A bathroom remodel can transform your space from an ordinary space into a more functional, stylish retreat, but without a solid budget, costs can quickly spiral. The good news? You can create a beautiful bathroom at almost any price point with careful planning, creative choices, and strategic spending. Read our step-by-step guide below to help you achieve your dream bathroom on a budget and timeline that works for you!
Step 1: Define Your Goals & Priorities
Start by making two lists, one for your “must-haves” and one for your “nice-to-haves”. This will help you outline your most important features and priorities, while also making sure you are not forgetting about the nice cherries on top that you’d want to add to your bathroom eventually. The “must-haves” could be things like heated tile flooring, or a spacious shower enclosure, while your nice-to-have may be a new mirror, vanity lamps, or a fancy bidet toilet.
When creating these lists, try to be honest with your needs, wishes, and budget, to create a realistic plan and timeline for each feature. There may be some features you are happy to wait for in a second part of your bathroom remodel a few months from now, so don’t pressure yourself to get everything completed within a single budget on day one!
Step 2: Set a Realistic Budget
Now that you have outlined your desired upgrades and changes in your bathroom, it is time to determine how much you are willing to spend. To get an accurate budget, you need to consider three important factors: Labor costs, material or product costs, and hidden costs.
Make a note for each item on your two lists, to determine a budget for labor costs, such as an electrician, contractor, plumber, or other professional support you may need for your installations and remodel. If you can DIY an installation, it can save you money, but it is always better to be safe than sorry! If you are not sure on how to handle heavy glass, electrics, or plumbing, call a professional! It will be worth the investment for peace of mind of a proper installation.
When accounting for materials, be sure to include any tools you may need to buy if you plan to DIY certain projects, and even account for seemingly small things like silicone, nails, or underlayment. These things can add up and quickly bring your project off course.
Lastly, a good rule of thumb is to allocate about 10-20% of your budget for unexpected expenses to avoid surprises. And the fun part about this is, that you can use this money for some items from your “nice-to-have” list, if all things went well with your must-haves!
Step 3: Make Smart Spending Choices
If you are working with a tight budget, focus on impactful upgrades and high-quality products that are made to last.
Investing in statement pieces, such as a luxury shower enclosure, an elegant vanity, or stylish tiles can elevate your space, even if light fixtures, cabinets, towel bars and other items are not upgraded immediately.
Pairing some budget-friendly materials with a few specialty standout features can help you quickly achieve a high-end look.
Another option is also to consider refinishing parts of your bathroom, rather than replacing them completely. With the internet readily available at your fingertips, take a look on social media and blogs to see how others have updated their space with stencils and paint! Your local hardware store will have tile paint, tub paint, wall stencils, and more, to help you refresh your bathroom on a budget, allowing you to make room for your statement pieces in your budget!
Step 4: Track Your ExpensesStep 4: Track Your Expenses
With your detailed lists and project outline in hand, make sure to check off completed features and their cost to track your budget. There may be things that ended up costing more, while you were able to save with others. This allows you to adjust your budget when needed and stay on track with your goals!
So, with some planning effort and creativity, you can create a strategic approach for your remodeling project to achieve a stunning bathroom upgrade without breaking the bank. Happy renovating!
