Funny you mention the matte black fixtures—I fell for them too, and now I’m constantly wiping off water spots. It’s like they attract fingerprints just for fun. Did you notice any difference in price between the black and brushed nickel, or was it more about the cleaning hassle?
I’m curious if anyone’s managed to keep a remodel under $6k lately. My house is from the 1920s, so every time I open up a wall, it’s a new adventure (read: surprise expense). Did you run into any weird plumbing or electrical stuff, or was it mostly cosmetic updates? I keep wondering if I should just embrace the “historic charm” and leave things as-is, but then I see those before-and-after photos and get tempted all over again.
Also, how did you handle the tile? I tried to salvage some of the original, but it was a lost cause. Ended up going with classic white subway, which feels safe but maybe a little boring...
Matte black fixtures look amazing in photos, but yeah, the fingerprints and water spots are relentless. I noticed the price was a bit higher than brushed nickel at my local store, but not by a ton—maybe $20-30 more per piece? For me, the cleaning hassle is the bigger issue. If I could do it over, I might go with something less high-maintenance.
Keeping a remodel under $6k feels almost impossible these days, especially with an older house. Mine’s from the 1940s and every project seems to uncover some “historic” surprise—old wiring, weird plumbing, you name it. I get the temptation to just leave things alone, but those before-and-afters are hard to resist.
White subway tile might seem safe, but honestly, it never really goes out of style. I tried to save some old tile too, but it crumbled as soon as I touched it. Sometimes classic is just easier (and cheaper) in the long run.
Keeping a remodel under $6k is like trying to find a unicorn in the plumbing aisle. I hear you on the “historic” surprises—my 1950s bathroom had galvanized pipes that crumbled if you looked at them wrong. Ended up costing way more than planned, mostly because of stuff behind the walls.
About the matte black fixtures:
Couldn’t agree more. They look sharp for about five minutes, then it’s smudge city. I went with brushed nickel for my last reno—cheaper, easier to keep clean, and honestly, it still looks modern enough.“the fingerprints and water spots are relentless.”
If you’re trying to keep costs down, here’s what worked for me:
1. Reuse what you can (vanity, mirror, even light fixtures).
2. Stick with classic materials like white subway tile—timeless and usually cheaper.
3. DIY demo and painting, but leave electrical/plumbing to pros (unless you like surprises).
4. Shop around for eco-friendly fixtures—they’re not always pricier, and they’ll save you on water bills.
Sometimes “safe” choices are just less headache in the long run. My only regret? Not budgeting for all those little fixes that pop up once you start tearing things out...
Matte black fixtures are one of those things that look killer in the showroom and then drive you nuts in real life. I get why people want the modern look, but unless you’re the type to wipe down your faucets every time you wash your hands, they just don’t hold up. Brushed nickel is a workhorse—doesn’t show every little spot and still looks good years later.
On the budget side, $6k is barely enough for a basic refresh these days, especially if you run into any plumbing or electrical issues. People always underestimate what’s lurking behind old tile or plaster. I’ve torn into plenty of “simple” jobs where we found rotted subfloor, ancient wiring, or pipes that were basically held together by rust and hope. That’s where the real money goes—stuff you never see but absolutely have to fix.
Reusing what you can is smart, but sometimes it’s just not worth it if the old vanity is falling apart or the mirror’s got that weird edge rot. White subway tile is a classic for a reason—cheap, easy to install, and it doesn’t go out of style. I’d add that if you’re doing demo yourself, be ready for surprises. It’s not just about swinging a hammer; sometimes you open up a wall and realize you’re in way deeper than you thought.
Curious—did you end up hiring out any of the work, or was it all DIY? I see a lot of folks try to save by doing everything themselves, but sometimes they end up spending more fixing mistakes or dealing with code violations. In my experience, paying a pro for plumbing and electrical is money well spent, especially in older homes where nothing is ever as straightforward as it looks on YouTube.
Had to laugh at this:
. That’s exactly what I found in a 1920s bungalow I flipped last year. I budgeted $8k for the bathroom, but once we opened the walls, it jumped to $13k—mostly plumbing and subfloor. I always bring in licensed pros for the critical stuff, even if it eats into profit. DIY is great for demo and finishes, but code violations are a nightmare when you’re selling.pipes that were basically held together by rust and hope
