Save that 2K for the gut remodel.

I think the work you've described will take most of your budget. Toilets next to bathtubs are pretty common -- there's a lot of functional items that have to squeeze into a bathroom and only so many ways to arrange them. You could paint the vanity, to give it a new personality (and maybe the tub side too) -- depends a bit on what you're considering for tile. What is the tile in the shower like?

The wood is fine too, so it just depends on what you like and what sort of changes will make it feel refreshed to you.

Get an estimate from a plumber about the cost of relocating the toilet and then you might just decide it is perfectly fine where it is.

Maybe you could add a quarter length glass wall with frosting to the tub along side the toilet for some sense of separation. These pictures show them as a splash guard for showers, but they could be easily used as a tub barrier for more of a feeling of separation.

Or perhaps you could hang a ceiling track for a floor to ceiling curtain that is just the depth of the toilet and separates it from the tub. It could be as modern and simple as you like. Does not have to be so visually impactful as these examples.

Wow! This was all very helpful! Thanks guys!
I'd totally do a gut but there are so many updates we are going to make right away. This isn't a need, it's a want. Lol

I don't think the shower has tile. I'll have to look. Good question though!

I love the colorful paint on the vanity

The curtain idea is neat. I also like the decor in that orange and white bathroom

I think all your ideas are good.

(lazy me probably wouldn't change mirror and lights even, but if you want/can do that why not)

I'll think of stylish(yeah I know hate this word myself lol) storage solution..shelves, trays, you name it, so there is designated place both on the tub(how cute the tube is!) and on the vanity, for all odds and ends

I also dislike toilets right next to the bath but is so often for them to be there anyway..

maybe enough space to put there smth like a narrow pot/vase with some green plant? you know for some sort of visual separation? it will be mostly imaginary of course, but imaginary things do matter in how we percieve the space

new paint, flooring, and small details like storage solutions, shower curtain, a rug etc, art you love-and you have a bathroom you're happy to enter each day

what color direction were you thinking of, when changing flooring and paint?

I love an all white bathroom with a touch of two colors similar in hue. I'm a white sheets, white blankets, white towels kind of person. So I think some sort of white tile but last time we did that the grout grossed me out and wouldn't stay clean. So we'll see. I like this idea:

I love the curtain idea!

Do you have glass on your shower though, or only curtain? because then you'll end up with having two curtains. I'm a crazy shower curtain person(no exaggeration, I love them so much) , but in this case I'd think whether I want two in one space..

another thing. That bath seems very cool(maybe to me only?)..I'd try to leave it open, most of the time. So whatever solution I look for, while the bath stays-I'd make sure it's seen and all

how old the house is?

The thing that bugs me is the hunk of wood glued to the tub. I'd want that removed and replaced with the white tile. I'd leave the mirror.

OK, since this is a one person bathroom, the toilet probably has to stay where it is. However, perhaps a curtain arrangement with the track on the ceiling, that would close off the tub and toilet for some privacy and then two could be using the bathroom at the same time might be something to consider. There are a lot of great ceiling tracks with various panels to slide around that could be useful without too much cost. I would put a glass shower door on that shower. I personally don't like shower curtains because they don't fit right and they fly around not doing a very good job of keeping water inside the shower, so I would want to contain water in that shower. Especially if you tile the floor. Need to make sure water isn't escaping and ruining the subfloor and subsequently the tile. I like the idea of removing that front panel on the tub, but expect that tub is open behind it, so I would probably just paint it for now. Paint the other cabinetry as suggested. Great ideas for you on that. Leave mirror. Update faucets for a fresh look. I know what it's like to get a home that needs a lot and the budget is tight. Been there, done that. Think about everything you do from a resale point of view as well. Nice to recover investments! Good luck!!

So I didn't think of that two curtain thing. But the curtains will be white so it won't look too odd, if we do that. I won't let my husband use the toilet while I'm taking a bath. He can use a different bathroom! Haha. I too prefer glass over a shower curtain. I'll have to double check the condition of the inside of the shower.

The house was built in 2000 and has the same owners. So that's nice.

I really like your bathroom. It is very common for the toilet to be next to the tub or across. Have you ever thought about doing your countertops with epoxy? Epoxy is a spray color coating that pours over the existing counter top,and you can customize your color with designs. You would not have to take anything out. Epoxy can go over bath tub surrounds, showers, and floors. It just pours over the existing item. Good thing about that idea is it is in a good cost range, and less of a mess to deal with. I love the carpet in your bathroom, but I personally prefer a solid floor alternative. I hope this helps you out some. If you have any questions I wouldn't mind discussing this idea with you some more.

Wow! I love the Epoxy! How difficult is it to do that?

Also, maybe I'll leave the mirror but put a boarder/frame around it.

You can glue frame trim right on the mirror.

Epoxy is not hard at all especially if you have an artistic eye. Epoxy is a form of art, because you are dealing with paints, sprays, glitter (opt). Depending on what colors and designs you are trying to get out of it.

Cheap fix: paint cabinets and wood trim, Change mirror faucets, and lights. New wall paint. Move towel bar and get large art for over tub, pretty rugs and towels! Can't really see your floors....

the second makeover seems doable and is appealing enough..especially for the preferences the OP is describing. first one -depends on how handy one is, and into patterns etc(I'm into patterns yet I'd stop at floors..that are indefinitely cool I must say)

great ideas into looking on Craigslist etc Beth

(my two vanities are from there. out of three. the third is custom made. lol. checks and balances. actually one from Craigslist is also custom made by someone. It's so cool but very very small. Powder room. We needed smth tiny)

yes people do sell everything..sometimes one needs to persist and keep looking

Saw beautiful tiles by Ann Sacks on eBay for example..fraction of the price. But there it's also shipping of course.

Having said that-lazy me wouldn't do anything with the counters either..:) Faucet, maybe. If I was highly bothered with the existing one, Knowing me-probably wouldn't. Because I'd start looking for one I really love and see it costs like my facelift. Or half of my facelift. And then I'd think "ok why to bother"

But, Can be looked up on Craigslist too. I wasn't lucky for example. In that regard. But folks do sell new faucets that didn't work for some reason. Only one faucet to look for makes it easier.

it's a nice space..the carpet is kinda-don't know-why it's there..otherwise doesn't take much to work with it

and 17 year old house-it's a baby..in houses' age..:) Given it was built right of course..

Thanks again guys! Going to look at Craigslist now!!!!

Fake beadboard panel would be huge improvement over weird thing that's on the tub side, and it's like $30