40 Budget-Friendly Small Bathroom Ideas to Spruce Up Your Space

Itching to give your small bathroom a much-needed makeover? You’re not the only one. According to Google Trends, there has been a 400% search increase for budget small bathroom ideas this past year.

Although the cost to remodel your bathroom can be steep, there are plenty of creative ways to transform a small space without breaking the bank, especially the lovely loo.

We’ve created a list of 40 budget-friendly ideas, including some safe for rented spaces, to inspire your next DIY project. 

Under $100 Budget

Revamp your small bathroom without breaking the bank. Check out these creative upgrades you can do for $100 or less.

1. Update the Towels

When was the last time you got new bathroom towels? If you can’t remember how long it’s been, or if they’re starting to look lackluster, swap them out with fresh new linen. 

2. Change the Shower Curtain

Sometimes all you need is a snazzy shower curtain design to change the look and feel of the entire bathroom. Try one with intricate shapes and patterns for a unique aesthetic.  

3. Use Upcycled Furniture

Instead of throwing out old accessories and storage items, put them to use. You can always repurpose timeworn decor into something functional and appealing. For example, if you have an old ladder, upcycle it into a stylish bath towel rack. 

4. Include Chic Accessories

From soap dispensers to toothbrush holders, you can create a cohesive look with luxurious bathroom accessory sets. For a personal touch, add a basket of toiletries and grooming products using the printable labels below:

Download Bathroom Organization Labels Here

5. Mount a Modern Mirror

A new mirror can easily give the vanity a makeover. Opt for a larger, modern mirror with a geometric frame that adds both character and light to the small space.

6. Incorporate Pops of Greenery

Biophilic decor—decorating with plants and natural elements— is making a comeback, especially in the powder room. From low-maintenance succulents to lush, leafy vines, houseplants in the bathroom can reduce excess moisture and complement the design without taking up a lot of space. 

7. Consider Floating Shelves

Mounted or “floating” shelves are an attractive and functional way to display decor, free up space, and provide extra storage. Hiring a local carpenter can help ensure the mounting is properly secured.

8. Make Use of Decorative Storage

Woven baskets are attractive storage options for towels, cleaning products, or other bath essentials.

9. Add a Luxurious Bath Mat

A large, plush bath mat is an easy way to add comfort and style (not to mention prevent slip hazards). 

10. Opt for Peel-and-Stick Tiles

Looking for a quick and inexpensive update for old tiles? Give your walls a facelift with chic peel-and-stick tiles. They’re easy to remove and change as desired.

11. Hang Elegant Artwork 

Uplift the mood of a small bathroom with elegant artwork. Hang a large frame as a statement piece, or several smaller frames to create a lovely collage. 

12. Create a Spa-Inspired Ambience

If you already have plants and artwork, you’re one step away from creating a spa bathroom vibe. Simply adorn the shelves and vanity with scented candles. You can also add a bathtub caddy to hold snacks and reading material for a relaxing soak. 

13. Customize the Toilet Seat

No need to sit uncomfortably in a tiny space. Consider swapping out a hard toilet seat for one with softer, more delicate padding.

14. Perform a Deep Cleaning

Sometimes a thorough, deep bathroom cleaning is all you need to refresh the look. Professional house cleaners near you can scrape, scrub, polish, and shine the bathroom from floor to ceiling and have it looking sparkly new.

Under $250 Budget 

For those who have a little more wiggle room in their bathroom renovation budget, here are a few ideas you can complete for less than $250.

15. Create a Theme

Sticking to a theme will help with choosing decor and upgrades. For example, a nautical-inspired bathroom leans more toward blue and white paint options, rustic hardware, and coastal decor. 

16. Give It a Paint Job

Take risks with color. Try creative wall painting ideas such as ombré or using a sponge roller to create cool textures.

17. Invest in a Bidet

To support sustainable living, adding a bidet can help reduce the amount of toilet paper your household uses and flushes. The cost of a bidet can be as low as $170, with attachment options for even less. 

18. Work With Wallpaper

If you’d rather avoid the hassle of painting, a stylish wallpaper design can easily liven up the look. 

19. Make It Kid-Friendly

It may make more sense for the kids to use the smallest bathroom of the house. In this case, giving it a creative theme, such as cartoons or games, will give it an exciting, youthful appeal. Use colorful step stools and laundry bins for a fun pop.

Do you have younger children? You can make this easy-to-clean bath paint as a fun bathtime activity for them to enjoy:

Download Bath Paint Recipe Here

20. Swap Out the Hardware

Transform the feel of the bathroom by changing the hardware, such as doorknobs, light switch covers, and towel hooks. Replacing plastic or wooden hardware with metallic versions can instantly create a luxe look.  

21. Design an Accent Wall

In addition to paint, you can hang frames and decorative signage on one wall as an accent.

22. Install a Medicine Cabinet

Medicine cabinets aren’t necessarily for medicine only. Instead, use the extra storage space to stow away toiletries. Follow these steps on installing a medicine cabinet yourself, or hire a handyperson near you for the job.

23. Go With a Doorless Shower

No door, no problem. Having a doorless shower opens up the bathroom space and allows you to get creative with tiling. Before doing so, however, it’s helpful to consult with a professional shower installer in your area about proper drainage positioning and size.

24. Upgrade the Lighting

Paint your bathroom lights for a more modern look, or replace the light fixture altogether to serve as a bright statement piece. You can also add backlit LED lighting to the mirror to create a fun, illuminating effect.

Under $500 Budget 

If you’ve stashed away just enough cash for a semi-remodel for your small bathroom, try these next ideas on for size.

25. Revamp the Door

Pocket doors are increasingly popular for small spaces because they slide in and out of the wall instead of using hinges. While a DIY may save money, hiring a door installer can ensure the framing is even.

26. Upgrade the Shower Door

A glass shower door adds a clean, sleek look to the space, not to mention lets natural light pass through, making the room appear larger and brighter.

27. Add a Towel Warmer

Consider upgrading the towel rack to something unique that your guests will love, like a towel warmer. You can find affordable plug-in wall mount warmers at your local department store for around $300.

28. Switch to a Low-Flow Toilet

Save both water and money with a new high-efficiency toilet. These models use less than 2 gallons per flush, as opposed to older models that use up to 7 gallons.

29. Experiment With Storage Options

Trying to maximize space in your small bathroom? Get creative with decorative storage bathroom options, such as a vertical shelf over the toilet, over-the-shower-head caddies, and wall hooks for towels.

Keep a stack of these fun puzzles on your vertical shelf to use during your relaxing bathroom time: 

Download Bathroom Word Search and Crossword Here

30. Downsize the Vanity

Thinking of replacing your old, dull vanity with a smaller yet charming version? Some styles, such as the pedestal sink, are stylish options that leave extra space for storage and leg room in a small bathroom. The cost of installing a sink can be as low as $400.

31. Upgrade the Countertop

Maybe you already like the size and shape of your bathroom vanity but simply want to give the countertop a facelift. A granite or cultured marble countertop replacement can cost $5 to $65 per square foot. Hire a local countertop contractor to help install it, or do it yourself to save on extra costs.

32. Replace Old Fixtures

Are those bathroom fixtures rusted, worn out, or loose? It may be time to replace them. Fortunately, swapping out old bathroom fixtures for new ones, such as copper and gold, is a cost-effective upgrade that easily creates a high-end look. 

33. Move the Shower Outdoors

Drawing inspiration from our tiny house ideas, consider creating an outdoor shower if the one in your small bathroom takes up too much space. Portable outdoor showers can give your backyard a tropical staycation vibe and range anywhere from $50 to $300, excluding installation costs.

Under $1,000 Budget

With just around $1,000, you can take care of a few more hardware upgrades in your small bathroom. Here are a few more ideas for inspiration. 

34. Install New Flooring

Looking for a low-cost option to spruce up your floors? Consider vinyl flooring, which has an average cost of $2.50 to $5 per square foot. It’s water-resistant, stain-resistant, durable and comes in many designs and colors. You can try a DIY or hire a vinyl flooring installer near you.

35. Ditch the Bathtub

If you already have a tub in another bathroom, consider ditching the one in this small bathroom and just having a shower instead.  

36. Level Up the Shower Enclosure

Showers don’t have to be bland. New wall tiles or sliding glass doors are an instant enclosure update for spa-like aesthetics. A professional shower enclosure installer in your area can walk you through a few options within your budget.

37. Get a Stylish Window Tint

Window tint is good for adding some privacy to your bathroom, as well as blocking UV rays and helping retain heat in the home. The average cost of tinting house windows is $600.

38. Try Decorative Wainscoting

Wainscoting is wood paneling or tile added to the lower third of a wall for aesthetic appeal but it also helps protect it from wear and tear. Install the paneling to your walls to instantly make a small bathroom appear more upscale. 

39. Add a Shower Bench

A shower bench is a nice built-in addition that also makes the bathroom wheelchair accessible and inclusive for anyone to use. 

40. Float the Vanity

Save on space without compromising style. A wall-mounted vanity design creates the “floating” illusion, making small bathrooms appear larger.  

Remember, there’s no budget too small for simple yet clever upgrades. With careful planning and a bit of creativity, you can give your bathroom a nice makeover, no matter the size.