Repairs take a lot of effort and time, especially if you do it yourself, without involving professional craftsmen in finishing the work. But the biggest impact on homeowners’ budgets is bathroom renovation, since high-quality materials suitable for use in conditions of high humidity are not cheap.
When purchasing a new home, a significant financial burden falls on the family, so it would be rational to find a compromise finishing option that will ensure long-term use and a neat appearance at minimal cost. In this article we will tell you how to carry out budget bathroom renovations on your own.
What does budget renovation mean?
The most elite materials are not always an indicator of style and good taste.
The bathroom can be decorated cheaply in a loft or minimalist style, while it will look beautiful and fashionable.
The cheapest finishing materials include: wallpaper, PVC panels, paint emulsions and compositions.
An inexpensive trend is brick finishing, which is not inferior to ceramic tiles and is suitable for the bathroom.
In order not to purchase a large number of tiles and not cover all the walls with them from floor to ceiling, you can paint them. The antibacterial and moisture-resistant properties of modern paints allow this to be done without compromising quality.
Before work, prepare the surface and choose the right paint. Consider the size of the room - dark colors should not be used for small rooms. It is worth choosing light pastel colors that will visually expand the room and make it brighter.
It is recommended to choose colors and draw up a design project in advance. Do not paint all the walls; lay out the areas near the sink and bathtub with tiles or cover them with moisture-resistant panels.
There are two more available repair methods:
- Finish with PVC panels.
- Cover with wallpaper.
All finishing methods have their own nuances, advantages and disadvantages. First of all, the room should be beautiful, comfortable and functional.
Ceiling work
Some of the most inexpensive modifications to the ceiling are:
- Coloring. Typically, matte waterproof paint is chosen for the bathroom. This also includes coating with water-based paint.
- Whitewash.
- Installation of suspended ceiling.
- Installation of ceiling coverings made of slats or panels.
Points 3 and 4 are a profitable option if the ceiling that is going to be transformed during the renovation is not even or has pipes running through it. In this case, the ceiling covering hides the communication systems. It is convenient for installing lamps. And the price of suspended ceilings or installation of slats is affordable to anyone.
How to choose inexpensive materials
To paint ceilings and walls, it is recommended to buy moisture-resistant paints; when using oil dyes, fungus or cracks will subsequently form.
Buy acrylic, latex or silicone paints - this is an economical option combined with excellent performance properties. Luja Tikkurila or Optimum matte paints are suitable for the bathroom.
Aqueous emulsions do not have an unpleasant pungent odor, and silicone coatings are a good waterproofing barrier.
A combination of several types of coating will help to avoid high costs - matte and glossy are suitable for the bathroom, semi-gloss emulsions are also used.
Finishing with PVC panels will be more expensive than painting. But it will take less time - there is no need to clean the walls of old coatings, level them or seal cracks.
For such finishing you will need a sheathing; it is made from plastic profiles or wooden slats. It is better to use the first option, because plastic is resistant to moisture, and wooden slats will have to be impregnated with a special moisture-resistant solution.
The simplest and lowest-cost type of bathroom coating is wallpaper, which must be moisture resistant.
You can paste the wallpaper yourself, spending a few hours of time. They are not as durable as other materials, but they are easy to change and, if used carefully, last for years.
The most durable and modern wallpaper for a room is vinyl based on non-woven material. They are more expensive than washable and self-adhesive ones, but more durable and reliable.
The most affordable option is washable wallpaper; they should not be glued to areas that are exposed to direct moisture.
Creating Combinations: A Great Way to Save Money
Finishing materials must be used wisely. If you decide to save on repairs, then it is advisable to do this specifically on finishing materials.
To decorate surfaces, you can use not only expensive tiles or cheap plastic panels.
- The choice can be made from different options, which will only need to be combined correctly.
- As a result, it is possible to get a successful design at an affordable price.
In addition to the choice of materials themselves, you can bet on the method of their application. You can also save money on this, but in this case you should not forget about quality.
Stylish cheap renovation
If you decide to make a simple and cheap, but stylish renovation, consider the following:
- Do everything yourself, don't hire workers.
- Buy inexpensive but high-quality material.
- Don't buy wallpaper, panels or paint at the first store you come across. Monitor prices, call several sellers - the task is to choose the best price-quality ratio.
Remember that self-repair requires time and effort, so it must be done for 5-7 years. Before you begin, evaluate your design ideas and allocated budget.
Budget version of flooring
A feature of the bathroom is poor ventilation and high humidity. Therefore, the floor covering should be given attention. The finishing material must be resistant to mechanical wear and aggressive damp environments.
The floor is under high load, so it is better to lay tiles. Its area is small and it requires little material. To save money, you can purchase items from last year's collection.
If you decide to do without tiles, use linoleum. There is no need to remove the old coating to install it.
Budget plumbing options
The biggest expense in the bathroom and toilet is the purchase of new plumbing fixtures.
But you don’t have to buy a new bathtub—you can renovate your old one. The unsuitable coating is replaced using self-leveling acrylic, acrylic liner or enamel.
After restoration, the bathtub looks like new, and a lot of money is saved. If repairs fail, consider purchasing an affordable analogue; an economy class shower cabin is also suitable.
An affordable option is a smaller acrylic bathtub, because the price is determined by the dimensions of the product.
You can also assemble the shower cabin yourself - you need to buy a shower tray, plumbing fixtures and curtains. You choose the appearance and dimensions of the cabin yourself.
Walls and ceiling
An expensive, but high-quality and long-lasting material is ceramic tiles. For major repairs, it is better to choose it. When buying branded products, you pay for the name.
For affordable repairs, give preference to high-quality and inexpensive analogues; even materials from Chinese manufacturers in the mid-price category are suitable.
Other design options are painting, PVC panels or wallpaper. Before applying a new coating, you need to prepare the walls - dismantle the old paint, wallpaper, panels. You cannot lay new tiles on the floor without removing the old covering.
When choosing PVC panels for walls, you should purchase fasteners and a frame. They are easy to assemble and are not exposed to moisture and mold. But the main disadvantage is easy breakage and fragility even with a slight impact.
When gluing wallpaper, keep in mind that the walls must be free of chips and unevenness. The wallpaper is easy to glue, dries quickly, and comes in many colors and shades. But they are fragile, prone to damage - it is easy to tear or scratch such material.
A simple ceiling finishing for cosmetic repairs is the application of water emulsion or whitewash. It is suitable for flat surfaces.
For uneven ceilings, tile joints, wires, passing pipes, suspended ceilings are optimal. They hide all defects and imperfections and look aesthetically pleasing. Such ceilings are made from plastic, are easy to install, and are inexpensive.
Floor finishing
Finishing the bathroom floor is a fundamental task, the quality of which determines the safety and ease of use of the bathroom. Experienced craftsmen do not recommend saving on surface waterproofing, as it helps to avoid problems with leaks and breakdowns of household appliances. If an apartment from a secondary housing stock is being renovated, and the age of the house exceeds 20-25 years, when renovating the bathroom, you should open the old floor and update the waterproofing trough using rolled, coating or painting materials. As an inexpensive finishing coating, the following is used:
- Linoleum. The most budget option for finishing the bathroom floor is regular linoleum. This material is highly resistant to moisture, wear-resistant and affordable. The advantages of linoleum are considered to be ease of installation, speed, and a wide range of colors. This modern, practical material will last at least 8-15 years, after which it can be easily replaced.
Finishing the floor with linoleum - Ceramic or porcelain tiles. The bathroom floor area in typical apartments is small, so little material is required for finishing. The cost of tiling is not much higher than the cost of high-quality linoleum flooring. However, this method remains budget-friendly if you do the installation yourself.
The floor is tiled with ceramic tiles
Experienced craftsmen note that even with a tight budget, it is necessary to remove the old floor to the concrete base, organize a high-quality waterproofing trough, and then carefully level the surface using a screed.
How to do a budget bathroom renovation
It is better to plan the repair in advance and divide it into stages:
- Organize the process competently.
- Purchase everything you need.
- Remove old coatings.
- Carry out work on finishing the ceiling.
- Lay the floor covering.
- Finish the walls.
The use of low-quality materials entails even greater expenses: on replacing them with new ones, as well as on the services of workers.
Wall and ceiling finishing
Costs, steps and work time depend on the type of finish chosen.
Available options: PVC plastic panels, coating with moisture-resistant paint, washable thick or self-adhesive wallpaper. It is worth considering inexpensive tiles - this is the most reliable option.
First, you need to dismantle the old coatings; paint and emulsion solutions do not fit well on curved walls.
After removing and leveling the surface, you can begin applying paint.
When gluing wallpaper, the scheme is the same - you should not glue it to old ones, you first need to clean the walls of unnecessary residues. Then you can get to work.
When covering walls with PVC panels, the work is divided into several stages:
- Installation of lining in the room.
- Frame installation.
- Fastening the starting bar and corners.
- Fastening panels.
After completing the finishing, glue on the plastic skirting boards, install caps and corners. This is necessary to combine the elements with each other.
Floor decoration
The most reliable floor covering is tiles. But if you decide to make do with minimal investments, linoleum will do. It is durable, reliable, easy to install, and suitable for cosmetic repairs.
To lay linoleum:
- Clean the surface from dust and debris, wipe with a damp cloth.
- Having placed it evenly, spread the material that will go onto the walls. Use a sharp utility knife to cut off the excess. Cut along the corner - it will turn out smoother there.
- Fix the material in the doorway - a pre-purchased threshold will be useful for this.
- The joint in the opening is closed with a strip or glued with liquid nails.
It is not necessary to glue linoleum - the area of the bathroom or toilet is small, and a bathtub is installed on the surface. You can use double-sided tape to strengthen it.
Selection of plumbing
There is another question that worries homeowners: “ How to make cheap bathroom renovations
and save on plumbing?
The most inexpensive of bathtubs are acrylic models. They are much cheaper than cast iron and are a good choice for families with children as an atraumatic coating.
You can also save money by purchasing smaller models. They always cost less. But if there was a cast-iron bathtub at home, it can be changed by using an enamel coating. It will be cheaper than purchasing new plumbing.
If taking water procedures while lying down is not important, you can completely replace the bath with a shower. In this case, decisions on the height of the pallet “save”. The higher it is, the greater the chance of taking water procedures such as showers and sitz baths.
To save on plumbing costs, professionals advise purchasing a sink with hooks rather than a pedestal. Moreover, you can install shelves and a cabinet under it, which will allow you to place personal shower accessories in a secluded place.
If we talk about product materials, the most economical solution would be models made from domestic earthenware. At the same time, its characteristics are not inferior to porcelain products.
Costs for the cheapest bathroom renovation (estimate)
The cost of repairs depends on two main factors - wishes and the expected amount. In the first case, the estimate includes the necessary materials and equipment. In the second, everything is purchased based on available funds.
The estimate includes the following items:
- Showers, faucets - water fittings.
- Finishing work.
- Installation work.
- Consumables and finishing materials.
- Communications, plumbing and equipment.
The price is affected by the brand and material. Do-it-yourself repairs will be cheaper. If this is not possible, it is worth hiring a team of workers; a more expensive option is the services of a specialized construction company.
Requirements for finishing materials for the bathroom
It is better to choose finishing materials for the bathroom and the entire apartment that will be easy to install. This is true even if the premises are renovated by hired workers. If the tiles or panels in the bathroom are damaged, it will be better if the homeowner himself can fix them without resorting to expensive repairs. Materials used for the bathroom must be moisture-resistant and antiseptic. The air in the bathroom is saturated with a huge amount of water vapor, which can gradually destroy the finish. Fungus can easily form in bathrooms due to dampness and poor ventilation. To avoid this, you should buy special antiseptic materials. When taking a hot shower or bath, the energy of the water is automatically transferred to the air, causing it to become very hot and have a destructive effect on the lining. Also, the materials should be different:
- ease of maintenance and operation;
- environmental friendliness;
- chemical resistance;
- high strength, etc.
