The Rock What Ya Got Budget Bathroom Makeover

By Mandi 04/25/2016

Ok so, you know when you’re just itching to do something but you don’t want to spend any money, and you walk around the house just looking for a victim?

Something that can be updated and makes a significant impact but doesn’t cost much? I’ve hated our bathrooms since we moved in. I feel like (especially the main one) stands out like a sore thumb with its glaring beigey-ness and sucky tile. But it sat, because I didn’t really know what direction to take it. I mean do we do a full on reno? Just paint the walls and maybe the cabinet?  Back and forth, back and forth.

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When I got serious about it about 2 months ago and started really looking at the logistics (instead of just thinking about it) I realized that we had a bunch of stuff already that would not only work beautifully, but tie it together with the rest of the house, I was EXCITED!

Enter the Rock What Ya Got Bathroom Makeover. This is like the budget of all budget makeovers. Speaking of budgets, ours is $750 for a complete bathroom remodel. Are we nuts?

After looking at what we could afford and what was still ok, we decided to keep the bathtub and surround (we would have spend our entire load on just that element) and the toilet. Everything else is getting the ax. Picture me doing the Alison “The Ax” Axelrod chop from Full House.

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Project number 1 was tile. Court and I are convinced that the worst job in the ENTIRE HOUSE is taking out tile. It is so laborious and dusty. The kind of dust that stinks and sucks all the moisture out of the air.

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The tile we used was left over from our kitchen. You can read all about why we chose it here. Plain and simple, its awesome.

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Our kitchen tile was laid in a herringbone pattern, but we decided to lay the floor in a 1/2 step or offset pattern in the bathroom because the space is small and the tile is very not small.

After the tile was laid, it was time to paint over the beige beast. I had a moment of panic after we put the primer coat on (remember this post?) because it made the tub and surround look yellow. But instead of using my normal white (White base with 3oz of white added) I used Alabaster, the same warmish white that I used in Brem’s Nursery. It added just the right amount of warmth to the wall color without looking yellow against the tile.

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Up next, the vanity!

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11 thoughts on “The Rock What Ya Got Budget Bathroom Makeover”

  1. Wow! It already looks so much better! Excited to see the vanity, I’m wondering what in the world to do with my own hideous bathroom, so your project should give me some fabulous inspiration!

  2. The tile looks great – and I always appreciate any inspiration that is using something you already have! It’s such a great example for the rest of us, to think through affordable options!

  3. Usually the order goes paint first and THEN tile but hey whatever works for ya. Lol. Just easier to be quick and dirty after clean up from old tile and while floor is still rough…that tip is for the beginner or wkd. DIYers…then u don’t have to be careful about new tile OR wait for it to cure/dry before standing on it to paint…can’t wait to see the Mandi touches that make it special!

  4. I have a little bathroom in my house that is in serious need of updating. Can’t wait to see yours when it is finished because I need inspiration!

  5. Dude!!! This looks awesome. Great budget! Love the rock what ya got idea! I have two shower surrounds and two bathrooms of ugly tile to remove at the new house! Heaven help us all. Dying to see the vanity next! Love your face!

  6. Your bathroom is looking very fresh! Love the tile…can’t wait to see what’s next!

  7. So far so good! I still am in awe at the alabaster white color bridging the gap between the warm and cool tones. It looks perfect!

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