This Small-Bathroom Makeover Cost Just $500 Thanks to Clever DIY Upgrades

Bathroom makeovers don't need to cost thousands of dollars. Keeping track of a budget and using some DIY skills can make or break the cost of a bathroom remodel. Simple fixes, like repainting walls, refinishing an existing vanity, and updating outdated design details, will take your cheap small bathroom makeover from blah to beautiful. These homeowners were able to reinvent their bright pink bathroom into a timeless, neutral oasis that better fit their aesthetic. Instead of paying premium prices, they opted for affordable upgrades and used their DIY skills when they could. This small bathroom makeover on a budget was completely transformed for only $500.

Garish pink walls, stark white fixtures, outdated trim, and an oversize mirror made this small bathroom feel cramped. It was an eyesore rather than the soft, relaxing retreat the homeowners wanted. Armed with new paint and accent pieces, they went to work on their cheap small bathroom makeover.

Related: 14 Low-Cost Updates That Will Make Your Home Look Expensive

The homeowners decided to go with a neutral color scheme in their updated bathroom, which features a base of taupe walls. Black, white, various shades of brown, and a muted blue tone add color and contrast in the room's accessories. The existing vanity was painted and stained a rich brown, then sanded for a vintage look. New crystal hardware stands out against the deep color. Additional details—a new faucet and light fixture, a pretty backsplash above the sink—round out the vanity area. To solve the problem of the too-large mirror, they took the existing one to a glass cutter and had it trimmed to fit an inexpensive frame. These simple fixes made this an affordable small bathroom makeover.

John Bessler

In the previous room, a boring window frame wasn't doing the view any favors. Here, the trim was repainted a crisp white and updated with a budget-friendly window treatment. It was even no-sew! The homeowners stenciled a canvas drop cloth with a blue paint pen and used fusible web to join the two fabrics into an elegant valance. Printed artwork outfitted in matching black frames features inspirational quotes that serve as daily reminders next to the mirror. A new printed shower curtain echoes the hint of blue on the window valance.

John Bessler

When it came to the floor, vinyl tiles created the look of stone for less. Opposite the window, wall hooks offer a place to hang towels. A pale gray freestanding shelf tucks away wicker baskets for extra storage. The garden stool provides both fashion and function, and a serene landscape hung above it all instills an air of calm. Small bathroom makeovers on a budget can be extremely accessible with a little planning and a dedicated budget.

Get the Look: Bathroom Remodel Costs

A variety of DIY updates and new accessories kept this remodel on a budget. Evaluate what you already have, and look for items you can repaint or update rather than purchase new. Neutral colors are a good choice for a small space because you can switch things up with colorful, low-cost accessories when the mood strikes rather than redo the entire room. For an idea of what the homeowners spent, we've broken down their budget from most to least expensive below.

• Vinyl floor tiles: $100

• Faucet: $99

• Accessories: $94

• Light fixture: $50

• Shelving unit: $50

• Paint and supplies (walls, ceiling, trim): $45

• Backsplash tiles: $20

• Window shade: $20

• Paint and stain (vanity): $15

• DIY valance materials: $7