How to Decorate a Bathroom on a Budget
Learning how to decorate a bathroom on a budget takes no time at all, and the results can be stunning and very satisfying. There are also some tips you should be aware of, to be sure the end result is perfect. The best part of the entire redecorating process by far is that, when you makeover a bathroom for little expense, you will be creating a room that is uniquely you - not a store bought set that just anyone could purchase.
So where to begin when decorating your bath? First and foremost, be certain that you plan to leave the walls and floors as they are. The goal is to pull the entire look and feel of the room together, so you don't want to change these major features after you've decorated. Adding a fresh coat of paint can add warmth and style at little cost, so do consider that option before you begin.
Starting with the bathroom redecorating tips, keep in mind that paint swatches are your friends. When you want to match colors, which will be essential during the decoration process, color swatches can easily fit in a wallet or purse, ready for you when you snag that perfect bath item.
Any main decoration that you choose should be brought into a store where cardboard swatches are available, so you can match the hue. Find the swatch that coordinates with your color theme and mark it for ease in choosing coordinating decor in the future. The reason for this is because you may feel you can visualize the light blue hue you've chosen, only to find that you missed the mark completely when you bring it home.
Another tip is to take your time, purchasing clearance and sale items, redecorating only once you've collected everything you need to create the perfect bath. People spend more money when they decide overnight to redecorate, then run and buy every item no matter the cost. So let's move onto the process of decorating a bathroom on a budget.
Begin with the Shower Curtain and Window Coverings
If your bathroom has a shower curtain and/or window coverings, think of these as the main art on your walls. They will be noticed immediately when someone enters the bath, taking up a large area of the bathroom, so this should be the central starting point. It can be a solid color, a design or whatever your heart desires.
As for your shower curtain budget, keep in mind that a clear liner can be purchased at even a dollar store. What you are looking for is the outer curtain, which would likely be fabric. Window coverings can be shades, blinds or curtains. You can find beautiful, unique shower curtains and window coverings at thrift stores, some brand new. In addition, if you know how to use a sewing machine, you can purchase the fabric or pattern of your dreams and make a shower curtain and matching window valance yourself (or ask a friend who can sew). There are discount fabrics at fabric stores and even thrift stores carry them at times (or use a sheet as your fabric).
Bath Towels and Rugs Come Next
When the curtain is chosen, the next items are towels and rugs. If you don't have a shower curtain or curtains in your bathroom, this will be your starting point. You will want to have paint swatches in hand that match the colors in your curtains, floor and walls.
Where your budget is concerned, you do not have to purchase an expensive, traditional bath mat or thick, fancy towels to have a beautiful bathroom. Think outside of the box and find simple, solid colors to accentuate the hues. Economical throw rugs, ones that can be easily tossed into the washing machine, can add fun and style to a bath as well. Just watch for sales or clearance items and pick up a piece here and there when you find the right one at the right price.
Accents and Accessories
Bathroom accessories and accents are what will put the entire room together. These should take the most time and thought, never purchased all in a day. Creativity will go the furthest when searching for perfect accents.
Again, many of the pieces can be found at thrift stores, with finishing touches added by you. Paint, stain or spray paint features such as towel bars, cabinet handles or fun decor you find that don't match your colors. Stay away from traditional, expensive bathroom accessories and use a fun cup for a toothbrush holder or a saucer as a soap dish. All of this can be done for very little expense.
In closing, consider some additional finishing touches when decorating a bathroom on a budget. If your walls allow, find great artwork at thrift stores to hang on the wall or frame an inexpensive poster (if a large picture, this will be as important as the shower curtain in the beginning, so start with this item as well when redecorating).
In addition, a little dash of color such as just painting the bathroom cabinet doors while leaving the rest of the wood alone makes the vanity look fresh and new. No matter what you choose, staying away from the traditional bath items where everything matches at a very high cost, will give you the bathroom of your dreams while leaving your money in your wallet - where it belongs! 
Bathroom Accessories Ideas
Whether you are renovating your bathroom or looking to give your bath a fresh, new look on a budget, these bathroom accessories ideas will give your room the look and feel of luxury. It makes no difference if bathrooms are small and modest or spacious with walk in shower and Jacuzzi - without bath accessories to complete the look, the room will look less than inviting.
For those who are currently renovating a bathroom or building a new home, the final icing on the cake for all of your hard work and planning will depend on the bathroom accessories ideas you've chosen. From towels and rugs to soap dish and garbage can, you want to be sure each accessory for your bath adds beauty and warmth to the room.
There are also those who can use bathroom accessories to make the bath look like they remodeled or renovated, when they did nothing of the sort. At a glance, each accessory added makes the room look like you spent a fortune on a makeover. In truth, the accessories are merely like applying makeup - the "face" underneath may be beautiful and clean, but the accessories are the cosmetics that bring out and enhance that beauty, making the room almost unrecognizable.
Before you begin searching for accessories for bathrooms, there are a few tips you need to keep in mind. First, always grab some paint swatches from a hardware store and find those that match the main colors in your personal bathroom before you go shopping. It is easy to think you know your shade of yellow on your bathroom wall when looking at towels in a department store - until you bring them home only to find they don't match at all. Second, if you are on a budget but looking to give your bath a new look, do consider applying a fresh coat of paint. It takes little time, little cost and can really add beauty to your bath.
When it comes to bathroom accessories ideas, the key to success is to not overlook even the smallest detail. The following list will help you create a bathroom full of accessories that come together into a stunning finished product:
Shower Curtain
If your bathroom has a traditional tub with curtain, think of the shower curtain (and hooks) as the large painting on the wall that will bring the entire room together. Once you've chosen it, you will want to bring it with you when shopping for other bath accessories, to be sure the colors compliment the curtain.
Towels and Rugs
This is another important piece in finding the perfect bath accessory. But don't overdo it - and get creative! Rectangles of the same solid color by the toilet, sink and tub can actually make the room look less inviting and rather boring. Take time to find 1 or 2 rugs that really enhance the room. You don't have to be limited to strictly bath rugs with rubber bottoms either, which can also be dull where fashion is concerned.
Cabinet Handles, Switch Plates, Lights and Towel Bars
These little bathroom accessories ideas complete the picture in your bathroom makeover. If your shower or faucets are silver, pewter, bronze or brass, accentuate these features by replacing cabinet handles, switch plates, lights, towel bars and even a toilet paper dispenser to match. If you prefer adding fun colors, you can purchase bare wood on many of these bath accessories and paint them using colors that match your bathroom.
Traditional Bathroom Accessories
When it comes to purchasing a cup, toothbrush holder, soap dispenser or garbage can, don't feel you need to buy an "all in one" kit to get the job done. Have fun with your theme and find individualized pieces that are unique and eye catching.
Decorative Accents
Bathroom accessories ideas wouldn't be complete without emphasizing the importance of accents. These can be new from a department store or little gems found at a thrift store. Often these items will be found after the room is remodeled, adding that finishing touch of perfection. Imagine a western theme bathroom with a set of spurs hanging on the wall, or a perfect, framed picture that contains your unique bathroom colors. Don't rush to find these pieces - they will come in time.
With these ideas, you are on your way to creating a bath that is fashionable and unique for you. Whether you are choosing accessories for a newly renovated bathroom or merely wanting to give your room a new look, each accessory will enhance and beautify your bathroom.
Adding tiles to a shower will always add beauty and increase the durability of the bathroom area; the process also enhances the value of your home and allows you to enjoy every showering experience. Even though many people consider this to be a grueling task which demands effort and time, if you love DIY projects, it will be a pleasant experience. In the section below, we shall examine some of the key steps you should take when installing tiles on a shower floor.
Steps in laying out the tiles
1) Preparation. Before you start laying out the tiles, you should determine how the tiles will fit and line up with the drain in the shower area. It is advisable to clean the entire area before you start fixing the tiles. Some of the essential materials and tools required for this job are listed below:
Needed tools:
- Tape measure
- Marker
- 4' level
- Sponge
- Wet saw
- Buckets (at least 2)
- Paddle mixer
- Grout float
- Trowel
- Drill
- Drop cloth
Needed materials:
- Tile & thin-set adhesive
- Painter's tape
- Grout mix
- Grout sealant
- Mesh tape.
2) Laying out tiles. The tiles should be laid out as you would want them to look in the shower. The area should also be level or flat; do not rely on the walls because they may not be straight. Determine the lowest level of the shower area and mark one tile height above, then mark a line around this point using a spirit level. Next, measure the exact number of tiles to be installed on each side of the wall. Thereafter, fix wooden battens on the wall with the edges touching the line once you mark the positions of the end tiles.
3) Cut the tiles to fit. Sometimes, the tiles will not fit the entire area, so you will have to cut some of them. For instance, if you want to lay them diagonally, then you will have to cut them into halves so that they can cover the edges. Naturally, tiles are hard glazed and brittle so you have to cut them carefully. You should ideally keep them facing upwards and mark a line on which to cut; this should be matched with subsequent tiles. After cutting, press the tile downwards to allow a clean snap. To create uniform cuts, smoothen the edges with sandpaper or nip the extra tile.
4) Cut out the drain. Next, mark and cut a hole for the drain carefully, one tile after the other. Once you are done, lay them back to make sure that cuts fit exactly around the drain. Also, tiling around fixtures should be maintained at the same level.
5) Glue the tiles down. Apply adhesive with a trowel to the ceramic tile and stick them down one after the other, starting from around the drain. Press the glued tiles firmly on the surface, and avoid sliding tiles. Start at the bottom row as you work your way to the top. Remember to keep the spacers in-between tiles. As you lay them, allow the adhesive to stick before grouting. Also, check the levels of tiles from time to time to avoid creeping.
6) Grout the Joints. Once the tiles have been affixed on the wall, remove spacers and then cover tiles with grout in within the next 12 hours. Rub the grout into the joints using a sponge and ensure that it penetrates completely. The grout should cover the entire area including spaces between tiles. Next, wipe the excess grout with sponge and leave it to dry for about 2 weeks before you use the shower. Once you are done, use a tile sealer to seal the grout according to instructions given by the manufacturer. Finally, polish the tile surface with a dry cloth.
Conclusion
A well-tiled shower area certainly enhances the looks and value of your shower. Contrary to popular belief, it is quite easy to tile your shower area if you are passionate about DIY projects around the home. Before you start installing tiles, you will need to spend some time to plan the actual layout. Clean the surface and gather all necessary tools and materials to facilitate a smooth installation. By following the steps above, you can be assured you will end up with a professionally done installation that is worth your time and money. This project when completed by a bathroom remodeling contractor runs about $6500 with the custom built shower doors installed. When doing a tub to shower conversion it can be more. 
Most people get frightened by the thought of undertaking DIY projects at home; this perhaps explains why most people have showers that do not satisfy their needs. Interestingly, the shower remains the preferred choice of bathing because it requires little water, it is convenient, and it takes up less space in our homes.
Personal preferences aside, it is clear that adding a new shower into your bathroom will improve its aspect and functionality. However, this process may not be as easy as you think; it requires planning and some time, as the process can be quite tricky. In the section below, we shall go through some of the fundamental things that you should know when installing a modern shower.
Suitability of Walk in Shower Designs
There are many types of showers stalls in the home improvement market. The designs may be mundane on one end of the spectrum and outlandish on the other. You may find standard shower stalls to fancy high-end showers with special or custom shower heads and enclosures. Some of them provide respite to perennial plumbing and water damage problems that are common in ordinary showers.
Although we have different tastes, the main issue that cuts across the board is setting them up in the bathroom. Only a few people would want to have a big, luxurious shower with double sinks when a basic shower could serve their bathing needs well. Besides that, most people wouldn't like to spend fortunes on bathrooms when there are other urgent needs to take care of in their homes.
Mapping out the Shower
The easiest way of mapping out your shower is by using a 3D mapping application. There are many types of applications tailored for this purpose and they range from tens to hundreds of dollars. These applications might be helpful in determining the actual measurements, foreseeing possible problems and displaying the fundamental features, notably wall dimensions, fixtures, and placements in three-dimension. You can work better if you already have a visual impression of the complete shower area.
Once you have completed the design process, you should seek the services of an interior designer or contractor to inspect the bath area and infrastructure. This will give you a clear idea of what you are trying to achieve. The contractor will also cut holes on the walls and inspect the surrounding wall for damaged wires or water pipes. This stage in design will also allow you to create a realistic budget for adding your new shower.
Deciding on the Best Shower
There are various kinds of showers in the market today. If you want to install a single-unit, then check out the design and collections available in leading home improvement stores in your locality. Make sure that the dimensions and style match the overall aspect of your bathroom. You may not like the idea of buying a shower unit that won't fit, or one that will require modifications to fit.
Two popular options are pre-fab unit and the manually built shower unit. The former option is good, but it is limited in styles. On the other hand, a shower built from scratch is costly and may not be the best idea for a starter with average installation skills.
Installation
You will find that it easy to install a pre-fab shower at the time of your convenience if you already have experience with DIY projects. The pre-fab shower is fixed as a singly and then grouted all through the exterior seams, in order to cut off water from reaching the interior walls. You should do a thorough research on the internet to learn more about the different installation methods.
On the other hand, a hand built shower requires specialized skills and techniques. This means that a contractor should be hired to build a frame that encloses the shower. Next, a shower stall is lined with a covering like Wonderboard. Thereafter, tiling should be done on the surface and plumbing on drains before the enclosure is installed.
Conclusion
It is not difficult to add a new shower to an existing bathroom if you have hands-on experience on DIY projects. However, the shower design and style will significantly influence the ultimate cost of the installation. Therefore, you have to decide on a good plan and map out the area the shower will occupy. It is advisable to work closely with a designer or contractor in the design phase. With the right selection of materials and design, you can add a new shower to your bathroom without spending a fortune.
A note from the road – whenever I head out a road trip to rid the planet of those pesky bathtubs I am always amazed at the beauty of this wonderful country. On my current trip I have been from Phoenix Arizona to Temple Texas to install a beautiful Cultured Marble Walk in Shower for the Whites. We ripped out a cast iron bathtub, mud set tile shower surround, cast iron drain and old separate tub to shower valve. Nathan and I battled a typical Texas down pour, rain, rain and more rain. The cultured marble walk in shower came out fantastic and Nathan did an unbelievable job cutting the shower walls into the wainscoting tile around the bathroom.
From Temple Texas I am off to the ocean side city of Mobile Alabama, what a neat city and some of the best people you will ever meet are in Alabama. The job here is a Tubcutters dream, not only one, but two E\Z Step Tub to Shower Conversions in the same home! This project is for Missy and Joe and the rest of the family. The back bathroom is our Full Cut E\Z Step with Chrome trim and Obscure Glass and the hall bath Full Cut has Gold Trim and Obscure Glass. The job came out great and we received a nice note on our Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/TubtoShower.
My next stop is in the remote town of Hatfield Arkansas to deliver a cultured marble shower to one of our best Senior SAFETYPro Dealers, Custom Refinishing out of Mena AR. Run by my friend Don Klus and his lovely wife Theresa. Don installed a custom built 54 x 33 culture marble shower pan and 3 wall surround. Don removed a bathtub, moved the drain, and installed a new shower valve, green board and grab bars. What a nice looking walk in shower. 
Moving on to Chicago IL to install a Cut and A Curtain E\Z Step Tub to Shower Conversion for Steve O. in Graysake Il. 
Steve's tub to walk in shower conversion included a 24" notch cut conversion, grab bar, non-slip bath mat and removal of the old shower enclosure. We also installed a new shower rod and shower curtain liner. From 82 degrees heading up through Arkansas to a toasty 22 Degrees in Chigaco and yes that is a pile of snow in front of the VW
After completing my job in Chicago I am off to Elizabeth New Jersey. This part of the trip the beauty of our country is obscured by the damn tolls! From Chicago to Elizabeth $38.75 including the extra axle for the trailer with its massive 12" tires and 1800 pound axles. But with the super smooth roads I guess it is really worth it...
The E\Z Step Tub to Shower Conversion in Elizabeth New Jersey is a Notch Cut, Crome Trim and Obscure Glass. The project is for Nicky G. She has lived in this home forover 50 years! The bathtub is cast iron with an antique tub sliding glass door that has been in the bathroom the whole time! What a neat sliding glass shower door, the glass panels were in near new condition. Nicky was very pleased when she saw the finished product and could not believe in was completed it one day. Neither could I (the cast iron fights back...) She was releived when she tested the 2" step into the walk in shower and loves her new grab bars. The Notch Cut Tub to Shower Conversion went down 14 inches to create the 2" step. The photos here are not very good due to the logistics of the bathroom 
Well I am off to Phoenix Arizona today, the plan is to check on Megan and see if our 4th grand child is ready to meet the world yet. We are hoping he is on time on February 28th, but we will see.