Want a new bathroom without waiting for a multi-week renovation? There are several fast and easy ways to update your bathroom on a budget. Whether you want a major facelift or a simple upgrade, the options below will point you in the right direction.
Refinish the Tile, Tub and/or Countertops
You can change the appearance of your bathtub, tile or countertops without having to replace them. With tile refinishing, we apply a special coating directly over your existing tile and grout. Not only does this transform the tile itself, but it also eliminates the need to scrub grout in the future. If you want to sell your home in the next few months but don’t want to pay for a completely new bathroom, this is a fast and affordable solution.
Change Out the Faucet
Changing out your bathroom faucet is easier than you think. It’s mostly a plug-and-play process. First, turn off the water supply and disconnect from the faucet assembly. Unscrew the connectors under the sink for the old faucet, and disconnect the lift rod then pull the faucet out. Insert the new one, and screw into the existing piping.
You can get whatever look you want for your new faucet. Just be sure to consider the other upgrades you will be making along the way so everything looks clean and cohesive. If you are working on a budget, the most important thing is to be sure that the new faucet is compatible with the pre-cut holes in the cabinet or vanity. You can see what those look like underneath the sink without having to remove the old faucet. There are more than several different types with the most common being:
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- Single-hole faucets – ideal for smaller sinks, this type only requires one pre-cut hole
- Center-set faucets – ideal for most sinks, this type has three pre-cut holes with the outer holdes 4 inches apart
- Widespread mounts – usually have three separate pieces (2 handles and a spout)
And, there are some less common types that are wall-mount.
Stain or Paint the Cabinets
As long as your cabinets are still in good shape, you can paint or stain them to look like new. White and dark grey are popular paint colors in modern bathroom renovations, and espresso is a popular stain color. You’ll first need to remove all hardware and cabinet doors. You can then sand or use a chemical stripper to remove the old finish.
If your cabinets look nice but the doors do not, you could get replacement cabinet doors. This will cost less than replacing the cabinets completely. If you only have one small vanity in the bathroom, you may be able to find a replacement at a discount home improvement store for a small price.
Update the Cabinet Hardware
Switching out your cabinet hardware is another easy way to give your bathroom a facelift. Drawer pulls, door knobs and hinges age your bathroom dramatically. You could get brushed nickel for a modern approach, or you could go for the classy look of oiled bronze. Once again, think about the other finishes you’ll be using in the bathroom to get something complementary.
Redo the Caulking
Bathroom caulking goes through more wear and tear than other caulk in the home due to the moisture that builds up on the walls. You may have caulk around your windows, glass shower doors, bathtub, and more. If you use our tub refinishing services, we’ll replace the caulk. We re-grout and re-caulk on every refinishing project. But, for areas around your windows and other areas, use a caulk remover to pull out the old bead of caulk, thoroughly clean the area with alcohol and let it dry. Replace it with new caulking. This will cost less than $10, and it will make a big difference in the overall look of your bathroom.
Clean the Grout
If your grout is old and dirty, it may be time for a good scrub-down. There are many cleaning products available for grout, depending on what color it is. If you have dark colored grout, you will want to avoid anything with bleach. For white or light colored grout, bleach-based cleaners can brighten your bathroom and make your tile look like new. To be on the safe side, test whatever cleaner you use in an area of the bathroom that’s hard to see, like underneath the toilet. If it works there without issues, fee free to use it on the rest of the space.
Frame the Mirror
Frame the MirrorIf you have a wall mirror that’s mounted with plastic frame supports, you could add molding around it to accentuate the mirror. This is much cheaper than buying a new mirror, but it does take a little more work. As an alternative, you could check home décor stores to see if they have any large mirrors in their clearance section. If they match your bathroom and aren’t broken, make the swap!
Looking for a complete remodel? The bathroom remodeling process can be time consuming and costly – read our step by step guide with pro tips to save some money.
