Bathroom reno on a budget

Happy New Year to you all and welcome to 2024. We have jumped straight into the year with a new reno having started this week and there is no mucking around, 2024 is all on. This month I am writing this article for Stacey from Whitcoull’s who wanted some tips on how to renovate her bathroom without blowing the budget. Thanks for the article inspiration, Stacey and I hope this helps.

When looking at renovating your bathroom have a good clear budget in mind with a contingency should anything ugly appear behind the scenes. You would be surprised just how many rotten timber frames we have seen over the years from small leaks that have gone unnoticed. Once your budget is clear in your mind arrange the trades to give you quotes. If the budget is tight, I suggest you keep the plumbing in the same location. If you move the plumbing around this is going to add to the overall cost but if it means you can achieve a better layout then it is definitely worth it. If you have time up your sleeve then it is a good idea to keep an eye out on any deals the plumbing suppliers have for vanities, toilets and showers etc, as you would be surprised by some of the bargains you will be able to find if you have time on our side. Look at using vinyl flooring instead of tiles. This will mean you do not need under floor heating, and you can be creative with pattern and colour if you want something a little different. Paint the walls instead of tiling and again this will give you flexibility down the track should you want to refresh your bathroom colour. Have fun with mirrors and upcycle by painting frames or grouping a few mirrors to add interest. Another idea is to have a large mirror with a bevelled edge and bring it down to your vanity and this will eliminate the need for tiles above the vanity. Storage is always key in a bathroom so make sure you have plenty and if it cannot be in the cabinetry (Vanity, recessed mirror, storage tower) then look at baskets underneath a wall hung vanity. You can also upcycle old side boards, dressers etc with a vessel bowl on top and they can look fantastic when done well. We worked with a client a few years back who did this, and her end result was stunning. Have fun with patterned towels or bathmats to add a pop of vibrancy especially if your bathroom is white. Add plants to bring the space to life. If you are going to use wallpaper as a feature, anywhere make sure it is a vinyl paper to withstand the moisture. If you need help with your bathrooms then contact us and we can have a chat. Have a great month everyone.