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Bathroom Renovation Ideas on a Budget

Creating a beautiful bathroom on a budget

Let’s be honest, no one wants to live with an old outdated bathroom in their home. We all want a bathroom that looks and feels amazing and maybe one day, will add a little extra value to our home. So how can you update your bathroom without breaking the bank?

We’ve put together a short guide on how to design a beautiful bathroom that won’t blow your budget.

Creating a beautiful bathroom on a budget

Let’s be honest, no one wants to live with an old outdated bathroom in their home. We all want a bathroom that looks and feels amazing and maybe one day, will add a little extra value to our home. So how can you update your bathroom without breaking the bank?

We’ve put together a short guide on how to design a beautiful bathroom that won’t blow your budget.

Creating a beautiful bathroom on a budget

Let’s be honest, no one wants to live with an old outdated bathroom in their home. We all want a bathroom that looks and feels amazing and maybe one day, will add a little extra value to our home. So how can you update your bathroom without breaking the bank?

We’ve put together a short guide on how to design a beautiful bathroom that won’t blow your budget.


How much does a bathroom renovation cost?

According to a recent study by Houzz Australia, different age groups spend different amounts on bathroom renovations. They found that on average people aged 54+ spend $11,900 on bathroom renovations, people aged between 35-54 generally spend $12,700 and those under 35 spend around $9,100.

With that said, the cost of bathroom renovations will also depend on the degree of the renovation. For example, if you’re looking to completely change the position of toilets, showers, or baths, then you will increase the price of your renovation exponentially. Simply because the plumbing may need to be altered and this, along with the cost of trades will add up.

If however you are happy to keep those three main fixtures in their place and just update their surroundings then you can reduce your bathroom renovation costs.


How to pull off budget bathroom renovations

1. Retrofit

Need some budget small bathroom ideas? Retrofitting is the perfect way to update a small bathroom!

Retrofitting involves substituting or adding something new to an existing space.

Retrofitting your tapware for example is a great way to bring new life to your bathroom - particularly in a small bathroom where there is less room to swap and change.

1. Retrofit

Need some budget small bathroom ideas? Retrofitting is the perfect way to update a small bathroom!

Retrofitting involves substituting or adding something new to an existing space.

Retrofitting your tapware for example is a great way to bring new life to your bathroom - particularly in a small bathroom where there is less room to swap and change.

Whether it’s with the colour choice or the design, your tapware can be suited to whatever style you are trying to achieve and therefore make for a great bathroom upgrade.

Beyond tapware, certain showers and bathroom accessories are also easy to retrofit. We even have a range of Easy Replacement Products that are great for retrofitting to help get you started!

By keeping the major aspects of your bathroom the same and retrofitting smaller features, you'll save a great deal of money.

Whether it’s with the colour choice or the design, your tapware can be suited to whatever style you are trying to achieve and therefore make for a great bathroom upgrade.

Beyond tapware, certain showers and bathroom accessories are also easy to retrofit. We even have a range of Easy Replacement Products that are great for retrofitting to help get you started!

By keeping the major aspects of your bathroom the same and retrofitting smaller features, you'll save a great deal of money.


2. Don't have multiple feature pieces

A great way to save money on your renovation - particularly for small bathroom renovations where space is limited - is to not have multiple standout pieces in the room. Instead, choose one hero piece for the room - such as a vanity or a mirror - and let that be the main focus in the bathroom.

This will mean you aren’t spending excess money with multiple features in the room. From here you can use your colour palette and small accessories to help reinforce your overall style and theme.

Our Favourite Statement Mirrors


3. Be picky with tile placement

Tiles are a necessity in the bathroom so how can you save on something that is a must have? Be specific with where you place your tiles.

Instead of tiling full walls or tiling halfway up each wall in the room, only tile the necessary areas e.g. the floor and shower area.

This will help you save money but also give you the opportunity to add character to the room by choosing unique tiles for these specific areas.

3. Be picky with tile placement

Tiles are a necessity in the bathroom so how can you save on something that is a must have? Be specific with where you place your tiles.

Instead of tiling full walls or tiling halfway up each wall in the room, only tile the necessary areas e.g. the floor and shower area.

This will help you save money but also give you the opportunity to add character to the room by choosing unique tiles for these specific areas.

3. Be picky with tile placement

Tiles are a necessity in the bathroom so how can you save on something that is a must have? Be specific with where you place your tiles.

Instead of tiling full walls or tiling halfway up each wall in the room, only tile the necessary areas e.g. the floor and shower area.

This will help you save money but also give you the opportunity to add character to the room by choosing unique tiles for these specific areas.


4. Update one or two features only

Sometimes all it takes to pull off cheap bathroom renovations is a slight change here or there. For example, vanities make up such a large part of the bathroom, so by installing a new vanity you can easily transform a space.

Update a few of your small bathroom accessories along with this, to tie the space together and you’ll have saved money on a full renovation, while still creating a fresh look and feel in your bathroom.

Our Favourite Vanities for Smaller Budgets


5. Compromise

The one word we all hate to hear when renovating and yet if you’re trying to save money, it’s likely you will have to compromise at some point or another. So what should you be compromising on?

First you should decide what you value most in a bathroom.

Perhaps you love a big bathtub, or you absolutely must have underfloor heating. Account for these must have items in your budget and compromise from there.

5. Compromise

The one word we all hate to hear when renovating and yet if you’re trying to save money, it’s likely you will have to compromise at some point or another. So what should you be compromising on?

First you should decide what you value most in a bathroom.

Perhaps you love a big bathtub, or you absolutely must have underfloor heating. Account for these must have items in your budget and compromise from there.

For example, if you have underfloor heating then go for a standard, non heated towel rail to save money.

Or if a bathtub is a must, then choose a smaller vanity to help you save.

You can also save by simply opting for robe/towel hooks over larger towel rails.

These small compromises will add up and help reduce the cost of your renovation.

For example, if you have underfloor heating then go for a standard, non heated towel rail to save money.

Or if a bathtub is a must, then choose a smaller vanity to help you save.

You can also save by simply opting for robe/towel hooks over larger towel rails.

These small compromises will add up and help reduce the cost of your renovation.


Renovation Inspiration

Whether you have a big or small bathroom, there are plenty of ways to help you save on your renovation. So before you ask how much to renovate a bathroom, consider these 5 points and you'll not only save money but you will create a beautiful space.

Take a look at one of our customers' recent bathroom renovations below and be inspired!


1. Plan, plan, plan

  • Plan out the exact amount of products you will need. Create a list of items you need in your bathroom from the toilet right down to the accessories.
  • Create a project plan and timeline. Write down all your necessary trades, and when you are expecting them.
  • Find your style by creating a mood board. This will allow you to narrow down all your options so you can find the product that works for you.

2. Ask for help

  • Our friendly customer service team are always ready to help you with any of your bathroom renovation questions, whether it’s style related or a technical question we’ve got you covered.
  • We also highly recommend speaking to a licensed plumber or builder to get their expert advice on what may or may not work in your space.
  • Asking for help will save you lots of time and money on small and avoidable mistakes.

3. Choose quality products from quality and trusted brands

  • Make sure you are buying from only the best and trusted brands. This way you can be confident in the quality and the warranties of the brand and feel comfortable with the product you are installing into your bathroom.
  • By ensuring you have quality products installed into your space, you are saving the pain and frustration that will come later down the track if you were to choose a lower quality fixture or fitting that would in turn cost more to get replaced or fixed.

Let's look at what a dream bathroom would entail...

That extra hygiene factor. Back to wall means no dust can get behind the toilet, and the rimless feature means no dirt or grime can hide in the toilet. If you have got the budget, the ultimate dream toilet would have to be a bidet toilet. Who doesn’t want a warm toilet seat on those cold winter mornings?

Get the best of both worlds. An overhead rain shower for the days you want that full body soak, and a hand shower for other days. The rail is perfect if you are in a family of different heights so you can adjust it. If you are doing a ‘Tiles-On’ renovation, a compact twin shower will do the trick.

A freestanding bath is the perfect luxe bathroom statement. The back to wall feature is even better for keeping dust out from the back, making it easier to clean.

A modern bathroom essential. The wall hung feature allows for your space to look bigger than it is. For younger kids, this is a great place to keep the stepping stool so it’s out of the way.

Need we say more? A dreamy bathroom needs its jewellery, and what is better than coloured tapware to create a statement?

The cold in winter is easy to forget in our warmer months, but trust us when we say you’ll never go back to non-heated floors once you experience the warmth these bring during the winter.


Our top picks for a modern style matte black bathroom renovation for under $6,000

Product

Total

Price

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$118

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$598

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$5,922

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