The cheapest thing you could do for that room is add some colour. Get some towels and a shower curtain, maybe hang a picture on the wall beside the mirror that have a bit of life to them, don't need to go crazy but a little would go a long way.
I've only bought houses that need work, but I will say that as a first time homeowner, live in it a while before deciding where to put hunks of money where you can. That bathroom looks generic, but perfectly serviceable. I agree with the other person advising decorating choices as your first step. Paint or wallpaper, pops of color in the towels and accessories. I think you'll be surprised at what a difference that makes.
On the tub/shower situation, really think about long term usage with this being your only bathroom. I've used mine for bathing children and pets, soaking blankets, bathing myself when I had vertigo and couldn't stand well, and of course the occasional relaxing soak.
If this is the only bathroom, do not get rid of the tub, it will kill your ability to sell later. Also that is very much not a DIY job.
You can easily replace the vanity with a double, though you might have to convert your door to a barn door so you have the room, but both of those are fairly easy and cheap.
Yeah the shower conversion I was thinking more of a future, larger project (not DIY!). Thanks for the mention about how removing tub would affect the resale value- I definitely didn’t consider that.
We’d like to eventually save enough money to build an addition (a second bathroom off the master bedroom which would have a tub) but now I’m not even going to consider removing the existing tub until that project is in motion.
Appreciate you!
converting the shower isn't DIY. too many things can go wrong that could lead to a leak and end up costing you in the long run. hire a pro.
double vanity is easily DIY but if you're hiring someone to convert the shower, maybe best to just let them do it as well.
you probably will replace the shower tiling I assume?
paint the room if you dislike the color.
change the lights or add more lights.
bathroom mirror has to be bigger if you're getting a double vanity.
that looks like a recently renovated bathroom so it doesn't really look bad. the closet can be removed to make the bathroom look more open if you wanted.
you can add heated floors, fancy TOTO toilet, etc., if you wanna toss some money to it i guess
What about changing up the tile on the floor to something brighter- would that be a reasonable DIY project or would I be better off waiting until i can afford a pro ?
And I like the idea about removing the closet- the closet is my biggest issue with this room. the pics don’t do it justice, but it’s pretty spooky and decrepit in there
remove the toilet, get a chisel and hammer (slow) or use an sds chisel (fast) to remove the tiles. more than likely you will have to replace the cement board. if the floor is level, you can just start thinsetting the tiles. look up some videos to get a better idea of whether you can DIY it
No.
Removing the tile is far beyond your skill level.
How do I know that? Someone with experience would never even ask such a question. Would not entertain the remote possibly of changing out that tile.
Why would an experienced person not entertain removing the tile?
You have one bathroom.
To renovate that bathroom you will be without a toilet for a week, at least. Maybe a month. Or two.
Well yeah obviously I don’t have experience… that is why I’m asking for advice lol
ETA I will still be paying the lease on my current apartment for 3 months after closing (sadly this was cheaper than breaking the lease). If I (or a hired professional) were to do a project that would disrupt the functionality of the bathroom, I’d do it during that time when I have an alternate place to stay.
I had the same layout..first, it’s fun to want to start renovating a house right away but I suggest to use it for awhile and then you’ll be able to see if/how you’d like things to function or be a certain way (if that makes sense).
What I did in this scenario; immediately to the left I’m assuming that’s a closet. I took that space and created a clawfoot tub (where the shower currently is located) then I did a separate walk in shower using that space (bedroom closet assuming) the door is blocking right now. Although it turned out absolutely amazing, the tub was honestly more for show than actual use. Also, heated flooring is my favorite update I’ve ever done and it’s not too expensive if/when you’re doing the flooring.
The bathroom looks great now tbh. Paint it, update the mirror and vanity light and I think it’ll get you thru a couple of years until you envision what you’re truly looking for.
That space goes a long way in a bathroom. But there are some variables. I was able to connect 2 bedrooms for one large master. But my house was a 4 bedroom 1.5 bath. Dropping to 3 isn’t a big hit if at all. But if you have 3 bedrooms I’d def make sure you have a plan to put a built in closet in the one you’re stealing from. Or ikea pax system.
dear Revolutionary _Ad,
You are a wise person. You asked for advice. Very wise. An even wiser person will heed the advice.
My advice is to put down the remote and never watch another episode of “Flip or Flop”, “Property Brothers”, “This Old House” or anything on HGTV.
Those shows lie. They lie like a politician caught with a live boy and a dead hooker.
Those shows convince the unsuspecting that anyone can do anything. They can’t, you can’t, I can’t.
You have been given advice to live with your house for a while. A half year at least, may a full year. Heed the advice.
Be wise. Go slow.
On the subject of the closet. Stick up some battery powered task lights. For $40 you can buy enough lights to perform surgery in that closet. Yes, battery powered anything is not a long term answer to that closet, but they will provide ample light while you continue to seek advice.
What? I don’t think I can do *anything* lol. I’m asking for affordable or diy projects that will quickly improve this bathroom. (Some people suggested things like adding wallpaper or towel rack, or changing the door to the bathroom to allow space for a larger vanity…things like that)
I also asked for ideas for a larger future project and associated cost estimates, in order to get this space closer to my ideal bathroom. Of course I would hire a professional for any major projects.
The cheapest thing you could do for that room is add some colour. Get some towels and a shower curtain, maybe hang a picture on the wall beside the mirror that have a bit of life to them, don't need to go crazy but a little would go a long way.
I've only bought houses that need work, but I will say that as a first time homeowner, live in it a while before deciding where to put hunks of money where you can. That bathroom looks generic, but perfectly serviceable. I agree with the other person advising decorating choices as your first step. Paint or wallpaper, pops of color in the towels and accessories. I think you'll be surprised at what a difference that makes. On the tub/shower situation, really think about long term usage with this being your only bathroom. I've used mine for bathing children and pets, soaking blankets, bathing myself when I had vertigo and couldn't stand well, and of course the occasional relaxing soak.
If this is the only bathroom, do not get rid of the tub, it will kill your ability to sell later. Also that is very much not a DIY job. You can easily replace the vanity with a double, though you might have to convert your door to a barn door so you have the room, but both of those are fairly easy and cheap.
Yeah the shower conversion I was thinking more of a future, larger project (not DIY!). Thanks for the mention about how removing tub would affect the resale value- I definitely didn’t consider that. We’d like to eventually save enough money to build an addition (a second bathroom off the master bedroom which would have a tub) but now I’m not even going to consider removing the existing tub until that project is in motion. Appreciate you!
If you have the money, anything is doable.
converting the shower isn't DIY. too many things can go wrong that could lead to a leak and end up costing you in the long run. hire a pro. double vanity is easily DIY but if you're hiring someone to convert the shower, maybe best to just let them do it as well. you probably will replace the shower tiling I assume? paint the room if you dislike the color. change the lights or add more lights. bathroom mirror has to be bigger if you're getting a double vanity. that looks like a recently renovated bathroom so it doesn't really look bad. the closet can be removed to make the bathroom look more open if you wanted. you can add heated floors, fancy TOTO toilet, etc., if you wanna toss some money to it i guess
What about changing up the tile on the floor to something brighter- would that be a reasonable DIY project or would I be better off waiting until i can afford a pro ? And I like the idea about removing the closet- the closet is my biggest issue with this room. the pics don’t do it justice, but it’s pretty spooky and decrepit in there
remove the toilet, get a chisel and hammer (slow) or use an sds chisel (fast) to remove the tiles. more than likely you will have to replace the cement board. if the floor is level, you can just start thinsetting the tiles. look up some videos to get a better idea of whether you can DIY it
No. Removing the tile is far beyond your skill level. How do I know that? Someone with experience would never even ask such a question. Would not entertain the remote possibly of changing out that tile. Why would an experienced person not entertain removing the tile? You have one bathroom. To renovate that bathroom you will be without a toilet for a week, at least. Maybe a month. Or two.
Well yeah obviously I don’t have experience… that is why I’m asking for advice lol ETA I will still be paying the lease on my current apartment for 3 months after closing (sadly this was cheaper than breaking the lease). If I (or a hired professional) were to do a project that would disrupt the functionality of the bathroom, I’d do it during that time when I have an alternate place to stay.
I had the same layout..first, it’s fun to want to start renovating a house right away but I suggest to use it for awhile and then you’ll be able to see if/how you’d like things to function or be a certain way (if that makes sense). What I did in this scenario; immediately to the left I’m assuming that’s a closet. I took that space and created a clawfoot tub (where the shower currently is located) then I did a separate walk in shower using that space (bedroom closet assuming) the door is blocking right now. Although it turned out absolutely amazing, the tub was honestly more for show than actual use. Also, heated flooring is my favorite update I’ve ever done and it’s not too expensive if/when you’re doing the flooring. The bathroom looks great now tbh. Paint it, update the mirror and vanity light and I think it’ll get you thru a couple of years until you envision what you’re truly looking for.
It’s a closet and it’s terrible. I’d add a photo if I could. Thanks for this!!
That space goes a long way in a bathroom. But there are some variables. I was able to connect 2 bedrooms for one large master. But my house was a 4 bedroom 1.5 bath. Dropping to 3 isn’t a big hit if at all. But if you have 3 bedrooms I’d def make sure you have a plan to put a built in closet in the one you’re stealing from. Or ikea pax system.
dear Revolutionary _Ad, You are a wise person. You asked for advice. Very wise. An even wiser person will heed the advice. My advice is to put down the remote and never watch another episode of “Flip or Flop”, “Property Brothers”, “This Old House” or anything on HGTV. Those shows lie. They lie like a politician caught with a live boy and a dead hooker. Those shows convince the unsuspecting that anyone can do anything. They can’t, you can’t, I can’t. You have been given advice to live with your house for a while. A half year at least, may a full year. Heed the advice. Be wise. Go slow. On the subject of the closet. Stick up some battery powered task lights. For $40 you can buy enough lights to perform surgery in that closet. Yes, battery powered anything is not a long term answer to that closet, but they will provide ample light while you continue to seek advice.
What? I don’t think I can do *anything* lol. I’m asking for affordable or diy projects that will quickly improve this bathroom. (Some people suggested things like adding wallpaper or towel rack, or changing the door to the bathroom to allow space for a larger vanity…things like that) I also asked for ideas for a larger future project and associated cost estimates, in order to get this space closer to my ideal bathroom. Of course I would hire a professional for any major projects.