12 Ways to Get a Luxe Bathroom Look for Less
Your budget bathroom can have a high-end feel with the right tile, stone, vanity and accessories
Shana Ecker
October 22, 2020
Houzz contributor. I'm a flea market obsessed, peanut butter loving designer, and I strive to help everyone fall in love with their homes, one space at a time.
Houzz contributor. I'm a flea market obsessed, peanut butter loving designer, and... More
Although we all love to drool over images of gorgeous designer bathrooms, we may not have the budget to go all out when the time comes to spruce up our own washrooms. But that doesn’t mean your remodel has to be generic and uninspired. There are many ways to get a high-end look without a hefty price tag. Here are 12 tricks to do just that.
1. Grout Color
Tiling all or most of your wall surface gives it a nice polished look, but the costs can really add up. White ceramic subway tiles are the most affordable option at most big-box stores, but the finished look can sometimes seem a little flat. Make your installation stand out by using a dark or colored grout, like in the bathroom shown here. Because guess what? Gray grout costs the same as white.
Find a tile and stone contractor
Tiling all or most of your wall surface gives it a nice polished look, but the costs can really add up. White ceramic subway tiles are the most affordable option at most big-box stores, but the finished look can sometimes seem a little flat. Make your installation stand out by using a dark or colored grout, like in the bathroom shown here. Because guess what? Gray grout costs the same as white.
Find a tile and stone contractor
2. Larger-Format Tiles
Another idea is to search for an out-of-the-box dimension rather than the typical 3-by-6-inch format. Tile sizes like 2 by 9 inches or 4 by 8 inches will make your bathroom stand out from the rest.
Another idea is to search for an out-of-the-box dimension rather than the typical 3-by-6-inch format. Tile sizes like 2 by 9 inches or 4 by 8 inches will make your bathroom stand out from the rest.
3. Trim Accents
Or consider giving your standard tile a punch by splurging a bit on trim pieces as accents. These will give your room an interesting, graphic element, but the small quantity needed won’t break the bank.
Shop for accent tile
Or consider giving your standard tile a punch by splurging a bit on trim pieces as accents. These will give your room an interesting, graphic element, but the small quantity needed won’t break the bank.
Shop for accent tile
4. Tile Rug
Most bathroom designers will tell you that if you want to splurge on any one part of the renovation, it should be the floor, because it has the biggest impact. Instead of laying a pricey stone mosaic everywhere, you can save by designing a “rug” with just a few square feet of something eye catching, and using large-format field tiles in a coordinating stone around it.
Most bathroom designers will tell you that if you want to splurge on any one part of the renovation, it should be the floor, because it has the biggest impact. Instead of laying a pricey stone mosaic everywhere, you can save by designing a “rug” with just a few square feet of something eye catching, and using large-format field tiles in a coordinating stone around it.
5. Upgrade Knobs and Pulls
If you don’t have the funds to spend on a custom vanity, don’t fret. A simple model can look one-of-a-kind with some pretty hardware, like the pulls seen here. Try a vintage or specialty store to find hardware that is unique.
If you don’t have the funds to spend on a custom vanity, don’t fret. A simple model can look one-of-a-kind with some pretty hardware, like the pulls seen here. Try a vintage or specialty store to find hardware that is unique.
7. Choose Stone Wisely
Nothing beats the warmth and visual beauty of natural stone in the bathroom, but of course it’s not a cheap option. Check your local stone yard for remnants that fit your design and consider less exotic types that are more affordable. For example, Carrara marble is often 25 percent less than other varieties, such as Calacatta or Thassos.
Carrara vs. Calacatta: What’s the Difference?
Nothing beats the warmth and visual beauty of natural stone in the bathroom, but of course it’s not a cheap option. Check your local stone yard for remnants that fit your design and consider less exotic types that are more affordable. For example, Carrara marble is often 25 percent less than other varieties, such as Calacatta or Thassos.
Carrara vs. Calacatta: What’s the Difference?
8. Source the Bathtub Carefully
One of the most expensive features of a new bathroom can be the biggest fixture of all: the bathtub. Gorgeous versions from upscale manufacturers can run more than $10,000. To get a similar look, check Craigslist or local architectural salvage shops for vintage tubs under $500. For $500 to $700 more, you can have it professionally reglazed to get it looking as good as new.
One of the most expensive features of a new bathroom can be the biggest fixture of all: the bathtub. Gorgeous versions from upscale manufacturers can run more than $10,000. To get a similar look, check Craigslist or local architectural salvage shops for vintage tubs under $500. For $500 to $700 more, you can have it professionally reglazed to get it looking as good as new.
9. Consider Chrome
When it comes to picking a finish for all of your plumbing fittings, there are so many options — nickel, bronze, brass and more. Chrome is usually the least expensive. And on the plus side, it’s the easiest to maintain and keep clean, and it looks great in both modern and traditional spaces.
When it comes to picking a finish for all of your plumbing fittings, there are so many options — nickel, bronze, brass and more. Chrome is usually the least expensive. And on the plus side, it’s the easiest to maintain and keep clean, and it looks great in both modern and traditional spaces.
10. Don’t Write Off Shower Curtains
You can make smart choices when decorating your finished bathroom, too. Instead of commissioning expensive glass doors for your shower, go with a fresh white curtain. You can’t go wrong.
You can make smart choices when decorating your finished bathroom, too. Instead of commissioning expensive glass doors for your shower, go with a fresh white curtain. You can’t go wrong.
11. Find Your Own Mirrors
Forgo the cheap frameless mirrors that are often hung over vanities in favor of styles with a little more flair, like this shapely pair.
Browse mirrors in the Houzz Shop
Forgo the cheap frameless mirrors that are often hung over vanities in favor of styles with a little more flair, like this shapely pair.
Browse mirrors in the Houzz Shop
12. Don’t Forget the Details
While high-end apothecary soaps and lotions often have beautiful packaging, these items can really add up. Pick your favorite products from the drugstore and pour them into pretty glass pumps and bottles that look great and will last forever.
Your turn: Have other tricks for a stunning bathroom remodel? Let us know in the Comments.
More on Houzz
Read more stories about bathroom design
Find a bathroom remodeler
Shop for bathroom products
While high-end apothecary soaps and lotions often have beautiful packaging, these items can really add up. Pick your favorite products from the drugstore and pour them into pretty glass pumps and bottles that look great and will last forever.
Your turn: Have other tricks for a stunning bathroom remodel? Let us know in the Comments.
More on Houzz
Read more stories about bathroom design
Find a bathroom remodeler
Shop for bathroom products
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I just added a small lamp to sit on the counter in my power room and it really warms up the space and makes it look cozy.
To give the illusion of more space to a smaller bathroom or powder room, use a floating cabinet, one without legs. A lot of hotels do this in their bathrooms.
in addition to changing the vanity pulls, don't skip the door either!