Looking for a quick and fairly easy home improvement project for the end of the summer? Remodeling your half-bath can create maximum impact with minimal effort. 

It all starts with careful planning. Once you have an idea for your redesign, take some time to budget and shop for the tools and materials you need. Once everything is in order, you’re ready to start your bathroom transformation—and you can have it done before the winter season.

What to Consider When Updating a Small Bathroom

Keep the following points in mind to make your remodeling project easier:

Style

How do you want your bathroom to look? Clean and minimalist? Opulent and romantic? Traditional and practical? Putting together a mood board can help you refine your design aesthetic so you can truly capture the vibe you’re going for. During this creative stage, be sure your bathroom remodel matches the interior design of your home.

Cost

You know what you want to do; now, you need to figure out what you can afford to do. According to Forbes, a small bathroom remodel costs an average of $70 to $225 per square foot. Your budget total will vary depending on the scope of your project (installing a new toilet will be much cheaper than putting in new flooring, for instance), as well as the materials you will be using. Reconfiguring or demoing your bathroom will add extra costs for supplies. Compare the cost of your materials at different stores so you can find the best prices, and add an extra 10% to 20% into your budget to cover unexpected expenses.

Size

Typically half bathrooms are between 16 and 20 square feet. If the goal is to create the illusion of more space, you’ll want to carefully consider color options and furniture that opens up the room. 

Timeline

The last thing you want is to schedule a bathroom remodel on the first day of school. Give yourself plenty of time to finish the project, and remember to factor in any summer vacations that you’ll have to work around.

Goals

Are you trying to create more storage? Or do you need to update outdated fixtures or room design? When you have a clear goal, your DIY job is simple and achievable.

3 DIY Remodeling Trends for Bathrooms That You Can Do Yourself

Need some help getting started? Here are three ideas that can inspire your bathroom remodel project.

1. Add Fresh Color

A new coat of paint, a patterned tile wall, or even a shower curtain can give your small bathroom a whole new look. You can be on trend and find a shade that matches Peach Fuzz, the warm hue chosen as Pantone’s Color of the Year for 2024, or go with a cooler light blue, green, gray, or cream. 

If you’re painting walls, remember that light colors create the illusion of more space; you can bring in complementary darker hues as a secondary color in accessories like the bathroom mirror or wall sconces. Don’t feel like painting? Wallpaper is another hot design trend for small bathrooms, and you have plenty of choices for colors and patterns. 

Tip: Adding wainscoting or beadboard on the bottom half of the walls makes a small bath look more spacious, and you won’t have to hang as much wallpaper.

Finally, you may need to invest in new bath towels, bath mats, or a shower curtain to work with the room’s new color palette.

2. Install a Vanity

A vanity is just as important as any other furniture piece in your home. It can make a powerful design statement, but it’s also going to be used every day because it serves multiple functions, whether brushing your teeth or storing your extra toilet paper in the cabinets.

The square footage of your bathroom plays a large role in the type of vanity you’ll need. Single vanities are best for a powder room (the most common size is 36 inches). Some half bathrooms can accommodate a vanity up to 48 inches. 

Vanities offer a wealth of choices when it comes to design style and storage solutions. Many people like the look of a floating vanity because it appears to hover above the floor for a more spacious look, but others may like the modern, hand-crafted look of a console vanity with minimal storage. You’ll also have your choice of colors, finish, hardware, and more. Finally, choose a vanity with useful amenities like electrical outlets or drawer dividers.

3. Put in New Tiles

If you have some DIY experience, a new tile floor will add fresh style to the space. Even if you’re a novice, you probably won't have to worry about covering a large surface area in a small bathroom.

Tiles that look like stone bring an on-trend natural element to the room, or you can create unique herringbone, circular, or other patterns with colored tiles. If your bathroom has a shower and you have leftover tiles, consider adding a border around the shower for extra appeal. 

Keep in mind that this project will require more time than other DIY jobs. Before applying any mortar, lay out the tile on the floor so you can see how it will look and make any necessary cuts to the tiles. It’s also wise to move slowly and carefully to ensure straight lines, as you’ll need to wait while the mortar and grout set.

The Value of a Bathroom Refresh

The time and effort you put into a bathroom remodel pays off. If you’ll be selling your home in the near future, a modernized bathroom can help increase the value. In the meantime, you and your family can enjoy your beautiful new bathroom every day!