How to Update a Bathroom on a Budget

I’ve updated quite a few bathrooms in my time, from small but high impact refreshes to full remodels. Each one had it’s own challenge and was limited by time or money. But, with all these changes, I’ve learned quite a bit about how to freshen up a space with a very limited budget. Bathrooms seem to really take on new life with just a few changes. Recently, I updated my boys bathroom so I’m sharing that full project here along with my tips on how to update a bathroom on a budget! 

Bathroom Update Before

Let’s take a look at this bathroom space before. Whoo boy it was a doozy. This house was built in the 80’s so it’s pretty solid with hardwood cabinets and less cutting of corners, but it also included some questionable design choices. Namely those, orange laminate countertops. Yikes. I’m not sure those were a good choice even back then. 

Also, the paint was a creamy off white which not only made it look especially dingey, it was also old, low quality paint and prone to mildew. The owners before me had put in some basic LVP flooring, and while not my favorite, it was in good condition and easy to work around.

First, I settled on my budget which was not a lot and I spread it out over time which helped absorb the costs a bit  – though it made for more of a headache project wise. 

Mildew Resistant Bathroom Paint 

First, I started with a fresh coat of paint. This always makes a huge impact and by far the biggest bang for your buck. I painted the walls and ceiling Chantilly Lace by Benjamin Moore – a fresh, true white. This is my go to option as it makes every space instantly more modern.

This bathroom project is for a boys bathroom without any windows so not only is there little ventilation it’s also the place for overly long hot showers (despite my requests!).

Because the bathroom walls were showing signs of mildew, I used a tough mold killer and then Aura Bath & Spa Paint from Benjamin Moore for high humidity bathrooms. By upgrading bathroom paint you’re really saving yourself future costs down the road. Even though it’s expensive up front, it can go along way to preventing expensive issues later.

Vanity Countertop Update

Replacing replace the bathroom vanity countertop is one of the easiest ways to transform a bathroom. It’s usually not as complicated as it might seem, though it does include a few other factors like removing the old countertops and often replacing the sink and faucet. 

My best tip on how to update a bathroom on a budget is to work with a countertop supplier and let them know you’re looking for a remnant piece of quartz. A remnant is just a piece leftover from another project.

In this case, I measured my countertops in advance, visited a few countertop suppliers and inquired if they had any remnants on hand that fit my project in the neutral white category. They all said no but agreed to let me know when they had one available. 

About a month later, one supplier contacted me to let me know they had a quartz piece on hand that would fit my project. I was able to purchase this countertop remnant at a discount which helped keep my costs low. 

Another way I worked within this bathroom budget was asking my brother and his friend for help in demolishing the existing countertop. It was only glued on and was completely removed in about 10 minutes. I bought them lunch and coffee which was less than the labor costs of a countertop crew so it worked out all around. 

Bathroom Mirror Replacement

Another great way to completely transform a bathroom is simply replacing the mirror, especially if it’s one of the large basic frameless mirrors. For this project, I removed that builder grade mirror and replaced it with a metal framed mirror. 

I chose a mirror that is ⅔ the width of the bathroom vanity cabinet. This is a good general guideline and also makes it easy to select what’s needed for the bathroom update. The metal frame adds a modern touch. I spent a lot of time researching mirrors and landed on a Metal Framed Mirror which had a good mix of reviews and pricing. 

For other options, check out my post on Bathroom Mirror Update Ideas for additional inspiration. 

Painted Bathroom Cabinets

When it comes to bathroom cabinets, there are a lot of options for upgrading. On one end, you can replace the entire vanity and on the other end, you can just swap out hardware and hinges. To update a bathroom on a budget, I chose to paint these cabinets to keep costs low. Because they were solid wood and in mostly good shape, this felt a reasonable option. 

Painted cabinets can look a little cheap though so I did splurge on higher quality paint intended for cabinetry. This type of paint helps make a smoother, durable finish and hide some of the wood grain. It’s not magic but it’s better than basic paint. I chose Forest Floor by Benjamin Moore. I wanted a grounded, neutral vibe and love the result. Check out more Earthy Green Paint Colors to compare other options.

I also swapped out the hinges to a more modern iron black. Of course, I wish there were hidden hinges and if the style had been different, I would’ve gone for those. However, these hinges were the Double Demountable Type (which are actually kind of cool) but still show on the outside of the cabinet door. 

Now that the cabinets are painted, I might add cabinet pulls and knobs but wanted to see how I felt without the hardware. To add hardware, I’ll use the steps I outlined in this post, How to Install Cabinet Hardware. 

Bathroom Light Fixture Update

Just like with any space, changing out the outdated light fixture goes a long way in updating the space. To update a bathroom on a budget I focus on finding a black light fixture that is first and foremost the correct, proportional size for the space.

In general, bathroom light fixtures look best when they are ⅔ the length of the mirror. This is not an exact rule but just a good guideline and it tells our eyes that everything is in proportion. 

Then, I chose based on pricing and reviews. Because it was a straightforward swap, I replaced it on my own.

Bathroom Shelves Above Toilet

I added more storage and design to this bathroom update by adding two wood shelves above the toilet. This is by far my favorite way of making good use of this often underused space. Wood shelves can be easily found at the lumber store – they have ones already cut to size or will cut them for you at no cost. 

I have an entire  post on How to Make Bathroom Shelves for more details like brackets, size, and spacing. 

Updated Bathroom Fixtures

Swapping out bathroom fixtures like towel bars, hooks, and toilet paper holders is by far one of the easiest ways to update a bathroom on a budget. Hardware is always that extra little detail that takes a space to another level. 

Admittedly, I have a lucky connection with my brother owning Cascade Iron Co. so it’s easy for me to get my hands on bathroom hardware. However, finding a high quality modern set makes all the difference. 

Bathroom Update Resources

• Mildew Resistant Paint
• White Quartz Countertops (similar) 
• Benjamin Moore Advance Paint for Cabinets – Satin Finish (Forest Floor -1498 )
• Cabinet Hinges
• Metal Bathroom Mirror
• Bathroom Light Fixture
• Shelf Brackets
• Modern Towel Bar
• Towel Hook
• Toilet Paper Holder

Final Thoughts on How to Update a Bathroom

I hope this post gives you a lot of ideas and inspiration on how to update a bathroom on a budget. While this space is not perfect, it is light years improved from where it used to be with creamy walls, orange laminate countertops, and builder grade fixtures. With some small changes and a little bit of elbow grease, I gave this bathroom new life.

I love updating bathrooms because they are one of the spaces we need to function in our homes. Also, even small changes like this can make a big difference in home value if you’re needing to sell. (I should know, I’ve sold four homes in the last six years!). If you’re curious about other bathroom projects, check out my Half Bathroom Remodel and the other DIY Bathroom Makeover I completed for more ideas.