A 'cheater remodel' A 'cheater remodel' (February 20, 2004)

Give your bathroom a new look for next to nothing

By Kit Davey

Many of us cannot afford the time and expense of a complete bathroom renovation. A simple tear-out and replacement can cost more than $10,000 and take months of research and planning. But you can still give your bathroom a fresh look on a limited budget. All it takes is a bit of elbow grease and a little creativity.

Getting started. Survey your bathroom and make a list of what you really like about the space, and then a list of what you don't like (for example, lack of storage space, too dark, dated fixtures, etc...). Next, determine your budget, say from $100 to $1,000. Then decide how much time and energy you're willing to put into the project. Implement one or several of the suggestions below.

Cabinetry. If your vanity is dated and dark, paint it white and replace the knobs in shiny brass, or in a color that matches or complements the room's tile. If you have a little more money to spend, re-face the vanity doors, rather than replace the entire unit.

For increased storage space, consider installing an in-wall storage unit. These pre-made units fit between the wall's studs and do not occupy floor space. If tearing into the walls is a bit too daunting, consider buying a free-standing storage unit that sits over the toilet.

Walls. A simple coat of paint can make a tremendous difference in your bathroom's appearance. I like white walls as they reflect more light and seem to expand the space. If you find white walls boring, stencil a motif in the colors of your tile just below the ceiling line or add a wallpaper border.

If your bathroom has tired wallpaper, I suggest removing the paper and repainting, rather than re-papering. The bathroom's wet environment causes paper to curl and mildew over time. It's much easier to maintain walls covered with a high-quality oil- or water-based, semi-gloss paint.

You can create your own wallpaper-like effect by using different widths of brushes and painting stripes of color across the walls. Or, use a stencil to repeat a small motif, such as stars, shells or flowers randomly over the walls.

Tile. If your tile is chipped or cracked, you might be able to find matching tiles from a company specializing in old or discontinued tiles. If the damage is only on the edges or on the sink's backsplash, consider replacing only that area in a contrasting color. When I remodeled my bath several years ago, I kept a box of the old tile and gave it to my next-door neighbor, who used it to repair his bathroom. Perhaps one of your neighbors has a few extra tiles to share with you!

If you're tired of your bright pink and green tile, try re-glazing it, rather than tearing it out.

If you'd like to replace only your vanity top, Formica is an inexpensive yet attractive alternative to tile. It is now offered in a wide variety of colors and faux stone finishes.

Flooring. If your budget allows, replace tired or dated linoleum. Laying linoleum isn't necessarily cheaper than using tile. I recently paid $450 (labor and materials) to tile a 35-square-foot bathroom -- about or less than the cost of replacing it with a high-quality linoleum.

Did you know you can paint over your old linoleum? Create a new tile pattern and apply your design with special paint designed for this purpose from your local paint store.

Lighting. Instantly brighten your bathroom with a new high-wattage fixture. Add drama by replacing the ceiling fixture with a strip of track lighting. (But it's best not to use track lighting in a bathroom where you apply makeup.)

Fixtures. Unfortunately, replacing a sink usually leads to replacing the vanity as well. Update the look of your sink by simply re-glazing it and then replacing the faucet. It's fairly easy and inexpensive to replace your old toilet with a new low-profile model (available for $100 to $400 from Home Depot or most plumbing supply companies). Replace your old shower door or curtain with a clear glass enclosure; this updates the room's look and increases its apparent size.

These suggestions will help you make do until you can afford a complete remodel and will make your home more appealing to potential buyers if you plan to sell in the next two years.

Kit Davey, ASID, is a Redwood City-based interior designer who specializes in room transformations and staging, using what you already own. You can call her at 367-7370, e-mail her at KitDavey@aol.com or visit her Web site at AFreshLook.net.

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