7 Ugly-Bathroom Fixes You Can Actually Achieve Without Breaking the Bank
When most of us envision our dream home, we can often pare our long-running wish list of features down to two key design requirements: a great kitchen and a bathroom weâd like to spend some time in.Â
According to a review of data from the National Association of Realtors, six of the 10 most-coveted home features are kitchen- or bath-related. (The other four: fireplace, hardwood floors, walk-in closet, and central air.)
Unfortunately, unless you just won a big chunk of the $1.5 billion Powerball jackpot, youâll probably be making sacrifices when renovating or upgrading.
New kitchens almost never come cheap. The dream bathroom, however, is a little more within reach, if youâre willing to forgo pricey contractors and roll up your sleeves.Â
Related on Yahoo Makers:Â 7 Hot Trends in Bathroom Design
According to Huffington Postâs Home Advisor Blog, âFor about $500 and a lot of elbow grease, you can do some minor yet impactful renovations. For $5,000 and just a little elbow grease, you can perform a complete overhaul.â
The bottom line is itâs your bathroom and your budget. So make it work for you.
The average bathroom remodel costs between $9,000 and $18,000, according to Houzz.com, so going the (mostly) DIY route is the key to making your bathroom dream a reality.Â
Just watch it on the plumbing and electric. Nobody likes a light switch that makes the toilet flush, so know your limits.Â
With that in mind, click through the slideshow above for design ideas to revamp your ugly bathroom once and for all.Â
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Problem: Ugly, dated linoleum flooring
Design blogger Monica Mangin took on a challenge from Loweâs to transform a bathroom for $1,000. Thatâs not pocket change, but itâs far less than the average cost of a master bathroom renovation â around $18,000 in 2015. This âbeforeâ photo shows mellow yellow walls, an ugly wooden vanity, and fake-tile linoleum flooring. (Photo: East Coast Creative Blog)
Solution: Peel-and-stick vinyl tiles
Mangin used peel-and-stick flooring planks and tiles to create a unique, interesting patterned floor. She applied them directly on top of the existing linoleum, making the process positively painless. The hexagonal tiles are a nice added touch, but simply sticking to straight âwoodâ planks would be striking in its own right. Vinyl tile flooring will set you back just $1.00 to $1.50 per square foot. (Photo: East Coast Creative Blog)
Problem: A tub straight out of an old-fashioned medical ward
We love a classic clawfoot tub, but with its sterile white, cast-iron body and hard metal accents, it can appear a little clinical. Itâs not a matter of whether or not you should hold on to the tub. (By all means do!) You just need to make it more inviting.  (Photo: Motionshooter via Thinkstock)
Solution: A freshly painted tub that makes a statement
Painting the outside of a clawfoot tub can make a world of difference to your bathroom. Out with boring, lifeless white and in with a burst of vibrant or soothing color! Be sure to prep your tub thoroughly by sanding down or sandblasting old layers of paint that may be cracking or showing wear. Use a quality primer, followed by a latex-based paint in the color that best suits the look youâre trying to achieve. Itâs imperative you use a semigloss or gloss paint for a bathtub so itâs easy to clean and holds up against the moisture. (Photo: Fastighetsbyran)
Problem: Drab, uninviting walls
Straight out of the â70s, this bathroom suffers from dated colors, drab walls, and a pink marble vanity that has us searching for its avocado-colored soulmate. (Photo: This Old House)
Solution: DIY wood paneling or wainscoting
In six weeks, this bathroom was transformed from floor to ceiling. Perhaps most notable, apart from the gorgeous tiled floor, is the wood planking on the walls. Jenna of Jenna Sue Design blog used 4x8 sheets of plywood and ripped them down into 8-inch planks to create a wall that is an eye-catching point of interest. Alternatively, wainscoting makes for a beautiful finish over old, dated tiles as well. Easy to install, itâs an affordable fix that requires no structural overhaul or stripping. Adding texture to your bathroom walls will give it an inviting feel while still keeping it clean and modern. (Photo: This Old House)
Problem: A clinical medicine cabinet
Medicine cabinets are great for storing bathroom paraphernalia weâd rather keep out of site, but they usually fall into the category of practical and have little to do with crafting an appealing bathroom aesthetic. In some cases, older properties come equipped with rusty and shoddy renditions weâd prefer to do without entirely. (Photo: Design Improvised)
Solution: A cheery peel-and-stick surprise
Haeley of DIY blog Design Improvised used simple peel-and-stick wallpaper to update the interior of her medicine cabinet. It adds a burst of freshness and color and an element of surprise to an otherwise forgettable feature. For less than $20, this quick and easy revamp is a great return on investment of both time and money. (Photo: Design Improvised)
Problem: A tub and tiles straight out of a different decade
Though we can appreciate a little retro flair, weâre just not sold on powder pink and avocado green as color choices for bathroom tiles and tubs. Unfortunately, many old apartments and homes still have these relics of the past prominently featured in their washrooms. A complete overhaul, including a new bathtub and tiles, can be pricey, and the instillation of either usually requires a pro. Â (Photo: AskAnnaMosely.com)
Solution: Quick and easy DIY reglazing
Anna Moseley of Ask Anna Moseley managed to banish the pink on her own for less than $30. Using Tub and Tile Transformation by Rust-Oleum, she was able to completely change the look and feel of the room without having to replace any of the existing features. Though itâs important to prep the area by giving everything a good cleaning and a gentle sanding, the actual process is fairly simple and quick, relative to the more involved remodeling alternative. (Photo: AskAnnaMoseley.com)
Problem: Walls that lack imagination
Sure, you can hang a bunch of cabinets, shelves, and pictures, but when you start with boring walls in a color that does nothing for you, it doesnât matter how much you throw onto it; itâs never going to cut it. (Photo: Driven by Decor)
Solution: Densely patterned wallpaper â even in the bathroom
Wallpaper came back on trend with gusto in 2015, and itâs still going strong! Donât feel constrained to the living room and bedrooms, though. A wallpapered bathroom can make a bold and striking statement. Itâs important, however, to find wallpaper that is water-resistant and easy to clean, as humidity can damage wallpapers that are not. (Photo: Better Homes and Gardens)
Problem: Old, ugly, or difficult-to-clean faucets
Such a small detail, but so prominent at the same time, an aging bathroom sink faucet doesnât hold up well over the years. From dated and downright ugly to water-stained and difficult to clean, this small feature will instantly draw your attention when youâre not happy with its appearance. Not to mention, old filters are breeding grounds for bacteria and that hard-to-ignore mildewy smell. (Photo: Hometalk)
Solution: Replace or repaint your faucets
It may seem like a small change, but it can make a huge impact on the entire room. Taking a bathroom from dated to modern and sleek can really be as simple as switching out a few key fixtures. You can invest in brand-new hardware, or if youâre really trying to keep the budget tight, you can actually spray-paint an old or cheap metal faucet. A light sanding, a coat of primer, and some Rust-Oleum Metallic spray paint will do the trick nicely. (Photo: Hunted Interior)
