In these difficult times, many of us often lack funds. However, repairs still need to be done. Moreover, so that the bathroom has a decent appearance and the possibility of its long-term use in the future.
Therefore, it will be useful to understand how to do a budget bathroom renovation with your own hands, spending as little money as possible.
Self-adhesive film
PVC film is a budget option that will help you quickly change the interior of your bathroom. A variety of textures, colors and prints allows you to choose an effective solution for your room design. Raw materials are produced in sheets and rolls, like wallpaper. On the back side of the material there is an adhesive composition covered with protection.
Self-adhesive film is not afraid of high humidity, which allows it to be used in the bathroom. To remove drops and debris, wipe the coating with a rag. The finish is glued only to prepared surfaces. The base can be either a painted wall or boring tiles. Installation is carried out very carefully, otherwise bubbles and distortions will occur.
Fragility is the main disadvantage of film. In wet areas, the self-adhesive will begin to peel off after a few years, and with careless movements it can easily be damaged (torn). Bright colors and images gradually fade. This option is perfect for people who like to change their design frequently with little investment.
How to decorate a beautiful bathroom in Khrushchev
Khrushchev apartments have their own characteristics, both in general and in bathrooms in particular. These are small rooms, a shared bathroom, uneven walls. In order not to clutter an already small space, they select furniture and plumbing fixtures with a focus on minimalism. For the same purposes, it is recommended to install a wall-hung toilet. For budget repairs, they select finishing materials that you can handle yourself, while saving on the cost of a professional.
On a note!
When choosing a room design in such bathrooms, it is better to avoid multi-color options.
After renovation, household items (towels, rugs, toothbrushes, etc.) will be added to the room, they will add their own flavor. This will make the small bathroom visually overloaded. It is best to use 1-2 colors for decoration. It will look stylish. Light shades will visually enlarge the space around you. And drops that leave white streaks when dry are not so noticeable against a light background.
It is recommended to pay attention to the options for compact showers and bathtubs. So-called “wet baths” are very convenient for saving space. An open shower stall will not clutter up the room with unnecessary doors. For convenience, the drain is installed in the center of the room. In such a bath, the best option is to finish everything with tiles, without installing furniture or cabinets with doors.
Painting walls
Paint is an affordable alternative to bathroom tile. The enamel coating can be either single-color or multi-color. A design with vertical or horizontal stripes helps to visually correct the shortcomings of the room. The author's drawings look luxurious on the partitions in the bathroom. If there is no artistic talent, then stencils are often used.
After drying, the paints create a durable polymer film on the walls. The coating must be resistant to abrasion, household chemicals and steam. In conditions of high humidity, 3 popular types are used:
- Alkyd. Very strong, durable compounds that are easy to apply. The inexpensive material has moderate resistance to impact loads. The pungent odor is the only drawback of the coating.
- Acrylic. Enamels based on polymers and water do not stink and dry quickly. They are inferior in durability to alkyd ones, but are easy to use.
- Latex. Synthetic rubber paints with fungicides are resistant to high humidity and fungus. Operation – 15 years.
The enamel is applied to a previously prepared surface. The walls are cleaned of old finishes, cracks are sealed and depressions are leveled. Before painting, the partitions must be primed and dried thoroughly.
Over time, any enamel fades, cracks, and therefore requires updating. The old layer is washed off with a solvent or removed mechanically. We recommend additionally protecting the surface near the bathtub bowl or in the shower with water-repellent varnish.
Paint in the bathroom Source ourvagabondstories.com
How to choose inexpensive materials
To paint ceilings and walls, it is recommended to buy moisture-resistant paints; when using oil dyes, fungus or cracks will subsequently form.
Buy acrylic, latex or silicone paints - this is an economical option combined with excellent performance properties. Luja Tikkurila or Optimum matte paints are suitable for the bathroom.
Aqueous emulsions do not have an unpleasant pungent odor, and silicone coatings are a good waterproofing barrier.
A combination of several types of coating will help to avoid high costs - matte and glossy are suitable for the bathroom, semi-gloss emulsions are also used.
Finishing with PVC panels will be more expensive than painting. But it will take less time - there is no need to clean the walls of old coatings, level them or seal cracks.
For such finishing you will need a sheathing; it is made from plastic profiles or wooden slats. It is better to use the first option, because plastic is resistant to moisture, and wooden slats will have to be impregnated with a special moisture-resistant solution.
The simplest and lowest-cost type of bathroom coating is wallpaper, which must be moisture resistant.
You can paste the wallpaper yourself, spending a few hours of time. They are not as durable as other materials, but they are easy to change and, if used carefully, last for years.
The most durable and modern wallpaper for a room is vinyl based on non-woven material. They are more expensive than washable and self-adhesive ones, but more durable and reliable.
The most affordable option is washable wallpaper; they should not be glued to areas that are exposed to direct moisture.
Decorative plaster
Textured putty is a plastic material with which you can create an original bathroom design. The composition of the raw material includes crushed particles, allowing you to obtain a surface like marble, concrete or brick. After drying, the decorative plaster is painted and protected with a special varnish.
The beauty of the coating depends on the application technology. Three-dimensional drawings of varying complexity, which are created using rollers or spatulas, look luxurious on the walls. In the design of a bathroom, decorative and smooth surfaces are often combined, emphasizing a particular area.
Decorative plaster Source silka.com.ua
To decorate the walls in the bathroom, sanitizing types are used, adapted for use in wet conditions. The material contains synthetic additives that allow you not to be afraid of fungus and maintain a normal microclimate. On average, the durability of high-quality finishing is at least 10 years.
Decorative plaster is applied to prepared and leveled walls. Areas of the wet zone are protected from water with special compounds, otherwise difficult-to-remove limescale stains from the liquid will remain on the surfaces. Glazing solutions and varnishing will help cope with the problem.
Beautiful bathroom design Source poradu24.com
How to do a budget bathroom renovation
It is better to plan the repair in advance and divide it into stages:
- Organize the process competently.
- Purchase everything you need.
- Remove old coatings.
- Carry out work on finishing the ceiling.
- Lay the floor covering.
- Finish the walls.
The use of low-quality materials entails even greater expenses: on replacing them with new ones, as well as on the services of workers.
Wall and ceiling finishing
Costs, steps and work time depend on the type of finish chosen.
Available options: PVC plastic panels, coating with moisture-resistant paint, washable thick or self-adhesive wallpaper. It is worth considering inexpensive tiles - this is the most reliable option.
First, you need to dismantle the old coatings; paint and emulsion solutions do not fit well on curved walls.
After removing and leveling the surface, you can begin applying paint.
When gluing wallpaper, the scheme is the same - you should not glue it to old ones, you first need to clean the walls of unnecessary residues. Then you can get to work.
When covering walls with PVC panels, the work is divided into several stages:
- Installation of lining in the room.
- Frame installation.
- Fastening the starting bar and corners.
- Fastening panels.
After completing the finishing, glue on the plastic skirting boards, install caps and corners. This is necessary to combine the elements with each other.
Floor decoration
The most reliable floor covering is tiles. But if you decide to make do with minimal investments, linoleum will do. It is durable, reliable, easy to install, and suitable for cosmetic repairs.
To lay linoleum:
- Clean the surface from dust and debris, wipe with a damp cloth.
- Having placed it evenly, spread the material that will go onto the walls. Use a sharp utility knife to cut off the excess. Cut along the corner - it will turn out smoother there.
- Fix the material in the doorway - a pre-purchased threshold will be useful for this.
- The joint in the opening is closed with a strip or glued with liquid nails.
It is not necessary to glue linoleum - the area of the bathroom or toilet is small, and a bathtub is installed on the surface. You can use double-sided tape to strengthen it.
Moisture-resistant wallpaper
Trellis with maximum moisture resistance markings (3 waves) are suitable for use in the bathroom. Popular types include acrylic and vinyl wallpaper. The models are not afraid of a humid microclimate, but will not withstand direct exposure to water. A varnished protection or glass panel will save the wet area from destruction. The alternation of finishing with painting or decorative plaster on the bottom looks original.
Fragility is the main disadvantage of trellises. On average, the material will last no more than 5 years. Even water-resistant types quickly deteriorate in humid conditions. The dense, often multi-layer structure of products provokes the formation of mold and mildew on the walls.
Trellis in the bathroom Source pobudova.in.ua
Bathroom covered with plastic: photos and ideas
PVC panels are one of the most economical and simple options for covering a bathroom. Attractive price, simple installation that even a beginner can handle, and a large selection of patterns that can be combined with each other.
On a note!
You can easily hide pipes behind plastic panels. The surface is easy to clean and tolerates temperature changes and humidity well.
Thanks to the tiled pattern, the room looks no worse than one decorated with real ceramics. You can add bright accents or voluminous drawings to emphasize individuality.
For dreamers who, lying in the bathtub, imagine themselves on the seashore, relaxing after a hard day, there is also a choice from a variety of drawings and paintings on panels on this topic.
For lovers of minimalism, so that nothing distracts on the walls with a colorful pattern, there are plain panels. Moreover, the choice of colors is very large.
There are also disadvantages to the “plastic” design. PVC panels do not withstand direct impacts. The material is also highly flammable. With poor ventilation, condensation may accumulate on the walls with the further development of fungus, especially at the joints.
Flexible stone
The composite type consists of a non-woven base (fiberglass) and a stone filler. The top of the product is coated with a special protective varnish. The finishing is produced in the form of rolls or ready-to-use sheets. Flexible, soft panels can be easily cut into individual pieces with a knife.
Composite material Source arriver71.ru
In the bathroom, the stone composite is glued to the partitions with a fixing compound. The position of the material can be adjusted within 5 minutes, after which the parts are set. The finishing is very light, so the elements do not slip during installation.
Decoration is the main advantage of flexible stone. The raw material visually and to the touch resembles granite, marble or quartz. The material has a high price, which will pay off with durability (more than 20 years) and easy maintenance. The composite does not rot in humid conditions, even with poor ventilation.
Creating Combinations: A Great Way to Save Money
Finishing materials must be used wisely. If you decide to save on repairs, then it is advisable to do this specifically on finishing materials.
To decorate surfaces, you can use not only expensive tiles or cheap plastic panels.
- The choice can be made from different options, which will only need to be combined correctly.
- As a result, it is possible to get a successful design at an affordable price.
In addition to the choice of materials themselves, you can bet on the method of their application. You can also save money on this, but in this case you should not forget about quality.
Wall panels
Raw materials help to quickly make wall cladding in the bathroom. Under the boards they hide the imperfections of the partitions, making repairs easier and faster. The panels in the room must be installed on a frame, otherwise dampness accumulates under the finishing and mold appears. You can hide plumbing and meters under the structure.
Among the alternatives to tiles in the bathroom, professionals highlight lining. Inexpensive cladding boards are mounted on metal profile sheathing. To prevent the wood from rotting, the surface is protected with an antiseptic and water-repellent varnish. The material should not be installed in a shower stall or next to a bowl. In wet areas it is better to use paint or a glass screen.
What does budget renovation mean?
The most elite materials are not always an indicator of style and good taste.
The bathroom can be decorated cheaply in a loft or minimalist style, while it will look beautiful and fashionable.
The cheapest finishing materials include: wallpaper, PVC panels, paint emulsions and compositions.
An inexpensive trend is brick finishing, which is not inferior to ceramic tiles and is suitable for the bathroom.
In order not to purchase a large number of tiles and not cover all the walls with them from floor to ceiling, you can paint them. The antibacterial and moisture-resistant properties of modern paints allow this to be done without compromising quality.
Before work, prepare the surface and choose the right paint. Consider the size of the room - dark colors should not be used for small rooms. It is worth choosing light pastel colors that will visually expand the room and make it brighter.
It is recommended to choose colors and draw up a design project in advance. Do not paint all the walls; lay out the areas near the sink and bathtub with tiles or cover them with moisture-resistant panels.
There are two more available repair methods:
- Finish with PVC panels.
- Cover with wallpaper.
All finishing methods have their own nuances, advantages and disadvantages. First of all, the room should be beautiful, comfortable and functional.
A natural stone
Marble and granite, travertine and onyx bring a touch of luxury to the room. Natural materials are expensive. The cost is compensated by high durability and decorativeness. Wear-resistant stone types can withstand mechanical damage and constant fluctuations in temperature and humidity.
Natural finishes will appear in a large bathroom, but will be invisible in a tiny one. To prevent a room from looking pompous, cladding is often combined with other materials. For example, with decorative plaster, painting or wallpaper. Partial finishing will help place accents or visually change the irregular shape of the bathroom.
Natural stone Source zen.yandex.com
Bathroom furniture
When choosing furniture, also remember that the material must be moisture resistant. It can be MDF with a moisture-resistant coating. Chipboard is cheaper, but inferior in quality.
Cabinet under the sink
Even in the smallest bathroom you cannot do without a cabinet for various hygiene items. It can be located either under the sink or above it. If the cabinet is located above the sink, it is advisable that it have mirrored doors.
If you choose the second option, then hang the mirror above the sink. It would be great if it had a shelf for various little things.
Cabinet with lighting
Ideas for bathroom lighting can be found here
Also a mandatory element is a laundry tank. The most inexpensive option is made of plastic. The color can be matched to the style of your bathroom. The corner option takes up minimal space.
Cabinet with built-in laundry basket
What other shelf options are there - Different types of bathroom shelves
Linoleum
Flooring is an unusual and rare alternative to tiles in the bathroom. When choosing a material, preference is given to thicker models with high moisture resistance. Advanced finishes are more expensive than regular linoleum. Types based on PVC or corundum chips are suitable for use in the bathroom. Products must contain antibacterial impregnations.
The material is cut into pieces or used along the entire length of the wall. The raw materials are glued to the partition using a technology reminiscent of installing wallpaper. The fixing composition for linoleum is distributed on the back side of the product, pressed to the surface, and leveled. Use a spatula or dry cloth to remove any remaining solution. The seams are treated with joint sealant.
Original bathroom design Source build-experts.ru
Plumbing
It is not recommended to save on plumbing, but there are still ways. For example, you can choose an acrylic bathtub instead of a cast iron one. Acrylic bathtubs are lighter and thinner, noisier. But they are quite wear-resistant and have a neat, aesthetic appearance. An acrylic bathtub will cost you almost twice as much as a cast iron one.
Acrylic bathtub in the interior
- Corner acrylic bathtub
As for the toilet, we recommend choosing a classic floor-standing option. If your bathroom is small, take a look at corner toilets.
- The black toilet looks very stylish
It is not necessary to choose classic colors of plumbing fixtures
Ways to save on refurbishment
It is not always necessary to make repairs with a complete replacement of plumbing. Sometimes cosmetic intervention is enough. If a bathtub, faucets, heated towel rail and other functional devices can still be used, but they have lost their beauty in appearance, then the situation can be easily corrected.
For each element, there are tricks that will help solve the problem while saving replacement costs. The bathtub can be updated with acrylic, the faucets can be thoroughly cleaned, and the pipes can be coated with fresh enamel.
In large devices, important functional parts can be replaced, and the housing can be restored to its proper appearance.
Old pipes can be hidden in a special box. We must remember that the absence of functional impairment is more important, not appearance.
Scope of renovation work
When calculating the costs required for repairs, it is important to determine the scale of the work. The budget does not always allow for major work.
- You can save money by focusing on minimal cosmetic interventions.
- Sometimes that's enough. The room will look fresh, and a properly completed renovation will last a long time.
If only a complete re-equipment suggests itself, then saving on materials to reduce costs is impossible.
Choice of finishes
Among the finishing materials for the bathroom, the most popular are:
- ceramic tile
- decorative moisture-resistant plaster
- water-dispersed latex or acrylic paint
- vinyl wallpapers
- plastic panels
Tile is traditionally used to decorate bathrooms and, despite the variability of fashion or the emergence of new materials, remains a leader in this area.
Smooth, glazed tiles are great for walls, and clinker tiles are great for floors.
Large, rectangular or square tiles that are trendy today look good in spacious rooms. It can be plain or imitate the texture of wood and natural stone.
In the photo: decorating a bathroom with large tiles. The most popular colors today: graphite, pearl gray, beige, coffee, milk, chocolate, dark blue.
Tiling the bathroom with two or even three types looks impressive For example, square, hexagonal and mosaic type or rectangular wide and narrow. This is another trend in the decoration of sanitary facilities.
Examples of such combinations are below in the photo :
If the types of tiles listed above are more suitable for interiors in a modern style, then classic and retro look impressive with subway tiles. As a rule, half of the walls are laid out with it, protecting them in places of contact with the bathtub and washbasin. But the upper part is covered with paint or wallpaper.
Options for finishing a bathroom with “metro” (“hog”) tiles:
Decorative plaster
If the design of a bathroom with ceramic tiles seems too ordinary, you can plaster part of the walls, especially in areas far from the shower.
Modern acrylic-based decorative compositions have good air and vapor permeability, are easy to care for and durable. They are easy to clean, do not absorb moisture, and allow the walls to “breathe,” which has a beneficial effect on the microclimate of the room.
Plaster looks elegant in bathrooms of any style and size. It is variable and allows you to create both smooth and textured surfaces. In classical style rooms, fresco painting would be appropriate.
Important: It is advisable to entrust the work with plaster to professionals, since this process is long, painstaking and requires certain skills. Especially if we are talking about “Venetian” or hand-painted.
In the photo: finishing the bathroom with decorative plaster:
Water-based paint in bathroom design
This material has several advantages:
- low price
- the ability to carry out finishing work independently, without the involvement of specialists
- environmental friendliness
- quick application and drying
- no unpleasant odor
- decorativeness
Acrylic and latex compositions, which have the highest moisture resistance, are suitable for the bathroom. The second option also allows you to eliminate minor wall defects and is also immune to mechanical stress.
Of course, it is recommended to paint the walls in the bathroom only in places that are not in direct contact with water.
Tip : in the washbasin area, the wall can be covered with a glass apron to protect it from splashes and dirt.
Examples of bathrooms with walls painted with water-dispersion compositions in the photo below:
Wallpaper for the bathroom
This is not a very common material for decorating walls in a bathroom, but it is quite suitable, especially when it comes to spacious rooms.
Classic, shabby chic, vintage, art deco and Provence look harmonious only if wallpaper is used in the interior.
By combining canvases with ceramic tiles, you can create a stylish and memorable design.
Vinyl wallpaper marked with the “three waves” icon (the highest degree of waterproofness) is suitable for the bathroom. It is necessary to glue the canvases with compounds with good adhesion and resistance to a humid environment.
If these conditions are met, the wallpaper will last a long time, and the bathroom will look no less worthy than in the photo below:
Finishing the bathroom with plastic panels
Plastic is not a prestigious finishing material, but if you need to quickly and economically renovate a bathroom, this is the best option.
The main advantage of polymer panels, in addition to speed and ease of installation: by hanging on a frame, they allow you to hide uneven walls or communications.
The main disadvantage is fragility. Even a hand blow causes dents to appear on the panel that cannot be removed. And sharp objects can pierce through plastic. Therefore, covering walls with PVC panels is extremely undesirable in houses where there are small children.
The design of plastic coating is varied and can compete with other materials. Modern panels can even imitate wood and natural stone, which do not perform well in conditions of high humidity. And lining with a photo print will successfully replace wallpaper, creating a unique atmosphere in the shower.
Finishing a bathroom with plastic, examples with photos :
Looking at samples of bathroom tiles, are you upset because of the high price of the coating? We recommend an alternative – PVC panels “under tiles”. Externally, they are almost no different from their traditional counterpart (see photo ).
Oilcloth
Oilcloth will come in handy to make quick repairs. Oilcloth is a fabric impregnated with a waterproof compound. Compared to self-adhesive film, oilcloth has fewer textures, but is not inferior to it in the variety of colors and patterns. Oilcloth also makes it easy to change the interior with your own hands without major expenses, however, this finishing option can be called short-lived. Covering with oilcloth will speed up repairs, and its pattern will refresh the interior of a small room.
