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Before & After: A Main Floor Bathroom DYI Reno for Under $1000

10 years ago
last modified: 10 years ago

This is the original main floor bathroom in our tiny bungalow built in the 1950's. Believe it or not, this is the main bathroom in the house. We wanted to upgrade the aesthetic but do so on a tight budget.

We just wanted to clean things up a bit; we knew it was still going to be a tiny bathroom, so we used one whole wall for the mirror hoping that it would make the place feel a little bigger. Floor tiles, toilet, tub and tub tiles were deemed to be OK, so the budget was spent on:

Sink: $200 from a big box retailer that was liquidating product prior to closing

Faucet: $100 from Ikea

Vanity: $200 from Ikea

Countertop: $300 from a custom shop

Backsplash Tile: $60 from Stone Tile's outlet

Plumbing Odds & Sods: $40

Mirror: $40 for oak pieces surrounding old mirrors I'd been given

Light fixture: $15 from Habitat for Humanity ReStore

Shower Curtain: $40

Original Bathroom Before:

Bathroom after renovation:

Comments (29)

  • 10 years ago
    Don't like your picture of your problem. Ask me. Thanks Monica.
  • PRO
    10 years ago

    That didn't make sense to me. Which problem? Ask you what?

  • 10 years ago

    Looks really nice. Amazing what can be done if you shop around a little. My one concern is the counter above the toilet tank. Are you able to get into the tank if needed?

  • PRO
    10 years ago

    Beautiful transformation!

  • PRO
    10 years ago
    last modified: 10 years ago

    thanks all for your kind words.

    no issues with the tank bikertoni, but good eye!

  • PRO
    10 years ago

    Lovely work!

  • PRO
    10 years ago

    Beautiful update, well done!

  • PRO
    10 years ago

    I like the large mirrors on the wall. It is very functional and it made the whole room looked spacious. Awesome!

  • PRO
    10 years ago

    Big improvement on a small space. Nice job.

  • 10 years ago

    Beautiful! I was concerned about tank access as well. I am happy to hear that is not an issue. Quite the transformation, good job.

  • PRO
    10 years ago

    Kudos for not being scared away from removing the tile wainscot and adding a contemporary flair. your creativity paid off. It looks great!

  • 10 years ago
    good job
  • PRO
    10 years ago

    Terrific update! I really like the bathroom sink!

  • 10 years ago
    I like the zen quality this small space has! Nice job.
  • 10 years ago

    What an improvement, its lovely.!

  • PRO
    10 years ago

    Excellent improvement.

  • 10 years ago

    This looks fantastic (though I have to admit I really like the retro blue)


  • 10 years ago

    If your clients are happy, that's mostly all that counts. But, really, the avocado shag rug is atrocious and I don't understand the thinking behind extending the counter over the toilet.

  • 10 years ago

    As far as small bathrooms go, that is a very nice update!! I really like that the faucet is at the side, and actually close to the toilet... I know it may sound a little crazy but there are days that, that kind of set-up is handy!! especially when training a child! I like how you thinned out the parameter portion of the counter (either side of sink and along toilet top) it keeps the eye moving VS a chunk at sink, a chunk at.... also seems to provide ample "moving around each other" space... - sorry, I'm an amateur designer, so can not properly describe so I hope you get what I'm trying to compliment you on (great space use visually and physically...)

    BLDG Workshop Inc. thanked Debra D-H
  • 9 years ago

    OMG! LOVED the original turquoise tile (assuming it wasn't the press-on version) with black bullnose. Part of the charm! Could update everything else (especially the floor) in a way which blended the old and new for utter sophistication. Needless to say, not for everyone and to each her own.

  • PRO
    9 years ago

    Nicely done!

  • PRO
    9 years ago

    I have a large bathroom full of "charming " turquoise tile!!! Bought house 2 1/2 years ago and did a lot of renovations but put the bathroom on the future Reno list.. I worked with the colors - beige cabinet and grey fixtures!! Decided on a beachy theme to pull it together as we live 1 block from the beach.. It's sort of acceptable at this point ,but it will be a total Reno at some point.

  • 9 years ago
    Very nice! Thank you for the cost break down and where you purchased the materials, very helpful!
  • PRO
    9 years ago

    Your bathroom update is fantastic! Looks beautiful.

    Hammer Design Build & Remodel

  • PRO
    9 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    Very nice reno. Thanks for the purchasing information. Would swap the avocado rug for another one where the "shag" length isn't as long because it lays flat.

  • PRO
    9 years ago

    Great update and I love the sink! However, I'm not too fond of the rug, but that's an easy swap. To each their own!

  • 9 years ago

    Carpet needs to go !!!

  • PRO
    9 years ago

    How cool!