Inexpensive renovation ideas for your bathroom.

Communications

If the bathroom has not been renovated for decades, it is important to replace all the pipes in it, otherwise your renovation efforts will be useless: the old communications will leak, and you will have to change not only the furniture in your own bathroom, but also, perhaps, do repairs in the neighbors below.

Replacing the pipes in the bathroom yourself is not easy, but possible, and to replace the risers, you need to invite plumbers.

The most budget-friendly way to lay communications is according to the external scheme, without chasing the walls. The cheapest material from which sewer and water pipes for cold and hot water supply are made is polyvinyl chloride (PVC). They are lightweight and easy to install.

Ceiling

Finishing the bathroom should start with the ceiling. It should first be cleaned of the old coating using a spatula or a metal brush to remove old paint. If the ceiling was whitewashed, a damp cloth and a basin of warm water will suffice.

Before painting, it is important to level the surface with moisture-resistant putty and sand it after drying. The cheapest paint for the ceiling is water-based, but acrylic is more reliable. The area of a typical ceiling is small, so its repair will require a minimum of funds.

Walls

The most common way of tiling the walls in the bathroom is laying tiles. The process involves many difficulties, from dismantling the old tiles to leveling the walls and laying new ceramic tiles as carefully as possible.

If desired, you can do the cladding yourself, choosing an inexpensive material (try not to skimp on waterproofing and tile adhesive).

Alternatives to ceramics are:

• waterproof paint;
• PVC panels;
• lining;
• self-adhesive film.

If the old tiles are in acceptable condition – not cracked and not peeling off – they can be painted, having first sanded and primed them. This will save time and money. Sometimes only the grout needs to be replaced.

Floor

The most budget-friendly way to improve the floor is to lay high-quality linoleum. It does not allow moisture to pass through and is easy to lay. But if the floor tiles are in good condition, you can cover them with a special paint with polymers, and put a rug on top so that the coating does not wear out.

More spectacular and relatively inexpensive options are a floor made of mosaic tiles (you can find cheap ones) or pebbles. The second method will bring uniqueness and natural motifs to the interior. Pebbles are easy to install, but the floor made of them is quite hard, like on a pebble beach. The advantage of such a coating is the massage effect.

Plumbing

It is common knowledge that you cannot save on plumbing, especially on faucets – items are installed for a long time, replacement entails certain difficulties. Do not try to choose the cheapest products – before buying, carefully study the rating of manufacturers and user reviews on the Internet.

If the bathtub is made of cast iron, contact restorers – specialists will tell you whether it is possible to cover the tank with special enamel, updating the coating. Often, restoration is cheaper than buying, transporting and installing a new bowl.

The most affordable bathtubs are made of steel, but they require additional improvements: to get rid of the noise of water hitting the thin walls, owners cover the outer part of the product with mounting foam. In addition, steel cools quickly, cooling the water. If you want a slightly more expensive but better quality bathtub, opt for acrylic.

Look at the comparison of bathtub materials.

Furniture

Chipboard cabinets and cabinets are inexpensive, but quickly lose their attractive appearance, swelling from moisture and temperature changes. Furniture made of MDF is the most preferable, but in order to save money, you can order only a countertop for the washbasin, covering the bottom of the structure with a fabric curtain. Textiles add coziness to the environment, creating a relaxed atmosphere.

You can reduce costs by installing an old wooden chest of drawers instead of a purchased cabinet, painting it or covering it with a protective compound.

Wall cabinets do not necessarily have to be made to order: look for a design of suitable size in a mass market or online flea market – this will look more interesting than a ready-made set of a cabinet and a washbasin. Open shelves are easy to make with your own hands from solid wood.

Decor

Despite the relative affordability of repairs, you should not skimp on decor: it is what comes to the forefront in a neutral and democratic interior design. To make your bathroom look stylish, avoid synthetic materials:

• Instead of plastic shelves, which will quickly turn yellow and darken from water, buy metal ones – online stores are full of a variety of models, and reviews will help you navigate the quality.
• Instead of a polyethylene curtain, choose a polyester product: the material is much stronger, more aesthetically pleasing and more pleasant to the touch. The curtain can be washed – it will last longer and pay for itself.
• Instead of plastic baskets, look for budget fabric ones or sew them yourself. Wicker baskets are more expensive, but even they can be made with your own hands from ordinary newspaper tubes. Hide small hygiene items in containers so as not to clutter the room.
• Making a rug for the bathroom is also easy: old T-shirts or towels will do. Such a product will look more original and more expensive than a store-bought synthetic rug with a bright color.

An ordinary mirror can easily be turned into a designer one by framing it with mosaics, shells, pebbles or ordinary rope.

A bathroom made neatly and tastefully will look stylish and expensive, even if the basis of the renovation is made up of affordable materials. But do not forget that when saving during the renovation, the process will require additional skills, effort and time.