Hi Neryl! I'm pleased to say there is an awful lot you can do for that budget!! My recommendations are: * Paint the vanity white (or even just the etched lines) & replace the handles with little chrome ones OR * keep an eye on gumtree for a small vanity unit (your top is fine you just need the unit) - often you'll get one for free if you check every day! * replace the lace curtain with a plain white roller blind (or leave the window bare) * replace the medicine cabinet with a bigger one (or if you don't need the storage space do away with it & just put up nice mirror that will fit the space better) * paint the top half of the room a lighter whiter colour Personally the medicine cabinet & curtain are the only things that sticks out at me as looking daggy and as they are at eye level its the most noticable thing in the room. Good luck I'm sure you'll have it looking more inviting in no time!

Your mockup scheme is similar to our master bathroom we just completed - photo below. I know you mentioned storage being a concern - our mirrored cabinet has offered an amazing amount of storage in a very small space and also helps bounce light around. I was worried about black taps etc too so we kept chrome fixtures but added in a matte black candle and black potted orchid to create a similar effect which we can change out later on. Our floor tiles are dark but because they are semi-polished they actually bounce around a lot of light and don't make the room feel dark if that is a concern. We also have a huge fiddle leaf fig in the corner (not pictured) which adds a really nice feel to the space - a plant like that could help bring in the outside greenery in your bathroom. Instead of the storage tower you have to the left of the vanity could you do say some floating wood shelving, possibly with baskets added for more hidden storage? You could also bring in the 60s theme with what you displayed on there eg. photos as you mentioned? In regards to the window - a previous house we lived in had a window at about shoulder height in the shower - as well as letting in heaps of light it was amazing for storing toiletries etc!

As Eco Building Services has suggested, your going to have to rip the tiles off to get the bath out which will most likely compromise the waterproof seal. This will mean you would need to redo the waterproofing which needs to be applied in all the 'wet areas" in one go. Raising tap ware means your going to have to rip open a section in the wall again breaking the seal in order for the plumber to go in and raise it. If the building was done before the 80's chances are 50/50 you have asbestos. It really isn't cost effective if all you want to do is change a bathtub. If your heart is set on changing the bathtub I would strongly suggest redoing the whole bathroom to make it worth the cost.

your plans and 3D looks excellent and i think it's a fabulous idea and great use of the space..we once had a bath space that was only 1200 x 600 built under a sloping roof with side access only 700 wide... the space was walled and tiled without a tub. (including tiles up the sloping ceiling)..worked perfectly but you have the luxury of enough space to add a bathtub that will be so much more comfortable and easier to clean and a standard drop in bath with the straight end at the front and layback at the far end ..standard installation just rotated with a nice low lip on the bath to make a flat ledge to line up your bubble bath and ducks...challenge will be getting the bath into the space.. there and a lightweight (often cheaper) bath may be easier and/or the installers may have to make a hole in the wall for access from the other end or the side and then refinish the walls...there are plenty of bathtubs that would fit the space but you'll need to discuss best options with plumber and tiler as they don't usually like surprises and, if a custom vanity was under the stairs with the sink offsett to the high side and the toilet behind the door there would be more comfortable standing space in front of the bath, a bigger vanity with more storage and easy access for towel rails near the bath..but, regardless of the width of the actual toilet, it needs to be installed close to the door (not centred in the space) to allow enough shoulder room but that means the door needs to be closed for broad shouldered adults to use the toilet comfortably..but that's not such a bad idea and another option for extra light (even in a downstairs enclosed room) is a Solar Skylight mounted on the wall or ceiling..research illume and Arcol brands for more info)