Before and After: A $3K Rustic Scandinavian Bathroom Reveal
Elise’s bathroom was tiny and a hodgepodge of somewhat new, but super generic, finishes and fixtures, and a mismatched paint job. She wanted to both enlarge and update the space for her planned family, and do it on a very tight budget.
The bathroom is now an incredibly relaxing, earthy space that Elise loves to be in. The stone countertops, combined with reclaimed wood vanity and black fixtures is a great combination that feels rustic and comfortable. White paneling adds subtle texture and interest to the walls.
Enlarging the space was a big challenge. With limited options, Elise figured out they could push the vanity into one half of a closet in the adjacent room, which gave much more space for two people to move around in the bathroom and allowed for a built-in vanity.
The shower before was a basic plastic unit with grab bars and dated frosted doors. Elise wanted to have a baby soon and knew she’d need a bathtub in the house, so a major part of the remodel was swapping out the walk-in shower unit for a bathtub:
What’s remarkable is that they were able to do all this for only $3,000. According to Elise, the process took roughly two-and-a-half months, working evenings and weekends. They did the entire job themselves, and didn’t even bring in a plumber or electrician, since most of the fixtures stayed in place and just needed minor adjustments.
Elise has some sage advice for people attempting a DIY remodel:
My biggest advice is to be flexible. Make a plan and a budget, but just know that it’s going to change! A DIY project on a budget is an evolving thing, and if there’s two of you working on it (i.e. a couple), communication is key!
Thank you Elise!