling in an interesting pattern. Buy a small can of bright bold paint and freestyle a floor to ceiling stripe in an unexpected location. I could go on and on…
Moral of the story…
Budget-friendly does not have to mean cookie cutter or boring. A little creativity can go a long way and we all have it in us! Yes, it may require a little more effort but amazingness is still possible!
