How to Renovate a Bathroom Cheaply

Renovating a bathroom doesn’t have to break the bank. While the cost of bathroom renovations may have risen in recent years, there are practical and effective ways to renovate a bathroom cheaply without compromising on style or quality. By focusing on affordable bathroom products and impactful upgrades, you can transform even the most outdated bathroom into a stylish and functional space, all within a budget.

At Ross’s Discount Home Centre, we’ve spent over 50 years helping Perth homeowners achieve affordable bathroom transformations. From cost-saving fixtures to expert-backed renovation advice, we understand what it takes to maximise your budget while ensuring durability and lasting results. Our extensive range of budget-friendly products and proven tips has helped countless customers turn their renovation dreams into reality.

Ready to transform your neglected bathroom into your dream bathroom? This guide will walk you through practical steps and strategies to renovate your bathroom cheaply while maintaining the quality and style you deserve. Let’s dive in!

Be Selective with Wall Tiles

One of the most effective ways to reduce costs in your bathroom renovation is to be strategic with your wall tiles. Opting for selective tiling saves money and adds visual interest to the space by combining textures and finishes.

For an affordable option, choose white wall tiles. White tiles are often the least expensive, and they provide a clean, timeless look that complements any bathroom style. Focus on tiling only the essential areas, such as the shower walls, the splashback behind the vanity, and perhaps a feature section behind the bath.

Avoid full-height tiling, which can significantly increase expenses. Instead, tile up to a midpoint or just above fixtures where water contact is frequent, and leave the remaining wall space for a good-quality, moisture-resistant paint. This approach helps create a functional and stylish bathroom while keeping costs down.

Ross’s Discount Home Centre offers a wide selection of affordable white tiles that make it easy to stay within budget without sacrificing quality. Choosing wisely can help you achieve a fresh, clean look without overextending your budget.

Check out our tips for choosing the perfect bathroom wall tiles to help you make the right decision for your home.

Choose VJ Board Over Bathroom Wall Tiles

While bathroom wall tiles are a popular choice, consider moisture-resistant VJ Board for a luxurious look without the high cost. Perfect for walls that won’t be exposed to water, such as those behind the vanity or around the bath, VJ groove boarding (also known as tongue-and-groove panelling) has become a trending design option for modern bathrooms. This stylish, cost-effective alternative offers the sophisticated appeal of floor-to-ceiling wall tiling at a fraction of the price.

In my own investment property renovation, I chose VJ Board for non-wet areas to significantly reduce tiling costs without compromising on style. The result was a sleek, high-end finish that saved on both tile and labour costs, proving that you can achieve contemporary bathroom aesthetics on a budget.

For wet areas like the shower, you might consider PVC bathroom wall panels as an alternative to traditional bathroom wall tiles. These panels are waterproof, durable, and offer easy maintenance, making them ideal for bathrooms on a budget. With options to suit various styles, PVC panels allow you to create a seamless, cohesive look throughout your bathroom.

Visit Ross’s Discount Home Centre to explore our range of PVC bathroom wall panels. With options that suit all styles and budgets, you can keep costs in check while giving your bathroom a modern, polished appearance.

Choose Affordable Wall Tiles Instead of Feature Tiles

Another effective way to keep renovation costs down is to forgo pricey feature wall tiles in favour of simple, affordable wall tiles. While feature tiles can add style, they often come with a steep price tag—some suppliers charge over $100 per square metre. On a large wall, this can quickly add up to hundreds, even thousands, of dollars.

A more budget-friendly approach is to choose a high-quality yet affordable wall tile. For example, our 30x60cm Matt White Wall Tile (Rectified) is just $25 per square metre. With a classic, versatile look, this tile is perfect for achieving a modern bathroom aesthetic without the high cost. You’ll save significantly without sacrificing style by opting for basic wall tiles instead of designer feature tiles.

Opt for an Affordable Feature Wall Tile

If you’ve got your heart set on a feature wall tile, don’t worry—you can still make it work within a budget. Shopping around for a similar tile at a lower price can save you significantly without compromising on style. Personally, I swapped out a costly $101 feature subway tile for our 10x30cm Matte White Wall Tile 10x30cm at just $30 per square metre. The result? A stylish finish that I’m convinced looks just as good as the pricier option, if not better!

With thousands of subway tiles available in various colours, sizes, and designs, taking the time to compare options can be well worth it. By exploring alternatives, you’re bound to find a feature tile that fits your vision and budget, leaving more room for other upgrades in your bathroom.

Choose a Stock Vanity over a Custom Vanity

If you’ve ever received a quote from a cabinet maker, you know that custom bathroom vanities can quickly escalate in cost. A basic custom vanity in laminate can start around $1,000 without a stone vanity top, while a solid timber option can easily exceed $4,000. Custom looks come at a premium!

A practical way to keep your bathroom renovation budget in check is to opt for a high-quality stock vanity. Today’s pre-made vanities offer a range of stunning designs that rival custom-made options, often at a fraction of the cost. Stock vanities have evolved significantly and now come in styles that can suit any aesthetic, from sleek modern to timeless Hamptons-inspired designs.

At Ross’s Discount Home Centre, we specialise in preassembled bathroom vanities that are both stylish and affordable. Our selection includes wall-hung and floor-standing options, with waterproof models starting as low as $330. For example, the Courtney PVC Vanity Unit—starting at just $480 for the 75cm size—features a Hamptons-inspired look with all the elegance of a custom piece. It became my go-to for a recent bathroom update, offering the exact design I envisioned at half the cost of a custom build.

With Ross’s high-quality, budget-friendly vanities, you’ll save significantly without sacrificing style or durability, ensuring your bathroom renovation stays on budget while still looking high-end.

Choose a Vanity Unit Over a Separate Vanity and Basin

One effective way to reduce your bathroom renovation costs is to choose a vanity unit instead of a traditional vanity. But what’s the difference between the two?

A vanity typically refers to a cabinet base alone, which may or may not come with a countertop. If you choose a vanity, you’ll usually need to purchase a separate countertop and basin, which can add up in both cost and installation time.

In contrast, a vanity unit is an all-in-one solution with an integrated countertop and built-in sink. By choosing a vanity unit, you eliminate the need to buy and install a separate countertop and basin. This approach can save you hundreds of dollars and streamline your renovation as the unit comes ready to install.

At Ross’s Discount Home Centre, our selection of affordable vanity units combines style and functionality, offering you excellent value for money. With a variety of sizes and designs, these units make it easy to get the look you want without the additional cost and effort of sourcing extra components.

Read our article on What to Consider When Buying a Bathroom Vanity for tips and advice on choosing the perfect vanity for your bathroom.

Install your own Shower Screen

One of the most significant areas for potential savings in a bathroom renovation is installing your own shower screen or panel. Having been through it myself, I know that professional supply and installation of shower panels can easily add up. In my case, I paid $1300 to have two 80cm panels installed – and looking back, I could have saved $700 by doing it myself.

At Ross’s Discount Home Centre, we offer high-quality shower panels and shower enclosures at a fraction of that cost. For example, our frameless shower panels are available for just $380 and a range of walk-in showers, which let you choose the hardware, start at just $440.

If you’re aiming to save, consider taking on the installation yourself. All it requires is a few basic supplies – brackets, silicone, and a bit of patience. The entire installation process can be completed in under an hour.

To guide you through each step, refer to our comprehensive How to Install a Shower Screen Guide to ensure a secure, professional result.

Choose Budget-Friendly Tapware Options

While I don’t usually recommend going for the cheapest tapware, affordable tapware doesn’t have to mean low quality. In fact, you’ll find many high-quality options in our bathroom tapware range that boast excellent WELS ratings at budget-friendly prices. Choosing more affordable tapware may mean missing out on the latest tapware trends, but rest assured—you’ll still have a great-looking tap that provides excellent value for money.

If you’re uncertain about which tapware to choose, check out our Bathroom Tapware Buying Guide for tips on selecting the best option for your needs.

Choose a Shower Head over a Shower Set

When updating your bathroom, selecting a simple shower head instead of a full shower set is a smart way to save. While twin shower sets are functional and impressive, they can cost upwards of $1,300. In contrast, a shower rose paired with a shower arm can cost as little as $100 each—resulting in savings of over $1,200!

These small, mindful choices are what make a budget-friendly bathroom renovation possible without compromising on quality or style. All of our shower heads are designed with durability in mind and come backed by a 5-year warranty for peace of mind.

For more guidance, check out our Showerhead Buying Guide to find the perfect fit for your bathroom.

Choose a standard toilet over a wall-hung toilet

When renovating a bathroom on a budget, consider skipping the trendy wall-hung toilet. Although wall-hung toilets offer a sleek, modern look and keep the cistern hidden, they come with a hefty price tag—often between $1,000 and $1,200. Additionally, installation and maintenance costs for wall-hung models are significantly higher due to the more complex plumbing required.

Opting for a standard toilet, like a back-to-the-wall, wall-faced, rimless, or close-coupled model, can save you a substantial amount. Our toilets range from about $250 to $580 and deliver excellent functionality without the added expense. And if you’re after something a bit more luxurious, consider a bidet toilet seat add-on—it’s a cost-effective upgrade that can give your bathroom a touch of luxury without the high price of a wall-hung toilet.

Renovating a bathroom cheaply means you have to sacrifice some of the latest bathroom trends; a wall-hung toilet is one such trend you can do without.

For help selecting a new toilet, read our Toilet Buying Guide.

Be a Savvy Shopper

When it comes to renovating a bathroom on a budget, being a savvy shopper can make a big difference. By taking the time to shop around and compare prices for tiles, fixtures, fittings, and accessories, you can save up to 30% or more on essential items. Opting for high-quality but affordable alternatives, like budget-friendly tapware or ceramic tiles, can further cut costs without sacrificing style or durability.

Shopping online is one of the easiest and most effective ways to find competitive prices for bathroom renovation products. As Perth’s leading bathroom warehouse, we live by our slogan, ‘Every Day’s a Discount Day,’ offering a wide range of bathroom products at Perth’s best prices. Let your fingers do the walking, browse our online store, and discover unbeatable deals on everything you need to complete your renovation—saving both time and money.

Lay Your Own Tiles

Now, this isn’t for everyone, but if you are a little bit of a handyman and don’t mind giving things a go, then you can save as much as $5000 by tiling your own bathroom.

That’s about the going rate to tile a bathroom at the moment, which is a massive chunk of any bathroom renovation budget, big or small.

Tiling isn’t easy, and it does require some specialist equipment, which can be hired, but it’s a surefire way to renovate a bathroom cheaply. And, if you’re keen to try your hand at tiling, then you can read my blog post, ‘How To Install Bathroom Tiles‘ to get you started. In this article, I cover the entire bathroom tiling process from the waterproofing to the screed, the setout to the laying of the tiles. It’s an easy-to-follow how-to guide that should give you all the information you need to tile your own bathroom like a professional tiler.

Conclusion

Renovating a bathroom doesn’t have to come with a hefty price tag. While average bathroom renovations can cost around $20,000, there are strategic ways to cut costs without compromising on quality or style. Drawing from my own recent bathroom renovation experience, I can confidently say that thoughtful planning and smart choices make all the difference in keeping your budget on track.

A few of the most effective cost-saving strategies I used include tiling selectively, opting for affordable yet stylish tiles, and choosing practical solutions like our stocked vanity units with built-in basins over costly custom pieces. While I used VJ board on non-wet walls to replace expensive tiles, another great idea would be to handle easy installs, like shower panels, yourself. Choosing a shower head over a more elaborate shower set also kept costs down while still delivering on function and aesthetics.

For anyone on a budget, I highly recommend considering a standard back-to-the-wall toilet rather than a wall-hung one and always shopping around for the best prices. At Ross’s Discount Home Centre, our range of bathroom products combines quality and affordability—so you can make these savvy choices too.

Check out our comprehensive Guide to Perth Bathroom Renovations and our practical How to Update Your Bathroom Over a Weekend article for more valuable insights to inspire your budget-friendly renovation. Remember, every dollar you save brings you one step closer to realising your dream bathroom without going over your budget.