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Budget Bathrooms Brim With Style
Get a high-end look for your bathroom at low-end prices by splurging in a few small ways
Houzz Contributor. Fresh out of journalism school, I fell into decorating media and immediately discovered a new passion. An Atlanta native, I spent several years as an editor for Atlanta Homes & Lifestyles magazine before making the leap to national publications and websites such as Houzz, Better Homes and Gardens and Southern Accents. I live in Birmingham, Alabama, with my husband and son, who’ve gotten used to coming home and finding the furniture rearranged. When I'm not dragging case goods across the floor, I enjoy good food and wine, college football, music of all kinds, and traveling.
Houzz Contributor. Fresh out of journalism school, I fell into decorating... More »
Even if you're pinching pennies (and who isn't these days?), you can still take a bathroom from basic to beautiful. Whether you're building a new bath from scratch or remodeling an old one, spending a few extra dollars on hardware, fixtures and more can pay big style dividends — and in some cases, chic materials are no pricier than plain ones. Here are nine elements that are easy to amp up without gouging your bank account.
by Judith Balis
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1. Wall paint. Rich, bright color costs the same as beige, so go for it. Paint creates the greatest impact for the least amount of money, hands down. The right color can open up a cramped space, make a large room feel cozier or add instant personality to a basic bath. And all it takes to create a unique striped pattern or a zany geometric design is a roll of painter's tape and a sharp pencil.
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2. Cabinetry. Stock cabinetry comes in such a wide variety of sizes and styles these days that you can easily get a modish look without paying for custom work. Beef up moldings and trim for a more finished appearance around the edges.
If you really want to put your own stamp on it, think paint. As with walls, it's easy and inexpensive to give cabinets a coat of color. Try painting the door panels one shade and the frames another, or stencil on a motif of your choice.
If you really want to put your own stamp on it, think paint. As with walls, it's easy and inexpensive to give cabinets a coat of color. Try painting the door panels one shade and the frames another, or stencil on a motif of your choice.
by Amoroso Design
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3. Faucets and fixtures. You're not limited to chrome and plastic — affordable faucets come in trendy finishes that make them look more upscale. Home centers, plumbing suppliers and online retailers carry a wide selection of faucets in brushed nickel, oil-rubbed bronze and antique brass, often with towel bars and other hardware to complement them.
by Urrutia Design
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4. Knobs and pulls. You could spend big bucks on cabinet hardware, but why? There's such a vast selection of fashion-forward finds on the market that you're virtually guaranteed to find one that appeals to both your tastes and your wallet. Consider unusual finishes, bold colors, interesting shapes or unconventional materials to give your cabinetry a custom twist.
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5. Tile. Like hardware and fixtures, tile can be as costly or as affordable as you let it. Choose a classic shape in an unexpected color, such as these charcoal hexagonal tiles, for a fresh look that doesn't say builder grade. Or create your own pattern from inexpensive ceramic tiles found at a home center.
Many times, upscale tile retailers will have a back room or a clearance area where they offer discontinued or slightly flawed pieces at reduced prices. If you do fall in love with high-end tile, consider buying a small quantity to use as an accent strip in the walls or floor.
Many times, upscale tile retailers will have a back room or a clearance area where they offer discontinued or slightly flawed pieces at reduced prices. If you do fall in love with high-end tile, consider buying a small quantity to use as an accent strip in the walls or floor.
6. Lighting. If you're remodeling a bath, odds are that new lighting is high on your wish list. Think beyond standard flush-mount ceiling fixtures and above-the-mirror strips. Pretty sconces, pendants and chandeliers help to personalize a bath and won't add much to the bottom line.
7. Mirrors. Frameless sheet mirrors feel uninspired and bland. Eschew them in favor of eye-catching shapes, such as this quatrefoil model, and chic finishes. You can often find great deals on mirrors in catalogs and through national retail chains. Or pick up one-of-a-kind finds at your local flea market or antiques shop.
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8. Storage. Recessed shelving is relatively easy to install, especially when you design it to fit between wall studs. Alternatively, you could bring in a freestanding unit and paint it to blend with the surrounding walls to tone down its ready-made appearance.
If your renovation includes gutting or retiling the shower, it's simple to include recessed niches in the redesign. You can either buy them preformed or custom cut them, then tile them in.
If your renovation includes gutting or retiling the shower, it's simple to include recessed niches in the redesign. You can either buy them preformed or custom cut them, then tile them in.
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9. Countertops. If you long for a classic granite or marble slab but your bank account can't handle it, consider stone tiles instead. They cost less and are easier to install. Or look into some of the new laminates on the market, which replicate the look of stone at a fraction of the price.
More:
7 Tile Tips for Baths on a Budget
12 Tricks for Updating the Bathroom
9 Ways to Create a Not-So-Standard Bathroom
More:
7 Tile Tips for Baths on a Budget
12 Tricks for Updating the Bathroom
9 Ways to Create a Not-So-Standard Bathroom
Ideabook published on March 8, 2012.
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Cheers - Meredith @ Tuscan Blue Design
http://www.tuscanbluedesign.com/content/2012/the-three-ss-spend-save-splurge/