How’s your bathroom? Is it in need of some TLC? I know some people may not think our bathroom is as important as the other rooms in our house. And to be honest we probably do spend more time in the kitchen, bedroom and living room. But that doesn’t mean we have to neglect our bathrooms.
I never thought about giving my bathroom a makeover until my best friend moved in with her boyfriend and remodeled her entire bathroom in just three days. Now that’s a DIY project worth taking on.
There are several reasons why someone may want to redo their bathroom from wanting a fresh look to updating the style and functionality. With plumbing and electrical work a bathroom upgrade can cost big bucks – but only if you let it. The truth is you can give your bathroom a complete makeover for under $250.
Add a new color scheme for a fresh look
Our tastes change over time so it’s only normal for our decor to change too. My mother changes her bathroom color scheme about once every four or five years. She doesn’t change the fixtures or the sink and vanity, but she does give it a fresh coat of paint, buy new towels and change the bath mats.
Her last change was in April and cost under $150: $59.99 for paint at Home Depot, $40 for two new towels, $232 for the three piece bath mat set and $7 for a new plant to set on the back of the toilet seat.
Change the tile to update the look
I couldn’t believe it when my friend told me she was taking the day off work to stay home and tile her new bathroom. Not that I didn’t think she could do it, I mean I know she’s crafty and has flawless taste, but changing tile is a lot of work. First you have to remove old tiles, sand the walls, plaster them then add in the tiles and seal them with grout. I mean it’s a lot of work.
Tiles come in a variety of sizes, colors and materials. My mom has small tiles and my friend has large ones. Of course large tiles are less work, but small tiles on a wall add more options to add patterns. The price per box of tiles depends on the color as well as the material. You can buy bathroom wall and floor tiles in ceramic, porcelain, stone and glass. The cost can be as low as $1.99 per square foot up to over $25. This all depends on your bathroom budget.
Pick a theme and go with it
Choosing a new color scheme is different than picking a theme. When I asked my best friend what her theme was for the new bathroom she said “Purple”. She didn’t have a specific theme in mind because she said it was too much like going to prom. She just mixed and matched three different shades of purple to decorate her new joint bathroom.
My mother’s bathroom was redone in a beach side theme. I’ve never been to Maine or The Hamptons, but my mother’s bathroom theme is exactly how I picture it. Actually it looks like something out of Home and Garden magazine. Light blues and teals mixed with crisp whites. Neutral seashells and small green plants for decor. It’s definitely soothing and relaxing, exactly how you want a bathroom to feel.
Total bathroom cost: $150. $232 for paint, $19 for a new shower curtain, $30 for bath mats and towels and $70 on floating shelves.
