When you go up your staircase every day, does it annoy the heck out of you how old and dated they look? Not sure if you are ready to tackle a staircase makeover yourself?
Do you have ugly carpeted stairs, and want something more modern and sleek?
This is the post for you. I’ll show you step-by-step how we did our recent DIY staircase makeover. We transformed our 1970’s floating stairs from dated icky beige carpet to sleek and modern black wood steps – mainly using the magic of paint.
Save to Pinterest for later!
Just about anyone can do a DIY staircase makeover. All you need is a little willpower and be willing to put in some elbow grease.
This is a pretty big project if your stairs are like ours, and you use them 20 times a day. However, using this method to go from carpet to wood is far cheaper than the many thousands a new stair railing or professionally refaced stairs will cost. So, let’s get started on this DIY staircase makeover adventure.
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases, at NO extra cost to you.
Step 1: Inspect your stairs
The first step in your staircase makeover, is you need to see what you are working with. We did this by peeling back the carpet from one of the stairs in a hidden spot. You want to see if you have cheap plywood or actual real wood under any carpet.
We were lucky and our floating stairs were one piece of solid wood. We decided to paint both the wood stairs and the railing the same color. For paint color, we chose Behr Cracked Pepper – a very dark grey/black color, to go with our grey luxury vinyl flooring.
Step 2: Paint the railing first
Stair Railing Before
Stair Railing After
We did our railings first. The thought was that if paint dripped onto the stairs I wouldn’t be upset since I had not worked on them yet.
Prep the railings
Remove old paint
Painting the railings would have been 500% faster had I not decided to strip the old paint from the wood banister (the part you put your hand on). I used Citristrip to peel off all the old paint.
There were around 5 or 7 layers of paint, so I had to apply it (letting it sit overnight with Saran Wrap around it) THREE times. I had to scrape the paint off with a putty knife each time. After all that, I used mineral spirits to get off all the residue.
Citristrip working to peel off old paint from railing
Since I was painting and not staining the railing, there really was not much need to remove the old paint for my DIY staircase makeover. It did make the final product much smoother and will be more durable though.
Fill in damage and sand
After removing the old paint, I lightly sanded (by hand) and filled in some gouges in the wood with wood putty.
Apply Primer to Railing
After sanding and removing all dust with a microfiber cloth, I applied Killz 2 Latex All Purpose Primer so the paint would stick and be durable.
Paint the Railing
Used a roller and paint brush to paint the railing
For painting the railing I used a quart of basic Behr latex paint in satin finish, and had it tinted Behr Cracked Pepper.
For my technique, I would paint the top and bottom with a brush, then use a small foam roller to paint the sides and “smooth out” the paintbrush lines on the top and bottom.
I did the same for the spindles – used a brush to apply the paint, but then smoothed it out with a once over from the foam roller.
Step 3: Remove carpet and prep stairs
Remove carpet and staples
OK – I’m going to be honest – removing carpeting, and in particular carpet staples STINKS. I removed hundreds, if not over 1000 tiny staples from our stairs. It was tedious. BUT so worth it for the final product.
My hubby ripped off the carpeting, but removing the staples was left to me. The best tools for the job are a staple puller and a pliers, plus safety goggles (for your eyes).
The BEST tool for removing carpet staples is the Arrow Staple Puller from Home Depot. Trust me, I literally tried every tool you could think of.
Here is a full photo and clickable link for this amazing tool:
Repair any damage
It took over a week for me to pull all those dang staples. After that, it was time to make repairs. We fixed loose stairs, then filled in staple holes and gouges with putty.
To fix the loose stairs with gaps my hubby put in shims and countersink screws to secure our creaky stairs. Now they are silent when you walk on them, which is awesome.
I used wood putty to fill in some of the hundreds of staple holes and gouges.
Sand the stairs
The stairs were raw wood from 1975 that had never been sanded – so it was extremely rough.
We used a 1/4 sheet sander from Ridgid for this job, which I got from Home Depot. I chose this because it has a nifty dust collection system that helps capture dust. You still need some dust mitigation like plastic sheeting, but I felt this sander really helped:
The stairs were sanded with three different grades of sandpaper to get a smooth finish. Start sanding with the roughest sandpaper (like 80), then gradually go to finer grit like a 120, then finish off with 220 grit.
Remove all dust
After sanding, you need to remove ALL the dust to ensure paint looks perfect. I used a small broom, then microfiber cloth, then Supertuff tack cloth (from Amazon).
Step 4: Paint the stairs
First Apply Primer
Painting day was finally here so I taped off the parts I didn’t want paint on (using green Gorilla tape) and got my primer on. I’m a fan of Killz 2 Latex All Purpose Primer because it works well and it’s not expensive. I waited a day and then applied my paint next.
Then Apply Paint
I painted the stairs using
Two coats of paint did the trick, probably thanks to the Kilz primer. Here’s every other stair painted. We were able to walk on the white ones while the painted stairs dried.
Lastly, Apply Topcoat
After 2 coats of paint, I applied THREE coats of topcoat to protect the paint and get maximum durability. We used Varathane Ultimate Polyurethane in Semi Gloss from Home Depot.
I did sand one of the steps in between coats (per the directions) but felt it messed up the final finish so didn’t do that on all of them. My recommendation is NOT to sand in between any topcoats to get a smooth finish.
For extra safety, I added in Seal Krete Clear-Grip non-slip paint additive that helps prevent slips from walking down the stairs in socks. You add it to your LAST coat of polyurethane and it’s invisible but helps your feet grip the stairs.
Once every other stair was done, I had to go back and do the whole process on the other stairs. In the end, it took about a week for all the painting (I do work full time, have a toddler, and write a blog so my spare time isn’t that plentiful).
Here is the final product:
If you like this post, please share on Pinterest – it helps spread the word.
Wrap Up & FAQ
Here’s a final before and after: from beige carpet to sleek black staircase. I was SO glad to be done, and so proud of my staircase makeover. My updated stairs now went with the rest of my home, matching the grey flooring throughout as well as having more modern, clean lines.
Before we go, I wanted to answer a few FAQ about this project:
How much does it cost to redo a staircase?
My DIY staircase makeover was well under $500. Some of the things I purchased: primer, paint, polyeurethane, 1/4 sheet sander, sandpaper, tack cloth, plastic tarps, painters tape, paintbrush, foam roller, staple remover.
I would say a professionally installed new custom metal stair railing is $5000 – $10,000. A completely new set of stairs and railing is likely $10,000 – $20,000 (or more) installed, and may need permits since there are all sorts of safety issues with stairs.
How do you modernize a staircase?
Making a staircase look more modern isn’t too difficult, and can be done mainly with paint. You can find a more modern color palette by searching on Pinterest and a little elbow grease.
Another way to modernize your stairs is to remove any carpeting or change out your rug runner.
If your stairs are stained wood, you can paint them or stain them a new color to change them up.
If you have a very dated stair railing, you may want to have a new metal or cable railing installed to give it a more modern flair. You can paint or reface the existing steps.
What to use to fill gaps in stairs?
Our stairs had huge gaps on either side, we used wood shims and a LOT of wood putty to fill in the gaps.
To make the stairs more secure, we drilled in countersink wood screws from the top through to the side of the stairs. The countersink helps you put the head of the screw below the surface of the wood, so it doesn’t create a trip hazard. This helped fix all our squeaky stairs too.
Hope this helps you do your own DIY staircase makeover with confidence. I would love to know if you have any questions about my project. Leave a comment below.
Want to remodel your bathroom and think you can DIY most of it, but don’t have the skills to take on a full-on shower remodel?
Have you seen a recent TV ad for a shower remodel in “One Day” and want to know what it’s actually like to go through the experience?
Well, this post providing a Dreamstyle Remodeling review for our shower remodel may be just for you. I’m sharing an unbiased review of Dreamstyle acrylic shower systems from start to finish. I had Dreamstyle custom fit and install two brand new remodeled showers for our condo, during the summer of 2020.
After reading this review, you should feel confident in making a decision about using Dreamstyle (or a similar shower remodeling company) to help you complete your bathroom and shower remodel.
Don’t have time to read now, save to Pinterest for later…
Dreamstyle Remodeling is a remodeling company specializing in full tub/shower remodels and tub to shower conversions.
They can install a new shower or tub, with a custom-fit acrylic enclosure, in about 2-3 days. These are not ceramic/stone tile shower walls, the enclosure is made from acrylic so you never have any grout to clean (yay!).
We decided to do a tub to shower conversion in the owner’s bathroom. We also had Dreamstyle renovate our guest bathroom’s tub/shower combo to a brand new one.
Full Disclosure: We purchased this shower system on our own and had NO discounts or compensation from Dreamstyle for this review. All opinions are my own and I am providing a fair and unbiased review of Dreamstyle Remodeling based on my own personal experience in the summer of 2020. I do not have any affiliation with Dreamstyle Remodeling.
Initial Contact
Here’s the “before” that we were working with:
These two beige baddies were itching to get made-over.
We had old, beige, builder grade tile shower/tub combos (above) that were unattractive and needed updating badly. We knew we wanted to hire a professional since we didn’t have the DIY skills to tackle this project with confidence.
Why choose Dreamstyle Remodeling for your shower remodel?
Dreamstyle Remodeling is a remodeling company, founded in 1989, based in the Southwestern USA. They specialize in bathroom remodeling, and also window and door replacement. Here’s why we chose Dreamstyle Remodeling for our shower remodel:
Using a general contractor for a traditional tile remodel takes a long time and the labor is very expensive in Southern California.
We wanted a company that offered financing, which most general contractors do not (you have to pay half in advance or pay in installments as the work gets done).
Some acrylic shower installers place the new shower/tub over your existing one. Ours was pretty old and smelled like mildew so we wanted the old one replaced.
We don’t live in a super high-end home, so acrylic would be perfectly acceptable to a lot of buyers in our price point (this wasn’t our forever home).
We received a couple of flyers from Dreamstyle offering a great financing special, which really is what drove me to pick up the phone.
So, I called Dreamstyle Remodeling to try to get a cost estimate, which they would not give me over the phone. Their person took my info and made an appointment for a sales visit. The sales person, Mike, was here within a couple of days.
Sales Appointment
The sales appointment took about 2.5 hours from start to finish, on Saturday May 29, 2020. He was right on time and came with lots of samples of the different acrylic wall types and fixture choices (they use Kohler fixtures).
Acrylic wall options
Dreamstyle Shower Systems has a variety of acrylic wall styles to choose from. They seem to offer wall styles from: Kohler, Jacuzzi, and Bathwraps. Kohler and Jacuzzi are more expensive than the Bathwraps walls.
They offer a lot of different colors and patterns for the walls: solid white, off white, beige, and a variety of “stone look” patterns.
Dreamstyle Remodeling also has any of their colors/patterns available with different “impressions” in them to simulate tiles – like subway tiles, squares, etc. The Bathwraps website shows a lot of the styles and textures they have available, and these were the most affordable options.
Close up of acrylic walls that look like white subway tile, along with antique bronze Kohler fixtures
The Kohler shower walls they carry are significantly more expensive (by a few thousand dollars) than what he was showing us, although the patterns and designs are quite beautiful. We decided to go with the Bathwraps shower walls, since we wanted a classic white subway tile-look design.
Tub or shower pan option
Some of the other options are choosing either an acrylic tub or a walk in shower. For the tub, I believe it comes in white or off white.
The shower has a couple of options. One option is an acrylic shower pan like you would buy at Home Depot. Or you can get the premium shower pan which is $600 more but more heavy, and less likely to crack or discolor. This shower pan is custom made for your exact space.
Fixture options:
Kohler showerhead in chrome
The fixtures they carry are all Kohler fixtures. The finishes to choose from are: brushed nickel, chrome, or antique bronze.
Glass door options:
Dreamstyle Remodeling also offers glass doors for either the shower or the tub option. They offer them in brushed nickel, chrome, and black finishes.
Here is what we selected for each bathroom:
Owner’s bathroom selections (tub to shower conversion)
White subway tile-look acrylic shower wall (from Bathwraps)
Two shower shelves (included)
Shower seat (extra cost)
Heavy, premium white shower pan ($600 extra)
Antique bronze Kohler shower fixtures (included)
Black trim on shower door (extra cost)
Guest Bathroom selections (tub/shower combo)
White subway tile-look acrylic shower wall (tub/shower combo)
Acrylic tub – white
Two shelves (included)
Kohler chrome shower fixtures
Install info
Here were the main benefits we took away from the sales pitch:
Dreamstyle will do ALL the work themselves (no subcontractors) using 2 installers.
Each shower can be done in a couple of days
There is a LIFETIME Guarantee on all their work & materials.
They rip out all the old tile and tub, and haul the old stuff away.
Plus they totally re-do the plumbing, which if you’ve ever hired a plumber – that’s worth a LOT of money right there.
If they find anything really bad once they do the demo, they will give you a quote for the repair, but it will be in addition to the basic install price.
Dreamstyle Showers Cost
Dreamstyle was open to negotiations on our shower remodels, especially since we decided to do both bathrooms – so negotiate for sure! We ended up doing 2 shower systems for around $15,500, and got a great financing deal (which can depend on your credit score, etc). Keep in mind this is in San Diego, California – so labor prices are quite high in this area of the country.
The bathtub/shower combo was around $6500 – $8000. The tub to shower conversion was around $8,000 – $10,000.The shower is more expensive because of the premium shower pan and glass shower doors.
I know this is a LOT of money, but keep in mind these are licensed contractors and they were going to get each shower done in a couple of days – not the weeks you would normally spend doing tile showers. Plus the materials are custom made and fit to your exact space.
By the end, after we purchased, we had made an appointment for our measurements, on Tuesday 6/2/20 from 9-10am. They said our shower install would not be until 5 – 8 weeks from when we had our measurements done.
Measurements
The guy came for measurements on Tuesday 6/2/20 around 9 am. He was professional and quick – the whole thing took about 30 minutes.
He went over the whole process with me. At the end, he said the lead time is really more like 8-10 weeks, as they were having a holdup w/ the shower pans due to COVID-19, which are made in the Midwest.
Waiting for Dreamstyle Shower Remodel
We waited quite a while for the actual installation, about 10 weeks from the measurements. During this time we actually updated the rest of the bathrooms, changing out the flooring, vanity, mirrors, and lighting. See my article DIY Bathroom Remodel: Beginner’s Guide for more details on the full remodel of both our bathrooms.
Some of the updates we made while we waited for our showers: New paint (Behr Pixel White), vanity, toilet, and luxury vinyl flooring.
I contacted Dreamstyle Remodeling a couple of times in July for an update. I didn’t not hear from Dreamstyle until Saturday, August 8, 2020, when Vinnie left me a voice mail to schedule our shower remodel.
Spoke to Vinnie and the install was scheduled for Monday, 8/17/20, at 8am. This was about 11 weeks we had to wait from when we signed the contract to when the install started. I will note this occured during the pandemic related to COVID-19, so I will cut them some slack.
Owner’s Bathroom: Tub to Shower Conversion
Demo day!
Monday: This was demo day and minor repair to some of the framing (very loud if you are home during the install). We got pretty lucky and they didn’t find too much damage to the studs (our house was build in the 70’s) . They put in one reinforced 2×4 to a damaged area.
Tuesday: Plumbing and water resistant drywall went up.
Wednesday: Install shower pan and put up walls, install fixtures. Add shelves and seat, then caulking. We got to pick out where we wanted the seat and the shelves.
Minor snafu:
We had antique bronze fixtures in one bathroom and chrome in the other. They accidentally installed the wrong finish in the owner’s bathroom, and had to re-install the correct ones (which they did quickly).
Finished product!
Thursday: Install shower door (different guys came in for shower doors), finalize caulking on seat.
Friday: Had to wait for caulk to dry. Full use of shower back by the afternoon.
Hallway Bathroom: Tub/Shower Combo
Before photo of our hallway tub/shower combo
Wednesday: Demo tub and shower (very loud if you happen to be working from home)
After demo of our hallway tub/shower combo
Thursday: Framing and plumbing, cut tub and walls to fit. A lot of issues getting the tub to fit as it seemed like the measurements were off. He had to cut the edges of the tub to make it fit.
Friday: Install water resistant drywall, tub, cut and install enclosure. Install fixtures, shelves, caulking. You get to pick where to put the shelves so make sure someone is around to do that.
Saturday: Wait for caulk to dry. Get to use bathtub in the afternoon.
Check out a full tour of our remodeled shower/tub combo right here:
Post-Install Inspection
Once the installers were done, there were 2 opportunities for an inspection. Before the installer left, then when a post-job inspector came. Here’s a little video showing the new shower system in the owner’s bathroom:
Short video showing the Dreamstyle Shower system in our Owner’s Bathroom
We scheduled the post-install inspection the following week. We showed the inspector some of the things we were not happy with, and they created a punch list of sorts to have someone come back and address. Here’s our punch list:
Shower doors leaking small amount of water on floor
Minor damage on ceiling from removing old tile
Need to caulk knob cover
We noticed the tub was “creaking” when you stepped into it, so they agreed to fill w/ foam underneath by cutting into wall behind it.
The punch list took weeks for them to address, by the way. The good thing is our financing payments did not start until the punch list was complete so we were not in any hurry, as the issues were very minor.
So, our first payment was not due until November 15, 2020. But they had installed it back in the week of August 17, 2020 so we were enjoying our new showers for a couple of months before we had to start making any payments.
Final Product – Dreamstyle Shower Remodel
Let’s check out some of the before and after photos, one more time. Here’s our owner’s suite tub to shower conversion before and after:
Before
After
Here’s our Dreamstyle Remodeling Shower Tub Combo remodel:
Before
After
They got our Dreamstyle Shower Systems installed for BOTH bathrooms in ONE week, folks! This is amazing!
A normal replacement for two different tiled shower enclosures would definitely take at least twice as long for the install, since you have to wait for mortar and grout to dry before going to the next step.
Overall, the pros definitely outweighed the cons. Here’s a recap…
Pros and Cons of Dreamstyle Shower Remodel
Pros:
Quick install compared to tile with grout
No subcontractors to deal with – the installers did everything from demo to plumbing to framing and the final installation.
Dreamstyle, being a large company, offers great financing options to help make it more affordable through a payment plan.
No grout to clean – ever!
A lifetime warranty puts my mind at ease if there is ever any staining or leaks. If you got tile installed by some tile contractor – there would not be any warranty, trust me.
The quality is really nice – you can get a variety of options of colors and styles.
You can get a smooth surface or different brick patterns imprinted into the acrylic.
They provide and install the shower or tub doors for you. If you do tile, you typically have to hire a separate shower door guy for that kind of work.
Post-install inspection and Dreamstyle willing to fix issues to make you happy.
Cons:
Long wait time – a little less than 3 months from when we signed the deal until both showers were fully installed.
A day without a shower – we chose to do both our showers in the same week, and ended up having one day where we had no shower. Not ideal, but we rolled we had somewhere else to go shower.
They have stone-look printed options for their acrylic enclosures, but they weren’t very appealing to me – the solid colors were more our style.
If you are in a very expensive high-end home and are concerned about resale value – many high-end buyers are more impressed by ceramic or stone tile, than acrylic, in general.
Recommendation
Sharing is caring, if you like this article, please share to Pinterest…
I would definitely recommend a Dreamstyle Shower System to anyone looking to update their bathroom.
The installation process was quick, easy, high quality, and they have great financing deals to make it more affordable.
The main “con” is the long wait (11 weeks) before installation began, which may or may not have been related to COVID. Probably not the best option for a “house flipper,” but if you can wait, it’s worth it.
I hope this review helps you make an informed decision to make your bathroom more beautiful and modern. Our install was in August 2020, so feel free to contact me if you want to see how it’s held up over time. If you have any questions, please leave a comment below – I’d be happy to answer.
Have you lived in your home for a while, and are just fed up with how your kitchen looks, and need a kitchen makeover ASAP?
Did you just buy a new (to you) house, but it’s got a kitchen from the previous decade (or century)?
This post is for you, my friend. We will give you seven of the best cheap kitchen makeover ideas to help you create a modern and contemporary space to cook, eat, and entertain.
By the end of this post, you will have 7 amazing design ideas to reface or replace most of your kitchen, while staying on a shoestring budget. Let’s get cookin’!
Don’t have time right now? Save to Pinterest for later.
Paint the walls for a fast kitchen makeover
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases, at NO extra cost to you.
This one seems like a no brainer, right? Well a lot of times you buy a home and the kitchen is just awful, and you just want to gut it. Before you pick up the sledgehammer – try picking up a paintbrush instead.
Paint can completely transform a space, taking it from dark and dingy to bright and light. Check out the paint transformation on our first kitchen makeover:
Before
After
I had dark, goldish brown wall paint before, and swapped it our for a nice light beige.
Smaller kitchens especially can use light paint to make them seem larger – think white, grey, beige, or even a light green or aqua. Make sure you pick your whole house color scheme first so you don’t have every room a different color.
Paint the cabinets
Photo: Jelena Mirkovic via Unsplash
This is one of the biggest “bang for your buck” cheap kitchen makeover ideas, especially if you do it yourself. New cabinets can run from $5k to $20k, but painting your kitchen cabinets yourself can cost as little as $200!
This one isn’t super quick if you DIY, but it’s certainly faster than a full down-to-the-studs remodel. I painted all my cabinets myself in less than a month in my “spare time.” End result below.
I used Rustoleum Cabinet Transformations kit in Espresso. The only thing I would change is the top coat (it was too sticky when I applied so was hard to get perfectly smooth), just use a different polyeurethane top coat and you should be set.
Rustoleum Cabinet paint held up great – we lived there 2 years after I painted the cabinets. It comes in several colors, from Espresso to White, click on the image below to take you to HomeDepot.com to check it out.
In terms of picking out a color, white is always timeless, and an off white would go with beige or warm wood floors.
Hardware can make your kitchen feel WAY more modern, and it’s quick and easy to change. The easiest way is to find something that “fits” in the existing holes in your cabinets. So pulls and handles the same approximate shape as the existing ones.
Amazon has a HUGE selection of modern and affordable knobs, pulls, and handles. Here are a couple of my faves (the first is nearly identical to my own kitchen cabinet hardware, above):
Replace or reface the countertops
Photo: Watermark Designs via Unsplash
Old countertops can be ugly, let’s face it. There are a bunch of options to improve countertops for your kitchen makeover.
Option 1: Replace countertops and sink. You could DIY, but we decided to hire a local contractor for this job in our old place. We replaced old tile countertops with really affordable (but nice) laminate ones from Lowes: VT Dimensions Formica Lapidus Brown Laminate Kitchen Countertop. They replicated a granite countertop and looked great, this project was less than $1000.
Our new countertops were laminate but looked like real granite
Option 2: Reface your countertops. You can do this by painting or applying a contact paper cover up. This will likely be more of a short term fix, so don’t expect it to last more than a couple of years. Don’t place anything hot on the countertops if you do this (get yourself a nice trivet).
Some modern light colored countertop painting kits from Home Depot (both highly rated):
A lot of kitchens have lighting that makes them look dated. Luckily, this is an easy fix, especially if you just replace versus reconfigure. Lighting is an easy and cheap kitchen makeover idea, especially if you buy an inexpensive option.
Our old kitchen had one of these babies in the dining area:
We actually replaced this vintage beauty with an LED track lighting fixture for less than $50, similar to this one from Amazon: Modern LED Track Lighting Kit. What a dramatic change right?
The key to updating lighting is to find something with a similar base to the existing fixture. That tends to be easy to swap out yourself. Anything else, like installing recessed lights, may require hiring an electrician.
Pendant lights can be swapped out too, if you have them. Here are a few of my favorite affordable and modern pendant lights from Amazon. Each is around $50 or less:
Update backsplash
Add or replace tile backsplash
Oh backsplash, how do I love thee? A lot of older homes don’t have any backsplash at all, so adding one is pretty easy, and you can DIY if you keep it to a simple tile pattern or mosaic.
For our kitchen makeover below, we ripped out the cabinet and small hood above the stove, and replaced it with a modern vent hood. Then, we put up a mosaic tile backsplash ourselves, all the way to the ceiling.
This DIY backsplash project was really easy, we didn’t even use a tile saw since the tiles were very small. I suggest sticking with a mosaic or an easy pattern if it’s your first time, something like a herringbone pattern can be tricky to do yourself. Our new backsplash created a nice focal point for our cheap kitchen makeover and was less than $200.
DIY backsplash taken all the way to the ceiling
Reface backsplash
Another even easier way to add a backsplash is to use peel and stick backsplash. This is basically like a sticker that you can put up over existing tile or your wall. No grout or mortar needed!
Here are a few modern and contemporary peel and stick backsplash options to inspire you. These may seem expensive, but if you do it yourself, vs hiring a tile installer, it ends up being less expensive (and much faster).
A final option is to use tile paint to actually paint the existing tile backsplash. This takes a little more skill but can pay off big time in terms of savings.
Update appliances for your kitchen makeover
OK, so this one’s not “cheap” if you want to replace all your appliances with top of the line, super fancy appliances. But, updated appliances can completely transform a kitchen without doing anything else.
New appliances can completely change a kitchen
Replace appliances
A decent set of a refrigerator, dishwasher and range can run you around $2500-$4000 if you buy on sale (most big box stores put appliances on sale at almost every major holiday). This is way less than a full remodel of your kitchen (which could be $15k – $45k).
A lot of places like Lowes and Home Depot have financing deals at 0% interest (if you have good credit) for a year or more. Financing is a good option so you don’t have to take a bunch of cash out of your pocket all up front, you can pay it off over time.
Reface appliances
OK, so this one is super thrifty, but there is actually stainless steel appliances stickers. $10 on Amazon, and with over 1300 reviews with 4 stars, it can’t hurt to try?
Wrap up of cheap kitchen makeover ideas
Sharing is caring! If you like this post, please share…
Ok, that was fast and furious but now you have the best cheap kitchen makeover ideas to reface and replace your kitchen while taking it easy on your bank account. We covered everything from walls, to cabinets, and countertops. Then we gave ideas to refresh lighting, backsplash, and appliances.
These ideas will give you the most bang for your buck if you are trying to go from dated, neglected, kitchen, to a contemporary heart of your home. If you need help on the design side, for picking out finishes and colors, check out my post: How to Design a Room (for Beginners).
Which idea do you think would make the biggest difference in your home? Leave a comment below, I’d love to know.
Want to make your room look on-trend and impress your friends and family when they come over for your next dinner party?
Want to try some of those cute, modern wallpapers but don’t want the commitment if the design goes out of style in a few years?
Well there is a simple answer for you:
Peel and Stick Wallpaper.
This week I’m going to give you all the pros and cons of peel and stick wallpaper from a regular person (i.e., me) who has actually used it numerous times. Plus you’ll get tips, sources, and a FAQ to answer all your questions.
You will get all the details you need right now, so you don’t have to go hunting and pecking around the internet, and you can spruce up your space and feel proud of your DIY abilities.
Save to Pinterest if you don’t have time to read now…
By the end of this post, you will know:
All the good, and the bad about peel and stick wallpaper when it comes to purchasing, prepping, application, durability, and removal.
All my pro tips for doing it yourself plus the BEST Youtube Tutorial I have found to date.
A BUNCH of sources and curated picks to easily buy the perfect wallpaper for your project.
FAQ to clear up any burning questions you may have
After reading this, I know you will be able to get started making your home even more beautiful and reflective of your awesome personality.
Let’s get started peeling back the layers here…
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases, at NO extra cost to you.
Huge selectionof designs – some really trendy, but also super traditional patterns out there, especially online. You should have no problem finding something to go with your modern decor, no matter what color scheme you have.
Online Sources that can deliver straight to your door include Amazon, Home Depot, Lowes, Wayfair, Wal Mart, RoomMates, and Etsy. Here are a few of my favorite modern designs from Amazon and Home Depot:
Transform Trellis Silver/White Vinyl Peelable Roll (from Home Depot, around $40). I’m a huge fan of all things trellis and think this will give your room a more stately feel. I personally have used this brand so can attest it’s great quality.
RoomMates Gold and White Striped Hexagon (from Amazon). This one is just so sophisticated in glam gold. I could see it in a foyer or as an accent wall for an entryway. Again, I’ve personally used the RoomMates brand and can tell you it’s super easy to apply and very good quality.
Unique patterns can be pricey, especially if you are doing a large area or an entire room. I have seen really, really cute patterns on Etsy for over $100 for 1 roll. It would be expensive for a whole room, but not terrible just for a small accent wall.
Hard to find cute patterns in stores. Brick-and-mortar stores don’t carry that big of a selection yet so your best bet is to shop online.
Pro Tip: Read the fine print & make sure whatever you buy online is returnable, if you don’t like it once it arrives. It can look different than the pic.
I bought a roll of a really cool hexagon pattern from Home Depot. It looked great online, but when I received it, there was a shininess to it that I didn’t expect. Thanks to Home Depot’s awesome return policy, I returned it to my local store.
Home Depot is a great source of wallpaper since you can return it if you don’t like it.
Prepping for Application
Pros
Really isn’t much prep needed if your wall is already painted. Maybe just wipe off any dust or hair from the walls.
Cons
Most manufacturers recommend to paint the wall at least 2 weeks before applying peel and stick wallpaper to it. This is to avoid damaging your walls when you remove it. I applied mine in our entryway closet (below), just 1 day after painting, so will update this post if that was a terrible idea – so far so good.
Applying Peel and Stick Wallpaper
Pro Tip: apply a little extra in the corners/or top edge and cut off excess to make your edges perfect.
Pros
Super easy to apply. You simply peel off the backing, stick it on the wall, then smooth out the air bubbles. See my pro tip above for corners and top edges.
The best peel and stick wallpaper tutorial I found online, which I actually used myself, was from Young House Love, they made a great Youtube video tutorial too:
No wet mess or paste like traditional wallpaper where you have to mix up paste and let it dry, etc.
Can remove and reposition it when applying. This is a huge benefit if you mess up the pattern, you can just peel it off and try again.
You can apply peel and stick wallpaper to lots of things – walls, on furniture, or closets. It’s just like contact paper so you can even use it inside drawers.
Doesn’t require many tools to install removable wallpaper. You probably already have most of the tools…
Only a few tools needed for applying peel and stick wallpaper
Tools needed for applying peel and stick wallpaper:
Boxcutter or utility knife
Plastic putty knife for smoothing
Level or yardstick
Tape measure
Scissors
It’s super easy to cut wallpaper around lights or other wall features. Remove your vanity light or sconce first and just cut a hole with a boxcutter.
Cons
Most manufacturers don’t recommend applying to really bumpy walls with a lot of texture (like that orange peel texture). I went ahead and applied it in our bathroom (below) that has orange peel texture, and it seems to be just fine. I’ll update this post later if it falls off the wall.
Will maintain it’s color and texture, since it’s made of high quality PVC, for many years.
Easy to maintain – you basically can just wipe it clean with a damp cloth or maybe a Magic Eraser.
Won’t ruin walls – this is a great feature, even if you leave it stuck for a long time. It’s just like contact paper, and if you peel it off slowly, won’t damage the drywall underneath.
Manufacturers claim you can re-use it again and again. Peel it off the wall, and find somewhere else to apply it (bookshelf, drawer, or another wall even).
Cons:
Most peel and stick wallpaper is made of high quality vinyl. This is PVC, or plastic, and since it’s a man made materials, some people believe PVC may be environmentally unfriendly. I would argue some people believe paints and stains are environmentally unfriendly as well since they are also made from chemicals.
Probably best to keep away from heat since it is made of plastic. So don’t put near or on your fireplace or behind the stove (check the specifications).
Just peels right off – This is one of the biggest pros. If you get sick of it, or you are renting and need to move, you’re all set. If you have ever removed traditional wallpaper you know how tedious this is, and will want to avoid having to do that at all costs.
Cons
It’s recommended to remove it slowly, and avoid ripping it off so you don’t damage the paint or walls.
Probably will rip some of the panels during removal, so might be difficult to re-use.
FAQ on Peel and Stick Wallpaper
Does peel and stick wallpaper ruin walls?
I have removed some of the panels and can tell you that this wallpaper will not damage your walls. I do recommend peeling it off slowly.
Does peel and stick wallpaper work?
Peel and stick wallpaper is definitely sticky, and works well on walls. It’s made of PVC so will maintain it’s color over time, and is extremely durable. Mine has not fallen off and it’s been over 6 months.
Can you use peel and stick wallpaper in an apartment?
Yes, it’s perfect for any type of rental or apartment since it’s super easy to remove when you move out!
Can you use peel and stick wallpaper in a bathroom?
Yes, since peel and stick wallpaper is made of plastic or synthetic materials, it’s not going to get moldy, but check the manufacturer’s specifications. Just make sure it is adhered properly to the walls.
Is peel and stick wallpaper waterproof?
It is not waterproof, but is somewhat water resistant. It should not be applied inside a shower or bathtub. But it could be applied on bathroom walls that might get steamy.
Conclusion
If you liked this post, please share to Pinterest.
Overall, my view is the pros definitely outweigh the cons. The fact it’s easily removable is the biggest pro, and that it’s so easy to apply. The biggest con is that some of the super trendy patterns can be expensive if you have to apply to a whole room (just applying to an accent wall would fix that).
Why not give peel and stick wallpaper a try to create a focal wall for your room? It will help elevate your design and add sophistication, texture, or visual interest to your room, for not a lot of money.
For more ideas on how to use peel and stick wallpaper in your home, check out my posts where I show how I used it around our home:
Do you want to embrace the fall season, but don’t want to shell out major bucks to make your home look like an Instagram post?
Well, you came to the right place. I’m of the firm belief you can decorate your home for major holidays, without spending your entire paycheck to do so. I’ve had years of experience on how to find the best ways to decorate for every season on a teeny tiny budget.
This post will give you 5 easy fall decor ideas on a shoestring budget. I’ll show you how to make your home look “fall” without looking cheap.
We’ll cover everything from using “found” materials to raiding Dollar Tree, to using things you already have around the house. Also, I’ll give you fall decor ideas for everything from centerpieces, to doors, and finally window decor.
Let’s get crackin’…
Sharing is caring. Save to Pinterest for later…
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases, at NO extra cost to you.
Use found materials for fall decor
So what are “found” materials?
Found materials are natural materials that you find outside and use in your home decor. It may be in your yard, or a family member’s property, or a local natural area. I’m just talking about snapping a branch or two from a tree, gathering up some nice smooth stones, or finding pine cones on the ground, NOT stealing someone’s prize-winning roses!
OK now that that’s out of the way, this fall centerpiece cost me $2. Seriously.
This is more of a minimalist look but I think it does the job for fall and it looks elegant and cheerful.
I went outside on a walk with my toddler, and found a few dried eucalyptus stems, and some pine cones in the neighborhood I live. You could use some small tree branches with red or orange leaves instead.
Then, we went to Dollar Tree for the little pumpkin and clear glass vase.
Raid Dollar Tree for fall decor
Ok, so I thought this was a little more cheerful, and it’s pretty much 100% from Dollar Tree.
I got the berries, clear glass stems, candles, candle holders, vase, and pumpkins, along with the leaf garland from my local Dollar Tree. This cost me about $15.
Mix it up when it comes to fall decor
I like this because I used a couple of things I had around the house – the tall vase and mason jar.
Then I mixed it with some of my Dollar Tree finds: the berries, pumpkin, and candles.
To add some natural elements, I mixed in the pine cones and some stems from some bushes outside my house.
Don’t be afraid to mix it up – use stuff you have, with things you bought or find around the house.
Dress your front door
This one was pretty easy.
I already had a Command Hook (Amazon) on the front door, which I leave up year round.
Then added my leaf garland from Dollar Tree. Finally I added a cute “Farm Fresh Pumpkins” sign, also from Dollar Tree. Total cost: $2.
Make your windows wonderful
So I have this little window right at my front entrance (which is basically a hallway). It’s the first thing you see when you walk in, so I wanted it to look cheerful and welcoming, while still being understated.
The “Gather Together” sign was $6 from Big Lots. Total cost: $13.
Wrap up
If you like this post, I’d love it if you share it on Pinterest!
Well that about wraps up today. We covered sources for fall decorations: Dollar Tree, Big Lots, Amazon, along with natural areas around your home. Then I showed you how you can mix what you already have with some inexpensive seasonal stuff. Finally we covered centerpieces, doors, and windows, so you can decorate nearly every area of you house.
Ok, so it’s almost fall ya’ll! Who else is ready for this year to be over?
Do you need some fall decor ideas for your home to celebrate the changing of the season, but don’t want scarecrows and haybales clashing with your chic modern decor?
I was in the same boat, so did an extensive search for affordable yet elegant fall decor ideas to get my transitional/contemporary home ready for the season of pumpkin spice lattes! I wanted to share what I found, so YOU don’t have to spend your precious time sifting through product listings to find something that will go with your modern decor.
This post will give you 10 awesome ideas for fall decor, along with online shopping links, to make things super easy for you to decorate your modern home for fall. Everything is under $50, with a lot under $20, so they are all easy on your pocketbook too.
Feel free to Pin this to your Pinterest board for later!
Let’s get the ideas flowing for everything you need to celebrate fall in your neck of the woods.
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases, at NO extra cost to you.
Fall Decor Ideas Under $50:
Me and my little guy picking out our pumpkin last year…
Ok, so nothing says fall more than pumpkins, so I had to include some here. I love the below stacked pumpkins from Home Depot. I think they are simple, but stand out, and shout “fall is here” without being TOO in your face. They come in two color options: a cream, green, and orange set (pictured), along with an all white set (dreamy).
The below two wreaths are amazing, simple, and elegant. I love the use of just the natural materials, without a lot of embellishment or fuss. Either one would look great on almost any color front door!
I love the orange berries/bittersweet for a bright pop of color for your fall home decor. Again, not a lot of embellishment, and you let the wreath or garland shine through.
This doormat gets you Thanksgiving ready, while being chic and understated. Would look so great if you picked a black and white fall decor scheme with some white pumpkins and something in buffalo check plaid.
Ok, so a solar lantern is something you could have out year-round, but this style of lantern is kind of old timey and could be a little bit Halloween, along with a little bit fall. I think this would be a great add to your “porch-scape” with some pumpkins next to it.
Ok, so I know they are pumpkins, but they are white pumpkins so will basically go with ANY color scheme you have going on. They’re cute and you can literally use them in 20 different ways – outside on the porch, on your dining table, at your entryway area.
So candles are not necessarily just for fall, but these beautiful, thick candles would complement your fall decor, especially when paired with a pretty garland or pumpkins to create a fall vignette.
I don’t know when buffalo check plaid started to equate to fall, but I love it. Buffalo check items are great options that will go with modern home decor, especially if you have grey and white or black and white interior colors anyways. There is buffalo check pillows, but there are table runners, blankets, curtains, rugs, almost anything.
Who doesn’t want their house to smell like fall? What better way to do that than some cute potpurri that is shaped like little pumpkins? These would be so cute in a glass jar or vase, plus they smell amazing!
Sharing is caring – Please pin or share on your social if you like this post!
Well, there you go, 10 super easy and chic fall decor ideas that should go with almost any modern home decor. Not a single haybale or scarecrow in the bunch! I hope you love them and that they help you get ready for the season of color changing leaves, pumpkins, and spice.
Which idea do you want to try to get your home ready for fall? Leave a comment below, I’d love to know.
Want to renovate your bathroom but not sure how much a bathroom remodel will cost?
Did you just buy a fixer upper, but don’t have much money leftover to fund the cost of a bathroom remodel?
Is your bathroom dated, but you want your guests to feel like they walk into a luxury spa, when they come to visit and need to use the bathroom?
Have no fear – I got you!
Today I will give you 9 awesome ideas, with sources and examples, to help you reduce your bathroom remodel cost. A lot of these ideas are considered cosmetic updates, and are perfect if you have just bought a house, but can’t fit the full cost of a bathroom remodel into your budget right now.
By the end of this post, you will have 9 actionable ideas and sources to help you make a fast and easy bathroom makeover fit into your shoestring budget.
Save to Pinterest for later
Here’s what we will cover:
These are all tried-and-true ideas and tips, from someone who has done cosmetic and full DIY bathroom remodels on 3 different bathrooms. I have either tried the idea myself or researched it thoroughly and examined hundreds of reviews to make sure it actually works and lasts.
Let’s get started saving you money and making your bathroom look like a luxury spa on the California coast!
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases, at NO extra cost to you.
But first,
How much does a bathroom remodel cost?
According to Home Advisor, the average bathroom remodel costs between $6,015 and $15,043 in the United States. For a small DIY bathroom remodel, it might cost $3500 – $7000 refreshing your basics.
Example of our mood board for our primary bathroom – which helped me build out our budget
In San Diego, California, our semi-DIY bathroom remodel costs between $9,900 – $13,830 for each bathroom. I’ll break it down below.
Okay so that’s like a LOT of money, so we’ll cover how YOU can reduce the cost of a bathroom remodel as much as possible in the 9 tips below. These are ideas to help you avoid the cost of a full bathroom remodel, and just do a “light” cosmetic makeover.
But first, I made a FREE budget worksheet for YOU to start building out your budget for your own bathroom remodel.
Just fill out your info below, and I’ll email you a 100% free bathroom budgeting worksheet so you don’t miss anything developing your budget for your next remodel.
Question: What is the cheapest way to remodel a bathroom?
Answer: Buy the cheapest materials possible (new, gifted, or used), reuse/refinish everything you can, and perform all the labor yourself.
I would think you could be scrappy and do a full, but basic, DIY bathroom remodel for under $5000 this way, but the quality might not be the best, or you might need to spend some time searching for used or on-sale materials.
You can see from the above budget breakdown that around 70% of the budget is the shower/tub combo. If you could use what you already have, refinish your tub/tile, or do the shower/tub renovation yourself (or ask a knowledgeable family member friend to help), that would save quite a bit of money in your budget.
Refresh vs Replace
We decided to refresh our bathroom by painting the walls and hardware, then switching out the light and mirror.
One of the best ways to save money on a bathroom remodel is to use what you already have, but make it look better. This is called a cosmetic update. Some ideas to refresh your bathroom are:
Paint or stain a bathroom vanity a different color
Reface bathroom cabinets (meaning just get new doors and drawer fronts)
Get tile grout professionally cleaned to brighten up grout lines
Have your tub and tiled shower professionally reglazed
Remove dated shower/tub doors and replace with shower rod/curtain
Paint old tile flooring (with special tile paint)
Paint existing fixtures such as towel bars, toilet paper holder, etc.
Ways to save on labor cost for a bathroom remodel
Labor can cost almost half the cost of a bathroom remodel – luxury vinyl plank can be installed yourself in about 1 day – no demo required!
According to Home Advisor, around 50% of a bathroom remodel’s cost is from labor. Using a general contractor or full service design firm to manage your project can make your costs go up exponentially.
How can you save on labor costs for a bathroom remodel?
There are a few approaches to labor you can take for your bathroom remodel:
Do everything yourself (YouTube is a big help here, for DIY’ers). Not for the faint of heart but most stuff is very do-able if you are handy – even a tile floor. Don’t forget to factor in buying specialized tools.
Be your own general contractor and hire out and schedule all the trades yourself. This can be very tricky if you have never done this before, but it’s manageable if you have some project management experience or can get some advice from someone who’s done it before.
Do some things yourself (like installing a ready-to-install vanity, replacing a faucet or vanity light), but hire professionals for harder jobs (like replacing bath/shower, large tile jobs, replacing stone countertops).
Hire a handyman for some of the easy stuff (replace faucet/lights, install a one piece vanity, painting, install luxury vinyl plank flooring), then skip doing the tub/shower or just reface it.
Don’t forget to cost out tools if you need to buy or rent any. Large format tile saws are expensive, and our tile saw rental was about $85 for 24 hours from Home Depot.
How do I save on skilled labor for my bathroom remodel?
Ask for referrals
A referral is always best – so ask friends, family, and neighbors.
Look online
Home Depot also has a list of independent contractors they will provide if you if you ask or look on their website. There is also Yelp, Next Door, Angie’s List, and Houzz – all good places to search for a contractor to get some bids. Read all the online reviews, both good and bad.
Get at least 3 bids
Always call at least 3 different contractors to compare costs. They will almost also require to come look at your space to give you a quote.
Request an itemized quote
Ask exactly what is included, and for an itemized quote, in writing of the cost of every single thing you are asking them to do. Most of the time the main materials you will need to purchase yourself, but the contractor will often buy the smaller plumbing items/pipes/fittings/etc.
Note:
If you are changing the layout or configuration of your bathroom, or opening up any walls, I would advise to call a licensed contractor. Always check your local construction codes to ensure your are in compliance with all local building code requirements.
Paint can transform almost everything in a bathroom
Consider just cosmetic changes like painting, if you can’t afford a full remodel right now. You can literally paint almost every single surface in the bathroom – even the vanity, tiles, bathtub, fixtures, shower rod (I did it – check out my post on our budget bathroom remodel!), and countertops.
There is specialized paint for every surface imaginable, here are some examples, all available at Home Depot:
Cabinet paint (I personally have used and can recommend):
Tub & Tile Paint (4 stars with over 1200 reviews):
Floor tile paint (four stars with over 300 reviews):
Countertop paint (over 1400 reviews on Home Depot @ 4.5 stars):
Paint for fixtures (I personally used and recommend this brand), this one is from Amazon:
Ways to save on purchasing materials
Here are some ways to save on materials:
Wait for holiday sales at Home Depot and Lowes
Take advantage of Home Depot “special buy” events to buy tile and vanity
Find gently used materials at resale shops (ReStore by Habitat for Humanity for example).
Look online on Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace, NextDoor for used materials from someone else’s remodel
Find clearance materials at your local home improvement store
Use peel and stick floor tiles, backsplash, or wallpaper
This is more of a reface what you got, kind of approach, but it’s a great temporary fix. Example, you just bought a fixer upper, and did some must-have renovations, but ran out of money for the bathroom. To make your dated, old bathroom look good – peel and stick tiles are a great way to go.
Peel and stick options are significantly cheaper and faster than using real tile and are something you can do yourself, often with just a scissors or utility knife.
There are peel and stick floor tiles, backsplash, and even wallpaper. Some people even use peel and stick contact paper over their countertop, but I have not personally tried that.
Here are some amazing peel and stick floor tiles (some are even groutable):
Refinishing is way less expensive than replacing. But replacing the countertops is much less than replacing the whole vanity. So if you vanity is still in good shape, you could contact a countertop or stone shop, or even Home Depot or Lowes to get a quote to replace the countertops.
Another option to save on countertops is to replace them yourself with a pre-made countertop (with attached sink, and pre-drilled faucet holes) from Home Depot. Example below of one that is around $200:
New lighting & fixtures are cheap to replace vs reconfigure
There are so many options for lighting and fixtures, and getting new ones is a super fast and inexpensive way to update your bathroom. The way to save time and money on lighting is look for a light in the same basic style as your current (meaning the same base, so you can use the existing box in the wall).
Here is a before an after of our bathroom when we updated the lighting and fixtures, along with the mirror (but kept the vanity). The towel hook and vanity knobs were simply spray painted – which was a great way to save money. Check out the full post, Budget Bathroom Remodel for all the sources and all the details on how we did this bathroom remodel for less than $350.
A new mirror can make or break your space
Mirrors are a huge focal area for any bathroom, so you need one that looks great. Some budget friendly ideas for upgrading your mirror are:
Add a frame around one of those builder-grade glued-on wall mirrors. MirrorChic from Home Depot has tons of different frames for mirrors.
Paint the frame of your existing mirror (spray paint will work just fine).
Buy a new mirror from somewhere like Target or Home Depot. The large beveled mirror below was by Neu-Type from Home Depot and is only around $80!
Budget flooring options to reduce a bathroom remodel cost
Flooring can feel like a real challenge in bathrooms, since who wants to rip up tile and take the time and effort to lay new tile? Here are several budget friendly ways to update your bathroom flooring:
Paint
Paint your current tile – using Rustoleum Home floor coating – it comes in over 30 colors! You can even use this paint to stencil your floor tiles.
Peel & Stick Tile
Apply peel and stick floor tiles over your existing vinyl or ceramic tiles. Some options are listed above.
Luxury Vinyl Plank
Use waterproof luxury vinyl plank over your existing tile or flooring. Check out my full breakdown of all the pros and cons of luxury vinyl plank for bathrooms.
Below is the before (on the left) and after (on the right) our install of luxury vinyl plank right over our existing ceramic tile.
Well that was a lot of ideas! We covered everything from hiring a contractor, to painting (nearly) every surface, to applying peel and stick tiles, to updating flooring. I sincerely think we thought of just about everything in terms of how you could remove costs from your next bathroom remodel.
Don’t forget to download your FREE bathroom remodel budget worksheet here:
I hope you found a few ideas that will help you to reduce your bathroom remodel cost. Most of these ideas I have tried myself, so I can attest they can look good, without breaking the bank.
Which idea to reduce the cost of your bathroom remodel do you want to try the most? Leave a comment below!
Now, I’m sure you are motivated and ready, so you want to DIY your own bathroom remodel, right? First go to my post, DIY Bathroom Remodel: Beginnners Guide, to get all kinds of tips and shortcuts we learned while remodeling our TWO bathrooms in ONE week! I’m sure our learnings will help you to take your bathroom from blah to wow!
Have you been wondering about this new flooring called luxury vinyl plank but not sure what the pros and cons are, especially for a bathroom renovation?
Have you been searching for an easy, affordable flooring solution to update your bathroom, but can’t find anything you feel you can tackle yourself?
Want to transform your bathroom floor in as little as one day, but not sure how it will hold up?
This post is for you!
Today we will give you all the pros and cons of luxury vinyl plank, specific to a bathroom installation.
Save to Pinterest for later!
We recently remodeled our TWO bathrooms in ONE week (excluding the shower/tub area). Our master bathroom got the luxury vinyl plank flooring, while our guest bathroom received large format ceramic tiles with grout. So we installed BOTH types of flooring, ourselves, in a matter of a few days in our bathrooms. For a little more about me, check out my about page.
This makes us uniquely qualified to share with you the pros and cons of luxury vinyl plank, specifically versus traditional ceramic tile. Here’s what we’ll cover:
So, by the end of this post, you will know ALL the pros and cons for installing luxury vinyl plank, plus get a list of sources of amazing stone-look tiles that would go well in any bathroom. You will then be able to choose the best flooring type for your renovation project – and turn your design inspiration into a reality!
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases, at NO extra cost to you.
Nucore has several types of stone look luxury vinyl plank at Floor and Decor
Luxury vinyl plank is made of, you guessed it vinyl. Vinyl is basically plastic. So, it will last forever basically. But it can become damaged, etc, just like anything else over time.
What are luxury vinyl planks made of?
Luxury vinyl planks actually have several layers to the product. The luxury vinyl tile we used by Duralux, consist of the vinyl layer, an IXPE foam backing, and a rigid stone-based core. The top layer has a printed on design, that can look like anything from marble, to stone, to wood.
Some luxury tile uses foam backing, some use cork backing.
Types of Luxury Vinyl Plank
There are several types of luxury vinyl flooring. There are planks and tiles. The planks are more like a wood look plank, long and skinny. These are great for living areas and kitchens.
The luxury vinyl tiles are either a 12×12 square or a 12×24 rectangle tile, and usually simulate the look of stone or ceramic tile. I love the stone look luxury vinyl tile for bathrooms.
Home Depot has a number of really cute luxury vinyl tile that look like stone, like this MSI White Ocean 12 in. x 24 in. Rigid Core Luxury Vinyl Tile Flooring, below. I have a few more of my favorite stone-look luxury vinyl tiles at the end of this post, from both Home Depot and Floor & Decor.
Pros of Luxury Vinyl Plank
Installation
You can cut LVP with a boxcutter – seriously!
The biggest pro (in my opinion) is you can install an entire small or medium sized bathroom floor in ONE DAY.
Installation costs are low – installation is so easy, it brings your labor cost down considerably and is something I think most people could DIY. (For even MORE ideas to save on bathroom remodeling costs, check out my post, “9 Ways to Save on Your Bathroom Remodel Costs.”
You don’t need any expensive tools for the install. We basically only needed a ruler, rubber mallet, tape measure, 1/4″ spacers, and a utility knife.
No demo is required! You can install this right over existing tile.
No acclimation is required, so you can install it right away.
Depending on the tile and your subfloor – no need to install an underlayment, and not much floor prep required, mainly ensure it’s clean and dry and fairly level.
If underlayment is required it’s quick and easy – just roll out a layer of poly. Read your package for the directions, ours said the warranty is void if we installed an underlayment.
Tools needed for install of luxury vinyl plank
Long term ownership
Very durable and perfect for most rooms in the house, including basements, bathrooms, sunrooms, and laundry rooms.
Material costs are a huge pro, the tiles we bought were around $2.50/square foot which is only slightly higher than the ceramic tiles we used for our other bathroom. See before/afters of both our recent bathroom remodels here – DIY Bathroom Remodel: Beginner’s Guide.
The tiles available today look like real stone, or real wood, it’s amazing the quality of the printing!
Many of the options are 100% waterproof, which is the perfect application for a bathroom floor (not intended for a shower floor though). We actually had a small leak and the water just beaded up right on top of the flooring – so it really is waterproof.
Resists both scratches and dents, so it’s great if you have kids/dogs/etc.
It’s much warmer on bare feet than ceramic or stone tile. I have both and totally don’t mind walking on my luxury vinyl tile with bare feet.
The tile we chose, from Duralux, provides a lifetime residential warranty. Can’t beat that!
Proper installation of luxury vinyl plank involves removing baseboards and the toilet
You can’t grout the tile so if you love the look of grout lines, this may not be for you.
You need to be careful with the floor cleaners you use – no bleach, wax, oil, or abrasive cleansers. Use a gentle cleaner.
To make it look professional, you need to remove your baseboards and toilet, then install the tile, then replace that stuff (pretty much the same deal as ceramic). For more tips on DIY bathroom remodeling, check out my post, DIY Bathroom Remodel: Beginner’s Guide.
Our tile said not to install cabinets on top of the tile, but we did install our vanity on top of it, so we’ll update this post if that was not a good idea.
Since it is made using layers of different stuff, we did have a couple of tiles that got a tiny bit of the corner of the top layer ripped off a little bit during install. I’m hoping they don’t become worse over time.
How to clean luxury vinyl plank
Luxury vinyl plank is easy to clean, but make sure you use mild cleaning products.
Sweep regularly up loose debris to avoid scuffs and scratches
Mop once per week. I use a Swiffer or take a little bit of floor cleaner and a lot of water in a bucket, and use a microfiber mop.
It’s better to dry the floor with a dry rag afterwards. I feel like otherwise it takes too long to dry, but probably due to my bathroom having no windows nearby.
Spot clean stains – water and baking soda, or a little hydrogen peroxide.
Recommendation
Sharing is caring – please share on Pinterest if you like this post.
All in all, I highly recommend luxury vinyl plank for any bathroom install that you want done quickly and cheaply. Its an easy project for a beginner DIYer. The pro’s definitely outweigh the cons, especially if you are budget conscious and short on time. Plus, maintaining and cleaning luxury vinyl plank couldn’t be easier.
Sources
Here are a few more stone-look luxury vinyl planks that would look great in any bathroom renovation, and remember it can be installed in ONE day! My go-to sources for luxury vinyl planks are Home Depot and Floor & Decor – they both have a wide selection, especially for stone-look luxury vinyl plank.
Which one do you like best? Leave me a comment below with your opinion, I’d love to hear what you think.
If you are ready to take on full bathroom remodel, check out my post, Beginner’s Guide: DIY Bathroom Remodel for our full bathroom before and after, along with all our tips, tricks, and shortcuts we learned during our recent DIY bathroom renovation.
Do you have an old, dated bathroom, but dream of a modern, beautiful, and insta-worthy one?
Interested in tackling a DIY Bathroom remodel yourself – but have never tackled such a big project, so not sure what you are getting into?
You’ve come to the right place! We recently remodeled TWO bathrooms so want to share all our tips, tricks, and mistakes. I’ll show you that you don’t need to be a professional contractor to do a basic bathroom remodel – you got this!
Save this Beginner’s Guide to Pinterest for later.
This article will outline the whole bathroom remodeling process from start to finish, specifically for someone who is a beginner DIY’er. You will get:
Awesome, practical tips we learned at each step of our own bathroom remodel
Learnings from all of our mistakes so you don’t make the same ones.
Tips on planning and prep, budgeting, materials and labor
More tips on demo, tiling, and shower/tubs.
Info on selecting and installing things like vanities, toilets, and lighting.
I’ll take you along when we renovated our TWO small bathrooms (except for the tub/shower area) in one week, using our own blood, sweat, and tears. Yes there was blood, it was mine, and it was only a minor scrape (during the luxury vinyl tile install).
We are regular people just like you, although I do have a handy husband, and this was our first time doing such a big project ourselves. I thought our bathroom remodeling experience (and mistakes) could help out other first timers!
Before and after of our guest bathroom DIY remodel
After reading this, you will be able to tackle your DIY bathroom remodel with confidence, to get a stunning result that will last for decades.
Let’s get you the bathroom of your dreams, right this way!
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases, at NO extra cost to you.
1. Make a design plan
Before and after of our master bathroom DIY remodel
First things first, I needed to come up with a plan before we started any demo. We had a 1 week timeframe to finish TWO bathrooms, which is how long we took off work for our “vacation.” First I needed to figure out what I wanted to do.
Get inspired
Inspiration photo courtesy of: Random Sky via Unsplash
This is the fun part – looking on Pinterest and Instagram for beautiful bathrooms for design ideas. If you have flooring stores or fixture showrooms, go there and look around. Grab tile, flooring, and paint chip samples if you can. Even Home Depot and Lowes are good sources of inspiration.
Here are the Pinterest boards I created for my own project:
Picking a color scheme and basic style are two tasks you need to complete right away, as it will help narrow down your options when shopping.
Search online using your chosen style name “modern bathroom ideas” or color scheme “grey and white bathroom ideas” on Pinterest and pin away! A lot of stuff may be unaffordable, but it can give you an idea what types of looks and styles to aim for in your design plan.
One way to save both time AND money, is to leave things right where they are. For example, changing your bathroom layout will be much more complicated than just replacing what is already there. If this is your first DIY bathroom remodel – I advise you to just replace what’s already there.
In terms of the design – you can also use the other parts of your home to drive the design. For example, our kitchen cabinets were white shaker so I wanted our bathroom cabinets to match.
Our flooring on our main floor was a grey wood look luxury vinyl plank, so I knew I wanted bathroom flooring in the same color family – grey or black.
You don’t have to match everything exactly, but staying in the same color family will help make your home look more cohesive and thoughtful.
You do NOT have to do it that way, if you want a beige bathroom with a blue kitchen – that’s ok too! You could always bring in accent colors like backsplash, towels, rugs, accessories, or artwork to tie the two rooms together.
Another way to use what you already have, is to keep some elements of your bathroom that are still in good shape. That could mean using or painting an existing vanity, or keeping or painting your hardware.
I decided to keep some items in one bathroom that I had recently updated, a black framed mirror, globe light, and flat black hardware. This made me want to go with a black/grey/white color scheme in both bathrooms.
The 12×24 inch ceramic floor tile we selected was called Ray Black from Home Depot. It was less than $2 a square foot so a great deal!
After you get inspired and come up with a basic design plan and color scheme, you need to create your budget…
2. Determine your budget
How much does a DIY bathroom remodel cost?
According to Home Advisor, the average bathroom remodel costs around $10,000 in the United States, and depends on where you live which can drive up (or down) labor costs. For a small DIY bathroom remodel, it might be closer to $5000 refreshing your basics.
In San Diego, California, our full bathroom remodel will cost between $9,000 – $13,830 for each bathroom. That is with doing most of the work ourselves, except for the shower/tub area (we are using professionals for that).
If you leave the shower/tub area out, it would come in closer to $1500 – $5000 if you do everything yourself. The tub/shower is about 70% of our total cost, probably due to all the skilled labor involved.
How do you make a budget for a DIY bathroom remodel?
First cost out your basic essentials
Here’s the basics you need to find and price out:
Shower/tub
Toilet
Vanity, countertop, sink, backsplash
Flooring (measure your floors length and width, figure out square footage, and add 10% for waste)
Mirror
Lighting and bathroom fan
Fixtures (showerhead, knob, tub faucet, sink faucet)
Hardware (towel bars, toilet paper holder, etc.)
I like to shop online, then snip digital photos and paste into Microsoft Powerpoint to create a mood board. Then you can make sure everything “goes” together and fits your design plan.
Example of our mood board for our primary bathroom
As I shop, I write in the notes where each item is from, along with the cost. This builds my budget along with my mood board at the same time. Then I can remember where each item is from when it’s time to buy. Here’s my initial budget based on my mood board:
Original budget for materials for primary bathroom
This will give you a high level cost, without any labor, tools, or the smaller items you might need (paint, paint supplies, pipes, wires, switches, baseboard, grout, etc).
Want a pre-made Bathroom Remodel Budgeting Worksheet to get started on your bathroom remodel right now? Read on…
Next determine labor costs
Labor can cost almost half the cost of a bathroom remodel
This is a big step since you need to determine who is going to provide the labor. According to Home Advisor, around 50% of a bathroom remodel’s cost is from labor.
You have a few options that are on the less expensive side:
Do most/all of the labor yourself or have family/friends help
Use a handyman to help on some of the tasks
Use a general contractor or specialized trade (i.e. plumber or tile installer) to do some of the more challenging stuff
A handyman can likely install things like ready-to-install vanities, sink faucets, vanity lighting, toilets, and luxury vinyl plank or waterproof laminate flooring.
For certain things, like a shower install or real stone tile flooring, or complicated backsplash, I would recommend skilled or specialized labor.
Cost out tools and ancillary materials
Tools and all the little extras can certainly add up. Don’t forget about this part as you’ll need a lot of special tools for tile, plumbing, and painting.
Our large tile saw rental was about $85 for 24 hours from Home Depot. We were working well into the night, to be able to take that baby back on time.
3. Expect the unexpected
This is a really important tip for your budget, and your timeline during any DIY bathroom remodel. When remodeling a bathroom, keep in mind that this room has been exposed to a lot of water and steam over time. Anyways, once you remove things or open up any walls, you may find something gnarly.
Asbestos, mold, and termites are real. If your house was built pre-1980, it is likely to have one (or more) of the above. Also some older homes will likely have lead paint in some of the older paint layers, which is also a concern when you sand the walls, or rip out drywall.
Add 10% to your budget for something unexpected, also called a contingency.
What do I do if I find something unexpected during my bathroom remodel?
For us, we started demo’ing our tile on a Friday night, and found a layer of tile under the tile. I took one look and knew it was that old, thin, ugly, asbestos tile.
Demo can expose some nasty stuff
We stopped everything, left it alone, got it tested the next day at a local lab (Yelp helped me find one). The results came out positive for asbestos and then we called a couple of asbestos abatement companies to remove it safely (Yelp again).
We got the asbestos tile professionally abated for around $1000, for a 30 foot square floor. It was about a 2 day delay, but we did some tasks in the other bathroom while we waited.
This also changed our design plan for our other bathroom. We chose to put this awesome waterproof luxury vinyl tile on top of the existing tile, vs ripping it out.
If you think you find asbestos, mold, lead paint, or termites – my advice is to call a specialized professional to deal with the issue. Ignoring it could create a health hazard down the road, so this is important stuff.
This tip is all about needing to be flexible and roll with the punches during your bathroom remodel.
4. Watch How-To Videos before you demo ANYTHING
If you are going the DIY bathroom remodel route, and have not remodeled a bathroom before or for a long time, DO NOT SKIP THIS STEP.
Also, don’t be like us a watch the how-to video literally as you about to do the thing. There will be something you didn’t do or buy that they recommend that you will wish you had known 2 or 3 days ago.
So, a few days before you begin the project, make sure you go on YouTube for the things you are going to do yourself (clickable links below to YouTube videos we found super helpful).
Hopefully you get the picture. With the tile, we rented a tile saw by the day, before we watched any videos. Then we learned we needed to do a TON of prep work on the floor before cutting a single tile. Had we known that, we would have waited to rent the tile saw another day. Laying tile is complicated – watch a LOT of how-to videos first.
5. Build out a timeline
This step is important if you are on a tight schedule, like we were. We took one week off of work, so needed to do all our major tasks in one week. We had to turn this dated beast into a modern beauty – fast!
First you need to know what steps you need to take, the order to do them in, and how long each one will take.
What are the steps to remodel a bathroom, and in what order?
Demo everything you are replacing
Install shower/bathtub
Drywall repair & paint
Install flooring
Install toilet
Install vanity/countertop
Replace lighting & mirror
These are the “major” things we needed to do for our DIY bathroom remodel. We wanted to get all those things done in one week, except the showers. We decided to go with Dreamstyle Shower Systems, and they were going to come in a later date, and be installed by professionals. The showers are supposed to be first, but we are doing them last, so I’ll update this post later if that was a totally terrible plan.
How long does a bathroom remodel take?
The timeline really depends on how big your bathroom is, if you remove the drywall, and if you change the layout. Also, if you find any “surprises” once you do the demo that can extend your timeline.
I can attest that we basically got two full bathrooms done, with the exception of the tub/shower areas, in 1 week. We only did ceramic tile on one bathroom, we did vinyl tile on the other. We also had a 2 day delay due to the asbestos abatement.
Here is a rough estimate of the time needed for each task:
Demo – 1/2 day to 1 day. Depending on if you remove walls, shower, tub. We did everything but the walls and tub/shower and it took us 1/2 day or less per bathroom.
Install shower/bathtub – 2 – 5 days. Dreamstyle says it takes 2-3 days per shower system but they are the 3 wall type, not tile w/ grout. Real tile could probably 2 – 5 days depending on how much tile you do. Remember there is a lot of prep work, and you should replace the pipes, valves, and plumbing while you have opened things up.
Install flooring – 1 – 3 days. Vinyl or waterproof laminate could be done in one day. Ceramic or stone tile will take a bare minimum of 2 days. One day to prep, cut, and do the mortar. The next day would be grout. You likely will need to do some leveling in your prep, so give it 3 days to be safe.
Replace toilet – 1-2 hours.
Install vanity/countertop – 1/2 day to 1 day or more. Depends if you get the prefab ones that come w/ the top attached. Those can take half a day or less, including the plumbing hookups. If you do separate custom/semi-custom cabinets then then have to attach sink and the prefab countertop separately it could take a day.
Install lighting & mirror – 1 – 2 hours. If you don’t make any changes to the lighting placement, should only take an hour or two max.
Total time needed for basic DIY bathroom remodel without shower/bathtub: 2.5 to 5.5 days.
Total time needed for basic DIY bathroom remodel with shower: 5 days to 10.5 days.
I budgeted about 3 days per bathroom for our basic DIY bathroom remodel, but we did plan on doing some things on the same day – such as texturing, painting, then installing both toilets and vanities on the same day.
Don’t forget you might find something unexpected which could add 1 day or more to your timeline, so be prepared to roll with it!
6. Purchase & gather materials and tools
The lighting aisle at Home Depot
Ok, so I find shopping for home improvement stuff relaxing, and love to roam home improvement stores looking at stone tiles, fixtures, and lighting. However, when you are on a tight deadline to find something for your install that’s tomorrow, it’s not so fun.
My tips for your materials and tools are:
Try to stick to your design plan and mood board, but be flexible on the exact items. The exact item you wanted might sell out, or have a delivery date that doesn’t work for you, so you gotta roll with it.
When buying materials online, go through the checkout process to see the estimated delivery dates. A lot of stuff, like vanities and lighting, are “dropshipped” from the vendor, so it can take a week or two to get delivered.
You may find it easier and faster to go to a big box store like Home Depot or Lowes, but their in-store selection is much more limited than their online selection. Order online and leave time for delivery.
Make sure everything delivers at least 1 week before you start the job. This gives you some wiggle room if anything gets delayed or damaged during shipping.
When replacing things like pipes or spigots, take photos, measurements, or the exact item with you when buying a replacement.
Expect to have to run to the nearest home improvement store many times during your DIY bathroom remodel. It’s totally normal (although annoying).
Save your receipts in case you need to return anything if it doesn’t work out!
7. Schedule contractors or labor accordingly
Refer back to step 5, where I told you the basic steps to remodel a bathroom, in order. This is how you should schedule your labor, if you are contracting any activities out.
Schedule your contractors at least 2 – 4 weeks in advance. Most contractors, in the busy season, are booked up at least 4 weeks out.
Be prepared to have to juggle folks around or get creative, as something might take longer than expected due to an unexpected surprise.
8. Demo Day!
Demo is fun, but a pain in the butt. Her is our demo’d bathroom after installing the waterproof backerboard. Below are my demo day tips…
You don’t always need a sledgehammer, that’s just for HGTV. We didn’t use one at all.
A crowbar is pretty useful, and a regular hammer, along with a power drill to remove most items.
Try not to cause huge holes in the wall, so use some finesse when removing things from the wall. Cut the caulking first.
Be on the lookout for things like mold and termite droppings. Mildew is pretty easy to clean – I just use a bleach based bathroom cleaner to scrub the walls behind our old vanity.
If your home is pre-1980 I would assume there is asbestos or lead paint somewhere. Take the appropriate precautions or call a professional.
9. Drywall repair
Oh, drywall. Drywall repair is one of my least favorite parts of a renovation, but it’s very much needed if you are not replacing the walls. It’s actually seldom talked about in most DIY tutorials, but I’ve now done 3 bathroom remodels and have had to re-texture whole walls to make it look good.
There are three main types of drywall repair you may need to make during a DIY bathroom remodel:
Drywall repair when you remove your built-in vanity and/or wall tiles.
Repair when a towel bar or toilet paper holder is moved or changed out.
Repair from when you remove a glued-on mirror from the wall
Example of drywall repair after removing a built in vanity. You can see my putty & texturing skills are not perfect, but I’m learning. Here are my tips on drywall repair:
Do watch a few videos on drywall repair on YouTube. Each situation is different and the repair will depend on the texture of you existing walls (smooth, orange peel, etc).
Do finish you drywall repairs and paint before installing your new vanity, mirror, lights, etc. It’s just way easier.
If you just need to hide your old towel bar holes, you may just be able to apply some DryDex Spackling Paste from Dap and be done with it. Make sure you sand it a little after to make it blend in with the rest of the wall.
I’m a fan of the Homax wall texture – the Pro Grade version kicks butt (get the low odor kind) if you have large areas to do, as the squeeze trigger makes it really easy. I basically did my whole bathroom with Homax Pro cans of texture since the original texture job was completely horrible.
Do practice – if using cans of texture, practice first on cardboard to see how it comes out. It will look really bubbly and thick at first but it does smooth out a bit once dry.
Do apply layers. A light layer of spackle, lightly sand, then a few light layers of texture. It’s hard to get right. I’m still working on mine, obviously!
If you have the time, the best result will certainly come from applying a fresh skim coat, which makes your whole wall smooth. Then reapply texture to match the other walls. I didn’t do this and kind of regret it.
If you really mess up your texture, you can always sand it down and try again, or just apply a new layer.
This part we skipped (for now) but I can give some general advice.
Do replace, don’t reconfigure. Keep the configuration exactly how it is if this is your first DIY bathroom remodel. Keep the drains, tub spout, and shower head in the same exact place to avoid more complicated and advanced work.
Install your shower/tub before the flooring, to avoid messing up your tile when you remove everything.
If this is not your forever home, keep in mind what buyers might like (neutrals/white) in the future vs buying something that is very unique or trendy in terms of tile. Showers are very costly to replace and you would not want to turn buyers off by something that will get dated quickly.
The 3 piece shower wall systems have a lot of benefits vs grouted tile. They are a quicker install, and you don’t have to worry about getting dirty grout.
Grouted ceramic/stone tile is preferred by a lot of buyers but remember that white grout can get moldy and mildewy so it’s a little bit more maintenance and cleaning.
Real stone tile, although beautiful, requires special preparation and also has different maintenance (sealing for example) and cleaning requirements than ceramic.
Bigger is better (my opinion) in terms of shower head. Go big or go home!
Radically changing your shower, like going from a normal shower head placement to a rain shower head coming out of the ceiling is best left to the professionals.
11. Paint walls & ceiling
Here’s our guest bathroom in the middle of painting our walls Behr Premium Plus in Pixel White. Should have done this BEFORE installing the vanity and toilet but oh well. I’ve painted all my bathrooms, in two different homes, by myself, so have quite a few tips on painting.
Do paint before you install all your new stuff like the vanity, mirror, light, switch covers, hardware, etc. It’s just way easier to not worry about that stuff.
Make sure you remove all light switch covers, electrical outlet covers, etc.
Paint the ceiling before the walls, it’s easier.
Prep before you paint and wipe down your walls, then apply blue tape to all the stuff you don’t want to get paint on like ceiling, light switches, fixtures, tiles, baseboards, trim on doors, etc.
Do choose an interior semi gloss paint (not eggshell/flat) for bathrooms as it will help prevent mildew/mold in a damp environment.
Ceiling paint can be just an ultra white semi gloss paint for a bathroom. You will probably need two coats if your ceiling is not already white (trust me on this one).
Start first with small paintbrush and do your corners and edges, then use the roller to fill in the large spaces.
Most paint will require 2 coats. I did use the Behr Marquee One Coat Guarantee Interior Semi Gloss paint to go from swiss coffee (an off white) to pixel white (a greyish white) and it was basically one coat. This is amazing paint and I highly recommend, although it is a little pricey.
Do save your leftover paint for touchups at the end of your remodel. Accept the fact you might have to do some touch ups afterwards, especially after do all your installs.
I used this Shur-Line edger tool from Home Depot for less than $4. It saved me so much time since I didn’t have to apply tape to get amazing edges, so I highly recommend.
12. Flooring tips and tricks
Deciding between samples of the luxury vinyl tile vs the ceramic tile
I am going to write a separate post on luxury vinyl tile vs ceramic tile since we did both at the same time basically. Here are some tips on each type of flooring, based on our experience during our DIY bathroom remodel. I highly recommend the luxury vinyl tile as it took one day to install, versus three days for ceramic tile.
For any type of flooring, you want to remove the baseboards and toilet first, then install the flooring. This makes it look way better, trust me.
Do watch a lot of YouTube videos days before you attempt this for the first time.
Do build into your timeline the 24 hours EACH it takes for leveling compound to dry, for the mortared tile to dry, and for the grout to dry.
Do prep your floor, and know this could take 1 day to complete, especially if you use self leveling compound, which takes time to dry.
Do make sure your floor is level. Self leveling compound is your friend and you will probably need it. We did not do this and our tiles shifted in a couple of spots.
Do use a schluter edge strip for the doorway, to make it even. If you don’t, you will probably need a transition strip.
Do not rent/borrow a tile saw until you watch several YouTube videos AND have prepped and leveled your floors.
Do team up – two people will make measuring and cutting tile go faster.
Do get the special saw to make the circular cut on your tile for the toilet hole. We didn’t and you can see our square cut behind the back of the toilet,
Tips for during the tile install
A tile saw will make cutting the tile way faster and easier than using a hand/manual saw. Make sure it’s the right size for your tile – we needed a “large” tile saw since we had 12″ x 24″ tiles.Do a dry fit where you cut and place all your tiles (with spacers) before applying any mortar.
Grouting is not absolutely necessary to install the vanity or toilet on top of, but it’s probably a good idea.
Do note that high contrast grout lines will show uneven grout lines and mistakes a LOT more than grout that is same/similar color as the tile.
Do remove “grout haze” after you finish grouting – I used a Magic Eraser and it was super easy in removing all the haze fast.
Read the label on your grout and/or tile to determine if it needs a sealer after installation.
Do read the instructions and installation videos before attempting the tile install.
Do clean the floor very well prior to placing any tile. Mop and sweep, then vacuum. Make sure it’s clean and dry.
Do get the recommended wall spacers to ensure some room for expanding an contracting.
Do remove the baseboards before installing the tile, it will look so much better than a quarter round.
Do get a utility knife and extra razorblades. This is what worked for us in cutting the planks, but our razorblades kept getting dull.
Do be careful around the toilet and make sure you cut the planks properly to allow enough space for the toilet pipe.
Do make sure your doors can still close, or you may need to saw or sand the door to make it shorter.
Do get a small saw to cut the doorjambs, if needed.
13. Toilet Talk
Toilet buying tips – I know it seems silly but there is important information you need to know when choosing a toilet.
Measure toilet vs door clearance
Measure your space. A lot of small bathrooms don’t have much room between the front of the toilet and the door. Getting an elongated bowl toilet might mean you can’t open your door all the way. A round bowl will be better if your space is smaller. Measure!
Toilet height matters. A lot of toilets have the top of the bowl very high, 16″ or more, which is not good for toddlers/kids. If you have small children, I recommend the standard height toilet (15″) for a kids’ bathroom just to keep your own sanity.
Some higher end toilets have a “clog free” claim. If you have had this issue a lot in the past, you may want to upgrade to a clog free variety.
There is also something called “rough in” which is how far your sewer pipe is from the wall. The standard is 12″ but you should measure your pipe to make sure it’s standard.
Here were the toilets we chose, both from Home Depot & they pretty much include everything you need (even the seat):
For the master bath, we chose the Kohler Highline Arc Elongated Toilet in White, from Home Depot. It was in the lower end of the price range (around $165) and I loved the modern looking handle, and the slim tank.
For the hallway bathroom, to be used by our kids, we chose the The American Standard Reliant Round Toilet in White, from Home Depot. We picked this one because the seat is only 15″ high, which is more kid friendly than “tall” toilets.
14. Vanity and faucets
We chose the Valentino from Design Elements as our vanity for our DIY bathroom remodel, from Home Depot. It comes with a marble countertop, chrome handles, rectangle sink, and is a great value at around $1000 for a 48″ vanity. There are also dovetail drawers and soft close drawers and doors. Available in white or blue, in multiple sizes. We love it!
Vanity Tips
Measure your space first and pick the right size vanity. Slightly smaller is ok as you will need to wiggle it in there if it’s an exact fit.
Having a small gap or large gap on each side of the vanity is not the end of the world and will actually make it easier to install yourself.
A fully pre-assembled vanity is a LOT cheaper and easier if you are going the DIY route. The one we picked, the Valentino from Design Elements, included the countertop, sink, pre-drilled faucet holes, and also soft close doors and drawers, along with handles/pulls. It was half the cost of getting semi-custom cabinets + custom countertops.
Look for dovetail drawer construction as that is a general mark of higher quality.
Faucet Tips
Make sure the holes on your vanity match your faucet type, before you buy the faucet.
There are four main styles of faucet mountings: Centerset,single hole, widespread, and wall mounted.
It’s ok to mix 2 different metals. I have chrome handles with a black faucet in one of our bathrooms, and it looks great. Centsational Style has a great blog post on mixing metals for more info.
Faucets come in high arc or low arc. I’m a fan of high arc if you have kids, as it shoots the water more towards the center of the sink to make it easier for kid-sized arms to wash their hands.
The black faucet is an example of high arc, and the chrome faucet is low arc. Both are by Glacier Bay from Home Depot.
Lighting is easiest to do yourself if you replace the existing light in the same spot with the same style. For example we were replacing a standard builder vanity light with a round base. We bought the same basic type (round base with 4 lights) and installed it in about 30 minutes.
Keep in mind the length of your mirror when you buy your light. The light should not be longer than the length of the mirror. Shorter is ok.
Mixing and matching metals/finishes is becoming ok – just try to repeat the finishes a couple of times. If you have a brass light, get a brass framed mirror, and and maybe some brass accents. Other fixtures can by black or even chrome.
If you get one of the modern/industrial lights with an exposed bulb and clear glass, just remember it’s a LOT brighter than the frosted glass shades. You may want to get the lowest brightness light bulbs to go in that baby or you’ll be blinded.
Bathroom fans can be a pain to replace if you have a builder basic. It could require cutting a new size hole depending on what you buy. We found this awesome “fan upgrade” at Home Depot which works with a LOT of bathroom fans to give you a light without having to replace the whole box/motor. I love this thing and it’s under $30!
We love this bathroom fan upgrade from Broan-Nu-tone, its a light AND grill cover, and installs right into your existing fan motor/box. Only $29 from Home Depot, installs in less than 5 minutes!
Some mirrors are rated for being in damp location or bathroom, and buying one of those will help prevent some fogging. Most mirrors are going to fog up though, so just deal.
Take a look at the spec sheet to understand how the mirror needs to be mounted, and if you need to buy any special mounting hardware.
Mirror should be centered over the vanity, and shorter than the vanity.
If you are mounting two mirrors over a double vanity, get out your level and measuring tape to ensure they are level and spaced correctly.
Hardware can be different finish than other things in the bathroom, just make sure it matches something else. For example, black hardware along with a black mirror and light, would look fine with brass faucet and brass shower/tub fixtures.
Consider spray painting your existing hardware if you like the style, but want to change the finish. I did this with a lot of success, it just takes a little patience and time (lots of thin coats of spray paint). See my budget bathroom remodel post for how to paint your hardware.
Conclusion
Sharing is caring, if you like this post, please pin to Pinterest or the social media of your choice!
Holy cow! That was a long post, but tackling a DIY bathroom remodel is a huge undertaking! I wanted you to have ALL the tips and tools to make sure you know what you are getting into, and to give you the confidence you need to succeed.
We covered everything from the planning and budgeting phase, to demo, then tiling and installing everything from toilets to lighting. I hope you got a ton of useful info, plus links to a lot of the products I use myself to save you time (and money).
What part of a DIY bathroom remodel seems the most daunting to you? Let me know in the comments below. Hopefully I didn’t scare you off, but if you want more of any easy refacing bathroom project, check out my post: Budget Bathroom Remodel (DIY under $350).
Summer’s here! It’s time go outside and have drinks on the deck! Wait, what? Your patio game’s not on point?
Want your patio furniture to match the awesome look inside your home? Has your jaw hit the floor once you started looking up the cost of a cute patio set? Or, are you stumped on how to put an outdoor look together for a cohesive look?
We’ve got the goods right here!
Today we’ll review:
Three different complete patio mood boards that will help inspire you to design your own outdoor space in a modern style.
Sources for affordable patio furniture and decor, to help you stick to a modest budget.
6 styling tips on how to put everything together to create a harmonious color scheme and cohesive look.
Picking a color scheme is hard! So I’ll help you out by giving you a few to get started. The first look is wicker, beige, and blue. The second is a warm wood and tangerine decor scheme. Finally, we’ll show you a grey and white outdoor neutral lover’s dream.
By the end of this post, you’ll have the confidence and knowledge to put your own mood board together, and stay within your budget, to make your outdoor space look amazing. Then you can have that backyard BBQ and feel proud of your outdoor patio decor.
Let’s go!
Wicker, Beige, and Blue Affordable Patio Furniture & Decor
Scroll down for sources & shoppable links
Putting this one together took a while since I really wanted to to have a more formal and modern, but still approachable feel.
Tip 1: Choose a variety of shapes
I mixed shapes like the square couch and planters, with the round table and round chairs. Mixing shapes adds visual interest, even when you use the same materials – in this case the dark brown wicker.
Tip 2: Pick an accent color
My two main colors were the brown in the wicker furniture, along with beige in the umbrella and cushions. Blue and beige really “go” together, to create a coastal design and a relaxing mood. I decided to use light blue as an accent color to get a beachy, breezy look to offset the dark brown of the furniture.
Someone told me once that using a color at least 3 times creates a pattern, and makes a room look more cohesive. So, I used a pretty light blue for the pillows, rug, and accent table.
Sources:
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases, at NO extra cost to you.
Warm Wood and Tangerine Affordable Patio Furniture & Decor
Sources and shoppable links below…
This affordable patio furniture look is so cozy, warm, and inviting! It screams, “Come hither and have a glass of wine with me.”
Tip 3: Use organic materials
I love the use of wood, while keeping a more modern and contemporary style in terms of the shape of the pieces. The planters are also made of wood, and the chairs look like cane or bamboo – all plant based materials.
The tangerine rug definitely picks up some color from the warm wood, so it all works together and creates a warm color palette.
Tip 4: Don’t be afraid to mix and match
Notice in my design I didn’t pick too many pieces that match exactly. You don’t need matchy-matchy everything for it all to go together. If you keep things in the same color family, they’ll look great.
For example, I picked cane chairs and a wood couch, along with planters and a chair that are all in different shades of a warm brown.
Grey and White Affordable Patio Furniture and Decor
Sources & Shoppable Links Below
This is for you neutral lovers out there. If you are like me and love all things neutral, this look’s the BEST!
Tip 5: Neutrals are your friend.
I think the grey furniture looks super modern and chic, and the cream carpet and planters will really pop. This is especially true if you have a lot of greenery. Having a yard full of grass or greenery next to a neutral setup like this will look amazing – and like you are staying in a luxury resort.
Tip 6: Repeat Colors to Make a Pattern
If you have a color in your design just once, it kind of sticks out. If you have too many colors in your design, it can create a lack of harmony and balance. The Home Stories A to Z blog has a great article with 6 more tips for outdoor decorating, and she recommends choosing no more than 2 colors to decorate with, as a beginner.
So, in this moodboard, I tried to emphasize grey and white by repeating the grey color in both sets of patio cushions, and also the pouf. Then I repeated white in the umbrella, rug, and planters. This helps bring to life my color scheme and make it look purposeful and planned.
Rug – I love all things tribal and Moroccan when it comes to rugs. It helps give a more boho and relaxed vibe. Rugs USA – Ivory Diamond Tribal Indoor/Outdoor Area Rug – $172 for a 7’x10′.
Ok, so that was fun, right? I hope you learned a LOT about putting together a “look” for your patio, and my six tips help you pick the perfect outdoor decor to make a cohesive design.
The three different color schemes should help inspire you to mix things up on your own patio. We covered beige and blue, then tangerine and wood, and finally grey and white.
Plus you got a solid list of affordable sources of modern outdoor patio furniture, all who deliver right to your door: Wal Mart, Amazon, Home Depot, and Rugs USA.
Which moodboard do you like the best? Beige & Blue, Tangerine & Wood, or the Grey & White? Let me know in the comments below!
Now that you have the “big” pieces set, check out my post on 12 Ideas for Patio Decor (on a budget) for things like art, planters, lighting, and water features to make your outdoor space complete.
This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.
Strictly Necessary Cookies
Strictly Necessary Cookie should be enabled at all times so that we can save your preferences for cookie settings.
If you disable this cookie, we will not be able to save your preferences. This means that every time you visit this website you will need to enable or disable cookies again.
![](http://<a id="313655922" href="https://homedepot.sjv.io/c/2347698/459920/8154?prodsku=313655922&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.homedepot.com%2Fp%2FBEHR-PREMIUM-1-qt-Deep-Base-Satin-Interior-Cabinet-and-Trim-Paint-752304%2F313655922&intsrc=PUI1_2950" target="_top"><img src="https://images.homedepot-static.com/productImages/e1e2795c-07d9-4d69-9ba0-dbfbe1cfee67/svn/satin-behr-premium-cabinet-paint-752304-64_1000.jpg" border="0" alt=""/></a>” target=”_blank” rel=”noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow”>Behr cabinet and trim enamel </a>(from Home Depot), tinted with the color Behr Cracked Pepper. The lady in the Home Depot paint department recommended this paint since it’s designed to be very durable. </p>
<p>This paint is kind of thin and “sinks in” to the wood. You can even still see the grain of the wood underneath a bit so I kind of liked it.</p>
<p>My painting tools of choice were a small foam roller and a 2″ paint brush, and a small disposable paint tray. </p>
<div class=)
