Now that we’re back home and back into the rhythm of everyday life, here’s a sneak peek at a deck project—and yes, there are more holes in the plan. We’re actively working toward a passed inspection (remember when we failed our inspection?) and hope to have an update early next week. Fingers crossed for good news.
For this Reader Redesign feature, we’re highlighting a smart, budget-friendly bathroom makeover that proves a small investment and thoughtful choices can transform a space. Even if you disagree with college rivalries, you can relate to wanting a bathroom that feels more welcoming and more useful. Here’s Melissa’s account of the renovation:
What’s up John, Sherry, Clara, and Burger? We are just down the road from you in Blacksburg (go Hokies!) and wanted to share our main bathroom reno with you. We have five kids and squeeze home projects in whenever we can. When we bought the house, the only thing we weren’t crazy about was the size of the bedroom and attached bath, but we loved everything else, so we took the plunge. The “Before” — a 90’s linoleum lighthouse/sailboat honey oak themed bath — did not feel updated at all.
We didn’t want to pay for a big addition or a full remodel, so we worked with what we had and set a $1,000 budget to cover new floors, a marble countertop, fixtures, lighting, shelving, and accessories. Our goal was to make the bathroom look and work better without tearing everything out.
We removed the oak cabinet above the toilet to open the room and installed floating shelves with baskets to organize toiletries and hide clutter. The old mirror was swapped for a clearance find, and a wire magazine rack was added to balance the off-center toilet. We kept the original vanity but refreshed it with a coat of Benjamin Moore’s Impervo Paint in White Dove, and gave it a new marble top and faucet sourced from Home Depot.
For the floor, we laid Allure laminate directly over the existing linoleum. It’s water resistant, easy to install for a DIY weekend, and has held up well in their downstairs bath. The result is a cleaner, more modern look without the cost and mess of ripping up the subfloor.
The finishing touches are simple but effective: a basic waffle-weave shower curtain, similar to one we use, and the paint color Fossil Grey from Glidden’s older palette. Total spent: $995 for everything — towels, toilet paper holder, trash can, and all the accessories to pull the room together.
Thanks for looking and reading! If you’re ever in town and want to go to a game, we’d love to have Clara come play! – Thanks, Melissa
Melissa’s makeover is a great example of an affordable bathroom renovation done well. By keeping the existing footprint and vanity, painting and retopping instead of replacing everything, and adding practical storage, she achieved a high-impact update for under $1,000. A few strategic changes — new flooring, a marble countertop, fresh paint, and floating shelving — make the room feel fresh and modern, and those small improvements often pay off in perceived value.
This makeover also highlights several practical tips for anyone planning a budget bathroom update:
- Work with what you have: Refinishing or repainting existing elements can save substantial costs compared with full replacements.
- Choose cost-effective materials: Water-resistant laminate flooring can be a practical and attractive alternative to more expensive tile if installed correctly.
- Maximize storage: Floating shelves and baskets declutter surfaces and keep daily items organized without a major overhaul.
- Focus on key finishes: Swapping out a tired countertop and updating fixtures can dramatically change the room’s appearance.
- Keep accessories simple: A well-chosen shower curtain, lighting, and small hardware updates can tie the design together for very little money.
What stands out most in this renovation? The mirror and floating shelves are favorites for their visual impact and storage function, while the new flooring and marble top deliver a polished, finished look. If you’re considering a DIY bathroom refresh, this project is a useful blueprint: modest budget, smart choices, and thoughtful styling can deliver big results.
P.S. We picked a winner for this week’s giveaway — check the giveaway announcement to see if it’s you.