Transform Your Bathroom Without Breaking the Bank

Color affects our mood, so consider what kind of atmosphere you’re wanting to create. Calming? Bright and light? Trendy and fun?  

Looking for a spa vibe? Consider sage greens, sky blues, or soft rose mauve tones. 

If you don’t want to repaint your walls, consider repainting or refinishing vanities, shelves, or other bathroom furniture to add a pop of color or balance with neutral tones.  

Design Bonus: Make a little effort go a long way with peel-and-stick wallpaper. Since there’s no glue, this type of wallpaper is removable. Switch up your look as much as you’d like!  

Practical Tip: A basic laser level is a useful tool to help you apply peel paper right the first time around.   

2. Bathroom Hardware Upgrade 

Replace old cabinet pulls, bathroom hardware, or faucets for a style update. Consider adding bathroom accessories to keep things tidy, like hook racks or a corner shelf. Organized bathrooms not only look more streamlined, but they also feel better to use day in and day out.  

3. Lighting Upgrade 

Replacing outdated light fixtures with modern options is an affordable home upgrade you can make for your bathroom and throughout your home.  

Bonus: Add dimmable bulbs for day vs. night lighting and to create a more flattering, less stark bathroom atmosphere.  

4. Accessories Revamp 

Add stylish mirrors, new shower curtains, or fresh bathmats for a decor makeover in a flash. Budget-friendly additions like bamboo bath trays or countertop organizers can be minor changes that make your bathroom feel fresh.  

Best Bathroom Upgrades Under $1,000 

Looking for some mid-range magic? You can make upgrades that elevate with just a little more cash. Here’s how:  

1. Refinish Surfaces 

Is your tile looking tired? Bathtub looking a little dingy? Resurfacing tubs or re-glazing tiles can provide a fresh, clean look with just a few supplies and some hard work. This is a cost-effective option compared to full replacements.  

A little re-grouting could also go a long way toward the tile work looking fresher, without doing a full re-surfacing.  

2. Install a New Vanity or Sink 

The easiest swap is going to be for a pre-assembled vanity with storage. If you’re feeling ready for more creative DIY bathroom improvements, you can install floating shelves, or a wall mounted towel bar with shelf as well.  

When buying a new sink, consider the area you have and how you really use your space. Here’s just a few common styles to get you thinking.  

• A pedestal sink is a good option for small bathrooms that don’t need much storage.   

• A wall-mount sink can be installed at different heights, which might be appealing for shorter or taller-than-average folks.  

• Above counter sinks can serve as a stylish focal point, and some find they contain splashing better than drop-in sinks.  

Bonus: Look for options with built-in modern countertops for a spacious, elevated way to get ready in the morning. 

 3. Upgrade Your Shower Door 

Imagine stepping into a fresh, clean, and spacious shower sanctuary—can you feel the tension melting away already? The shower or bathtub area isn’t just the centerpiece of your bathroom; it’s where you wash away the day’s stress or embrace the energy of a new morning. 

Delta® Cordero Shower Door in Matte Black

Investing in a new glass shower door is an investment well worth making to really make your modern bathroom renovation shine. Read How to Choose a Shower Door for a simplified overview.  

Bathroom Remodel Ideas Under $1,500  

How do you get affordable elegance in your bathroom? Get ready to roll up your sleeves (or pay someone else to!) and get ready for a renovated bathroom that feels like a place you want to spend time in.  

1. Flooring Overhaul 

Does your flooring scream 1970, but not in a cool retro way? Replacing flooring with budget-friendly vinyl, laminate, or ceramic tiles will transform the base of your space.  

Depending on the colors and patterns you’re working with on your walls and furniture, you could consider herringbone or hexagon patterns for a designer feel. Go with soft neutrals if you want to balance things out.  

If you have a small bathroom, light or white non-patterned flooring will make your space look bigger and brighter.  

2. Shower or Tub Enclosure with Added Features 

Buying any new glass shower door will already elevate your space. However, with a budget of $1,500, you can select one with extra features to enhance your daily living while still updating other areas of your bathroom! 

A shower door with water-repellant coating like Spot Guard will resist hard water stains, soap scum, and lime scale for a quicker clean and lasting shine. This means cleaning is easier and quicker.  

Other features for an elevated showering experience include a quiet center glide (standard on all Delta® sliding doors) and Soft-Close. With Soft-Close sliding glass doors, you can say goodbye to jarring slams and hello to the kind of peace you’ve been craving. 

3. Custom Lighting Solutions 

Lighting can make all the difference – especially when you get into custom lighting options. Lighting adds mood, creates convenience (like automatic lighting in cabinets), and can highlight statement pieces in your bathroom.  

A few options to explore include:  

• • Recessed ceiling lights 

• • Backlit mirrors 

• • Under cabinet lighting 

• • Colorful LED shower head lights 

• • LED strip lighting under vanities for a soft glow 

• • Tea lights and artistic candle holders for around the bath or on floating shelves to create a spa-like experience  

• • A modern chandelier for a statement piece 

4. Combine Painted Cabinetry with Stylish Hardware for a Custom, High-End Look 

When you repaint cabinetry, you’re already adding a custom touch that gets noticed. Coordinate this with updated wall colors or accent tiles and you’ve got a posh bathroom makeover – sans the big investment.  

Here’s an extra budget-friendly bathroom design tip: take those generic knobs and pulls that came with your cabinetry and replace them with something special.  

If you want the look of a pull with the ease of a 1-screw knob installation, consider a T-knob. An L-knob has the same appeal for installation, but with a handle-like feel. A pull with a backplate can add unique style, making your closet or cabinets look more high-end.  

Liberty Geometric Square Backplate Modern Gold Cabinet Pull

Want to add a little sparkle or a pop of color to your cabinets and drawers? Acrylic or glass faceted can give a vintage charm or simply add a little something sparkly to wake up your bathroom decor. 

Final Thoughts – Get a Plan and Go 

There are many affordable ways to upgrade your bathroom, from a simple coat of paint to resurfacing your floors or buying a new shower door. What you need is a good plan.  

Prioritize upgrades based on your goals, whether for a style update or a functional upgrade. Next, assess how much you’ll DIY or hire and then math it out to see what your renovation budget will allow.  

Lastly, prepare to be wowed when you see how small improvements throughout your bathroom space make a significant impact. And don’t forget. . .   

If a shower door is part of your budget renovations use our Delta® Shower Door Finder Tool to find your dream shower.