Whether you’re planning to make a few changes yourself or hire a professional, there are some basic tips that can make a bathroom look better. These include lighting, ventilation, permits, and budgeting. If you want to save money, you can also paint the walls. Semi-gloss paint is easy to wipe down and won’t attract mold and mildew.
Lighting
If you’re looking to update your bathroom without completely gutting the space, you can do it yourself with a few different lighting ideas. For starters, you can replace your old bathroom vanity light with a modern one. While this is a more challenging project, it can give your bathroom a completely new look.
A DIY light fixture makeover can save you a lot of money. One YouTuber shows how to change an old light fixture for less than $30. In the video, the original light fixture is described as being “dated” and “desperately needed to be updated.” This DIYer shows how to replace it with a chic new one, all without using power tools or dealing with wiring.
Ventilation
If you’re planning a DIY bathroom renovation, ventilation is an important part of the process. There are a variety of ways to improve ventilation. One option is to install a ventilation fan. Ventilation fans help to keep the bathroom ventilated during the renovation process. You should also consider installing windows and opening the door to allow for additional air flow.
Proper ventilation is just as important as design and pipework in a bathroom. Good ventilation helps keep the bathroom cleaner and more healthy. If you’re renovating a bathroom yourself, you should check for mold spores. If you notice fuzzy white, green, or black growths in the drywall, you’re likely to have a mold problem.
Permits
If you’re planning a DIY bathroom renovation, you need to know the requirements to obtain a building permit. Certain types of changes in the bathroom require a permit, like changing the toilet, adding a window, or expanding the bathroom by tearing out a closet. If you’re unsure about what work requires a permit, contact your local building department to find out.
In some cases, permits for DIY bathroom renovations are not necessary. However, if you plan to move walls, change the floor plan, change the plumbing, or remove walls, you’ll need a permit. Even if the work is small, obtaining a permit ensures the project meets current codes and will be safe for you and future home buyers. Additionally, it will make the process of selling your home easier in the future.
Budgeting
If you’re considering a DIY bathroom renovation, there are a few factors to consider. First of all, it’s important to consider the cost of replacing your bathroom’s fixtures. New fixtures can make a huge difference in the look of your bathroom. They can be purchased at home stores or online. Make sure to purchase fixtures that fit the footprint of your old ones, or slightly larger, and make sure they’re positioned in the right spot. It’s also important to consider the location of plumbing hookups, as changing that can increase the overall cost of the renovation.
If you’re doing the work yourself, you should budget about $75-$100 per square foot for materials. This is an average cost for bathroom materials, and it doesn’t take into account bells and whistles. Using this budget, a 5-x-8-foot bathroom renovation would cost about $4000. Adding a 30% overage allowance would bring your total cost to a more realistic amount of $5200.