Discount bathroom renovation ideas

It's easy to spend a fortune on a bathroom renovation. But if your budget doesn't stretch very far, it's still possible to get some great results. Here are some ideas for renovating a bathroom that won't break the bank.

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 for those on a budget, it is possible to cut costs in a bathroom renovation without compromising on quality or having an obviously cheap bathroom renovation!

Before you begin, 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. One of the easiest ways to achieve a discount bathroom renovation is to limit the amount of renovation involved!

"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."

When it comes to fitting out a bathroom on the cheap, 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 bathroom design. "Use ceramic instead of porcelain tiles and opt for a feature wall rather than tiling the entire room," she says. Discount bathroom tiles are available too during tile retailer sales, so keep an eye out if you're planning a future renovation. End-of-run tiles and seconds are also available and are ideal for budget bathroom renovations; create a feature with a range of different colours that work well together, and make an eclectic mix work for your bathroom.

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. "Choosing a framed shower screen can potentially save you around $1500," says Vanessa. Consider all options; installing a shower-head over the bath doesn't require a shower screen at all, just a curtain will do the job.

Once you've worked out how to cut costs and achieve a cheap(er) bathroom renovation, 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 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 cheap 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.

If you're planning a budget bathroom project, shopping around for fittings is a must. Find a bathroom showroom in your area: