5 budget bathroom renos

Posted 30 September, 2025 Andrew Rasch

If your bathroom’s looking tired, or you want to smarten it up before selling your house, you needn’t spend a fortune.

We have some simple, budget-conscious ways to make your bathroom look and feel welcoming and functional.

1. A vanity affair

After years of shower steam, teeth brushing and make-up spills, a bathroom vanity might be damaged or just look a little shabby. A new vanity is a quick and easy way to spruce up your bathroom.

With so many styles and materials available, you’ll find a vanity that’s stylish and affordable. Look for a unit with plenty of room for your personal items. Nobody ever said a house had too much storage space, especially in the bathroom. Consider a wall-hung vanity if you want to make your bathroom look bigger.

If you’re putting the new vanity in the same place, you shouldn’t have to reposition any plumbing but remember to measure the area first to make sure the new unit fits. If you’re handy around the house, you could have a crack at the job yourself. But if there’s new plumbing involved, or the thought of getting a perfect silicone seal with a caulking gun gives you nightmares, call in an expert.

2. Bathroom brush hour

There’s nothing like a new coat of paint to freshen up your bathroom. If you’re selling, consider the colour scheme. You may love lime green or pink walls, but neutral colours will appeal to the highest number of potential buyers.

If your tiles are drab, have a go at painting them to give the room a fresh look, but follow the safety precautions and use recommended equipment. First, replace or repair missing or damaged tiles, grout and silicone. Clean and lightly sand the tiles to help the paint stick and then apply a tile-specific primer. Choose paint designed for tiles, such as a moisture-resistant water-based enamel.

Remember, in wet areas, use a durable paint that can handle high humidity and moisture. Look for paints with mould and mildew inhibitors to save yourself some scrubbing later.

3. Suds and sensibility

If you have a 1970s PVC shower curtain with a pink and purple cartoon hippo or a dreary old, cracked shower screen, it’s time to thank them for their service and move on. If you’re keeping your shower curtain, you’ll find plenty of relatively cheap styles and colours but look for environmentally friendlier options such as cotton or linen, rather than plastic. Add some new curtain rings for extra pizzaz.

Replacing or installing a shower screen doesn’t have to break the bank. Frameless and semi-frameless shower screens can cost a motza, but you’ll find reasonably priced framed versions from hardware stores and specialist bathroom suppliers. If you’re replacing a sliding-door shower screen, make sure you have enough clearance for the new door.

4. Tap into style

Replace your taps and shower head to give your bathroom an instant lift. You’ll find numerous options on the market – mixer taps, separate hot and cold taps, low-flow shower heads, all in stainless steel, white brushed gold, or matte black – the choices are endless.

Replacing taps can be DIY-friendly but only if you know what you’re doing. If you’re not confident, arrange a plumber – you’d probably rather not have your hard work ruined by a burst pipe or leaky tap.

While you’re at it, update your fittings too, but be aware of the wiring and plumbing within your wall cavities. A new toilet seat, towel rails, toilet-roll holders, and shelving will make your bathroom feel and look fresh and functional. If you’re moving the fittings, position them correctly – you want your towels close when you exit the shower, and the toilet roll holder within comfortable reach. A stylish new mirror will also create the illusion of space, even if your bathroom is on the small side.

5. From dim to dazzling

An old-fashioned light bulb hanging from the ceiling won’t set the mood in your nice new bathroom. The right lighting makes all the difference and there are so many options. Before shopping for new lights, take note of the natural light your bathroom receives and plan accordingly. Would downlights work best? How about a new mirror light or a heat lamp on the ceiling? Whatever you choose, make sure they’re functional, attractive and can handle the bathroom humidity.

A loud, rattly bathroom exhaust fan is a daily annoyance, but you can pick up a bright, quiet new one without destroying your budget. Never install new lighting or other electrical items yourself – always consult a professional electrician.