How to Update Your Bathroom for Less Than $400

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Homeowners spend thousands on a bathroom remodel, but you don’t have to. If an update will hold you over, learn how to make it happen on the cheap. 

If a bathroom in your home looks like it was last updated during the disco era, you may be anxious to do something about it. However, according to BobVila.com, the average national cost of a bathroom remodel ranges from $6,621 to $16,773. And that’s not a high-end remodel. If you don’t have that kind of cash lying around right now, there’s good news. While you save up for a larger-scale remodeling job, there are a host of things you can do to bring the room into the 21st century.

Before you begin, make a list of the things about the room that bother you most. For example, do the lights over the mirror look like someone took them out of an office building somewhere? Or, does the dated hardware bring back memories of your grandmother’s house? Those are changes you’ll want to tackle.

The second thing you should do is deep clean and declutter the room. It’s difficult to make decisions about any room when the drawers are stuffed and the surfaces are dirty.

As mentioned, the things you decide to change depends on what bothers you the most. However, here’s a sample of small updates that can make a huge impact.

Change the room color: $62

Simply changing the color of any room alters the way you feel when you’re in the space. Choose a soothing color that makes you feel calm and comfortable. The Remodeling Calculator reports that the average gallon of paint costs between $30 and $55, and Lowe’s suggests purchasing one gallon for each 350 to 400 square feet that needs to be painted. Because it’s a bathroom, you’ll probably only need one gallon. But, because it’s a bathroom, you want a good quality paint that resists mildew, so let’s assume you spend $50.

If you need supplies, like a paint tray, rollers, brushes, and a stir stick, Home Depot sells this 11-piece paint kit for less than $12.

Give the cabinets new life: $64

One of the easiest ways to update old cabinets is to paint them. If you’re not a painting pro, using chalk paint is a good way to go. Chalk paint requires little to no prep work and is quite forgiving of brush strokes. There are many brands of chalk paints to choose from. For example, Lowe’s carries the popular Magnolia Home chalk style paint that can be tinted any color you like.

One interesting thing about chalk paint is how little you end up using. This means two things for you: You won’t need more than one gallon, and you don’t have to drain your savings account to update the bathroom cabinets.

Two quick tips:

You’ll hear lots of opinions regarding whether your cabinets need to be sealed once they’re painted. Since they’re in a high-traffic area of the house and will be exposed to moisture, we recommend that you do seal them. It’s as simple as brushing on a little clear wax and wiping it off. A quality wax will likely cost between $15 and $30. This Magnolia Home wax runs $26.Be sure to take the cabinet doors off before beginning the project so you don’t get any paint on the hinges.

Replace pulls and knobs: $35

The second easiest way to upgrade bathroom cabinets is to trade out the old cabinet pulls and knobs with new ones that better fit the space. You’ll find pulls and knobs at every home improvement store, many home goods stores, and even on Etsy. If you’re really looking to save money though, Walmart.com may be the way to go, where you are likely to find what you need for $35 or less.

Change out the mirror: $80

A mirror is an overlooked decorative feature. If you aren’t in love with the current mirror in your bathroom and can remove it without damaging the wall, introduce a mirror that goes with your new style. Don’t get discouraged if you start to think that you’ll need a home equity loan to buy a new mirror. Granted, mirrors can be expensive, but they don’t have to be.

For example, if you’re aiming for a cool, modern bathroom, something like this asymmetrical mirror is both unusual and modern. And, it’s only $80 on Amazon.

Dress up the shower curtain: $41

Now that you have a new wall color and your cabinets are freshly painted, it’s time to consider whether the current shower curtain works with the rest of your design. While you’re thinking about it, consider whether you need additional elbow space while showering. Removing a standard curtain rod and replacing it with a curved rod not only gives you more space, but it also adds an interesting architectural touch, without making one structural change to the room.

Shower curtains are available in all colors, designs, and price points. If you’re looking for something a little fancy, hang a fabric curtain over the plastic shower liner. This French Chateau-style shower curtain from Target is both beautiful and affordable at $20. And Home Depot offers a wide array of curved shower rods, like this one for $21.

Update the lighting fixtures: $83

If you have both an overhead light and wall lights that have seen better days, updating them will make a significant difference in the room. But if you’ve ever shopped for lighting, you already know how costly new lighting can be. The trick here is to save enough money to keep the budget under $400.

We lucked out by finding these third-parties selling through Walmart.com. A crystal ceiling light fixture is only $40. We also found a $43 LED crystal wall light that would be perfect over the sink and mirror.

The bathroom design you dream of may be another style entirely. Whether you’re into French Country, farmhouse, boho, or traditional, it’s about replacing the things you don’t care for with things more to your taste.

The grand total for these six changes is $365, leaving a little more than necessary for sales tax. The moral of the story is that it is possible to make big changes on a small budget, as long as you focus on the features that matter to you.

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The Ascent does not cover all offers on the market. Editorial content from The Ascent is separate from The Motley Fool editorial content and is created by a different analyst team.John Mackey, former CEO of Whole Foods Market, an Amazon subsidiary, is a member of The Motley Fool’s board of directors. Dana George has positions in Amazon.com, Target, and Walmart. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Amazon.com, Etsy, Target, and Walmart. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

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