Renovating on a budget involves careful planning and starting with a simple checklist outlining all the tasks that need to happen in order to renovate your bathroom, as well as the fittings and fixtures that are required to purchase for the transformation. Things can quickly add up in a renovation, especially a wet area like a bathroom so having an understanding of where your money will go is a good starting point. Generally speaking, labour and materials are a given and then set aside a contingency sum for the unexpected expenses that could be discovered during the renovation.

Here are my top tips to consider when renovating on a budget.

1. Keep your existing layout.

Often the most costly and labour-intensive parts of a bathroom renovation can be the plumbing if it involves relocating and changing positions of pipes. So if your existing bathroom layout works and functions well, a budget-friendly solution is to update all the fittings and fixtures but keep the layout the same.

2. Change out the fittings!

It’s amazing what an impact simply updating the fittings can do in a bathroom space and CLARK makes it super easy for you to do just that. Most of their products cater to a straight swap and change out making it an affordable option with maximum impact. When choosing your new fittings, consider how they are going to work with the other features of your bathroom and the entirety of the house. For instance, do you have chrome or silver accents in the rest of your home? Or are you wanting to include matte black details for a more modern aesthetic?

3. Consider re-painting or re-grouting your tiles.

Tiles definitely make or break a bathroom, and it’s one of the first things you notice if the bathroom feels drab or outdated. If your tiles are in good condition, but you are sick of the colour, consider repainting the tiles. Not all paints are created equal, so definitely do your research or consider hiring a team that resurfaces tiles. You could potentially save a bunch on the cost of tiles, relaying, and waterproofing. Alternatively, if you have tiles that are in good condition and colour, consider having them regrouted to refresh them and feel like new again!

4. Paint your old vanity and update the mirror.

If your bathroom vanity is structurally sound and better yet timber, try repainting the cabinet. There are even paints on the market now designed to adhere to laminate. With a few supplies from your local hardware and a weekend dedicated to a DIY you could spruce an existing piece and save thousands. Change out the handles or knobs, mirror, update the basin and tap and voila! Consider how much space or impact the vanity will make to the renovation, is it something that is the main focal point or the first thing you will see upon entering for instance? Will painting it a fresh neutral improve the overall look whilst saving you money or can you find a new off-the-shelf version that is affordable?

5. Make smart choices.

If you’re budget-driven do your homework on tile prices between competitors but don’t skimp on quality for your tiles and fittings. I always recommend looking for a good quality porcelain tile with a rectified edge and a high-quality fitting for your budget. CLARK is ideal because they believe good design does not have to cost a fortune. If you’re really wanting an accent tile or mosaic, for instance, think about a wall or position to add impact in a smaller dose, saving you money for tiles and labour (generally speaking mosaic tiles cost a lot more to lay than your standard tile sizes) and also consider if you are going to be staying in your home for many years or if it is an investment property, don’t overcapitalise.