Simple Bathroom Remodeling Tips for Remodeling Your Bathroom

How to Remodel your Bathroom on a Budget

By Mark J. Donovan




Is your bathroom looking old and outdated and you want to do something about it? Do you have limited funds for doing a full bathroom remodel? If you answered yes to both of these questions, fear not. All is not lost. There are a lot of things you can do as part of a simple bathroom remodeling project without breaking the bank, and particularly so if you are willing to put in some of your own sweat equity. Listed below are 11 affordable tips for remodeling your bathroom.

Update Bathroom Light Fixtures

Is your bathroom still dark when you term on the bathroom lights, or are the bathroom light fixtures faded and pitted, or simply just looking out of date?

If so replace your bathroom’s old light fixtures with new ones. Replacing bathroom light fixtures is easy to do. Just make sure you turn power off to the light fixtures at the main circuit panel box first. Then simply follow the instructions on the new light fixture packaging.

Also replace the old ceiling fan and light assembly with a new, brighter, and quieter unit. You can normally find one that will fit the ceiling cavity of the existing ceiling/light fixture assembly.

Replace Old Bathroom Mirror

If your existing bathroom mirror is chipped or has the metal coating flaking off the back of it, then replace it. A glass and mirror supplier can easily cut you a new mirror to your desired dimensions. They can also accent it in a number of different ways to give the mirror a unique and fancier look than your old one.

Replace Medicine Cabinet and Mirror

If your bathroom includes a medicine cabinet and mirror unit that is rusted out or marred up, replace it with a new one.

Simple bathroom remodeling ideas

Replace Old Bathroom Vanity and Countertop

If your bathroom vanity and countertop have seen their better days, then visit your local home improvement center and find replacement ones for them. There are many off-the-shelf bathroom vanities and countertops that you can purchase for a reasonable price. The installation of a bathroom vanity and countertop are easy to do. First remove the old faucet. Next, lift the old vanity and countertop out after removing a few screws that hold it in place. Then insert the new pair. Just make sure to first cut an opening in back of the new vanity for the plumbing pipes, and to make sure the vanity is level when fastening it in place with screws. Finally install the faucet.

Replace the Bathroom Faucet

You don’t need a plumber to switch out a bathroom faucet. All you need for this simple bathroom remodeling project are a couple of pair of wrenches and the ability to read a few simple instructions on the back of the new faucet packaging to update your bathroom with a modern faucet.

Replace or Remove Old Bathroom Wall Tile

If you have 1950’s vintage wall tile in your bathroom either remove the tiles in entirety or replace them with a more contemporary ceramic tile. Tiling is a relatively easy DIY project. Just make sure to rent a tile wet saw for the job. It will make the project go much faster.

Bathroom Remodeling Bid Sheet

Replace old Bathroom Flooring

Have you been looking at old vinyl flooring or broken ceramic tiling in your bathroom for years? If so, rip it out and replace it with new ceramic tile flooring. As I previously mentioned, installing a ceramic tile is not that difficult. I would suggest, however, that you might want to remove the old bathroom vanity and toilet before installing the tile. This way you’ll eliminate a lot of tile cutting.

Bathroom Toilet

If you have an old fashion toilet that is working fine, then I wouldn’t replace it. Not unless you really want a modern low-flow toilet. If it has some stains in the toilet bowl then attempt to clean the heck out of it yourself. Alternatively, you can take it to a bathroom fixture supply store and they can have it professionally refinished for you.

Replace or Refinish Baseboard Heating Element Covers

If your baseboard heating element covers are looking rusted either replace or refinish them. Often it is difficult to find matching replacement ones.


However, with a little steel wool, sandpaper, and paint you can refinish your baseboard heating element covers in about a day. Check out my “Restoring Baseboard Heating Element Covers” eBook to learn more about how to do this.

Replace Baseboard Trim

If your bathroom’s baseboard trim is looking water stained and nicked up, another simple bathroom remodeling project is to replace it. All you need is a miter saw, hammer, nail punch, finish nails and some new baseboard trim. Take a look at my “How to Install Baseboard Trim” eBook or one of my related videos on this topic to learn more about how to install baseboard trim.

Replace the Bathtub/Shower Unit

One not quite so simple bathroom remodeling project is to replace your old bathtub and/or shower with a new one. There are numerous bathtub and shower unit styles and shapes to choose from, including freestanding bathtubs, corner shower units, recessed bathtubs, and large Jacuzzi tubs. You may need to have a professional install the new unit for you. However, overall it is not that expensive of a project and a new tub/shower unit can really make a dramatic change to your bathroom. I’d also suggest installing new ceramic tile around the bath and shower unit area as part of remodeling your bathroom.

To summarize, all of the bathroom remodeling tips that I mentioned above are all doable by a homeowner, with maybe the exception of installing the new tub or shower unit. None of them really require a lot of skill. All that is required are a few basic tools and a willingness to put the time and effort into the project. So visit your local home improvement center and do a little bathroom related shopping. Then roll up your sleeves, pull out the tools, and remodel your bathroom to suite you vision and budget. Within a few weeks you will have transformed your old and outdated bathroom into a modern sanctuary that you can enjoy for years to come.


For help on your bathroom remodeling project, see my Bathroom Remodeling Bid Sheet. The Bathroom Remodeling Bid Sheet provides a request for quote checklist section that you can provide to prospective bathroom remodeling contractors. It also includes a comprehensive bathroom remodeling cost breakdown table, in Microsoft Excel format, that allows the contractor to include his projected remodeling costs for every phase of the project.

Related Information


Additional Bathroom Remodeling Design Resources


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