What can you do to start with a bathroom remodel? Can afford or not? Find out!
The bathroom is one of the most used rooms in your house. If your bathroom is drab, dingy, and outdated then it may be time for a bathroom remodel. Remodeling a bathroom can be an expensive proposition, especially if you need a complete renovation. But remodeling your bathroom can be done on a limited budget.
The first thing you will need to do is to make a list of everything that needs to be done in your bathroom. Perhaps you need a new floor, new paint, or maybe the faucet is leaking. Take a look around and take note of everything that needs to be done in the bathroom, don’t worry about how much it will cost right now. List the simple projects, and the more complex renovations that need to be done.
Once you have a list of the projects that you want to do in the bathroom, you need to prioritize the list. What is more important, replacing the leaky faucet, or painting the walls? Obviously, the projects involving the function of the bathroom should take priority over projects that are simply cosmetic. You don’t need to sacrifice looks for function, though. If you need to replace that faucet, you can still upgrade from what you have. You can find a nice looking faucet and improve the appearance of the bathroom as well as the function.
Take a look at your budget. Which projects can you afford, and which ones will have to wait until later. Just because you have a long list of renovation projects for your bathroom doesn’t mean that they have to be done all at once, costing a lot of money. You can start to tackle the small, affordable projects while you start to save your money for the bigger projects.
Recycle when you can. Do you really need to buy a new vanity for your bathroom, or can you simply refinish the old one? In many cases, a new coat of paint or stain can work wonders. If you have more than one bathroom, and you are remodeling both of them, see if you can use fixtures and décor from one bathroom in the other. If you have friends and family that are also working on bathroom renovation projects, see what items you can trade with them.
You don’t need to buy new. If you look around at thrift stores, or salvage stores, you may be able to find fixtures and building supplies at reduced prices. Most major cities will have stores where you can buy used materials and fixtures. Craigslist is another good source for used fixtures and bathroom décor. Just make sure that they are in good working condition, and will fit in with your bathroom.
Remodeling the bathroom can add a lot of value to your home. Renovations can take that outdated dingy bathroom and turn it into a sleek and modern retreat. Just take things a step at a time though. Don’t spend more money than you have. Just fix and update what you can now, and save up for the bigger projects at a later time.
