Budget Bathroom Renovation Ideas for Under $10,000
What can a moderate budget like this get you? Take a look at these innovative options to turn your bathroom into a top-shelf stunner
Simply by adding or replacing some fixtures, concepts or standard items, your bathroom can become a stylish sanctuary. And with $10,000 to spend on the renovation, you can make your bathroom significantly more functional while adding a remarkable wow factor. Just don’t expect a budget of this size to cover a total makeover, as this usually requires major structural alterations.
Save money on services, especially plumbing, so that it can be spent on the design ideas you love best. That way, you can concentrate on making changes that will stand out. Some of these include investing in one or two of the big-ticket items such as a vanity, bath or shower, tiling, panelling or even a new picture window. Then you can pick and choose from some of the cheaper individual projects from the ideas below, and bundle them together to meet your budget.
Is $10,000 a bit above your budget? Take a look at our bathroom renovations for under $5000.
Save money on services, especially plumbing, so that it can be spent on the design ideas you love best. That way, you can concentrate on making changes that will stand out. Some of these include investing in one or two of the big-ticket items such as a vanity, bath or shower, tiling, panelling or even a new picture window. Then you can pick and choose from some of the cheaper individual projects from the ideas below, and bundle them together to meet your budget.
Is $10,000 a bit above your budget? Take a look at our bathroom renovations for under $5000.
Tiles
If you don’t want your tiles to overwhelm your space, but still want them to be a feature, use a monochromatic scheme and place them within a border to create a harmonious ‘artwork’. By using less of the feature tile, you can also reduce costs. This is particularly useful if you fall in love with an expensive tile!
DESIGN TIP: Frame your tiles with a timber trim and apply a contrasting paint colour, using masking tape to create straight lines. You can also use a tile moulded for this purpose.
COST: Expect to pay $140 per square metre for a tile feature with a timber frame. This cost covers all the parts of the framed feature tile wall, including penny round tiles in matt or gloss and plywood for the frame. This will need to be cut to size with 45-degree angles, affixed with nails and painted.
If you don’t want your tiles to overwhelm your space, but still want them to be a feature, use a monochromatic scheme and place them within a border to create a harmonious ‘artwork’. By using less of the feature tile, you can also reduce costs. This is particularly useful if you fall in love with an expensive tile!
DESIGN TIP: Frame your tiles with a timber trim and apply a contrasting paint colour, using masking tape to create straight lines. You can also use a tile moulded for this purpose.
COST: Expect to pay $140 per square metre for a tile feature with a timber frame. This cost covers all the parts of the framed feature tile wall, including penny round tiles in matt or gloss and plywood for the frame. This will need to be cut to size with 45-degree angles, affixed with nails and painted.
PVC panelling
Have some fun and inject an earthy, industrial or cabin-like look into your bathroom decor by installing PVC panelling instead of tiles, wallpaper or timber.
PVC is the perfect substitute wall finish for wet zones, as it can withstand up to 60 degrees heat without its finish being affected. Think retro vinyl records, but with a wide range of designs.
Not only does PVC prevent dirt build-up, it’s also immune to mould and germs. So unlike timber panelling, it only requires a low-fuss, hot sponge wipe down for cleaning.
Another bonus is that PVC is fire retardant and good for insulation – it’s the same product that is used to insulate electrical cables.
Available in a range of patterns and colours, these panels are cost-effective and can be nailed to walls to hide lumps and bumps without having to fill holes, resurface and paint.
DESIGN TIP: You can nail panels down with the pattern vertical or horizontal, to make your ceilings look taller or your walls wider.
COST: Panels are priced from $200 per 2400 x 1200 x 9mm sheet.
Have some fun and inject an earthy, industrial or cabin-like look into your bathroom decor by installing PVC panelling instead of tiles, wallpaper or timber.
PVC is the perfect substitute wall finish for wet zones, as it can withstand up to 60 degrees heat without its finish being affected. Think retro vinyl records, but with a wide range of designs.
Not only does PVC prevent dirt build-up, it’s also immune to mould and germs. So unlike timber panelling, it only requires a low-fuss, hot sponge wipe down for cleaning.
Another bonus is that PVC is fire retardant and good for insulation – it’s the same product that is used to insulate electrical cables.
Available in a range of patterns and colours, these panels are cost-effective and can be nailed to walls to hide lumps and bumps without having to fill holes, resurface and paint.
DESIGN TIP: You can nail panels down with the pattern vertical or horizontal, to make your ceilings look taller or your walls wider.
COST: Panels are priced from $200 per 2400 x 1200 x 9mm sheet.
FLOORS
Tiles
Turn your floor into a feature with exquisite and unusual tiles. An interesting alternative to ceramic are fibre-reinforced concrete tiles. The fibres in the concrete make the tiles lighter than their plain concrete cousins, while giving them added strength and durability. The tiles come in different sizes and shapes and can be laid out to create a unique pattern, as seen here.
Available in a range of earth tones, greyscale or soft pastels, the tiles create exotic floors that look like they could easily be in a bathroom in Barcelona or Morocco. They are available in 20mm thickness, and, as they also come with a textured pattern, they’re a good choice for a non-slip floor.
DIY TIP: It’s recommended that you apply a stain-proof sealant once the tiles have been laid.
COST: Tiles are approximately $360 per square metre, though prices vary based on colour. The tiles come in boxes each containing two different sizes of tiles.
Tiles
Turn your floor into a feature with exquisite and unusual tiles. An interesting alternative to ceramic are fibre-reinforced concrete tiles. The fibres in the concrete make the tiles lighter than their plain concrete cousins, while giving them added strength and durability. The tiles come in different sizes and shapes and can be laid out to create a unique pattern, as seen here.
Available in a range of earth tones, greyscale or soft pastels, the tiles create exotic floors that look like they could easily be in a bathroom in Barcelona or Morocco. They are available in 20mm thickness, and, as they also come with a textured pattern, they’re a good choice for a non-slip floor.
DIY TIP: It’s recommended that you apply a stain-proof sealant once the tiles have been laid.
COST: Tiles are approximately $360 per square metre, though prices vary based on colour. The tiles come in boxes each containing two different sizes of tiles.
Laminate
Gone are the days when laminate was a cheap and often cheerless second best to timber panelling or floorboards. Now, laminates are a sophisticated choice and come in a range of wood grain patterns and colours – it’s wood without the price tag or the termites.
Plus, there are laminate boards on the market that eliminate moisture and rot, reduce sound and do away with the allergy problems sometimes associated with timber planks and boards.
You can choose a laminate that is made from natural recycled wood fibres, plastics or stone. And as a bonus, they are now textured, so they’re slip-resistant too.
TIP: Laminates are not recommended for a bathroom with a fall (where the floor gently slopes down to the drain for the water to escape).
DIY: As laminate floorboards come in a lock-in/click-in system, you can lay these yourself if you’re handy.
COST: From $72 per square metre.
Gone are the days when laminate was a cheap and often cheerless second best to timber panelling or floorboards. Now, laminates are a sophisticated choice and come in a range of wood grain patterns and colours – it’s wood without the price tag or the termites.
Plus, there are laminate boards on the market that eliminate moisture and rot, reduce sound and do away with the allergy problems sometimes associated with timber planks and boards.
You can choose a laminate that is made from natural recycled wood fibres, plastics or stone. And as a bonus, they are now textured, so they’re slip-resistant too.
TIP: Laminates are not recommended for a bathroom with a fall (where the floor gently slopes down to the drain for the water to escape).
DIY: As laminate floorboards come in a lock-in/click-in system, you can lay these yourself if you’re handy.
COST: From $72 per square metre.
FIXTURES
Bath
Bathing in Japan is a daily ritual, and a time of meditation. Japanese baths are especially suited to small bathrooms because they are shorter than the average bath. The joy comes in the depth, not the length.
The bath, pictured here, is deep, compact and perfect for soaking in. It’s most likely a big ticket item, but splashing out on such a tub will not only provide a blissful experience when bathing, but will also grace your bathroom with a beautiful feature.
TIP: If you surround the bathing areas with wooden slats (as a feature wall, storage cabinets or for seating), you may feel like your bathroom has been transformed into a traditional hot spring spa.
COST: From $625 for a Japanese-style acrylic bath.
More: Standout Shower-Bath Combos for Smaller Bathrooms
Bath
Bathing in Japan is a daily ritual, and a time of meditation. Japanese baths are especially suited to small bathrooms because they are shorter than the average bath. The joy comes in the depth, not the length.
The bath, pictured here, is deep, compact and perfect for soaking in. It’s most likely a big ticket item, but splashing out on such a tub will not only provide a blissful experience when bathing, but will also grace your bathroom with a beautiful feature.
TIP: If you surround the bathing areas with wooden slats (as a feature wall, storage cabinets or for seating), you may feel like your bathroom has been transformed into a traditional hot spring spa.
COST: From $625 for a Japanese-style acrylic bath.
More: Standout Shower-Bath Combos for Smaller Bathrooms
- Vanity
One way an expert can do this in a smaller room is by installing slim storage units in an attractive design, making it work with your bathroom’s existing size and shape.
TIP: Research the latest bathroom styles and designs in finishes and hardware, then get your expert to provide you with drawings, a manufacturing plan and a price list of your chosen finishes and hardware for your approval.
COST: $3,500 based on the cost of a solid 16mm internal carcass, Blum hardware throughout, 18mm satin-polyurethane panels and drawers, installed to the walls and/or floor.
Shower
Imagine yourself standing in a hillside rockpool under an invigorating waterfall. This is the sensation that a rainwater shower can give – just tilt up your chin and feel the rain on your face. The showerheads can be mounted flush to the surface of the ceiling, or extended from the ceiling or wall. They are available in a variety shapes too.
TIP: Shop for a rainwater showerhead that carries a high WELS (Water Efficiency Labelling and Standards scheme) rating, since one of these will use less water than a regular showerhead.
COST: Expect to pay about $2,000; this includes the showerhead, mixer tap and plumber’s fee to replace the old shower fittings.
Imagine yourself standing in a hillside rockpool under an invigorating waterfall. This is the sensation that a rainwater shower can give – just tilt up your chin and feel the rain on your face. The showerheads can be mounted flush to the surface of the ceiling, or extended from the ceiling or wall. They are available in a variety shapes too.
TIP: Shop for a rainwater showerhead that carries a high WELS (Water Efficiency Labelling and Standards scheme) rating, since one of these will use less water than a regular showerhead.
COST: Expect to pay about $2,000; this includes the showerhead, mixer tap and plumber’s fee to replace the old shower fittings.
LIGHTING
Picture window
Nothing adds the wow factor like a large picture window looking out onto a garden or a pleasant view. As your eye will automatically be drawn to the window, it’s not essential you have top-shelf fittings and fixtures elsewhere, so this may be an item you which to splurge on. The window can be your room’s focal point as well as helping to maximise the natural light.
A picture window is in a fixed frame, and they’re available with metal or wood trims. Fixed frame windows don’t offer any type of movement, but because of their simplicity they’re usually cheaper than a casement, single or double-hung window.
COST: $4,200; based on the cost of a wood framed, double-glazed window to the size of 1500 x 1500mm, and including an estimated fee for installation, gyprocking of the surrounding wall and any painting.
Picture window
Nothing adds the wow factor like a large picture window looking out onto a garden or a pleasant view. As your eye will automatically be drawn to the window, it’s not essential you have top-shelf fittings and fixtures elsewhere, so this may be an item you which to splurge on. The window can be your room’s focal point as well as helping to maximise the natural light.
A picture window is in a fixed frame, and they’re available with metal or wood trims. Fixed frame windows don’t offer any type of movement, but because of their simplicity they’re usually cheaper than a casement, single or double-hung window.
COST: $4,200; based on the cost of a wood framed, double-glazed window to the size of 1500 x 1500mm, and including an estimated fee for installation, gyprocking of the surrounding wall and any painting.
Mirrors
Mirrors are mandatory in a bathroom, but they don’t just have to be hung on walls and above vanities – a full-length mirror on the back of a door glams up a bathroom, too. And they visually increase the size of the room, while reflecting natural light from windows.
DIY TIP: If you don’t want to drill holes or hammer nails into your door, you can use double-sided adhesive strips. Ask your local hardware store for large adhesive strips specifically designed for heavier picture hanging.
COST: An estimated $80, including mirror and tape.
Mirrors are mandatory in a bathroom, but they don’t just have to be hung on walls and above vanities – a full-length mirror on the back of a door glams up a bathroom, too. And they visually increase the size of the room, while reflecting natural light from windows.
DIY TIP: If you don’t want to drill holes or hammer nails into your door, you can use double-sided adhesive strips. Ask your local hardware store for large adhesive strips specifically designed for heavier picture hanging.
COST: An estimated $80, including mirror and tape.
Skylight
Who doesn’t want to stand under the stars at night, and gaze up at the blue sky during the day?
Apart from the romantic ambience they create, a bathroom skylight is the most economical way of allowing natural light to flood the room.
DESIGN TIP: A ventilated skylight above a shower is aesthetically pleasing, but also necessary to allow steam to escape. It’s also a much cheaper option than a buzzing bathroom extractor fan.
COST: Anywhere from $350 for a fixed skylight, and $450 for a ventilated one. Expect to pay $1,200, including the skylight, installation and a lick of paint.
Tell us
What would you put on the top of your must-have list in a bathroom renovation? Share your thoughts in the Comments.
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Who doesn’t want to stand under the stars at night, and gaze up at the blue sky during the day?
Apart from the romantic ambience they create, a bathroom skylight is the most economical way of allowing natural light to flood the room.
DESIGN TIP: A ventilated skylight above a shower is aesthetically pleasing, but also necessary to allow steam to escape. It’s also a much cheaper option than a buzzing bathroom extractor fan.
COST: Anywhere from $350 for a fixed skylight, and $450 for a ventilated one. Expect to pay $1,200, including the skylight, installation and a lick of paint.
Tell us
What would you put on the top of your must-have list in a bathroom renovation? Share your thoughts in the Comments.
More
Find a bathroom professional near you
Vertical garden
A living garden in your bathroom will guarantee that it becomes the go-to room for pampering. Indoor plants help filter the air, so an indoor garden is quite literally a breath of fresh air. Even better, it’s relatively cheap too.
If there’s enough light in the space, exotic indoor plants love the humidity of a wet zone. A grouping of them, even a garden wall as pictured here, will create a visual reminder of the peace and quiet found in nature. Plus, you can reflect on all this while you luxuriate in your bath. Heaven.
DIY TIP: Vertical gardens can be bought in kits and easily fixed to any structural walls, including brick, concrete, wood or sheet metal.
COST: Kits start from $149; these include plastic panels, individual root wrappers and a drip line. (Plants are bought separately; take into account that their costs vary widely.)
More: 15 Vertical Gardens With a Creative Edge