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Reduce, Reuse, Recycle
Zillow Digs home in Happy Valley, OR
Pricey countertops and vanities can eat up your bathroom remodeling budget—but you can save tons of money by repurposing old furniture. For example, remake an old dresser into a vanity by cutting a hole in the top to accommodate the sink—and in the back for the plumbing.
Paint Power
A fresh coat of paint is one of the cheapest and easiest ways to give your bathroom a new look. Make sure to use a semi-gloss or glossy finish that resists moisture to prevent mold and mildew. And while you’re painting the walls, update ugly cabinets using a waterproof latex paint.
Related: Beyond White—11 Alternative Hues to Color Your Bath
The Great Cover Up
If you can’t afford to replace all your bathroom fixtures, try covering them instead. A refinishing kit like this one can fill in small cracks in the bathtub or be applied to the entire surface to update the color. These kits typically include a high-performance epoxy that can be applied to ceramic, porcelain, or fiberglass.
Related: Bathing Beauties, Before & After—7 Stunning Bathroom Makeovers
Fabulous Pre-Fab
Even if you love the look of tile, a pre-fabricated fiberglass shower unit can save big bucks. Eliminating dirty grout isn’t the only upside of going pre-fab. Many units come complete with shower doors, pre-drilled holes for plumbing, and accessories like grab bars, or universal design accessibility.
Related: 10 Wow-Worthy Walk-In Showers
Details, Details
Even the smallest changes can have a big impact. If a full tear-down isn’t in your future, swap out the small things like drawer pulls, handles, faucet, shower head, and towel racks. These upgrades are remarkably easy to DIY and will create a new ambiance on a budget.
Trimming Tile
Zillow Digs home in Portland, OR
Tile is beautiful, durable—and unfortunately—expensive. To save money on tile, consider using less-expensive, plain tile on the majority of the space and use the decorative pieces as accents. Or, simply use decorative tile as a border, rather than covering the entire space.
Doing Better By Doing Good
Visit your local Habitat for Humanity ReStore to find a wonderful selection of new and gently used building materials, fixtures, and appliances at a fraction of the original retail price. While you can feel good that you’re saving money on your remodel, take pride in the fact that the Restore proceeds help build homes in your community.
Related: Thrift Store Savvy—10 Treasure-Hunting Tips from a Seasoned Shopper
For more…
For more ideas on a bathroom remodel, try:
Tiny Bath? 8 Space-Smart Color Choices