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Bathroom remodeling is often seen as a major home renovation project. This is due to the fact that it often requires major fixture replacement, tile work (also far from inexpensive) and a plumbing re-haul of the area. Fortunately, all of this can be achieved on a budget. How? Well, there are several ways. First of all, there are some doctrines to follow and some alternatives to consider. Second, with proper budgeting and planning stages, everything becomes a lot easier. Lastly, a bit of ingenuity goes a long way. Here’s a brief list of all the available options.
1. Don’t change the layout
The first thing worth taking into consideration is the layout. One thing that can multiply the cost of this remodeling project is the decision to move your toilet, shower or faucet. Why is this so problematic? Well, because these fixtures are determined by your bathroom plumbing. This means that the person designing the house has decided where each of these items will stand and this decision of theirs is, more or less, cemented. So, by just replacing an old fixture with a new one, you stand to make this process so much simpler.
2. Look for a frugal alternative
Another thing worth taking into consideration is the fact that every idea has a frugal alternative. Sure, the value of these alternatives is not always 1:1 but it may provide you with what you’re looking for. Tiles, for instance, are the traditional choice of flowing for the bathroom. While some people may prefer stone, there are tiles with a texture that closely resembles stone. The same goes for hardwood floors. Wood is generally not the safest of options in the bathroom but a wood-like PVC floor is a different story altogether.
3. Paint does miracles
You would be surprised at what you can do with just a bit of paint. For instance, instead of replacing your old wooden door, you can just repaint it in order to provide it with a necessary facelift. The thing is that paint really does miracles. When painting walls, on the other hand, you need to be mindful of a couple of things. First of all, there’s the fact that the paint needs to be able to withstand these conditions. The atmosphere in the room is going to be warm and moist, which is less than ideal. The same goes when choosing the rest of the furniture and your flooring options. This is why ceramics are generally more popular than wood in bathroom design.
4. Functional upgrades
The general water economy of your bathroom is a huge thing that shouldn’t be underestimated under any circumstance. So, you need to start by contacting bathroom plumbing experts and asking about their opinions. Ideally, you would replace all your old fixtures with low-flow ones but this isn’t necessarily the most frugal of your options. Instead, try fixing some persistent plumbing problems. This way, you will restore the functionality of your plumbing system and save yourself from subsequent repairs.
5. Limit your tiles
The thing about tiles is that you have the option to use them on the wall, as well. However, you need to consider how high do you want them to be. If you have a shower that’s not completely enclosed (has an open wall behind), this should be your priority. Due to the potential splash-caused damage, you want to cover the entirety of the wall behind this fixture. For the rest of the bathroom, you need to understand that going high with tiles for aesthetic purposes might cost you.
6. Buying used
Another important piece of advice is that you should buy used and restore in order to make some real savings. Platforms like eBay and Craigslist have a plethora of items like mirrors, sinks and tubs on offer. Sure, ideally you would go for brand new but the cost reduction of buying used is simply too great to ignore. The thing is that going for use and restoring them also gives you the satisfaction of working harder on restoring your own bathroom. The aura of self-sufficiency that you get this way is simply second to none.
7. Refinishing is the key
There are so many things you can refinish in your bathroom in order to restore its glow and make it look new again. First, you can refinish the tub, which would save you a small fortune, seeing as how it would otherwise be a capital investment. Keep in mind that if you do this, you will save a substantial amount of money in your budget. This is the money that you will be able to better use elsewhere. All in all, being resourceful is what this idea is all about.
In conclusion
At the end of the day, bathroom remodeling is a huge issue that can seriously improve your quality of life, as well as give you a sizable boost to the overall value of the home. This means that finding a way to execute this remodel, even if you are on a tight budget, would definitely be worth your while. With these several tips on your side, you’re destined to make it.
