Budget Friendly DIY Bathroom Updates
Bathroom updates on a budget can be stressful and challenging at the same time. Stressful because maybe the ideal materials, layout, and decorative accents are way out of price range. Challenging, in a good way, because the opportunity to think outside the box leads to learning new things and trying different DIY projects!
The following are some budget friendly Do-it-Yourself ideas for those bathroom updates you’ve been waiting to do! Keep in mind they don’t all need to be done at once. I’ve been tweaking things here and there, as budget allows, in our bathroom for over a year.
Sharpie ‘Shiplap’
This is by far the least expensive DIY project I’ve ever done! Cost: $4.00 There are a ton of videos/posts online with how to instructions. Less money and time involved creating a faux shiplap wall. Important detail is to use an oil-based paint pen in medium point, not a regular permanent marker. Other tools needed are a tape measure, level, square, and no. 2 pencil (not mechanical).
I chose to space my lines 6 inches apart and traced them with pencil first. If you want straight, crisp lines to yield a modern look than use a straight edge with the paint pen. I wanted mine to look aged and imperfect, just like our 125 plus year old farmhouse, so I forwent the straight edge and colored some spots darker/thicker.
Definitely not precise, but I like how it turned out. The project was completed in about 3 hours in between snack time, reading to the kids, and starting supper.
Alternatively, some people use this kind of tape to create the black lines; however, since this was a bathroom I didn’t want to worry about the tape peeling off due to moisture.
Textiles
Switching up the towels, shower curtain, and rug is an easy way to change the feel of the room. I initially used monochromatic colors (white/cream) because I loved the woodwork and wanted it to be the focal point. After a year, the urge to add some color crept in. The gray and green adds some interest in a natural, soft way but doesn’t overpower.
Don’t be afraid to mix and match different brands! The Casaluna rug was love at first sight with it’s nubby texture; $20 from Target. I tried around six different shower curtains from various stores before the unique pattern and material of this Better Homes & Garden curtain worked; $20 from Walmart. The towels are a mix of brands, $5 – $10 from Target. The hand towel attached to the bar is Norwex; my attempt at keeping at least one off the floor!
Wall Paint
Painting is a little more labor intensive, but cost effective since one gallon is typically enough. Paint or stencil the focal wall a different color for some contrast. Pick a lighter color to make the bathroom look bigger or a darker color to give the bathroom a cozy feeling. Draw your eye up by painting the ceiling. Go subtle, bold, modern, earthy, farmhouse, etc.
Decorative Accents
I’m a huge fan of shopping “the house” before buying something new. You may be surprised at what can be reused, repainted, or repurposed! The picture frame on the memo board has been painted three different times and the scrap book paper changed twice.
The galvanized bucket was from our last house; I just swapped out the greenery with something different from the basement. The ‘Memories’ sign is from Hobby Lobby, $7 sale price. (PS. The “dead” lightbulbs are unscrewed on purpose, too bright otherwise. Lol)
Although a bit pricier, towel hooks, faucets, shower rod, and light fixtures can be updated too and give the bathroom a different look.
There are still some bathroom updates I’d like to do, like flooring, fixing the radiant heat baseboard, and light fixtures, but it’s come a ways from when we moved in. All in good time!
What are some of your favorite budget friendly tips for updating a bathroom? Share with us in the comments below!
