Wondering where to spend and where to save in a small bathroom? Many new homeowners start out on a small bathroom project with the assumption that it will be cheap due to the small size of the room. But because bathroom remodels can quickly become more complex than anticipated, costs can quickly add up. Proper advance planning is the only way to ensure that you stay within budget while achieving the bathroom look you want.
Therefore, to turn small bathroom ideas into reality, you need to have a good understanding of where to spend and where to save.
(Photo credit: Pigeon Mountain)
Where do you spend in a small bathroom
So, where should the big bucks be spent in a small bathroom? Prawns in the wrong place will create more problems for yourself in the future; Over all, you will run out of money. Here’s how to get the balance right, according to interior design experts.
Invest in your bathroom bones
If there’s only one thing you can spend your money on, our interior designers recommend investing in the structural elements of your bathroom before anything else. Interior designer Karen B. Wolf told us she had to admit that you had to spend on bathroom bones. This means that plumbing fixtures must be from well-reviewed approved brands.
The plumbing in the bathroom might not be the most exciting thing to spend money on, but, as Wolfe points out, “If you have plumbing issues down the line, it can be an expensive proposition to replace the transformers in the walls. (The tiles have to be removed and can become a messy business). This Buying a BMW, Subaru does not mean good, stable and safe plumbing.
Once you have invested in quality plumbing, consider investing in frameless shower doors. Wolf explains that these give an “immediate indication of high-end bathrooms versus low-end bathrooms.” Andra DelMonico, Trendey’s lead interior designer, agrees, telling us that “the right shower door can mean the difference between a small bathroom feeling larger or more closed.” Shower doors should be a priority when calculating shower remodel costs.
(Photo credit: Katie Lee/Future)
Spend on bathroom tiles
You may be wondering if you should spend good money on bathroom tiles, here there are slight differences of opinion among designers. Bathroom tile ideas are probably the most prominent element of your bathroom design, and our experts agree that it makes sense to invest in tiles. However, lead designer and co-founder of Twelve Chairs Interiors Roisin Giese told us, “We typically spend on finishes where things like tile and wallpaper make a big impact without requiring a lot of materials.”
So, if you’re only going to tile a small portion of your bathroom, do half tile, or half paint, it might make sense to flaunt marble or another natural material. Wolf highly recommends spending more on your tiles – “You can use marble in a small space for quality and longevity (natural materials usually don’t go out of style as quickly as synthetic products)”.
Splurge on lockers
However, Kern & Co interior designer Chloe Spath thinks it’s more important to spend on bathroom cabinets—”after all, it’s the foundation of the bathroom.” Bathroom cabinet ideas deserve priority when viewed in this way. If you fancy marble, she recommends finishing your vanity “with a slab of Carrara marble to make your small bathroom impressive.” This will cost you much less than all-marble, but it will give your small bathroom oomph.
(Image credit: Armac Martin)
Where to save in a small bathroom
Interior designers agree: when it comes to small bathrooms, you can save a lot with it. Go for cheaper bathroom fixtures like toilets and sinks. A toilet, in particular, doesn’t need to be luxurious – it just needs to do the job.
Save on bathroom fixtures
DelMonico emphasizes this: ‘You don’t need to spend a fortune on a new toilet for your bathroom. American Standard makes a high-quality toilet that, right out of the box, can look both modern and beautiful.
Wolf agrees, noting that it’s worth looking for industrious “from a trusted brand, but you don’t need fancy bells and whistles or special finishes.” Chloe adds that, “When you’re working on a tight budget, don’t overpay for more expensive plumbing fixtures.” Therefore, if you are wondering how to choose a bathroom sink, going for the respectable mid-range should always be your guiding principle.
(Photo credit: Albion Bath Company)
Save on bathroom accessories
Another area in which it is worth saving rather than spending is bathroom accessories. According to DelMonico, “You can find great deals on towel rails, cabinet hardware, and toilet paper holders. These little touches are nice, but you don’t need to spend a fortune to get the look you want.
Save on materials and finishes
Regarding the controversial issue of marble, if your budget is limited, it is better to choose porcelain tiles instead of natural stone. Chloe thinks, “Marble floors and walls look great in a bathroom but can really raise the price. You can achieve a similar look with porcelain tiles. Porcelain gives the same clean look as marble but at a fraction of the price.”
What should I spend on renovating a small bathroom?
If you’re just getting into bathroom remodel ideas, and your bathroom is on the smaller side, David Mason, interior designer and owner of The Knobs Company, recommends spending money on floor and tile: This will give you a sense of luxury. And don’t skimp on the tiles. Good quality. If you have a mid-range budget, “Spend the money on your vanity and closet. It will give you a lot of bang for your buck.”
For truly economical renovations, Mason recommends bathroom paint ideas and accessories: “You can even change the look of a bathroom simply by changing the paint color and adding some new accessories.”
How can I save money on a new bathroom?
If you’re starting a small bathroom from scratch, Mason advises, “You can easily save a lot of your money by doing some or all of the work yourself.” With new bathrooms, costs can pile up, so “save on tiles with high-quality paintable tiles.” Fixtures can also be purchased for less, but Mason recommends making sure to go “for streamlined, simple fixtures that will last a long time.” There is a line between saving and the wrong economy.
Overall, Mason’s (and other experts’) advice is clear: “Focus on expensive items like the floor and tiles; these will definitely give the most impact to the overall texture and look of your bathroom. Whether you’re remodeling or building an entirely new bathroom, the floor and walls really matter.” , as well as high-quality plumbing.Everything else can be had at a much cheaper price without compromising the style or quality of your bathroom.