Bathroom Renovations – What’s Possible at Different Price Points

Bathrooms are one of the most important spaces in our home. They are also one of the rooms that can add the most value when renovatedBut renovating a bathroom can be quite overwhelming. 

In this blog, I am going to walk you through what is possible when renovating your bathroom at various price points. 

Freshen up ($1,500-$2,000) 

Refurbishing your existing bathroom materials is always the best option for saving money. If your bathroom tiles are still looking great, focus on changing other things such as any outdated tapware, towel rails, accessories or basins. These changes can make a big difference! 

However, if the tiles do need a quick fixpainting them is a great option to consider, as it provides an instant, updated feel – for a fraction of the cost of new tiles 

Buying and installing new bathroom cabinets can be an expensive exercise. A more cost effective way to bring life to your existing cabinets, is to remove the old cabinetry front and replace it with a new one.  

Replace any damaged or outdated lighting with decorative lighting to add to the atmosphere. This may seem insignificant, but updating them can make a big difference to your bathroom’s look and feel 

Styling tips 

Go for Greenery 

Bringing the outdoors inside is a great way to create a calm, tranquil space. Transform your bathroom into a peaceful sanctuary by adding indoor plants.  

New towels and Bathmats 

Bathmats and towels are everyday essentialsBut you can make a statement simply by elevating these staple items – adding colours and fun into the space. 

Add accessories! 

Adding a bathroom accessory is the simplest, quickest and the cheapest way to bring change to your bathroom. There are numerous bathroom accessories in the market, including: candles, wicker baskets, soap dispensers (ceramic, glass, stone), shells etc. Small things can bring a lot of change! 

Paint

A quick lick of paint is a great way to update your bathroom. Paint any untiled walls and ceilings for a total refresh.   

Image: Real Homes 

Instead of laying new tiles—which can be expensive and timconsuming—consider painting old tiles with renovator paint. This will not provide the same superior finish of new tiles, but it is suitable for a quick makeover.  

You can also update timber trims such as skirting boards, doors and architraves with fresh paint.  

Bathroom Mirror

Mirrors are important components of any bathroom. They are not only practical, but they provide a great storage solution to small rooms, so choosing the right mirror is very importantMirrors can also be back lit to provide an additional light source. 

I personally prefer oval or round mirrors as it breaks up all the straight edges that are usually found ibathrooms. If you are looking for a cheaper option, a direct stick mirror works well. Or consider a trip to K-Mart or Target as they have a great range of mirrors that look good and are very cost effective. 

Mid-Range Reno ($10,000-$15,000) 

A mid-range price point renovation will allow you to enhance your bathroom and the overall value of your home. Within this budget range, you will be able to update and replace all the bathroom tiles, replace cabinetry with a new modern floating vanity and perhaps add a new above-country basin for visual appealIt will also allow you to replace any shower base and old shower screens for a frameless version.  

Shower Screen  

Shower screens are easy and straightforward to retrofit. You will need to take into consideration whether there is a molded shower base or a tiled floor.  

Frames VS Frameless Screens 

Frameless screens are more popular and most aesthetically pleasing. They create an illusion of space and are less imposing because they are nearly invisible. However, it is a more expensive option than the framed shower screen.  

Framed shower screens are used more for an enclosed shower. You can still minimise the frame and fix points for a more streamlined look.  

Bathroom Vanity 

Updating or replacing vanity can make a huge difference to the bathroom A floating vanity with a stone benchtop, well-designed drawers (not too small and pokey), beautiful handles (or finger pull) and gorgeous above counter basin will dramatically change the look and feel of the bathroom. 

It creates an illusion of space as you can see the floor underneath. It creates better floor flow too. It’s ideal for smaller spaces as it is less bulky and more sophisticated.  

Custom versus off-the-shelf cabinetry 

Custom-made cabinetry means you have complete flexibility in the design and materials usedIt is your own creation. Prices for custom designs vary according to materials and design features. 

Off the shelf means you’re working to standard sizes – 900mm, 1200mm, 1500mm, 1800mm vanities which has a cost advantageHowever, if your space is not right for one of these sizes, it will look wrong (or not fit at all). Configuration of the cabinetry layout and the materials used would also be selected from standard offerings. 

If you want to update your off-the-shelf cabinetry, you could always change the basin style and benchtop material, which would make quite a difference. 

Storage and Power  

Well thought out storage solutions are an essential consideration for moderate bathroom renovations. Just make sure that you assess your functionality requirements before doing the renovation as it is harder to make changes once the process has started.  NB having storage at eye-level height is the most ideal scenario as it is easily accessible.   

Ensure to have power points inside the shaver cabinet for electric toothbrushes, shavers, etc—ideally “his” and “hers”.  

Joinery Design 

It is worth paying for proper joinery design to ensure the bathroom is designed based around your requirements and that functionality has been well considered. 

Luxe Bathroom Reno ($20,000 +) 

Bringing a touch of luxury into your bathroom renovations can be a daunting order. 

Luxury features include: high-end materials (marbles and natural stones), bespoke joinery design, luxury tapware in premium finishes, double showers, architectural lighting design and fittings, underfloor heating and heated towel rails, luxury freestanding bath. 

Image: Homes to love 

Useful Features to consider

You might want to include underflooring heating, rain showers and thermostat showers in a luxe bathroom renovation.  

And nothing feels more amazing than a shower or even a bath in the great outdoors. You could either have a bath next to a sliding window to bring the outdoors in, or add an outdoor shower. 

Image: Dwell.com 

Overlooked Expenses

Changing tiles is often an overlooked expense and can really add to the cost of bathroom renovation. Tiles ranges from $30/sqm-$500/sqm. So it’s important to know where to place them and what will create the most impact.  

Another unexpected cost would be moving plumbing, especially toilets and vanities where the pipes need to come up through a concrete slab.  

And if your budget allows, I recommend adding a Tadelakt/Venetian plater finish. They are both naturalecological products that produce a luxurious and decorative wall finish. The waterproof, seamless and mildly marbled appearance makes it ideal for bathrooms.  

Lastly, a concrete benchtop offers a completely customisable design which makes it popular in bathrooms. 

Skylights 

When natural light is difficult to get from a traditional window, skylights would be a good option. It is great for hallways, enclosed bathrooms, stairwells, and kitchens.  

Image: HGTV 

skylight in a bathroom ranges between $500-$2,000 depending on a few different factors; whether it is fixed or opens electronicallya blind is needed to block the sunand a great feature but also quite expensive, is one that closes automatically when it detects rain.  

Ready to design and create your own beautiful bathroom? Get all the interior designer insider knowledge in the Beautiful Bathroom Design Made Easy Online Course. With 21 self-paced modules, this online course allows you to create your dream bathroom. Find out more here.

We also offer bathroom design packages that include joinery design and material selections for a complete bathroom design. Click the link here to find more.

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