Budget Bathroom Renovation Ideas for Under $5000
Refresh your bathroom on a budget with these simple yet stunning ideas for an easy bathroom makeover
Sophie Seeger
28 June 2023
Houzz Australia Contributor. Director of Seeger By Design; tutor for the Interior Design Institute, abstract artist and designer of rugs and textiles for soft-furnishings.
Houzz Australia Contributor. Director of Seeger By Design; tutor for the Interior... More
By the time you’ve calculated the cost of renovating your bathroom into the sanctuary of your dreams, you might find the job is well outside your budget. But there are many ways to update an existing room without breaking the bank. In fact, with a budget as low as $5000 you can achieve a really impressive new look, especially if you are prepared to do some work yourself.
This low budget won’t allow you to knock down walls, replace ceilings, increase the size of a window or install a sunken bath, but it will buy some great options to modernise and freshen up the look of your bathroom walls, fixtures and lights. Pick and choose individual projects from the ideas below, or bundle some together to meet your budget.
This low budget won’t allow you to knock down walls, replace ceilings, increase the size of a window or install a sunken bath, but it will buy some great options to modernise and freshen up the look of your bathroom walls, fixtures and lights. Pick and choose individual projects from the ideas below, or bundle some together to meet your budget.
How Can I Update My Bathroom Walls on a Budget?
Wallpaper
Wallpaper in the bathroom is a quick fix with instant wow factor. It can hide blemished walls and if you use a wallpaper with metallic accents or a satin (as opposed to matt) finish, it can reflect light back into the room.
Wallpaper
Wallpaper in the bathroom is a quick fix with instant wow factor. It can hide blemished walls and if you use a wallpaper with metallic accents or a satin (as opposed to matt) finish, it can reflect light back into the room.
Best of all, you can update it annually, periodically or whenever budget permits, because it’s so practical and aesthetically gorgeous! If you have fallen for a wallpaper that’s a little too expensive for the whole room, however, use it sparingly – perhaps on a feature wall or above a dado rail.
While it’s possible to wallpaper your walls yourself, it’s wise to call on a local expert for the best possible result. Depending which wallpaper you select, you may be able to buy both it and cover your installation costs if you’re only revamping a small bathroom or one feature wall.
Approximate starting cost: AU$90; estimate based on the cost of an average 10-metre roll, paste and a brush.
Searching for bathroom designers? Find experts near you, browse images of their projects and read reviews from previous clients
While it’s possible to wallpaper your walls yourself, it’s wise to call on a local expert for the best possible result. Depending which wallpaper you select, you may be able to buy both it and cover your installation costs if you’re only revamping a small bathroom or one feature wall.
Approximate starting cost: AU$90; estimate based on the cost of an average 10-metre roll, paste and a brush.
Searching for bathroom designers? Find experts near you, browse images of their projects and read reviews from previous clients
Paint
The easiest way to update or lift a bathroom is by giving it a new coat of paint. But don’t stop at the walls and ceiling – you can paint your most joinery and any old tongue-and-groove wood panelling, too, which is much cheaper than replacing them.
If you’re painting the space yourself, you’ll need to prepare the area properly first, then prime each surface and, once dry, cover with two coats of your chosen colour. For durability, I recommend a satin or gloss paint over a matt finish.
If that’s all too much work or you’re not confident painting what will need to be water-resistant surfaces, contact a local painter for a quote – for a single bathroom it may come in under budget, including the cost of the paint.
The easiest way to update or lift a bathroom is by giving it a new coat of paint. But don’t stop at the walls and ceiling – you can paint your most joinery and any old tongue-and-groove wood panelling, too, which is much cheaper than replacing them.
If you’re painting the space yourself, you’ll need to prepare the area properly first, then prime each surface and, once dry, cover with two coats of your chosen colour. For durability, I recommend a satin or gloss paint over a matt finish.
If that’s all too much work or you’re not confident painting what will need to be water-resistant surfaces, contact a local painter for a quote – for a single bathroom it may come in under budget, including the cost of the paint.
Approximate starting cost: AU$100; estimate based on the cost of sandpaper, a brush, a litre of high-adhesion tile and laminate primer, and a litre of wash-and-wear bathroom paint.
Tiles
Tiling will totally revamp the look and feel of your bathroom scheme. To get a seamless look, I recommend one colour and style for your wall tile and splashback. Going large scale in a white tile will make the space brighter and look larger; plus a larger tile is quicker to lay. On a practical level, gloss tiles are easy to clean.
To ascertain the area you need to cover in a square-metre measurement, multiply your wall width by room height. Use a professional tiler for this.
Approximate starting cost: AU$715; estimate based on the cost of tiles and a tiler for a six-square-metre wall.
Tiling will totally revamp the look and feel of your bathroom scheme. To get a seamless look, I recommend one colour and style for your wall tile and splashback. Going large scale in a white tile will make the space brighter and look larger; plus a larger tile is quicker to lay. On a practical level, gloss tiles are easy to clean.
To ascertain the area you need to cover in a square-metre measurement, multiply your wall width by room height. Use a professional tiler for this.
Approximate starting cost: AU$715; estimate based on the cost of tiles and a tiler for a six-square-metre wall.
How Can I Refresh My Bathroom Floors for Less?
Floorboards
Uncover what’s hiding under dated vinyl, tile or laminate flooring. If you are lucky, you will find original floorboards. If so, take advantage of its natural good looks – a sanded floor is a warm feature in any style of bathroom. For a natural look that shows off the grain, your flooring professional should be able to sand and stain the floorboards with a clear or tinted varnish.
Approximate starting cost: AU$165; estimate based on the cost of a hammer, palm sander, gloves, dust mask, ear muffs, safety glasses, stain and varnish.
Floorboards
Uncover what’s hiding under dated vinyl, tile or laminate flooring. If you are lucky, you will find original floorboards. If so, take advantage of its natural good looks – a sanded floor is a warm feature in any style of bathroom. For a natural look that shows off the grain, your flooring professional should be able to sand and stain the floorboards with a clear or tinted varnish.
Approximate starting cost: AU$165; estimate based on the cost of a hammer, palm sander, gloves, dust mask, ear muffs, safety glasses, stain and varnish.
Concrete
For a look that’s always right on trend but won’t break the bank, opt for concrete flooring with a new finish.
Whether you lift up old tiles or vinyl to expose a concrete slab or have already poured a new one, you shouldn’t need to polish the concrete. Simply grind it back and cover it with polyurethane. The only downside to this finishing option is that the surface will need to be resealed every few years.
Approximate starting cost: AU$45; estimate based on the cost of a litre of polyurethane.
Browse more beautiful contemporary Australian bathrooms
For a look that’s always right on trend but won’t break the bank, opt for concrete flooring with a new finish.
Whether you lift up old tiles or vinyl to expose a concrete slab or have already poured a new one, you shouldn’t need to polish the concrete. Simply grind it back and cover it with polyurethane. The only downside to this finishing option is that the surface will need to be resealed every few years.
Approximate starting cost: AU$45; estimate based on the cost of a litre of polyurethane.
Browse more beautiful contemporary Australian bathrooms
Tiles
Porcelain is perfect for the bathroom floor as it’s non-porous. It can be glazed or unglazed and, if you choose tiles that are dark and large, you will have less grout to clean. But some porcelain tiles can come with a hefty price tag, so keep an open mind when selecting new tiles for your bathroom revamp.
While marble and other natural stone tiles may be a little out of budgetary reach, you might fall in love with ceramic, glass or cement tiles. All are brilliant for giving your bathroom a makeover on a budget. Your next step? Deciding whether to tile your floor, wall or both.
Approximate starting cost: AU$715; estimate based on the cost of tiles and a tiler for a six-square-metre floor.
Porcelain is perfect for the bathroom floor as it’s non-porous. It can be glazed or unglazed and, if you choose tiles that are dark and large, you will have less grout to clean. But some porcelain tiles can come with a hefty price tag, so keep an open mind when selecting new tiles for your bathroom revamp.
While marble and other natural stone tiles may be a little out of budgetary reach, you might fall in love with ceramic, glass or cement tiles. All are brilliant for giving your bathroom a makeover on a budget. Your next step? Deciding whether to tile your floor, wall or both.
Approximate starting cost: AU$715; estimate based on the cost of tiles and a tiler for a six-square-metre floor.
Which Bathroom Fixtures Can I Update on a Budget?
Bath
If you have chosen a few things to update in your bathroom but are still under budget, why not treat yourself to a freestanding bath in a style you’ve always dreamed about. With a range of sizes and styles, there are plenty of options to choose from that won’t blow your budget.
Approximate starting cost: AU$2,380; estimate based on the cost of a bath similar to the one pictured, and includes the bath, freestanding bath set and plumber’s installation fee.
Bath
If you have chosen a few things to update in your bathroom but are still under budget, why not treat yourself to a freestanding bath in a style you’ve always dreamed about. With a range of sizes and styles, there are plenty of options to choose from that won’t blow your budget.
Approximate starting cost: AU$2,380; estimate based on the cost of a bath similar to the one pictured, and includes the bath, freestanding bath set and plumber’s installation fee.
Vanity
Thanks to terrific new strides in the readymade vanity market, you’ll easily be able to choose single and double vanities for less than AU$5000. Many different dimensions are on offer, so replacing your existing vanity is usually a straightforward affair if you measure up correctly and use a licensed plumber for the removal and installation.
Alternatively, you may wish to introduce repurposed furniture for a vanity. This is not only a cheap alternative but will make a charming addition to your bathroom, be it a recycled console, chest of drawers or a vintage shop counter. Use your existing basin and have a carpenter cut out a hole in the vanity to fit it, or upgrade your basin for a fresh new look if yours has seen better days. Then, get a plumber to do the rest.
Thanks to terrific new strides in the readymade vanity market, you’ll easily be able to choose single and double vanities for less than AU$5000. Many different dimensions are on offer, so replacing your existing vanity is usually a straightforward affair if you measure up correctly and use a licensed plumber for the removal and installation.
Alternatively, you may wish to introduce repurposed furniture for a vanity. This is not only a cheap alternative but will make a charming addition to your bathroom, be it a recycled console, chest of drawers or a vintage shop counter. Use your existing basin and have a carpenter cut out a hole in the vanity to fit it, or upgrade your basin for a fresh new look if yours has seen better days. Then, get a plumber to do the rest.
Approximate starting cost: AU$900 to AU$1,350; estimate based on the cost of the furniture item (look at lower figure if you already have a secondhand vanity piece), carpenter and plumber’s fees.
Shower
A frameless glass shower screen looks modern and sleek, and it beats the tatty shower curtain that’s moulding in your bathroom. You may be able to squeeze one into your layout as a walk-in placed near your existing bath and using the same floor waste.
While you’re revamping your shower, get a licensed plumber to install a new shower rail, rose and taps. Just changing these bathroom fittings makes a world of difference.
Approximate starting cost: AU$2,170; estimate based on the cost of a shower screen, shower rail, shower rose, shower mixer and plumber’s fee.
A frameless glass shower screen looks modern and sleek, and it beats the tatty shower curtain that’s moulding in your bathroom. You may be able to squeeze one into your layout as a walk-in placed near your existing bath and using the same floor waste.
While you’re revamping your shower, get a licensed plumber to install a new shower rail, rose and taps. Just changing these bathroom fittings makes a world of difference.
Approximate starting cost: AU$2,170; estimate based on the cost of a shower screen, shower rail, shower rose, shower mixer and plumber’s fee.
How Can I Update My Bathroom Lighting?
Pendant lights
Pretty or interesting pendants or bathroom lighting can be a focal point and therefore a quick and winning way to update – especially if you’re replacing an existing light with a new one. Whether a chandelier or an industrial light, a woven pendant or a modernist masterpiece, this is a simple (and usually straightforward) way to add pizazz.
It’s a little more complicated (and expensive) for your electrician to put in a whole new light source, so to keep your budget in check, aim to replace and update your lights where you can.
Pendant lights
Pretty or interesting pendants or bathroom lighting can be a focal point and therefore a quick and winning way to update – especially if you’re replacing an existing light with a new one. Whether a chandelier or an industrial light, a woven pendant or a modernist masterpiece, this is a simple (and usually straightforward) way to add pizazz.
It’s a little more complicated (and expensive) for your electrician to put in a whole new light source, so to keep your budget in check, aim to replace and update your lights where you can.
Wall sconces
Sconce lighting is affordable and impactful and, in the bathroom when used around the mirror, particularly useful. You may want to introduce a family of sconces on an accent wall, mount matching symmetrical lights on either side of the mirror, or stick to just one statement light.
Either way, it will be easier for your electrician to install your new sconces on a plasterboard wall than tiles, so let this dictate your thinking when you decide on placement.
Approximate starting cost: AU$450; estimate based on the cost of the pendant and electrician’s fee.
Sconce lighting is affordable and impactful and, in the bathroom when used around the mirror, particularly useful. You may want to introduce a family of sconces on an accent wall, mount matching symmetrical lights on either side of the mirror, or stick to just one statement light.
Either way, it will be easier for your electrician to install your new sconces on a plasterboard wall than tiles, so let this dictate your thinking when you decide on placement.
Approximate starting cost: AU$450; estimate based on the cost of the pendant and electrician’s fee.
LEDs
Lining your mirror with LED strips adds mood-enhancing lighting to your bathroom and is a decorative feature, too. Best of all, having lighting on the sides of the mirror or just behind the edge means you won’t have shadows on your face when you need to closely examine yourself.
LEDs are energy-efficient, lasting much longer than halogens, and are safer too, because they don’t get as hot. In addition to LED strips, you can also use LED-recessed downlights in your ceiling.
Lining your mirror with LED strips adds mood-enhancing lighting to your bathroom and is a decorative feature, too. Best of all, having lighting on the sides of the mirror or just behind the edge means you won’t have shadows on your face when you need to closely examine yourself.
LEDs are energy-efficient, lasting much longer than halogens, and are safer too, because they don’t get as hot. In addition to LED strips, you can also use LED-recessed downlights in your ceiling.
Approximate starting cost: AU$570; estimate based on the cost of four strips, four downlights, and electrician’s fee.
Your turn
Do you have any other tips on how to create a beautiful bathroom on a budget? Share them in the Comments.
More
Want to see the itemised costs of a bathroom redesign? Read this Renovation Education: Cost Per Item of a Medium-Size Bathroom
Your turn
Do you have any other tips on how to create a beautiful bathroom on a budget? Share them in the Comments.
More
Want to see the itemised costs of a bathroom redesign? Read this Renovation Education: Cost Per Item of a Medium-Size Bathroom
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Not changing the positioning of any plumbing or drains I think is the biggest cost saver
The building code does not allow timber floorboards in a wet room - bathroom or laundry. If you want that look you can achieve it with tiles that look like wood. The floor has to slope to a floor drain. Wet timber floor boards would rot the boards and then the timber structure underneath and possible the timber stud walls.
Crazy to think that you can’t use timber floorboards in a bathroom if done right. Not uncommon in older properties, plus many boats have timber hulls!