Ultimate Guide to Remodeling a Small Bathroom on a Budget

Thinking of spending some cash on a new home improvement project in Wilmington, NC? When it comes time to choose where to focus your efforts, you might consider remodeling your bathroom. After all, everyone in the house uses it, so everyone will also get to enjoy the project’s results. Plus, remodeling your bathroom could add extra value to your Port City home if you ever decide to sell.

But you’d be surprised just how quickly a bathroom remodeling project can burn a hole in your bank account if you aren’t careful! Today, let’s explore some tips for remodeling a small bathroom on a reasonable budget.

1. Pick new furniture for better storage

In any small bathroom, space is at a premium. If you’re tired of feeling like your bathroom is a closet, you can “open it up” by replacing the current furniture with new pieces. When you select those new pieces, prioritize furniture with storage capacity.

A new bathroom drawer or under-the-sink bin rack could help you eliminate clutter. A floating vanity might open up some foot-level storage space that’s good for towel baskets. Or think about buying a tall, thin storage cabinet – it could be perfect for storing towels and toiletries without taking up too much precious square footage.

2. Brighten the room with new bathroom windows

Take a look at your current bathroom window. Is it old, dirty, stained, or drafty? Any one of those flaws could make it a prime target for affordable bathroom remodeling. Bathroom windows tend not to be very big, so replacing an old window with a brand-new, energy-efficient one shouldn’t be too expensive.

Have a windowless bathroom? That’s even more reason to install one right away. A new heavy duty sliding window could be perfect for bathrooms with views into a garden or backyard.

Throw in some bathroom window treatments, like shutters or roller shades, to lend this crucial space total privacy when needed. Open up those window treatments to bring natural light into your bathroom, making it feel bigger than ever.

3. Install a new bathroom mirror

Speaking of making your bathroom feel bigger, consider swapping out the current small mirror for a larger one gleaming with clean glass. A larger mirror is a highly effective bathroom improvement – not only does it make your bathroom feel much more spacious by reflecting its interior, but it also makes grooming that much easier. No more shaving or doing makeup in front of a cramped mirror that forces you to hunch or move around the sink.

4. Remodeling one area? Choose the bathroom sink

In fact, if you have a very limited budget and can only remodel one area in your bathroom, we highly recommend picking your sink. Why?

Everyone uses the sink multiple times per day. It’s where you shave, brush your teeth, do daily skincare routines, and wash your hands. Simply put, the sink is where you’ll spend a lot of your time in the bathroom, and it’s cheaper to replace and remodel compared to a toilet or bathtub in many cases.

Plus, there are lots of ways you can remodel your sink for better aesthetic value. Add a new surface of classic tiles to get affordable value, or swap out your current sink for a stone or granite version to pursue a more modern, minimalist look.

5. A fresh coat of paint does wonders for your small bathroom

To really make your small bathroom feel like new, apply a fresh coat of paint in the color of your choice. This affordable home remodeling idea allows you to cover up years of wear and tear if you choose to repaint with the same shade. Or you can refresh the entire bathroom space with a new hue. A semi-gloss finish can help protect your bathroom walls against mold and mildew while also being easier to clean than alternatives.

For our money, the best bathroom paint colors are neutral shades, like cool white or light gray. If you want to make your small bathroom look bigger, always go for a lighter paint shade.

6. Refinish your bathtub

If your bathtub is looking less than impressive – it has grime on the sides and time has washed out its alabaster color, for example – you can make it look better than ever without paying the thousands of dollars it takes to replace it, on average. Just use a bathtub refinishing kit. These handy-dandy solutions are affordable and always available on marketplaces like Amazon.

The right refinishing kit will help you restore your bathtub to its original pristine state. Before you know it, you’ll look forward to taking luxurious bubble baths in your tub once again.

7. Fix up the little things for noticeable improvements

In many cases, the little things are the ideal home remodeling subjects when fixing up your bathroom. If you have a bit of extra cash to spare for your project, replace the:

• Faucets – new stainless steel models will last you for a long time to come
• Showerhead – splurge on a high-pressure model for enhanced muscle relaxation during your next shower
• Light fixtures – we recommend going with soft white or yellow energy-efficient lights
• Exhaust fan – you need this to be clean and in good condition to prevent steam from fogging up the new mirror too much!

These simple touches might not seem like big improvements. But when you fix them all up together, you’ll see just how much they make your bathroom feel like a brand-new space.

8. Pick affordable tile

Want to round out your small bathroom remodel with a new floor? You can get great results without spending nearly as much as you fear with affordable tiles.

Vinyl or laminate tiles are cost-efficient and perfect for budget-minded remodelers. Coat your bathroom floor in a layer of these materials, and you’ll never have to look at that cracked tile or dirty grout stain ever again.

With these tips, you’ll be able to make your bathroom look good as new or even better than it was when you first moved into your Wilmington home. On top of that, you won’t break the bank in the process!

While you can save a little extra money by spending some elbow grease and doing a lot of these remodeling jobs yourself, you’ll want to rely on the experts for bigger stuff, like installing new bathroom windows. Get the most out of your small space with help from Window World of the Port City. Our showroom experts can not only help you find the best window for your bathroom space but also help you install it on time and under budget. Contact us today to get started!