4 Surprisingly Affordable Bathroom Remodel Elements

After browsing Pinterest for hours, you may find yourself with the itch to remodel your bathroom. But there’s likely one hesitation that stops you from jumping into the bathroom remodel project head-on — your budget. Unfortunately, giving your bathroom a fresh new look often comes with a hefty price tag. Luckily, there are surprisingly affordable bathroom remodel elements you can incorporate into your existing space that will take your current bathroom from drab to fab.

By making a few cost-efficient cosmetic adjustments to your bathroom, you can get your desired look without breaking the bank. You may be wondering how you can remodel your bathroom for less. To help you create the bathroom of your dreams at an affordable price point, we’ve put together a list of our favorite budget-friendly bathroom elements that are sure to elevate your space. Follow along as we share our favorite hacks for updating your bathroom on a budget.

Refresh Your Bathroom Cabinets

Depending on the layout of your bathroom, you may have a single cabinet to hide your bathroom plumbing or a wall of cabinets that provides ample storage for all your linens, toiletries, and small appliances. Giving your cabinets a facelift is one of the easiest ways to enhance the appearance of your bathroom.

Whether your cabinets are a natural wood that looks a bit dated or have been painted a color that doesn’t tickle your fancy, you may want to paint your bathroom cabinets. For a clean, neutral look you can opt for white or gray cabinets. But maybe you’re feeling a little bold! Instead, you can paint your cabinets a vibrant color palette that will add vibrance to the small space.

For a slightly more expensive (but still budget-friendly) option, you can change out the cabinet doors as well. If your cabinet doors look particularly dated, swapping the doors instead of the entire cabinet can be a very cost-effective option. Whether you decide to simply paint your existing cabinets or change out the doors, you don’t want to forget about the cabinet hardware. Sometimes the smallest changes make the biggest difference!

Install a Fun Backsplash

One element of the bathroom that is easy to overlook is the backsplash. Although your bathroom backsplash helps protect the walls of the bathroom from dirt and water, it doesn’t have to look boring! Transform the appearance of your bathroom by designing a focal point within the space with the backsplash.

The best part about updating a bathroom backsplash is that you can allow your personality to shine through your selection! From different materials, colors, shapes, textures, and sizes, there are a variety of tile options available to you, allowing you to customize the exact look and feel you’re hoping to achieve.

Maybe you want to create a more reserved space. If that’s the case, consider neutral subway tiles in a muted color. But if you’re looking for something a bit more lively, you can weave in tiles in an eclectic pattern that evokes a feeling anytime someone enters the bathroom. Updating your bathroom backsplash is an easy update that will draw attention away from other dated bathroom elements in the space.

Choose a Funky Wallpaper

We know, we know. Wallpaper?! Isn’t wallpaper a thing of the past? Nope! Wallpaper is having a comeback moment, and this is a trend we are happy to get behind! Instead of painting your bathroom walls, you can introduce a focal point into the small space by installing funky wallpaper.

When opting for wallpaper, you will have a few decisions to make. Do you want to create a single accent wall to draw the eye to a certain part of the room? Will the wallpaper be applied to all the walls in the bathroom? Are you looking for something more subtle or do you want a vibrant and bold pattern that is sure to stand out? Once you’ve thought about your answers to these questions, it’s time to select the perfect wallpaper to transform your bathroom!

One of the best parts of deciding to install wallpaper is that it can be temporary. Instead of traditional wallpaper that requires a bit of elbow grease should you ever choose to remove it, you can install temporary peel-and-stick wallpaper. The wallpaper will come in large strips that can be applied to the wall and removed when needed, making it the perfect affordable bathroom remodel option. It’s also a great way to update the bathroom in a rental space so you can add a bit of your own personality into the room!

Swap Your Bathroom Mirror

Most builder-grade bathroom mirrors cover the length of the bathroom vanity and expand from the countertops to the sink. In most cases, the mirror is mounted to the wall without any additional enhancements such as a frame. Often, the builder-grade bathroom mirror leaves a lot to be desired.

You may not realize it, but your bathroom mirror is likely one of the most used elements in your bathroom, so it shouldn’t be an afterthought! Give your existing bathroom mirror a facelift by adding custom framing around its edges. This will make it seem more expensive while also introducing a bit of your personality into the room.

If your budget allows, you may decide to replace the mirror altogether. We recommend matching the new mirror to the bathroom hardware so it all ties together seamlessly. Or if you prefer a frameless option, you can add backlighting behind the mirror for added dimension. Depending on the size of the updated mirror, you may want to incorporate a new backsplash or wallpaper behind it as a focal point!

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does an average bathroom remodel cost?

The average bathroom remodel cost approximately $10,000. However, budget-friendly remodels and upgrades can be done for about $2,500, while high-end projects may stretch higher than the average. Keep in mind, the overall cost will depend on a variety of factors. Are you focusing on cosmetic changes or are you completely refiguring the space?

Does a bathroom remodel increase home value?

A bathroom remodel does increase the value of your home and is a great option if you plan on reselling your home in the future. On average, you can expect to recoup about 64% of the bathroom remodels cost.

What bathroom elements add the most value to the remodel?

Although cosmetic upgrades can improve the appearance of your bathroom, you want to consider the overall experience in the space. How big is the space? Is it laid out efficiently? To gain the most value from your bathroom remodel, find ways to improve the square footage, and if that isn’t possible, reconfigure the room to be more efficient.

What is the most expensive part of a bathroom remodel?

Similar to most remodels, the most expensive part of a bathroom remodel is the labor. If you are trying to remodel your bathroom at a lower price point, it’s best to make upgrades that you can handle yourself and avoid hiring an outside contractor. However, large-scale updates related to reconfiguring the space or changing parts of the plumbing may require a professional for assistance.