Owning a home can be expensive, and selling one just adds to the cost. Many homes require upgrades and fixes before they are ready to be listed on the market.
Fortunately, the right homeowner money moves can result in upgrades that won’t cost you much but will pack a big punch.
Here are 10 budget-friendly bathroom upgrades you can accomplish on your own within a tight deadline.
If you’re over 50, take advantage of massive discounts and financial resources
Over 50? Join AARP today — because if you’re not a member you could be missing out on huge perks. When you start your membership today, you can get discounts on things like travel, meal deliveries, eyeglasses, prescriptions that aren’t covered by insurance and more.
How to become a member today:
- Go here, select your free gift, and click “Join Today”
- Create your account (important!) by answering a few simple questions
- Start enjoying your discounts and perks!
Important: Start your membership by creating an account here and filling in all of the information (Do not skip this step!) Doing so will allow you to take up 25% off your AARP membership, making it just $12 per year with auto-renewal.
Add mirrors
You don’t have a mirror above the sink? That is a big no-no! You might want to consider adding one, as well as additional mirrors in other areas.
Mirrors can help the room feel more expansive. Plus, if you hang mirrors on multiple walls, you can check your hair, makeup, and outfit at different angles.
Boost storage
When you are looking to maximize your bathroom’s capability, increasing its storage capacity can help tremendously. A lot of bathrooms are limited when it comes to space, which makes the skill of boosting storage in a room like this even more valuable.
Adding new in-shower racks to hold products, small cabinets to hide products and toilet paper, and drawer dividers are simple, cheap ways to upgrade the bathroom.
Upgrade lighting
Switching up the lighting in your bathroom can be an illuminating experience. Change the lighting fixtures, add mood lighting in the corner above the soaking tub, or switch out the lightbulbs in your existing lighting.
More sustainable lightbulbs can make a big impact, and adding a new sconce can really change the mood of your soaking space.
Resolve $10,000 or more of your debt
Credit card debt is suffocating. It constantly weighs on your mind and controls every choice you make. You can end up emotionally and even physically drained from it. And even though you make regular payments, it feels like you can never make any progress because of the interest.
National Debt Relief could help you resolve your credit card debt with an affordable plan that works for you. Just tell them your situation, then find out your debt relief options.1
How to get National Debt Relief to help you resolve your debt: Sign up for a free debt assessment here. (Do not skip this step!) By signing up for a free assessment, National Debt Relief can assist you in settling your debt, but only if you schedule the assessment.
Replace hardware on cabinets
Replacing the hardware on your cabinets can be one of the most cost-effective ways to upgrade or refresh your bathroom.
Mix metals, find a vintage pull that pulls you in, or choose a pop of color to add dimension to your design. Improve the look of your bathroom or make it more appealing to buyers by swapping out pulls and knobs.
Switch up your vanity
This is one of the most budget-friendly quick switches for the bathroom. Grab a prefabricated option with or without storage, and consider details such as claw feet, shelving, and more.
Make sure your current vanity can be removed without damaging the floor, or this could become an even bigger project.
Trending Stories
Hang towel bars and hooks
Whether you choose to go with a full towel bar or a few small hooks, knowing where to dedicate space for your towels can be crucial to the design of your bathroom.
If you have a stretch of wall that needs a pop of color, keep things simple by adding a bar for a hand towel or spa towel.
Invest in your toilet
Whether we like it or not, we spend a lot of time with our toilets. If your current toilet is old, feels short, has lost its flushing power, or is difficult to clean, it might be time to invest in a new one.
You can find quite a few powerful, affordable options at retailers such as Lowe’s, Home Depot, and even Sam’s Club.
Use peel-and-stick products
Bathrooms can be a difficult beast because of the humidity from hot showers, but they are still an ideal place to install peel-and-stick wallpaper or tiles.
There is usually less square footage to cover than in other rooms of your home. Plus, there are glass peel-and-stick tiles on the market that can really uplevel the design aspect of your bathroom when applied to the walls or floor.
Add a bathroom fan
While many bathrooms come with ventilation systems, that isn’t always true in homes built long ago. Find out if you have a built-in ventilation system in your bathroom. If not, consider installing a fan.
You will find relatively quiet systems for $45 and up at places such as Home Depot and Lowe’s, so you won’t have any trouble finding a model that works for your particular needs.
Earn cash back on everyday purchases with this rare account
Want to earn cash back on your everyday purchases without using a credit card? With the Discover®️ Cashback Debit Checking account (member FDIC), you can earn 1% cash back on up to $3,000 in debit card purchases each month!2
With no credit check to apply and no monthly fees to worry about, you can earn nearly passive income on purchases you’re making anyway — up to an extra $360 a year!
This rare checking account has other great perks too, like access to your paycheck up to 2 days early with Early Pay, no minimum deposit or monthly balance requirements, over 60K fee-free ATMs, and the ability to add cash to your account at Walmart stores nationwide.
Don’t leave money on the table — it only takes minutes to apply and it won’t impact your credit score.
Throw on a coat of paint
A fresh coat of paint is one of the most obvious options for a quick and relatively simple upgrade to any bathroom. Although paint is hardly inexpensive these days, the surface area of a bathroom normally pales in comparison to wall space in other rooms around the house.
If the walls are a great color already, consider a fresh coat of paint on cabinets or trim, or even a refresh of the ceiling. Making sure the bathroom looks and feels clean is paramount.
Bottom line
Small integrations and swaps can make a big impact, and the modest price of these improvements can help you get ahead financially.
As you get closer to listing your home, consider neutral art that you can hang on empty walls. You may have plants that will enjoy the humidity and give off a more wholesome feel during open houses.
Lucrative, Flat-Rate Cash Rewards
FinanceBuzz writers and editors score cards based on a number of objective features as well as our expert editorial assessment. Our partners do not influence how we rate products.
Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card
Current Offer
$200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 in purchases in the first 3 months
Annual Fee
$0
Rewards Rate
Earn unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases
Benefits
- Low spend threshold for its welcome offer — $200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 in purchases in the first 3 months
- Cell phone protection benefit (subject to a $25 deductible)
- Can redeem rewards at an ATM for literal cash
Drawbacks
- Foreign transaction fee of 3%
- No bonus categories
- Select “Apply Now” to take advantage of this specific offer and learn more about product features, terms and conditions.
- Earn a $200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 in purchases in the first 3 months.
- Earn unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases.
- 0% intro APR for 12 months from account opening on purchases and qualifying balance transfers. 19.74%, 24.74%, or 29.74% Variable APR thereafter; balance transfers made within 120 days qualify for the intro rate and fee of 3% then a BT fee of up to 5%, min: $5.
- $0 annual fee.
- No categories to track or remember and cash rewards don’t expire as long as your account remains open.
- Find tickets to top sports and entertainment events, book travel, make dinner reservations and more with your complimentary 24/7 Visa Signature® Concierge.
- Up to $600 of cell phone protection against damage or theft. Subject to a $25 deductible.
Subscribe Today
Want extra-cash moves to come right to you?
Stop browsing endlessly. Get proven ways to earn pocket money, help cover rent, and crush your debt — sent to your inbox daily.
Author Details