Easy Bathroom Upgrades on a Budget
There are several easy bathroom upgrades on a budget ways to spruce up your bathroom
Here are some ideas:
- Changing a shower curtain
- Switching out a sink
- Upgrading a faucet
- Refinishing a tub
- Refinishing a floor
- Adding a dimmer switch
Replace your shower curtain, sink, or faucet. Even refinish your old tub. These are all fairly easy renovations that will add a new look to your bathroom without breaking the bank.
Read on to find out more. Here are some other ideas for easy bathroom upgrades on a budget. Let us know what you think!
1. Changing a shower curtain
When it comes to easy bathroom upgrades on a budget, a shower curtain can be a great way to do it. Whether you’d like to add a pop of color or an antique look, there are plenty of inexpensive ways to replace your shower curtain.
Listed below are five ways to replace your old shower curtain.
1. Using repurposed metal is a great way to save money. Look for metal pieces in thrift stores, yard sales, and vintage stores.
2. Recycled metal, such as a gate from an elevator, fencing material, or even a window sill, is a great choice for your bathroom. Just be sure to protect it against rust with a rust-proof material.
3. When it comes to the material of your shower curtain, vinyl is a good option because it won’t need a lining, and it’s easy to clean. It also repels water, which prevents the buildup of mold and mildew.
Cotton, on the other hand, adds character to your bathroom. It comes in every pattern and color you can imagine and is easy to care for.
4. Changing your shower curtain will add instant spruce to your bathroom decor, while also being inexpensive. You can find a new shower curtain online for as little as $1.00.
5. You can even go crazy and buy a colorful shower curtain with a design that stands out. You can change the fabric at a later date if you wish. So, make the most of your budget when replacing a shower curtain in a bathroom on a budget.
2. Switching out a sink
One way to do an easy bathroom upgrades on a budget to save money when remodeling a bathroom is to buy a new sink. A new sink can cost anywhere from $40 to $300, not including installation.
Installing a new sink can cost anywhere from $250 to $500, depending on the type of installation you need and the labor you require. To get the best deal, ask around and compare prices. You can often get a top-notch sink for much less than the average price.
Begin by removing the old sink. This is a fairly straightforward DIY project. You may need to replace old pipes, drywall, and backsplash before you can install your new sink.
Make sure to drain any water before you begin. You should also remove the P-trap. Be sure to have a bucket under the sink’s location, as you may have to remove it by hand.
Once you’ve replaced the sink, you may want to consider replacing other fixtures and appliances in the room. Consider adding new countertops, a vanity mirror, or a dishwasher to the room as well.
Or you can replace other areas of the room and remodel the kitchen as well. This can save you a lot of money and give your bathroom a new, refreshed feel. However, if you don’t have the budget for a complete remodel, it’s still possible to replace your sink.
3. Upgrading a faucet
Replacing a faucet is among the most inexpensive ways bathroom upgrades. Replacing your faucet gives your bathroom a new look and appeal to potential home buyers.
While you can do easy bathroom upgrades on a budget replacement yourself, it’s recommended to have a licensed plumber or general contractor complete the installation.
A new faucet can cost as little as $200, not including the labor and materials. Here are the pros and cons of replacing a faucet.
The materials used to make a faucet vary. The most common is brass, which is an alloy of copper and zinc. Its yellow color is characteristic of brass.
Some brass faucets also contain aluminum for strength or tin to prevent zinc from corroding due to water exposure. Stainless steel is a better choice than brass because it is more resistant to water marks and fingerprints.
You can also upgrade the hardware in the bathroom. Changing the handles and faucets of the sink, towel bar, and cabinet knobs can update the bathroom. New showerheads, towel bars, and curtain rods can be a great addition to a blah bathroom.
Towel warmers, in particular, add a luxurious spa-like feel. To install a pedestal sink, you should consult the How to Install a Pedestal Sink article for more details.
4. Refinishing a tub
If you’re looking for easy bathroom upgrades on a budget to make a big impact on the look of your bathroom, refinishing a tub is an excellent option. Refinishing a tub requires only a few simple steps, including cleaning, sanding, and possibly painting.
You can do this yourself, or hire a professional to do it for you. The process itself doesn’t take long and results are quite pleasing.
Before you start, make sure that you have a tub that can be refinished. Refinishing a tub requires four coats of polyurethane finish coat, with sanding between.
The entire process may take four to six hours, and a single technician can complete the job in six to eight hours. It is important to ensure adequate ventilation and to keep children and pets away from the refinishing process.
Refinishing a tub can be done with basic tools, or you can hire someone else to do the job. You can refinish a fiberglass tub to make it look as good as new.
It is a less expensive option than acrylic, and will last for many years. Refinishing a tub is a great way to change the look of your bathroom without breaking the bank.
You can choose to refinish a bathtub using either an acrylic liner or a tub refinishing technique. If you don’t have the time or budget to complete a full bathtub refinishing, a bathtub liner can be installed in just a few hours.
The tub liner should be fitted properly, as the bathtub surface will need precise measurements.
5. Refinishing a floor
If you want an easy bathroom upgrades on a budget and to refinish a it, you can start with concrete flooring. This material is inexpensive and durable, but it also requires more upkeep, such as resealing every couple of years.
However, concrete can be cold and hard to touch, and it can become slippery if finished with a smooth surface. However, you can leave the base moldings and nails in place.
Resilient floors like linoleum and vinyl are a good option if you don’t want to spend a lot of money on a new floor. These types of flooring don’t absorb water very well, and they can be slippery when wet.
Resilient materials are less expensive, and can be refinished as well. Laminate costs about $1 per square foot, and engineered wood can be up to $3 to $6 per square foot.
Engineered wood is wood veneer backed with composite, which makes it durable and suitable for high humidity environments.
If you are on a budget, a simple refinishing job can be done for just $5 per square foot. A mid-grade finish costs between $10 and $20 per square foot, which includes furniture removal and clean-up.
However, you can also opt for a more luxurious finish, which is more expensive than a standard finish. Mid-grade hardwood costs around $15 to $20 per square foot, and if you are doing it yourself, you don’t have to lay a new subfloor.
Depending on the amount of work you want to perform, you can spend up to $25,000 on the entire project.
6. Adding a dimmer switch
If you’re looking to add a dimmer switch to your bathroom, there are many ways to do so without breaking the bank. There are three different types of dimmer switches: toggle, rotary, and rocker.
The toggle features a round knob for adjusting light intensity and the rocker comes with a flat on/off button. To determine which type of dimmer switch is right for your bathroom, first check its type.
To replace an existing light switch, unscrew the wire nuts. The house wires are typically white with black markings and may be twisted or bent. Before removing the switch, make sure the power is off. Next, remove the switch plate and remove the old switch.
Disconnect the old switch wires from the dimmer. The wiring is now ready to replace the light switch. The dimmer has three wires. One of the wires is a ground wire, which is usually bare copper.
The other two wires are solid copper. Using a pair of needle-nose pliers, attach them to the dimmer. If the wires are solid copper, guide them around the screw on the side of the switch. After installing the switch, make sure it is tight enough so that the wires are protected.
Adding a dimmer switch to your bathroom on a budget is a great way to upgrade your lighting on a limited budget. It saves energy and money while still giving you a more relaxing atmosphere in the bathroom.
And if you’re tired of using harsh light during the day, you can always use a dimmed version of the lights in your bathroom to help you relax and ease into the evening with these easy bathroom upgrades on a budget.
