1. Talk about site prep and protection with your contractor.

Contractors typically work with you on protecting your existing space, but mostly to protect it from damage rather than block it from dirt, dust, and grime. They would protect your floors from being scratched or dented, but they might be streaky, dusty, or even sticky. You’ll want to speak with your contractor about your plans to keep the area clean so as not to disrupt their process as they go on with the job.

2. Clear the area first.

Before you or the contractor start work on your renovation, make sure you clear as much out of the project area as possible to keep it from getting damaged or dirty. As much as possible, move everything away. Even a small renovation can get surprisingly dirty in ways you may not predict. Remove light fixtures, photos, and other wall decorations. Remove furniture and other accessories to protect them. Besides keeping your belongings from getting dusty and splashed on, it will also ease the whole process of the renovation job because it’s easier to work in an empty room.

3. Protect all the furnishings.

Cover it with plastic for heavier furniture or built-in cabinets or closets to keep dirt, dust, and splashes of paint at bay. Cover the furniture that can’t be moved, especially big couches and beds, with a tarp or drop cloth. Floors must be covered with construction paper or a protective plastic sheet, and make sure you tape it sealed, leaving no gaps.

If the renovation zone is at the center of your house, consider laying continuous paper or tarp through the high-traffic areas. This will help prevent dirt from tracking to the rest of the space.

4. Seal off the renovation areas.

Minimize the mess by hanging a heavy-duty tarp that’s at least 0.8 mm thick from the ceiling down to the floor. This will help seal off the renovation zone. Apply masking tape across all sides where it meets the wall, the ceiling, and the floor. You can also use tension rods to help hold up heavy tarps. Make sure your seal is foolproof, as particles can fly through any gaps you leave, no matter how small. Add an additional layer if there will be a lot of sanding or if you know that dangerous particles will be released into the air during construction.

When it comes to built-in items that cannot be removed, seal up the cabinet or closet doors by applying masking tape to all the gaps. You don’t want to end up with dusty clothes because you failed to seal them up.

5. Create a path for the contractors.

If the renovation project takes place in the inner area of your house, away from the entrance, it will be challenging to keep the house clean. The solution is to cover the path leading to the area with plastic, old rugs, sheets, or tarps to help confine dirt and debris. Once the construction work is finished for the day, you can pick up the pieces and then shake and vacuum the dirt and debris thoroughly.

6. Have a daily cleaning routine.

By cleaning up small messes each day, you will avoid needing to take care of a huge mess after a remodel. Renovation projects can take days or weeks, and the amount of dust accumulated in that time can add up to a major headache. Don’t let the mess build up and create a daily cleaning schedule.

It helps to ask your contractors to move any clutter away before they leave. If you notice any construction tools and items that have made their way to the other parts of the house, make sure to return them to the renovation area.

Once the contractors are done, vacuum your floors, furniture, and window sills to pick up dirt. Follow the vacuum with a duster to remove dust from hard-to-reach areas. Once the dust is cleared, wipe the surfaces with a cloth.

Since you will be vacuuming a lot, it’s best to invest in a high-quality vacuum to keep your house clean during a remodel.

7. Clear the air.

If weather permits, open your windows to prevent drywall dust from sticking to the window screens and let air circulate. This is a better option than hosing down sills covered in drywall powder, as it can quickly turn into thick, mud-like material. Alternatively, you can use plastic film to cover windows and help keep dust away. Or simply hire a window cleaning company with years of experience, so they can do deep, detailed cleaning services.

8. Hire professional cleaners.

One of the best things you can do after a major renovation in your home is to call a professional cleaning service. It’s the easiest way to enjoy the results of a makeover without too much hassle and exhaustion from your side. Even when you follow the above-mentioned rules to keep your house clean and mess-free during a renovation, big projects can still bring about a lot of dirt, stains, splashes, and debris that are hard to remove. There are specialized cleaning services designed to wipe away any traces of renovation left in your home. Consider adjusting your remodeling budget to include the cost of hiring a cleaning service, whether for weekly cleaning or a deep-cleaning session.

Whether you have $5000 or $50 to spend, you’ll be able to make the right changes to suit your space. And should you need plumbing and more specialist work doing, you’ll want to know the best approach for your project, to help bring all those gorgeous bathroom ideas to life with minimal complications (and costs).

Geoff Cash, Founder of Refresh Remodeling and Remodeling Expert says that any remodeling project needs to have thorough planning to be successful. ‘If the process isn’t planned thoroughly, it might be costly for the client and might take a longer time to accomplish.’ So you want to plan your bathroom layout and stick to it. Making unnecessary changes to your existing sanitaryware layout will keep plumbing costs down.

Here are plenty of budget-friendly bathroom remodeling ideas to incorporate into your project.

1. BEAUTIFULLY SALVAGED SANITARYWARE

Bathroom remodels provide a good opportunity to reuse any good-quality taps or sanitaryware – roll-top baths are usually salvageable – or, for a cost-effective way to update existing fittings, you can always re-enamel or add a new surround to a bath. This is not only cost-effective, but a great way to maintain character. ‘A trick I tell people as a flipper is to go to the hardware store and buy spray paint. Putting Antique Gray Spray Paint on bathroom fixtures will change the feel of the bathroom immediately. When it comes to remodeling, think outside the box. A remodel can be done on a hot dog budget with caviar results.’ Says Eric Nerhood of Premier Property Buyers.

Use existing plumbing where you can is best according to Jake Romano of John The Plumber. ‘Moving your bathroom around can add to the cost.’ And if you do need any additional fixtures, purchase them yourself to cut costs, ‘Buy your own fixtures. A plumbing company won’t be shopping around for deals the way that you can. Buy popular brands of fixtures, as replacement parts and cartridges are more readily available. Finding unknown brands online can be a risky game down the road. Replace plumbing as needed while any plumbing is exposed. Older pipes may need to be replaced and it’s a lot easier if they’re accessible.’ Keep your guard up when shopping on Kijiji or eBay. ‘You can often find great deals on like-new products from the renovation projects of other people. However, sometimes there’s a sneaky reason that an individual is replacing something.’ Advises Romano.

2. LOCATION DOS AND DON’TS

Changing the tub placement can totally transform a small bathroom but there are some items that won’t be so worth it according to Cash. ‘Do not change the location of the faucet. You can change the faucet but do not relocate. Relocating will result in more work which will cost you more.’ If you do need to move more key elements, try to at least keep the toilet close enough to connect to the existing soil pipe for less plumbing complications and to keep bathroom remodel costs down.

3. CANVAS ON MATERIALS

When you remodel a bathroom, mix items of sanitaryware from different suppliers, in order to offset affordable buys against luxuries such as a quality bath. Saving you money without compensating on a stylish, quality finish. Cash adds, ‘It doesn’t necessarily mean that when a material is cheap, it’s not durable. If you research well, you’ll find the best alternative with the same quality as the expensive ones but at a fraction of the cost.’ Ensuring you know the difference between bad quality cheap fixes – such as plastic baths or shower trays that are so thin they are flexible and, therefore difficult to seal and make watertight – and cheaper but sound materials that will still perform and look good is key. ‘Some materials are not expensive but look expensive. Find the right set of materials to give your bathroom a different look that is within your budget.’ And, there are plenty more budget bathroom ideas where that came from.

4. DESIGN FEATURES THAT TRICK THE EYE

When you’re remodeling a small space like a loft bathroom, designs that trick the eye are your friend. Here, the homeowners have used a wall-hung vanity unit that allows the floor to run underneath, making the space feel larger than it is. The walk-in shower features an alcove for storing toiletries, which avoids shelves intruding into the space.

Adding textural and tonal interest to even the most neutral of bathrooms with matt black hardware enhances the look furthermore. Ultra modern and incredibly sleek, it looks great in almost any space. Here, the shower fixtures, tap and vanity unit add dramatic flair, while pared-back white wall tiles in interesting shapes keep things feeling light and bright.

5. SIMPLE BATHROOM REMODELS

Keep the design simple in your bathroom remodel and keep curves, steps, decorative moldings and any ornamentation super low key. The simpler the design, the more cost-effective it will be to fit out. The worst bathroom remodeling mistakes happen when your project becomes overly complicated.

Nerhood says ‘The bathroom is usually the most neglected room in a home when it comes to remodeling. Home owners redo the living room, kitchen, dens/dining rooms, but the bathroom is just there. And there are great ways to make the bathroom almost a showplace. People are finding that even just. recessing a soap dish, medicine cabinet, and toilet paper roll holders can give the room a sleek look.’

6. TILING THAT MAKES A MAJOR DIFFERENCE

Patterned floor tiles work to add interest to this simple scheme and draw the other bathroom paint colors together. The Victorian style print echos the period of the property and complements the traditional bath and shower perfectly. Simple metro tiling gives a polished and styled finish to the space, adding height and the illusion of space without knocking down any walls.

7. FUNCTIONAL BEAUTIFUL FLOORING

Nerhood recommends to stay away from hardwood as it’s not the best for bathroom remodels for the amount of water and steam in the room. ‘Go with Porcelain or Ceramic Tile, Vinyl Plank or Vinyl Tile.’ You can find brilliant mimics of wood in different types of vinyl flooring now that are even totally waterproof and a lot more affordable.

8. COLORS THAT POP

Make a bold statement with the brightest bathroom remodel ideas and choose a striking color scheme like the pink here. Pairing it with on-trend black gives an industrial edge to the pretty palette. Splitting the room in half with color and taking the top color right up to the ceiling, plays with the visual dimensions of the space but without the cost of extending.

9. MAKE AN ENTRANCE WITH SMALL BATHROOM REMODELS

Different types of doors will work with different bathroom remodels. Wood will give a warm, cozy feel and be furable, while uPVC options and glass doors are hugely popular also. Cyrus Vaghar, real estate agent with Coldwell Banker in Boston suggests, ‘When space is limited, particularly when remodeling a first floor half-bathroom, we have seen many homeowners opt for a sliding entry door. Using this method, we have had clients able to add in an extra half-bath where they otherwise did not expect to.’

10. USE MIRRORS TO ENHANCE A BATHROOM’S SPACE

When tackling small bathroom designs renovations be sure to consider large mirrors that can make a small bathroom feel lighter and more spacious – a frameless mirror covering the whole of one wall is very effective. To avoid misting up after showers and baths, fit heated pads behind the mirror.

11. UNEXPECTED AND SMART ADDITIONS

If you’re keen to add value to your property with a bathroom remodel then look to enhance your space with the unexpected. ‘We’ve noticed an increase in bidet and bidet attachment installations in recent years, so that might be something work considering to install as they seem to be growing in popularity. Adds Romano, noting a higher demand for rainfall and other fancy shower fixtures also. ‘Sometimes custom showers aren’t as expensive as you think.’

There are also plenty of smart bathroom features on the market now including motion-detected faucets. ‘High-efficiency faucets and fixtures are increasingly popular’ says Romano. And, for smart home tech fans, myriad options include waterproof televisions that sit flush within a wall, built-in hi-fi systems, smart lighting controls with preset moods for atmosphere, and automation of blinds and bath fillers. These need planning in at the offset so that wiring can be accounted for.

12. CLEVER CUSTOM SWAPS

Savannah Phillips, Interior Designer for The Knobs Company suggests how instead of ripping out vintage cabinetry which would be expensive, you could simply upgrade the knobs. ‘Switching out the hardware of the cabinetry can take something from vintage to modern with a few hundred dollars, completely ripping out and buying new cabinetry is going to be a couple of thousands of dollars depending on the size and style.’

13. UPGRADE SHOWER WALLS

Keith Melanson, Project Manager of RenosGroup notes the huge difference you can make by tiling a shower. Plus, if you DIY, you’ll save a ton. ‘Retiling your shower walls can make a world of difference and can change the aesthetic in your bathroom. This bathroom renovation is popular as it adds an entirely new look to this room. As this space is one of the most used home areas, the tiles are the focal of your bathroom; you want to make sure you love them. The best way to save money on this project is to stay within your budget when shopping for tiles.’

14. EXPANSIVE WET ROOMS

Wet room ideas are all the rage and when well-designed they come into their own. They are a little more costly of all the bathroom remodel ideas but on the flip side, they are practical, space-enhancing and a dream to use for the whole family.

15. A BALANCED LIGHTING SCHEME

Philips adds ‘Bathrooms often do not get any form of natural lighting, and in homes sometimes the artificial lighting isn’t sufficient and can ruin the entire aesthetic. Instead of starting from scratch with new cabinetry, counters and wall coverings, try changing the light levels to something that would be suitable for the bathroom. Switching just the bulbs in the existing fixtures to LED bulbs can be a $5 fix per bulb versus a couple thousand dollar full bathroom remodel. With the saved money you can even splurge on switching to a vanity fixture around the existing mirror. These minor changes can completely update and change the entire look of the bathroom, and anything in it!’

So even installing simple bathroom lighting ideas can make a vast improvement. Opt for pendant lighting — a single central fitting will prove much cheaper than individual downlights or wall lights. Check out multi-bulb fittings that only require a single power cable, for a flexible scheme.

1. Use Lower-Cost Lookalike Materials

Retaining and refurbishing your existing materials is always the best option for saving money. But if you must swap out materials, inexpensive alternatives often can look amazingly like the real thing. For example, instead of real wood plank flooring, try luxury vinyl flooring. Today’s vinyl flooring looks far better than earlier iterations. Innovations such as luxury vinyl flooring and plank vinyl can even fool the eye from a distance. High-definition laminate countertops and quartz countertops now vie with granite for the look of authentic natural stone. Faux-stone ceramic and porcelain tile backsplashes can mimic the look of travertine and marble.

2. Paint Your Wooden Floor

If your bathroom happens to have a wooden floor, you can rip it out and replace it with a more moisture-hardy flooring, such as tile. Or you can save time, energy, and money by keeping your wooden floor and painting it with protective enamel. Keep in mind, though, that solid hardwood should not be your first choice for bathroom flooring. But if you already do have wooden floors, this is one low-cost way to keep them around for as long as possible.

3. Refinish Your Tub Instead of Replacing It

Consider total replacement of your bathtub to be your last possible option, at least from a cost-saving standpoint. Instead, try relining or refinishing. Bathtub and shower refinishing is a prime example of the dictum “Repair and retain rather than remove.” If the problem is mainly cosmetic, such as a yellowed surface and some cracks and nicks, you can refinish your shower or bathtub. Alternatively, bathtub and shower liners, never a permanent fix, are not as affordable as they seem. Requiring professional installation, liners will carry you through a few years. Bathtub refinishing, instead, is more inexpensive and often looks better.

4. Refresh Cabinets With New Hardware

Buying and installing new bathroom cabinets can get expensive. A far easier and more affordable way to bring life to your existing cabinets is to strip out the old hardware and replace it with fun new hardware. To make the process even easier, before you buy the new hardware, make sure that its screw alignment matches up with the holes on your existing cabinets. This eliminates the need to drill new holes.

5. Install a New Sink Faucet

As with installing new hardware on cabinets, installing a new sink faucet is one trick designers and do-it-yourselfers alike use to make a sink sparkle without replacing the entire top or vanity.

6. Install Your Own Toilet

Plumbers are worth their weight in gold. But if you have the strength to carry a toilet, avoid calling in a plumber to switch out the old toilet. Instead, install your toilet by yourself. Toilet installation involves very few waterline hookups. The hardest part of installing a toilet is physically moving the toilet into place. For that, buy an inexpensive hand truck or enlist the services of a friend.