We’re thrilled to share the finished photos of our bathroom remodel, along with a clear timeline and a full budget breakdown. This project took a few evenings and several weekends over the course of about 40 days, and we learned a lot along the way.
Before sharing the details, here’s a quick reminder of how stripped-down and unattractive the bathroom looked during demolition. Major renovations often get messier before they improve, so we’ll admit the early phase was rough. John handled the full demo in about 24 hours, and despite the chaos it set us up for everything that followed.
Now the room is back together and we couldn’t be happier—the bathroom has become one of our favorite rooms. We hung a dark wood mirror (a clearance find) above a matching vanity, and the mirror’s tone ties to the mocha hues in our discounted marble floor tile. The warm contrast with the crisp white tile and trim gives the room a welcoming, balanced feel.
We also added custom wall art made from simple pre-cut wood planks. Inspired by New York City subway signage—places meaningful to us—we painted the planks, printed weathered graphics at home, and used Mod Podge to adhere and protect them for bathroom use. The result is a personal touch that complements the rounded mirror without feeling chaotic.
Function and small details mattered a lot. We mounted a chrome toilet-paper holder to the vanity side so it wouldn’t be visible from the hall, and placed a white ceramic tray on the toilet tank to hold a soap pump, a decorative shell and a small plant. The tray is secured with a thin strip of rubber rug pad to keep it from sliding. We prefer the soap pump on the tray instead of the vanity to maintain a clean sink surface, but it’s easy to move if we change our minds.
We managed to salvage and modify the vanity drawer—shortening it so the drawer still functions—and use it for everyday items like toothbrushes, toothpaste, deodorant and contact supplies. The vanity also stores extra towels and a few decorative accents that help keep the room tidy and guest-ready.
For the shower we used white subway tile that extends all the way up to the ceiling, creating more visual height and drama. A simple inside-mount bamboo blind in a mocha tone adds texture and ties into the marble floor and wood accents. We kept the shower storage simple with a chrome caddy, and installed an affordable chrome fixture set that matched the updated sink aesthetic.
Rather than replace the original cast-iron tub, we chose to have it professionally reglazed. The tub is deep and substantial, and reglazing preserved the original while avoiding the cost and waste of removal. The reglazing job cost $399 and restored the tub to a like-new finish. We vetted the pros, checked references and confirmed quality for a long-lasting result.
We also removed the linen closet door and tiled the closet floor to create a seamless, open storage nook. The continuous tile makes the space feel intentional rather than an afterthought. Woven baskets and labeled bins keep supplies organized and out of sight while maintaining easy access.
Small finishing touches—new towels, a simple bath mat on clearance, a waffle shower curtain, and carefully chosen accessories—pulled the whole room together. Those finishing details emphasize the larger materials like marble flooring, white trim and soft taupe-green walls.
Budget-wise, we compared two contractor estimates that were around $10,000 for a full professional renovation. We set out assuming we could complete the job for roughly $3,000 by doing the work ourselves. In the end we came in significantly lower and finished the project for a total of $1,819. Highlights include clearance marble floor tiles, inexpensive subway tile, a DIY vanity built from a repurposed nightstand with an affordable sink and faucet, and a professional reglaze for the tub.
- Demo and tool rentals: $67
- Subway wall tile: $101
- Marble floor tile: $120
- Grout, spacers, sealer, caulk: $70
- Drywall, backer board, plywood, nails and framing materials: $136
- Truck rental: $19
- Trim and supplies: $100
- Thinset, trowel, tile cutter and related tools (some borrowed): $90
- Primer and paint: $37
- Vanity build: $410
- Shower fixtures and installation: $169
- Tub reglazing: $399
- Towels, mirror, accessories and miscellaneous: ~$184
- Total: $1,819
Note: we borrowed several power tools from family, which reduced our expenses. Buying those tools could have added a few hundred dollars, though renting remained an affordable option.
Timeline summary: our work totaled roughly 123 hours—spread across weekends and evenings. Key phases included planning and shopping, demo, wall rebuilding, tiling the shower surround and floor, grouting and sealing, painting, trim work, installing fixtures and final styling. Some phases took longer because our house is older and required extra framing and leveling.
This was our largest DIY project to date. We had no prior tiling experience, but with research, help from family, and patience we successfully completed it. The result is a revitalized bathroom that feels intentional, efficient and personal.
Would we do it again? Absolutely—though probably not immediately. The project was rewarding but demanding, and a long soak in the tub felt like the perfect way to celebrate finishing it.
If you’ve recently completed a similar renovation or are about to start tiling for the first time, go for it. With planning, realistic expectations and a willingness to learn, a dramatic bathroom update is very achievable.