Oh happy day. Here are the final photos from our bathroom renovation, along with a clear timeline and a detailed budget breakdown that walks through every step of this month-long, mostly weekend project.
Before we dive in, a quick reminder of how rough things looked during the demo phase. Major renovations often get messier before they get better, and our bathroom was no exception. After a long day of demo work, the space was stripped down to the bones — but that was the starting point for everything that followed.
Now take a look at the finished room. Everything came together in the final stretch, and the bathroom is honestly one of our favorite rooms in the house. We installed a dark wood mirror found on clearance and paired it with a similarly toned vanity. The mirror picks up the mocha tones in our marble-look floor tile, which we scored on clearance.
For wall art we made our own vintage-style wood signs. The idea was to avoid introducing too many competing shapes next to the rounded mirror, so we cut one inexpensive plank into two pieces and painted them white. We designed subway-style graphics that reference places important to us, printed them, distressed the prints for a weathered look, and used Mod Podge to attach and seal them for bathroom use. (We’ll share a step-by-step post for this project later.)
Practical details matter, too. We attached a simple chrome toilet paper dispenser to the side of the vanity to keep it discreet from the hall view. A white ceramic tray on the tank holds a soap pump, a decorative shell, and a small plant; we added a thin strip of rubber rug pad beneath the tray to keep it from sliding.
We shortened and preserved the vanity drawer so it still stores daily essentials like toothbrushes, toothpaste, deodorant, contact cases, and hair products. The vanity also stores extra towels and a few decorative accents, keeping the room tidy and guest-ready.
Our shower tile now runs all the way to the ceiling, which visually raises the space and adds drama. We hung a white waffle shower curtain and installed an inside-mount bamboo blind to introduce warm texture that ties into the floor and vanity tones. At the end of the project we had the original cast-iron tub professionally reglazed for a like-new finish — a much more economical and sustainable choice than replacing the tub.
We tiled the tub surround with classic subway tile and installed a simple chrome shower caddy for toiletries. The shower fixtures were replaced with an affordable chrome set and professionally soldered in place for durability. We were careful to hire a reputable plumber for the fixture swap to avoid future leaks and complications.
The linen closet door was removed earlier, and we finished the transformation by tiling the closet floor to create a seamless nook that now functions as open storage. Woven baskets and bins hide clutter while keeping everything accessible. Small tags on baskets help us stay organized and make daily routines simpler.
Finishing touches — towels, hooks, a small towel bar, and a cushy bath mat — pulled the room together. Little details like a soft rug and coordinated towels made the space feel complete and inviting, complementing the marble-look floor, white trim, and soft taupe-green walls.
Budget summary: we gathered two contractor estimates early on and both were near $10,000. We assumed our DIY approach would cost about $3,000 after materials and supplies, so we were thrilled to finish well under that. Below is a concise itemized breakdown.
- Demo: $67 (rental and supplies)
- Subway wall tiles: $101
- Marble-look floor tile: $120
- Grout, spacers, sealer, caulk: $70
- Drywall, furring strips, hardibacker, plywood, nails: $136
- Truck rental: $19
- Trim, quarter-round & supplies: $100
- Thinset & notched trowel: $75
- Manual tile cutter: $15 (shared)
- Wet saw, circular saw, miter saw: borrowed
- Primer: $11
- Paint: $26
- Vanity: $410 (repurposed furniture + sink + faucet + varnish)
- Shower fixtures: $69 + installation $100
- Toilet: already owned
- Professional tub reglazing: $399
- Towels: $30
- Mirror: $27
- TP dispenser and towel bar: $37
- Art materials: $6
- Bath mat: $9
- Blinds: $25
- Miscellaneous accessories: $67
- Grand total: $1,819.00
Note: we borrowed several power tools, which significantly lowered costs. Purchasing those tools could add several hundred dollars, though rental is an affordable alternative.
Timeline summary: the entire project took about 123 hours spread over roughly five weekends and some weeknight work. Key stages included demo, rebuilding walls and subfloor, tiling the shower and floor, painting, installing trim and fixtures, and final touches.
This was our largest DIY project to date. We learned to demo tile, use a wet saw, and tile a shower — skills we didn’t have before. The result was worth the effort: a refreshed, functional bathroom that feels contemporary yet true to the home’s character.
Would we do it again? Absolutely — though maybe not immediately. Renovations are rewarding but demanding, and a long soak in the newly refinished tub was the perfect way to celebrate. If you’re planning a similar project, plan carefully, budget for essentials, and don’t be afraid to call professionals for specialized work.
Have you tackled a bathroom makeover recently? Any tips for first-time tilers? Happy renovating!