Budget bathroom renovations

When you add up the costs of the tradespeople, the tiles and all the shiny new fittings, renovating a bathroom can be an expensive task. But it is possible to achieve a budget bathroom renovation without compromising on quality.

The first thing to consider when undertaking a budget bathroom project is to think about what you can live with in the existing bathroom. Keep in mind that any structural or plumbing alterations will increase the cost of the renovation exponentially, so try to stick with the same layout if it's functional.

"It also helps to think about what is not working in your bathroom," says Vanessa Cook from Smarter Bathrooms. "You may not have enough storage or find that you really need a bath."

Budget bathroom benchtops

When it comes to a budget bathroom, Vanessa says it is possible to reduce costs without scrimping on style. "Money can be saved by buying mid-range products," she says. "One way to do this is to use laminate cabinets and benchtops rather than stone."

Tiling is another major cost area in a bathroom renovation, so Vanessa suggests minimising the tiling in your budget bathroom design. "Use ceramic instead of porcelain tiles and opt for a feature wall rather than tiling the entire room," she says.

Shower screens

And although it's not as fashionable as the current trend toward frameless glass shower screens, a traditional framed design can actually be a huge price saver.

To DIY or not?

Once you've worked out how to cut costs, it's important to understand that renovating a bathroom is a multi-person job that takes time and planning. Doing some of the work yourself, such as painting or ripping out old tiles, will certainly save you some money.

But Vanessa does have a warning for those considering going down the budget bathroom route. "The biggest trap people fall into is to believe they can carry out the work themselves," she says. "This can result in losing insurance cover and compliance with building, electrical and plumbing bodies, and can cause major problems later on."

So, for a budget bathroom renovation, remember the golden rules: use discounted or middle-of-the-range, good-quality products, minimise the tiled surfaces, and choose a framed shower screen rather than opting for more expensive frameless styles.