52 Bathroom Remodel Ideas to Give Your Space a Whole New Look

Use Lower-Cost Lookalike Materials

When swapping out materials, keep in mind that inexpensive alternatives often look like the real thing. For example, instead of real wood plank flooring, try luxury vinyl flooring. High-definition laminate countertops and quartz countertops now vie with granite for the look of authentic natural stone, while faux-stone ceramic and porcelain tile backsplashes can mimic the look of travertine and marble.

Paint Your Wooden Floor

If your bathroom has a wooden floor, you could cover it over with a more moisture-hardy flooring, such as tile, sheet vinyl, or luxury vinyl plank. Or you can save time, energy, and money by keeping your wooden floor and painting it with protective enamel. Solid hardwood should not be your first choice for bathroom flooring, but if you already have them, this is one low-cost way to keep them around for as long as possible.

Refinish Your Tub Instead of Replacing It

Consider total replacement of your bathtub to be your last possible option—at least from a cost-saving standpoint. Instead, if the problem is mainly cosmetic, try relining or refinishing your tub. Forget bathtub and shower liners, which are never a permanent fix and not as affordable as they seem, since they require professional installation.

Touch Up Your Tub Rather Than Refinishing It

Sometimes, a total refinish isn't necessary. When your bathtub has nicks, gouges, and peeling paint, but you are not keen on the idea of refinishing the entire surface, spot-fix your tub instead. Some touch-up products are as easy to apply as squeezing toothpaste out of a tube.

Refresh Cabinets With New Hardware

Bring life to your existing cabinets by replacing its hardware. To make the process even easier, before you buy the new hardware, make sure that its screw alignment matches up with the holes on your existing cabinets. This eliminates the need to drill new holes.

Install a New Sink Faucet

Installing a new sink faucet is another trick designers and do-it-yourselfers use to make a sink sparkle without replacing the entire top or vanity. Sink faucets are simple, easy, and fast to install by yourself. (You don't need to call a plumber!) This not only saves on labor costs but it advances the time table.

Install a Pre-Fabricated Shower

The most expensive option for a new shower is to hire a pro to build a custom tile shower from scratch. While site-built tile showers and tubs can be gorgeous and unique, consider a prefabricated shower unit, which typically costs a lot less. If you want to have that tiled shower, fusing a poly shower pan with the tile saves hassle and costs.

Install Your Own Toilet

If you have the strength to carry a toilet, avoid calling in a plumber to switch out the old toilet. Instead, install your toilet by yourself. Toilet installation involves very few waterline hookups; simply follow easy-to-follow step-by-step instructions.

Paint Portions of the Interior by Yourself

Bathroom painting can be accomplished by even the least skilled do-it-yourselfer—especially considering how little painting you actually need to do in a bathroom. The majority of wall space is taken up with mirrors, showers, tile, cabinets, and bathtubs. That leaves you with just a few square feet to paint.

Resist the Urge to Move Major Plumbing

Save money by leaving the toilet and bathing facilities where they are. There's no need to move the plumbing when their current locations satisfy your needs. Moving water supply and/or drainage immediately drives up the cost of any remodel project.

Take on Minor Plumbing Fixes Yourself

Intimidated by the idea of doing your own plumbing? No need. With the advent of plastic PEX plumbing pipes and push-in fittings, even the least confident do-it-yourself plumber can tackle light tasks with relative ease.

Install Your Own Bathroom Vanity and Top

Due to bathrooms' petite size, you can buy nearly or fully assembled vanity tops and units and have them in place within a couple of hours. Vanity units come in stock sizes ranging from 24 inches to 60 inches wide. Coordinating counters can be purchased that even have sinks fused into them, eliminating sink installation and caulking woes.

Migrate Bathroom Materials

If you have two bathrooms and you remodel one of them, what should you do with all of those materials? Some homeowners have found it cost-effective to migrate materials from one bathroom to the other bathroom. Even materials as trivial as shower curtains, pipes, and picture frames can be moved to the next bathroom.

Design the Bathroom by Yourself

Whole-house remodels, additions, and large kitchens can benefit from the expertise of a qualified designer. Bathrooms, however, aren't so complicated. Spending some time studying bathroom design ideas and learning the basic bathroom layout guidelines (such as recommendations from the National Kitchen and Bath Association) can give you plenty of ideas to get started.

Install Wainscot on Lower Half of Walls

There is no better way to cover up the lower portion of walls than with easy-to-install wainscot. Wainscot is a pre-fabricated board that extends as high as 48 inches and eliminates the need to patch wall dings and minor holes. Instead, rely on wainscot to simply cover it up.

Consider a Low-Flow Showerhead

If you plan to remodel a bathroom shower, consider trying a low-flow showerhead. You'll save hundreds or thousands of gallons per year depending on household use. Best yet, they are comparable in cost to regular designs.

Choose a Low-Flow Toilet

Toilets with low-flow capabilities are a no-brainer. These models save water every time you flush, so they're a smart choice that not only will lower your water bill but also increase the value of your home. Mother Nature will thank you too.

Use Small, Textured Tile on the Shower Floor

Consider small, textured shower tile, since the texture and the extra grouting will keep your feet from slipping once the floor gets soapy and wet. Most modern bathroom tiles are easy to clean, and they use grouts that resist mold, humidity, and stains. Mix and match different patterns and colors for maximum visual impact, or do something more understated for a harmonious look. 

Include a Window in the Shower

Adding a window in your shower will help to draw out humidity, even if you just crack it open during or after a shower. A window also will let natural light into the bathroom, so you likely won't have to waste energy by turning on a bathroom light during the day. Just remember to slope a shower window sill downward so water drains off of it and use frosted glass for privacy.

Add a Recessed Medicine Cabinet

Gain more storage space while not sacrificing a sleek look with a recessed medicine cabinet above the vanity. The extra wall framing job involved in recessing the cabinet doesn't usually cost much in the grand scheme of bathroom remodeling. A recessed medicine cabinet is especially useful when your vanity is on the shallower side—no more bumping your head!

Improve the Lighting

As you plan your bathroom remodel, consider changing or adding to your current lighting to improve the functionality and mood of the space. Think: dimmers for the main lights, recessed fixtures or pendants around the mirror, and even lighting in the shower. You might find your shower to be more pleasant (and safer) when it's lighted properly.

Make the Tub Optional

While some real estate professionals argue that a bathroom with a bathtub offers greater appeal to prospective buyers than one with just a shower, this is much less true for today's buyers than it once was. Your main concern should be with how you're going to use your bathroom. Don't take baths, or have children or pets who do? Feel free to nix it.

Stick With a Small Tub

Unless you simply must have an oversized tub to stretch out in, there's no need to break your budget for one. Petite tubs take up less floor space in the bathroom—especially important in a small bathroom renovation—freeing up room for more storage, countertop area, and more. They also use less water and energy to fill them.

Opt for Heated Flooring

If you're replacing the floors in your bathroom remodel, consider adding heated flooring. Heated floors aren't that expensive to install, and they will add value to your home. Plus, they can actually save you money on energy costs in the long term, as they're more efficient to heat a space than a central heating system.

Keep the Main Fixtures Neutral

Bathroom style fads can fade quickly, so it's always a solid decision to stick with neutral options for the main fixtures—the sink, toilet, shower, and tub. Large fixtures can be pricey and difficult to replace if you decide later you're over the trend. You can always add some bolder design flair with smaller fixtures and accessories that are easier to swap out when it's time for an update.

Carefully Consider a Countertop Material

When selecting your bathroom countertop material, it's important to weigh appearance with functionality. For instance, natural stone countertops are fairly expensive, but they're also quite durable.

Prioritize Ventilation

Even if it's not required by code, a bathroom vent fan is a smart addition. It will draw out moisture and odors, improving the air quality in the space. It also will help to prevent mold and mildew growth. Plus, you can run it year-round unlike a bathroom window, which you might not want to open during cold or inclement weather. 

Don't Forget About Storage

You'll need enough cabinets, drawers, and shelving to comfortably fit all your towels, makeup, and hair products. Make sure your bathroom's storage will function for your day-to-day life. You wouldn't want to clutter your countertops, diminishing the look of your beautiful new bathroom.

Choose Accessories Wisely

When selecting the finishing touches for your new bathroom, create a cohesive style. For instance, aim to pick towel bars in metallic finishes that coordinate with your faucets. Consider splurging on a slightly more expensive soap dispenser rather than an old plastic one that will look dingy against your brand new stone countertop. 

Upgrade Your Drain Pipe for Improved Performance

Typical bathroom drain plumbing is usually PVC pipe that's 1.5 inches or sometimes 1.25 inches in diameter. This type of drain pipe can clog easily, especially if you have several family members using the same shower and/or bath. Installing drain pipe that's 2 inches in diameter costs roughly the same, and it will dramatically improve the quality of drainage in your bathroom.

Add Shiplap

Shiplap wood is a great way to add texture and warmth to your walls, and it can be a great cost-saving option for the bathroom when used in place of wall tile. Plus, if you're a fan of farmhouse or rustic design styles, shiplap bathroom walls will fit right in.

Consider Retiling

Retiling your bathroom can be a large and expensive project, but it will undoubtedly completely transform your space and it's one of the best ways to switch up the style of your bathroom. If you are handy, it is definitely possible to retile your bathroom on your own, but you can also easily find a professional in your area to do it too.

Redo the Grout

If the tile in your bathroom is still in good shape but your grout is looking a little grungy, redoing your grout is an option. While not as extensive as retiling entirely, this is still a big project that takes time to complete. The good news is that it's relatively DIY-friendly, so you can save money on this project if you're looking to cut costs.

Replace the Mirror

Often it's the small details that pull together the design of a room, and for bathrooms this includes the mirror. If you have an old mirror in your bathroom or are dealing with standard builder-grade mirrors that were never upgraded, replacing the mirror with a modern alternative can do wonders for your space. Plus it's budget-friendly.

Consider Repainting Cupboards

If the cupboards in your bathroom are structurally sound and your only problem with them is the color, consider repainting or re-staining instead of replacing them entirely. This will save you lots of work and money and it will still completely change the look of your space. Add some new hardware to really finish off the look.

Add Wallpaper

Wallpaper is great for making an impact in small spaces like powder rooms. Plus, with endless options to choose from, this is truly a versatile upgrade suitable for any design style. Today, peel and stick wallpaper is widely available and easy to DIY, saving you time and money on your bathroom remodel.

Consider Refinishing Your Countertops

Instead of replacing your countertops, consider refinishing them if you are looking for budget-friendly remodeling ideas. Countertops can be refinished or covered in a number of ways depending on the look you are going for, your budget, and your skill level when it comes to DIYs.

Add a Walk-in Shower

Is there anything more luxurious feeling than a walk-in shower? If you're aiming for a total bathroom remodel, a walk-in shower is definitely something to consider. The best part is that these showers can be worked into bathrooms of nearly any size. So even if you don't have a lot of space to work with, you can still enjoy a walk-in shower.

Upgrade Your Space With Spa-Like Features

Creating serene, spa-like bathrooms is huge in interior design right now. Consider turning your bathroom into your own personal oasis by adding luxurious upgrades such as a free-standing soaker tub, towel heaters, massaging shower heads, and more.

Add Wall Art

Adding wall art to the finished look is a simple and impactful upgrade to consider for any bathroom remodel. Whether you're an art connoisseur or you want to frame some family photos to add a personal touch, wall art can fit within any budget.

Get Creative With Tile

Add an artistic flair to your space by getting creative with tile. Whether you opt for a unique pattern or create a custom mosaic look, you can make a big impact on the final look of your space based purely on the tile that you choose.

Replace Windows

Don't underestimate the power of modern, upgraded windows. While this project runs on the expensive side, it does more for your space than just make it look good. Replacing old, outdated windows with energy-efficient models can save you on your energy bill and prevent your space from feeling cold and drafty.

Replace the Door

Interior doors are often forgotten when it comes to renovations, but upgrading your standard, builder-grade hollow-core doors can make a huge impact on the final look of your space. Just like front doors, interior doors come in a range of different styles, from traditional to farmhouse and modern to contemporary.

And don't forget that your doors don't have to be white. Consider painting them a bold or contrasting color for an unexpected design element that's sure to wow.

Swap Out Textiles

A simple yet important upgrade that everyone can do: don't underestimate the power of textiles that are intentionally chosen to complement the design of your space. This includes the shower curtain and any hand towels or bath towels that are visible in the space.

You don't need to break the bank if your budget is small, but even swapping out your old shower curtain for a colorful one with a bold print can totally transform the look of your space.

Consider Glass Shower Walls

Using glass walls for large shower stalls over regular walls or even shower curtains can expand the sight lines in the room and make it feel more spacious.

Add Seating

If you have some extra room to spare, consider adding seating to your bathroom. For large bathrooms this may mean built-in seating under large bay windows, or alongside oversized vanities.

However, even in medium to small spaces you can get creative when it comes to seating. Consider free-standing shower benches, plush ottomans or stools hidden under floating vanities, and more.

Make a Statement With Arches

Add some architectural interest to your space with arches. This is undoubtedly a project you'll want to get a contractor involved with, but the finished product will be well worth it. You can use arches to highlight your vanity, replace standard doorways, accentuate a walk-in shower, or even highlight a recessed storage nook. The options are truly endless.

Float Your Fixtures

Free up space and add an interesting design element to your bathroom by adding floating fictures. This can include just the faucets, or the entire sink, as seen in this punchy powder room design.

Unless you are experienced with plumbing, this is a good project to recruit a plumber for to ensure everything is installed properly—you don't want leaks.

Install a Backsplash

If your bathroom doesn't already have one, installing a backsplash is a great way to upgrade your space with a relatively small project. Plus, if you're eager to cut costs and DIY as much as possible, this is definitely a task that can be done on your own with the help of some online tutorials and plenty of patience.

Try Mixing Metallics and Finishes

Don't feel the need to match the finishes throughout your entire bathroom. In fact, mixing metallics and varying the finishes in your space is a great trick for adding depth and visual interest. Here, a polished silver faucet pairs nicely with white and gold light fixtures and an oil-rubbed bronze doorknob.

Add an Extra Sink

If you have the space to spare, upgrading from a single sink to a double vanity can instantly add a luxurious touch to your space. Plus, it can lend extra function and convenience to your day too if the bathroom is shared amongst multiple people.

Upgrade Window Treatments

Don't forget about your window treatments. Unless you live in a rural area, window treatments are an important part of any bathroom space to help create a sense of privacy. Whether you opt for something minimal like frosted glass or go for built-in blinds or just a pair of simple curtains, don't forget to take this important design aspect into consideration during your bathroom remodel.