If you're renovating your bathroom on a budget, it's important to consider your finances from the very beginning – before you start deciding on fun things like the design layout or which sanitaryware to install.
A bathroom renovation can be transformative in the way you interact with your home, but with the average cost sitting at around £5,000, taking stock of where to spend and where to save is essential to keeping costs low.
To find out the best way to renovate a bathroom on a budget (without compromising too much on quality or style), follow our expert’s advice below. It covers everything from hidden costs you may not have factored in to making the most of your existing layout.
1. Work with the existing layout
Although it’s tempting while updating a bathroom to change the layout around, this can actually be one of the most expensive aspects of a bathroom renovation. Moving the location of the toilet – and more specifically, the soil pipe – is a labour intensive, yet usually avoidable, job.
As a starting point, mark down the soil pipe’s location on some graph paper, along with positions of the windows and door and use this as the foundation of any layout design, big or small. Trial different arrangements and assess where is best to position other key items of sanitaryware to limit your bathroom renovation cost.
“One of the best ways to save is by keeping the existing plumbing and the current layout. Moving waste pipes and water feeds often requires lifting floors, altering walls, redoing waterproofing, and replacing finishes – all of which quickly add to the cost," says Alex Woods, bathroom expert at Victorian Plumbing.
"Keeping fixtures in their original positions simplifies the process and reduces risk. That said, reconfiguring the layout can be worthwhile when the current arrangement is impractical or when accessibility needs to be improved. The key is to make such changes for meaningful reasons, rather than purely aesthetic ones.”
Alex Woods is a bathroom expert at Victorian Plumbing, a major online bathroom and kitchen retailer based in Merseyside, UK.
2. Plan your bathroom renovation well ahead
Good planning is key to keeping costs low in all kinds of home improvement projects – and bathroom makeovers are no exception.
While the majority of people know what they want in terms of styles and fittings fairly early on, it is amazing how many homeowners leave decisions on lighting and heating a bathroom until the last stages – and this can really bump up costs.
Planning lighting well in advance is really important and should be something that you already have figured out before tiling, plastering, and so on. After this, it is really too late to change your mind without causing delays and disruption.
Heating is equally as important and a towel warmer is a cost-effective solution to creating a comfortable environment. Also consider long-term running costs vs initial savings when thinking about electric underfloor heating mats.
3. Spruce up your sanitaryware
Do take a moment to assess what you already have before heading out to splash out on a whole new bathroom suite to meet all your modern bathroom ideas. You might find that what you have can be transformed with a few easy (and cost-effective) tweaks.
Just as you can smarten up an old kitchen by swapping the existing handles or knobs on units for new ones, so too can you completely change the look of a bath or basin by changing dated or tarnished taps and waste fittings with new designs.
You could also consider investing in a new showerhead and controls – the effect this can have on the overall look of the space is often startling.
4. Change the decor scheme
Something well within the capabilities of most people is a decorating project and there are many easy updates you can carry out which will totally transform a tired bathroom.
At the cheapest end of the scale lies a quick repaint. Simply giving your walls a new lick of paint can have a massive effect on the look and feel of a room. And while you are at it, don't forget to do the ceiling and, if possible, any window frames in need of attention.
If you would like to take things a step further, you might consider brushing up on how to tile a wall. There is no need to spend a fortune on bathroom tile ideas. Plain ceramic wall tiles are usually the cheapest option and can be picked up for less than £10/m2 in some cases. Of course you will also need to factor in the cost of getting rid of existing tiles along with the price of adhesive and grout, as well as any tools you might need and tile spacers.
If your tiles are in good condition but looking a little worse for wear, simple re-grouting them could completely change their appearance.
Other quick ways to redecorate include swapping old-fashioned light shades or fittings for new versions, fitting bathroom wallpaper and adding new window treatments, such as Venetian blinds, in place of of tatty old versions.
5. Shop savvy for the best deals
While there seems to be no shortage of signs declaring 'best prices ever' and so on hanging from bathroom showroom windows, not all bargains are created equal.
Don’t be afraid to ask for a discount in store as even the big high street DIY stores like B&Q can be open to negotiation on prices.
If, having done your research, you spot a deal on an item you love, don't wait to purchase it – get it before someone else does. If you wait until the moment you need a new bath/shower/tiles, it is likely that you will end up rushing the decision and either paying over the odds or settling for second best.
Certainly you might have to store the items you buy somewhere, but it is often worth stowing them away in a garage (your's or a friend's) or a storage facility – or just in another room, until you need them.
It is also well worth enquiring about ex-display suites in bathroom showrooms. They are often sold off with significant discounts.
6. Tackle some of the installation yourself
You can really trim the cost of fitting a bathroom by taking on as much of the installation work yourself as you feel able.
While jobs such as tiling and even fitting sanitaryware are often carried out on a DIY basis, do bear in mind that it will usually be necessary to bring in an electrician when fitting a new bathroom – essential if you are adding a new circuit or installing a a power shower. Be sure to use a qualified electrician, who can self-certify their work.
According to The Home Owners Alliance, fitting your own bathroom could save you up to 60%.
7. Keep track of ‘hidden’ costs in a bathroom renovation
As with so many home projects, there are a number of hidden costs that often get overlooked when it comes to bathroom overhauls or renovation projects.
Knowing what these are is crucial when designing a bathroom on a budget as you will be able to factor them into your overall spending plan so you won't risk overspending or running out of money halfway through the job.
Commonly forgotten bathroom costs include:
- Disposing of old sanitaryware, tiles etc.
- Waterproof backing board
- Tile adhesive and grout
- Silicone sealant
- New extractor fan
- Lighting
- Heat source
- Electrician, plumber, plasterer fees
- Paint and painting equipment
- Storage
- Floor reinforcement (sometimes necessary when installing new sanitaryware)
- Shower screen
"Subfloor repairs are a common surprise in older properties. Once work begins, you may discover rotten joists, water damage, uneven floors, or even outdated pipework that needs replacing – all of which can add time and cost," says Alex Woods. "Ensuring you have a sensible plan from the outset helps you stay within budget."
8. Upgrade your bathroom lighting for less
There is no need to spend a fortune on upgrading your bathroom lighting ideas. In fact, there are several tricks to consider that will transform the way you feel about the space but won't cost the earth.
Sometimes, simply swapping an old, unflattering overhead light for a more modern design is all that is needed. Pay attention too to light colour temperatures – you'll want warm light if it is a calm, tranquil bathroom experience you are after.
It is also wise to look at fitting a light over or around your bathroom mirror – or investing in an illuminated bathroom mirror. Having more than one light source in the bathroom makes it possible to create different moods as and when required.
Do make sure that any bathroom lighting you opt for carries the correct IP rating for the area of the room you plan on fitting it in. Our guide to bathroom lighting regulations has more advice on this.
9. Fit a budget-friendly wall covering
Half wall panelling (also known as wainscotting) has long been popular in bathrooms. And the best news is that it is a very cost-effective, easy-to-install way to finish off walls too.
There are bathroom panelling ideas for every style of bathroom, including rustic coastal timber cladding and contemporary slatted wood in very pale or dark chocolately tones.
Fitting wall panelling in conjunction with using bathroom-friendly paint is a very budget-friendly way of finishing off walls – plus it means no pesky grout lines to keep clean. Another advantage is that half-panelling can result in a handy little shelf on which to place toiletries.
10. Consider ‘behind the scenes’ details early on
A modern bathroom needs to be the perfect blend between functionality and relaxation so planning lighting well in advance will be worth its weight in gold when you come to using the space day after day.
Heating is equally as important and a towel warmer is a cost-effective solution to creating a comfortable environment, but consider long-term running costs vs initial savings when thinking about electric underfloor heating mats.
Nancy Emery, bathroom expert at Drench, says, "When budgets are tight, invisible elements – [such as] waterproofing, drainage, ventilation, pipework and electrical safety – should be treated as non-negotiable investments.
"Proper tanking prevents leaks, correct drainage avoids standing water, good ventilation controls moisture and mould, and well-planned plumbing and electrics reduces the risk of failures that are difficult and costly to access once tiled."
As Drench's bathroom expert, Nancy provides valuable advice and tips on creating dream spaces. She has worked in the lifestyle sector for 17 years, advising on homes and interiors.
11. Plan storage in advance for a luxurious finish
Adequate bathroom storage in a renovation is a must and definitely a worthwhile investment, but built-in bespoke units aren’t the only way to achieve a mess-free sanctuary. Incorporating alcoves with shelving is a good idea, as are free-standing units, which can create a sense of space and be picked up at a bargain.
Nancy Emery adds, "Wall-hung vanity units with integrated basins and drawers add storage without overcrowding and keep units off the tanked floor, making cleaning easier. Mirrored wall cabinets are another smart investment, offering dual-purpose storage while reflecting light to make wet rooms feel larger and brighter."
Costing less than £50, this budget-friendly bathroom cabinet offers plenty of storage.
Save space and money with this affordable bathroom mirror cabinet.
This under-sink storage solution features a sleek grey and oak finish, costing under £45.
Renovating a bathroom can get very expensive, but as you can see above, there are plenty of ways to cut back on costs – without necessarily having to compromise on quality. It just requires a bit more planning and thinking outside the box.
Before you get started on your project, you might want to read about how much a new bathroom costs or take inspiration from these bathroom trends.
