Bathroom renovations are known for being some of the most expensive changes to make in a home. They can be time-consuming, frustrating and come with a huge premium in terms of fittings and fixtures.
However, if you’re smart about your redesign choices, reusing furniture and fixtures, a brand new cost-effective bathroom is totally attainable! According to Rawson Property Group cutting costs doesn’t mean having to put up with low-quality or low-value items; with some inexpensive purchases and some clever cost-cutting tips, you can create the bathroom of your dreams.
Here are some clever ways to cut costs:
Planning Ahead
Lack of planning in any renovation project can cause significant delays and become extremely costly, especially if you need to change the plans halfway through. Of course, some changes are inevitable and unforeseen in any renovation project but thoughtfully considering all that needs to be done before lifting the first tool is the best way to keep costs down. So it’s best to start when you’re entirely sure about your vision for the remodel. Think about layout, plumbing, fixtures and light fittings as the biggest ticket items.
Keep it simple
As obvious as this is, try to make do with the existing floor plan and plumbing setup as is. The best way to cut costs is not to renovate at all! And instead, revamp the space with the existing layout. There are plenty of beautiful ways to zhush up the room without major renovation, like changing the flooring, fixtures, a fresh paint job, lighting and even decor elements that can renew the space entirely.
Do it Yourself
You may think that bathroom renovations need professionals, but this isn’t true for every part of the project. Labour can be pricey, so you can easily cut costs by taking on aspects of the project yourself. Of course, you want to leave the serious stuff like all the plumbing and electrics to the professionals, but this doesn’t mean you can’t try your hand at an accent wall of tiles above the bath or add a fresh coat of water-resistant paint!
Second-hand success
A brilliant way to save on bigger items is to thrift at vintage and second-hand stores. You never know where you’ll get lucky with the perfect vintage ceramic sink or some shiny brass hardware. The main thing to bear in mind is second-hand shopping isn’t as easy as arriving and finding the exact item you want; it can take time. But if you’re willing to become a weekend vintage worrier, you can end up saving thousands!
Use cost-effective look-alikes
Keeping your existing materials is always best when looking to cut costs, but plenty of cost-effective lookalikes give you a luxe feel on a budget. For instance, try vinyl click with flooring instead of genuine wood planking and with marble countertops, rather try granite or ceramic options. These substitutes will save thousands, and no one will ever be able to tell that you’ve opted for the low-cost alternative.
New hardware, new look
Out with the old and in with the new! One of the most effective ways to update the aesthetic in the bathroom is to replace all the hardware. Installing new cabinets, especially if they are custom, can be pricey, but a reasonable workaround is to redo all the hardware for a fresh look.
Refinish instead of replacing
Replacing items in the bathroom should be a last resort. There are all sorts of new products that can freshen up materials to almost new. For instance, cracked or yellowing ceramic sinks or baths can be refinished with new enamel.
Fresh paint
Freshen up your bathroom vibe with some water-resistant paint. This protects the walls from mould or damp and is the most straightforward project to take on - no need for a professional painter here. Be brave and choose a bold colour palette. Either go for a pop of colour with an accent wall or go all in and paint the whole space in a bright cheerful hue.
Even more, fun, if your bathroom has wooden floors, instead of opting for tiles or vinyl click, consider painting it with a hardier enamel. This can save you time and money and is an incredible way to lift the whole room.
Home-Dzine suggests the following essential cleaning supplies
Before you get stuck into cleaning any room, you are going to need all the essential cleaning supplies:
- Spray bottle for white spirit vinegar
- White spirit vinegar, lemon juice, bicarbonate of soda
- Nail brush or small scrubbing brush
- Old toothbrush for tight spaces
- Sponge scourers, cleaning cloths including soft cloths for polishing
- Feather duster
- Stepladder
- Safety gear: dust mask and rubber gloves
READ: Here are some tips for cleaning and organising your bathroom
You will also need cleaning products such as, household bleach, dishwashing detergent, and glass and mirror cleaner, and you can substitute any of these with the many eco-friendly or homemade cleaning products that you normally use.
1. Ceiling fixtures, fans and air conditioners
Always start at the top of a room and work your way down and that means tackling any fittings or fixtures on the ceiling or around the top of walls. Think downlights, ceiling lights, or ceiling fans as well as any extraction fans or air conditioners. Without the aid of a stepladder, these items are regularly overlooked and definitely in need of a good cleaning. Pop on a dust mask and use a feather duster to get into hard-to-reach areas to remove loose dust and then use a damp cloth to wipe down. Finish off with a soft, dry cloth to buff and polish.
2. Curtain tracks, rods, blinds, and more
Here is a fitting that rarely gets cleaned and yet attracts a lot of dust.. curtain track, rod, and rails. Now that you have a stepladder on hand, you have the perfect opportunity to clean these fixtures as well as the top of any window or door frames at the same height. Use a damp cloth and a little Handy Andy to remove dust and grime and dry with a soft cloth.
3. Walls, tiles and floors
If the bathroom is tiled from ceiling to floor, there is a likely chance that the top third of the wall hasn't been cleaned for a while. We all tend to clean what we can reach easily and forget everything else and that's why having a stepladder close is handy as it allows you to clean these areas. Wipe down tiles with a mixture of water and lemon juice that can also be used to brighten the grout. An old toothbrush comes in handy for all the corners, nooks, and crannies.
You may also come across areas that require even more cleaning if there are signs of mould lower down the walls. This is often true in showers where mould has started to thrive in corners or doors and is hard to get to. Or it could even be lime scale or hard water stains on shower cubicle frames or doors. .
The last things to concentrate on are all the fittings and fixtures lower down. Give extra attention to your shower cubicle as this is an area where lime scale and hard water deposits can build up.
Anyone who works full-time and doesn't have a daily cleaning service will find this advice useful when tackling a 6-monthly deep clean, or can add this to their spring cleaning schedule.
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