Home Improvement
By
Megan McCarty,
Megan McCarty
Megan is a writer, editor, etc.-er, with over 13 years of experience in both print and digital media. She regularly contributes to design-focused outlets such as MyDomaine, Architectural Digest, Domino, House & Home, and Hunker.
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and
Cori Sears
Cori Sears
Cori Sears is a writer with over a decade of experience, specializing in houseplants, gardening, and home decor. She writes about trending news, interior design, houseplants, and gardening for The Spruce. Her expertise in these areas has led her to contribute to other major publications including Better Homes and Gardens and Apartment Therapy.
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Updated on 09/13/24
Reviewed by
Johnathan Brewer
Reviewed byJohnathan Brewer
Johnathan C. Brewer II is a licensed general contractor specializing in kitchen, bath remodels, and general constructionwith two decades of professional experience.
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Fact checked byMarcus Reeves
If you’re looking for bathroom remodel ideas to refresh a small bathroom or renovate a primary en suite, there are a variety of ways to transform your space. From updating fixtures to painting, retiling, or adding a walk-in shower, you can make a bathroom of any style from modern to traditional more functional and beautiful.
Check out these bathroom remodel ideas in a range of sizes, styles, and price points.
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Use Lower-Cost Tile
When swapping out materials, remember that inexpensive alternatives often look like the real thing. For example, instead of real wood planks, try look-alike luxury vinyl flooring.
High-definition laminate and quartz countertops now vie with granite for an authentic natural stone look, and faux-stone ceramic and porcelain tile backsplashes can mimic the look of travertine and marble.
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Paint the Floor
Save money by painting your bathroom floor rather than replacing it. Use durable, high-quality paint that is adapted to the flooring below, whether you are starting with hardwood or tile.
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Refinish the Tub
Save money by refinishingan existing bathtub rather than replacing it. DIY it or hire it out depending on your skill level and preferences.
3:04
Click Play to Learn How to Refinish a Bathtub
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Touch Up the Tub and Tile
Sometimes, a total refinish isn't necessary. When your bathtub has nicks, gouges, and peeling paint, but you are not keen on refinishing the entire surface, spot-fix your tub instead. Some touch-up products are as easy to apply as squeezing toothpaste out of a tube.
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Refresh Cabinet Hardware
Swap out bathroom cabinet hardware for an easy and budget-friendly makeover. Choose a style that complements your space, from black metal to brass, copper, chrome, or bronze.
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Install a New Sink Faucet
Change the look of your sink with a brand new faucet. This is a quick and easy DIY project that doesn't require hiring a plumber.
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Install a Pre-Fab Shower
The most expensive option for a new shower is to hire a pro to build a custom tile shower from scratch.
While site-built tile showers and tubs can be gorgeous and unique, consider aprefabricated shower unit, which typically costs less. If you want a tiled shower,fusinga poly shower pan with the tilesaves hassle and costs.
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Install Your Own Toilet
Give your bathroom a new lease on life byswitching out the old toilet. If you're so inclined, install it yourself, a straightforward DIY project that takes no more than an hour to accomplish.
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Repaint the Bathroom
A fresh coat of paint will make your bathroom feel fresh and clean and is a simple and satisfying DIY project. Choose the right bathroom paint to ensure that it is easy to clean and will stand up to moisture.
Tip
Interior painting is a classic example of sweat equity: using free labor (your own) to help increase the value of your home. Laying flooring, demolishing rooms before contractors arrive, installing outlets, and hanging interior doors are other examples.
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Try a Wall-Mounted Sink
Save space in a small bathroom or powder room with a wall-mounted sink. Mount hardware on the wall above for a streamlined look.
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Opt for Glass Doors
Create an open feel in a windowless bathroom with a glass door. This will allow light to pour into your shower and keep sightlines clear.
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Install a DIY Vanity
Due to a bathroom's typical petite size, you can buy nearly or fully assembled small vanity and vanity topsthat you can put in place within a couple of hours.
Vanities come in stock sizes ranging from 24 inches to 60 inches wide. Coordinating counters even have sinks fused into them, eliminating sink installation and caulking woes.
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Hang a Pendant Light
Anchor your bathtub area with a pendant light fixture or a chandelier. It will provide light for nighttime soaks as well as defining the space.
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Design the Bathroom Yourself
Whole-house remodels, home additions, and large kitchen remodeling projects can benefit from the expertise of a qualified designer. Bathrooms, however, aren't so complicated.
Studying bathroom design ideas and learning the basic bathroom layout guidelines (such as recommendations from the National Kitchen and Bath Association) gives you plenty of ideas to get started.
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Add Wainscoting
Add warmth to your bathroom with traditional painted wainscoting. Paint it in the same color as walls for a textural feel, or in a contrasting color to add more definition.
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Build a Half-Wall Shower
Add privacy while maintaining an open feel with a half-wall shower. Cover the base in beadboard and paint it sage green for a soothing spa-like feel, and top it with glass to prevent water from splashing out.
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Try a Suspended Toilet
A suspended toilet is a modern upgrade that will make a bathroom of any size feel lighter and airier. It's also easier to clean underneath thanks to the streamlined design.
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Remodel the Ceiling
Create a surprising focal point by remodeling your bathroom ceiling. Add crown moldings, paint or paper, and decorative light fixtures to create a statement.
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Try a Wet Room Layout
Modernize your bathroom layout with a wet room design. This open-plan look can make small bathrooms more functional and give larger spaces an airy, minimalist feel.
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Install a Shower Window
Bring natural light into your bathroom by installing a shower window if your reno budget allows. Keep it open on a warm day to create natural ventilation while making your shower more enjoyable.
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Include a Makeup Vanity
Make a large primary bathroom more glamorous with an integrated makeup vanity. Position it between double sinks at a slightly lower height and add seating to make it extra functional and relaxing to use.
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Tile Walls and Ceilings
Tile the walls and ceilings to define your shower and make it easier to maintain. Choose colorful tiles to add interest to an all-white bathroom, like the handmade blue square zellige tiles seen here.
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Choose a Compact Tub
Choose a compact tub that will use less water and energy. In a small bathroom renovation, consider opting for a space-saving shower-tub combo.
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Opt for Heated Flooring
Consider addingheated flooring when replacing bathroom flooring. Heated floors aren't as expensive to install as you may think, and will add value to your home.
Plus, they can save you money on energy costs in the long term, as they're more efficient at heating a space than a central heating system.
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Keep the Main Fixtures Neutral
Bathroom design fads fade quickly, so stick with neutral options for the main fixtures—the sink, toilet, shower, and tub. Large fixtures can be pricey and difficult to replace if you decide you're over the trend at a later time.
You can always add some bolder design flair with smaller fixtures and accessories that are easier to swap out when it's time for an update.
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Choose Durable Countertops
When selecting bathroom countertop materials, be sure to consider maintenance as well as looks. Opt for quality materials that will stand the test of time and are easy to clean.
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Install a Bathroom Fan
Keep bathroom moisture under control by installing a bathroom vent van. This will allow air to circulate and help prevent mold and mildew in a windowless space, and work better than opening windows, particularly during colder months.
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Build in Extra Storage
Look for opportunities to build in extra storage to keep your bathroom organized and clutter-free. When remodeling, consider using recessed wall space for an open niche or closed cabinetry to store towels and supplies.
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Choose Accessories Wisely
Create a cohesive style when selecting the finishing touches for your new bathroom. For instance, pick towel bars in metallic finishes that coordinate with your faucets. Consider splurging on a slightly more expensive soap dispenser rather than an old plastic one that looks dingy against your new countertop.
Tip
Don't clutter your new bathroom withaccessoriesall at once. Try living with just the essentials for a while to see what you need in the space. Then, you can strategically pick items that fit your design preferences and lifestyle.
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Check the Pipes
When remodeling, look for simple fixes that will ensure that your bathroom runs as seamlessly as it looks. Install a 2-inch drain pipe in a shared bathroom to keep it from clogging.
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Add Rustic Shiplap
Shiplap wood is a great way to add texture and warmth to your walls, and it can be a great cost-saving option for the bathroom when used in place of wall tile. Plus, shiplap bathroom walls fit right in with farmhouse or rustic-style rooms.
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Retile to Change the Style
Retiling your bathroom can be a large and expensive project, but it will undoubtedly completely transform your space and it's one of the best ways to switch up your bathroom's style.
If you are handy, it is possible to retile your bathroom on your own, but you can also easily find a professional in your area to do it too.
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Refresh the Grout
If the tile in your bathroom is still in good shape but your grout looks grungy, redoing your grout is an option.
While not as extensive as retiling entirely, this is still a big project that takes time to complete. The good news is that it's relatively DIY-friendly, so you can save money on this project to cut costs.
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Replace the Mirror
Often it's the small details that pull together the design of a room, and for a bathroom, this includes the mirror.
If you have an old mirror in your bathroom or are dealing with standard builder-grade mirrors that were never upgraded, replacing the mirror with a modern alternative can do wonders for your space. Plus it's a budget-friendly swap.
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Repaint the Vanity
If the vanity in your bathroom is structurally sound and your only problem is the color, consider repainting or re-staining instead of replacing it entirely.
This will save you lots of work and money and still completely change the look of your space. Add some new hardware to finish off the look.
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Add Botanical Wallpaper
Bathroom wallpaper is great for impacting small spaces like powder rooms and guest bathrooms. Plus, with endless options, wallpaper is a versatile upgrade that suits any style, like this tropical design.
Today, peel-and-stick wallpaper is widely available and easy to DIY, saving you time and money on your bathroom remodel.
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Refinish Your Countertops
Instead of replacing your countertops, consider refinishing them for a budget-friendly remodeling idea. Countertops can be refinished or covered, depending on the look you are going for, your budget, and your DIY skill level.
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Install a Walk-in Shower
A walk-in shower will make a small bathroom easier to navigate and make a larger bathroom feel even more spacious. Plus, a true walk-in shower that is level with the floor and has no ledges to trip over is accessible for anyone regardless of age or mobility issues.
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Include Spa-Like Features
Creating serene, spa-like bathrooms is huge in interior design right now. Consider turning your bathroom into an oasis by adding luxurious upgrades such as a free-standing soaker tub, towel heaters, and massaging shower heads.
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Add Art and Decor
Adding wall art and handcrafted items is a simple and impactful way to upgrade your bathroom remodel. Whether you're an art connoisseur or want to frame some family photos to add a personal touch, wall art can fit within any budget.
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Get Creative With Tile
Add an artistic flair to your space by getting creative with tile. Whether you opt for a unique pattern or create a custom mosaic look, you can make a big impact on the final look of your space based purely on the tile you choose.
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Replace Windows
Don't underestimate the power of modern, upgraded windows. While this project runs on the expensive side, it does more for your space than make it look good.
Replacing old, outdated windows with energy-efficient models can save you on your energy bill and prevent your space from feeling cold and drafty.
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Change the Door Style
Interior doors are often forgotten when it comes to renovations, but upgrading your standard, builder-grade hollow-core bathroom door can impact the final look of your space.
Interior doors come in different styles, from traditional to farmhouse and modern to contemporary.
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Upgrade Textiles
Swapping out textiles is a budget-friendly yet important upgrade. Don't underestimate the power of textiles intentionally chosen to complement the design of your space. This includes the shower curtain and any hand or bath towels on display.
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Consider Glass Shower Walls
Using glass walls for large shower stalls over regular walls or even shower curtains expands the sight lines in the room and makes it feel more spacious.
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Add Lounge Seating
If you have extra room to spare, consider adding lounge seating to your bathroom. Install built-in seating under bay windows or near oversized vanities in large bathrooms.
Get creative using free-standing shower benches, or plush ottomans and stools hidden under floating vanities in smaller spaces.
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Build In Arched Details
Add some architectural interest to your space with arches. This project requires a contractor but the finished product will be well worth it.
Use arches to highlight your vanity, replace standard doorways, accentuate a walk-in shower, or even highlight a recessed storage nook.
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Float Your Fixtures
Free up space and add an interesting design element to your bathroom by adding floating fixtures. This can include just the faucets, or the entire sink, as seen in this punchy powder room design. Call a plumber for proper installation—you don't want leaks.
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Install a Backsplash
If your bathroom doesn't already have one, installing a backsplash is a great way to upgrade your space with a relatively small project. Plus, if you're eager to cut costs and DIY as much as possible, look for online tutorials for help.
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Mix Metallics and Finishes
Don't feel the need to match the finishes throughout your entire bathroom. Mixing metallics and varying the finishes in your space is a great trick for adding depth and visual interest.
A polished silver faucet in this bathroom pairs nicely with white and gold light fixtures and an oil-rubbed bronze doorknob.
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Add an Extra Sink
If you have the space to spare, upgrading from a single sink to a double vanity in a busy hall bath can instantly add a luxurious touch to a space. Plus, it can lend extra function and convenience to your day if the bathroom is shared.
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Upgrade Window Treatments
Don't forget about your window treatments. Unless you live in a rural area, window treatments are an important part of any bathroom space to help create a sense of privacy, and adding luxury treatments, such as built-in blinds, is appropriate in a primary bathroom. Choose minimal frosted glass or a pair of simple curtains for other bathrooms.
FAQ
What is a realistic budget for a bathroom remodel?
According to HomeAdvisor, the cost for a bathroom remodel is between $6,634 and $17,595, or an average of $12,081. A larger or primary bathroom may run as high as $28,000.
What is the most expensive part of a bathroom remodel?
The most expensive aspect of a bathroom remodel is labor costs, which represent between 40-60% of your total budget, according to HomeAdvisor. Prices vary depending on location and increase with the size of your project.
What adds the most value to a bathroom?
Bathroom additions, walk-in showers, bathtub refinishing, luxury vanities and countertops, flooring, and cabinets are the best bathroom upgrades for resale value, according to Angi, with a return on investment of 72.7%.
How long does it usually take to renovate a bathroom?
It will take a professional 4-5 weeks to renovate a bathroom, according to HomeAdvisor, pointing out that the time frame can extend to several months for a DIY renovation.
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