Renovating on a budget

March 27, 2021

At the mention of a renovation, our minds often translate it to shelling out thousands of dollars. That’s actually true, with the overall costs ranging from $10,000 to over $35,000. Thus, some people hold back in beautifying and improving the functionality of their bathroom.

What if we tell you that you can renovate even on a tight budget?

Yup, you read that right! This March, let’s talk about renovating on a budget!

1. PLANNING IS KEY

A great way to ensure that you don’t waste any money is by planning and doing thorough research before taking action. This guarantees that there’s no need for the job to be done twice and for you to spend twice.

We understand how exciting it must be to fulfil what you have in mind, but it shouldn’t be at the expense of unnecessary expenses. It’s essential to select reputable renovators for the job, and we believe that we’re more than qualified (we’ll allow our previous customers to speak for us). Our team at OzGood Bathroom Renovations are leading experts in the field and, matched with a free quotation, we can be pretty hard to resist! Besides, we cater to different needs and budgets so we can negotiate for something that suits you. Get in touch with us today!

2. DIY WHAT YOU CAN

You know what they say—it’s the little things. Even if you don’t have the money to afford your dream bathroom as of now, who says you can’t improve it by making a few tweaks on your own? Just head to your local hardware store (more on that later) and check out some bathroom fixtures, like faucets and showerheads, and maybe even get new light switch plates and cabinet handles. These items may be small, but altogether, they make for a big difference in your bathroom.

Furthermore, if you’re a little bit more on the experience side when it comes to woodwork or DIYs in general, you can also try to upgrade your dated

vanity and/or cabinets into something more modern. Big fixtures are pricey, but if you do it yourself, you’ll save big instead.

Should there be a few things that need repairing, you might also want to check if it’s within you or your housemate’s capabilities to save a few hundred bucks. However, if the quick fixes are no longer working, then it’s high time to leave it for the professionals.

3. ILLUSION OF EXPANSION

A bathroom expansion would undoubtedly be costly, but does it have to be? If it’s out of the budget now, we’ve got three alternative solutions that give the illusion of more space.

The first option would be to make use of mirrors—the bigger, the better. A large mirror means an equally large area for reflecting light, making the room appear to be larger than it is as well. You might want to go with frameless mirrors, too, for maximum space perception. However, if you wish to go with framed ones to match your overall bathroom atmosphere, then go ahead! With a few tools and screws and a YouTube video as a guide, you can DIY a customised bathroom mirror, even as a beginner. When making DIY bathroom mirrors, though, it’s worth noting that you should only use either tempered or laminated mirrors in compliance with safety standards.

Apart from mirrors, the colour of your bathroom also plays a pivotal role in tricking your mind into more space. The best choice would be to use white or anything light and neutral, such as a light shade of grey or taupe. You can further complement your chosen colour with either wood or metallic accents.

Lastly, keeping your bathroom clutter-free is an efficient yet cost-free way to make it look more spacious.

4. PAINT YOUR TILES

Everyone who’s gotten a renovation or is in the bathroom renovation industry knows that the most expensive part of the project is always the

tiling. Here in NSW, floor tile installation costs around $60-$65 per square metre on average, and that’s not even inclusive of the actual wall/floor tiles, which depending on the design, can cost as much as $150 per square metre.

Frankly, the tiling process isn’t actually that complex, but it’s tedious and time-consuming. Plus, it does take skill to master the. If you’re up for the challenge, then you can try doing it on your own, but if you want precisely installed tiles, a tiler would be necessary.

But since we’re taking financial matters into consideration, you can instead choose to paint your tiles with readily available specialised tile paints in the market. All you have to do is clean, sand, clean again, prime your tiles (and wait for at least 24 hours to dry), and voila, you can start painting—assuming that the grout is still in tiptop condition. Otherwise, it’d be best to remove and replace it with clean new grout before painting.

Optionally, you can take it up a notch and create a stencil with your own or chosen design for a personalised touch.

While this quick fix helps save a few thousand bucks and allows for creative freedom, it’s not a long-term solution as peeling may occur, especially in areas that often get wet. Aside from that, it can also take up to a week to complete. If you’ve currently got a lot on your plate, you might want to save the task for later.

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