Keeping things flexible is definitely the way to go, especially if you’re not ready to commit to a full gut job. When I redid my bathroom last year, I tried to balance classic looks with eco-friendly upgrades—honestly, it was a bit of a puzzle at first. I ended up spending just under $7k, but that included some splurges on water-saving fixtures and recycled glass tile (which, by the way, looks great but was a pain to source locally).
Here’s how I broke it down:
First, I kept the original tub and just reglazed it instead of replacing. That saved a ton of money and kept something out of the landfill. Next, I swapped out the old vanity for a salvaged wood one—found it at a local reuse center for way less than new. Paint was an easy win; went with a low-VOC option in a soft green. It’s subtle but still feels fresh.
I do get what you mean about sticking with white tile—it’s classic and you can always jazz it up with towels or plants if you want color. I went with white subway tile in the shower but added a narrow band of blue-green recycled glass as an accent. It’s just enough personality without being overwhelming or hard to change later.
Honestly, the biggest surprise was how much little things add up—hardware, light fixtures, even eco-friendly caulk cost more than I expected. But swapping out those details made the space feel new without tearing everything apart.
If I had to do it again, I’d probably skip the fancy tile and put more into better lighting. Live and learn... At least now my water bill’s lower and the space feels brighter.
Lighting is always the sneaky budget-buster, isn’t it? I thought I was being clever by reusing my old mirror and just swapping out the faucet, but then I got hit with sticker shock over “eco” grout. Ended up at about $4k, mostly because I did a lot myself and kept the layout the same. Honestly, if I had a dollar for every time I said “how much for THAT?” during the process, I could’ve bought a fancier toilet.
Honestly, if I had a dollar for every time I said “how much for THAT?” during the process, I could’ve bought a fancier toilet.
That made me laugh—so true. Did you find the “eco” grout actually worth the price? I keep wondering if the environmental benefits really outweigh the cost, or if it’s just a marketing thing. $4k sounds pretty reasonable for a mostly DIY job, though. Did you run into any surprises with the lighting, or was it just the usual “wait, that’s how much for a fixture?” kind of deal?
Lighting was a whole saga for me, honestly. I went in thinking I’d just swap out the old fixture for something “nicer,” but then realized the wiring was a mess behind the drywall. Ended up having to call in an electrician for a couple hours, which wasn’t in my original budget. The fixtures themselves weren’t even the priciest part—it was the labor and the random bits and bobs (dimmers, junction boxes, etc) that added up. I swear, every time I thought I had everything accounted for, there was another trip to the hardware store.
About the “eco” grout—mixed feelings. I used it once in a flip because the buyers were really into green features. It was definitely pricier, and honestly, I couldn’t tell a difference in application or durability compared to the regular stuff. Maybe it’s better for the planet, but I’m not convinced it’s worth double the price unless you’re really committed to the eco angle or it’s a selling point in your area. Sometimes I think the “eco” label is just a way to tack on an extra few bucks.
Curious if anyone else had to deal with weird plumbing surprises? I thought I was in the clear until I pulled up the old toilet and found the flange half-rotted. That was a fun Saturday...
- Lighting and plumbing are always where the budget gets blown up. I’ve had to rewire whole sections before—never fun, always expensive.
- On the “eco” grout, I’m with you. Unless it’s a selling point for buyers, I don’t see the ROI. Most people don’t even notice.
- Flange issues are almost a given in older homes. I’ve had to replace subfloor around a toilet more than once because of hidden leaks. Always budget extra for “surprises”—I usually tack on 15-20% just for stuff like that.
- My last mid-range bath reno (full gut, new fixtures, tile, lighting, minor plumbing fixes) ran about $13k all-in. Labor was the biggest chunk. If you’re DIY-ing, you can probably shave a third off, but time is money.
