Small Bathroom Makeover Under $2,750

4 Materials
$2605
15 Days
Medium
The only full bathroom is the biggest renovation project to take on in our tiny apartment makeover, but it is proving to have the biggest impact! With the neutral tile we selected, I wanted to have a little fun with the paint color.
The only bathroom in the investment rental unit remodel project needed a complete bathroom remodel overhaul. It was so outdated. Plus, can you believe this place NEVER had a fan or ventilation of ANY KIND?! Gross. Water equals germs and mold. And there was a plywood ceiling, plus a dinky light. Thus a full bathroom budget remodel was a necessity in this flip project.
From the awful 50s bathroom with green plastic shower casing., we had a great opportunity to make a major improvement.
We gutted the bathroom. There’s a special place in h*ll for people that decide to install wallpaper. Four weeks of attempting to remove layers of paper by scrapper, steamer and chemical stripping later, I had successfully destroyed by hands and skin and will to live – but barely made a mark on removing the disgusting bathroom and kitchen 70’s wall paper. Seriously I will NEVER EVER choose to install wallpaper into any future project I am a part of and encourage you all to do the same. Simply for the sake of karma. No one should be subjected to stripping wall paper.
This is the tile that my BF and I selected from The Home Depot. The BF's requirement was that the tile had to be less than a dollar per square foot. My personal (more important) requirement was that it didn't’ have a trace of brown, beige, orange or red. This was a big, stressful decision just because we had a lot going on all at the same time. We were both feeling the stress of the fact that this project is all risky, uncharted territory for us – especially as a young couple. We settled on this oversized grey tile with a marbled or polished finish. Grey tile was a safe, neutral choice for this rental, but also more modern and clean than a tile with a warmer undertone would be. Selecting to grout was also an important choice. We went with a very light and creamy grey, not making too much of a statement in contrast. I was just not really a fan of the idea of using a stark white or dark grout, too much of a contrast for this type of generic apartment.
With the neutral tile we selected, I wanted to have a little fun with the paint color. I picked Spruce Shade by PPG Paints from the Voice of Color palette. I was drawn to this color having really been inspired by the 2016 paint color of the year, Paradise Found. This Spruce Shade paint color is a just a bit lighter and brighter than Paradise Found, which is a bit more of an army and natural green. I seriously love the color. It is a fun color, but still a subtle & soft backdrop for such a small space. The neutral tile, white trim and natural light in the space really bring everything together. By the way if you're in the market for paint there is a 50% off coupon for PPG Paints paint products and 25% off sundries like brushes & other supplies on my blog http://wp.me/p7RgbX-er
Bathroom plumbing, tiling and fixture installation was all handled by a contractor. The ceiling was replaced with today’s sophisticated drywall actually suitable for bathrooms. The shower was tiled in with new hardware and framing. The floor was tiled. The vanity was replaced and a new light fixture installed. A new toilet was a installed. And most importantly a fan with proper ventilation to the exterior was installed.
Finding the perfect shower curtain ties the color scheme all together at Home Goods by Cynthia Rowley.
I incorporated a few pieces of silver mercury glass, a unique soap dispenser from Home Goods, and a vintage turquoise Ball mason jar for accessories. Here is an estimated list of costs involved in flipping this tiny Pittsburgh bathroom: $2,675 - Contractor fees : $2,000 - Paint: $20 Hardiebacker: $50 - Tile & grout : $100 - Vanity $139 - Glacier Bay package from the Home Depot included the cabinet, sink counter top, fixture and plumbing! Similar to this package - Medicine Cabinet : $60 - extremely basic version from the Home Depot (I did NOT get to pick it) - Toilet: $150 - middle of the range from the Home Depot - Light - $65 - extremely basic version from the Home Depot - Over the toilet storage cabinet - $79 from the Home Depot - Toilet Roll Holder : $15 - Soap Dispenser: $12 - Shower Curtain: $25 - My sanity, free time (BF likes to spend HOURS making purchase decisions at the Home Depot) and labor: $PRICELESS
Suggested materials:
  • PPG Paints Manor Hall in Spruce Shade   (PPG Paints Store)
  • Eclipse Grey Glazed Floor tile   (The Home Depot)
  • Renditions 24-3/4 in. W Vanity in Java Oak with Solid Surface Technology Vanity Top in Wheat   (The Home Depot)
See all materials
Moscatoismymantra
Want more details about this and other DIY projects? Check out my blog post!
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Frequently asked questions
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3 of 7 questions
  • Geb23460218 Geb23460218 on Nov 20, 2017

    What was the dimensions of the bathroom?

  • Lorelle Hinote Lorelle Hinote on Mar 20, 2018

    Love the remodel! Turned out beautiful.

    What are the dimensions of your bathroom? We are remodeling our bathroom and I am trying to compare size of ours to yours :)

  • Debbie Kelly Debbie Kelly on Jul 17, 2018

    I have removed the wallpaper - but now need to add texture to the Sheetrock before I paint. Did you do this?

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  • Lou Lou on Feb 27, 2017
    It turned out beautiful! We are planning on re-doing our bathroom. But we are moving the wall where window is our 4 ft. Thanks for sharing, you have given me ideas on how to go about it.
  • Bla33481411 Bla33481411 on Jul 22, 2018

    I am re making,re doing my bath. Its 1962 modular . I took the tub out,put in walk in shower. I do not use tubs,no kids,and fractured back. Now,I finished repainting,Mink Grey by Sherwin Williams and a blush pink,Martha Stuarts Ballet Slipper Pink. The Mink grey has a maroon and brown base. Absolutely gorgeous and feminine. I have bone white vynyl walls half way up,put in with shower . Shower curtain is the bone white Waterfall,matching valance for one window. I will post picture when thru. So all can help me with adjustments. I am framing wall mirror now, cutting up vanity for white towells, and my grey and pink towells I put in a wine rack . Wow. For all...take it slow. If I do not feel like working one day ,I don't. I find it a more enjoyable project. So ,pictures are coming. Another couple days. Its all out of pocket,that tends to slow one down also.


    Ty to all. We need more to post of everyone's  pictures!My bedroom,green brocade on sidewalls and a velvet red,gold,pink green tapestry from Italy I hung above my bed. Love dark colors. Windows are bronze lace.


    Thanks,from Alaska.....

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