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Fresh paint, a new benchtop and sink, plus a mirror and new tapware were used in this bathroom makeover for under $1000.
The project
After completing our D.I.Y. budget kitchen makeover, we decided to take on our dilapidated little bathroom. I really thought the whole thing needed to be gutted and redone and I was probably right but our budget was pretty much non-existent so I thought anything is better than its present state.
We had a great deal of success with tile paint in the kitchen, and looking closely at the bathroom, I came to the conclusion that most of the change and refresh would come in the form of paint. So I painted the walls, ceiling, doors, tiles on the walls, tiles on the shower wall and the floor tiles. I also painted the bathroom floor and the shower floor along with the cupboard doors.
Instead of pulling the bench down, which would have meant retiling, we simply placed a wood-look laminate bench over the top of the existing one. We also updated our sink with a very swanky yet ultra-cheap countertop basin.
We replaced tapware and I made a little cover for the bath out of a piece of furniture that was free on the side of the road. A nice little light shade, a modern round mirror and a towel rail later our little bathroom was ready to make its debut.
I'm not going to call this a renovation or transformation because compared to other renos it's so very basic but it has freshened and lightened and modernised the space all for under $1000. We're very proud parents.
Not only was it outdated, it was rundown and sad.
Our shower door had broken a few years ago and no amount of scrubbing could seem to make the shower clean.
I thought we would have to rip out the bench but I had another idea.
I had the brilliant idea a few years prior to cover the cupboard doors with contact. Well, it was a good idea at the time.
Finally taking down a rickety shower screen.
The biggest part of painting tiles is the preparation, for the shower particularly, because not only did I have to sand and clean, I had to remove any existing silicone that was left over from the screen.
The primer was the first coat.
After the grubby looking cream tile with the maroon pattern, I just wanted a nice white clean and fresh tile colour.
The floor tile was transformed magically with this amazing tile paint.
A nice new result.
Instead of ripping the existing bench off, we simply "plopped" this over the top. Well, we did do a bit of measuring and cutting beforehand.
I am now an expert caulker.
The final finishes for the floor, walls and bench.
The round mirror makes the space looks current and stylish.
As we don't use the bath much, I decided to make a cover for it using panels from an abandoned TV unit we salvaged off the side of the road.
A nice white clean shower. After much deliberation we didn't replace the shower screen. We felt very rebellious.
Here's my video of how we did it.
How to plan a bathroom renovation
Experienced Workshop member Adam has compiled this comprehensive article on how to plan a bathroom renovation, including the sequence of works and which jobs should be left to professional trades.
More inspiration for your bathroom project
Community member Rufaro spent just $350 on a cosmetic bathroom renovation.
Workshop member raceytrace shared this step-by-step account on how she completed her budget bathroom makeover with painted bath and tiles for an outlay of only $300.
Check out our Top 10 most popular bathroom projects for more ideas and inspiration.
Afternoon @daniknight4
Another nice job! 
It looks great and love the bathtub covering idea.
That bench looks very modern now. My only question is does the shower splash past the shoiwer stall without a door? Or do you have a curtain?
Loved the video btw.
Dave
Fantastic, what a difference! Well done
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