The marginal returns on home renovations will decline alongside the popping Canadian housing bubble. In fact, the returns on a lot of these “investments” already fail to cover their costs. Since getting my house, I’ve been looking for low-hanging fruit to increase its comfort level, because I plan to live there for a very long time if not permanently. I’m not looking to dump big money into any overhauls yet. (Although in the next decade I plan to dump $50 or so grand into major work, e.g. a new main floor bathroom, foundation underpinning / basement lowering and subsequently finishing of the basement, as well as a kitchen renovation to take advantage of the huge space.) I already put a chunk of net worth into the house by way of my down payment, and I don’t want to become any less diversified. I’m staging a “low-cost” move, but it’s still really frigging expensive (especially when one includes all the fast food bills). Plus I’ve already had my share of home emergencies that required cash outlays, although I’m almost certain the worst of these is behind us. The first “low-hanging fruit” that I plucked was changing and adding bathroom fixtures. It seems disingenuous to call it a “bathroom reno” but for simplicity let’s stick to that terminology. Just understand it only took a few hours and involved changing a limited number of items.
I targeted two key problems with my mini bathroom reno. First, the bathroom lacked storage. There wasn’t even a towel rack for goodness’ sake. Second, the theme of all its fixtures was real wood. The problem with wood bathroom fixtures, besides the fact that they’re ugly, is that they aren’t sanitary when damaged (specifically the faucet handles which were nasty).
I bought a set of Moen fixtures; a toilet paper holder, towel rack, and a hand towel loop for $24.88 + HST. Here are the old fixtures (left) with their respective replacements (right):
(No towel rack before) 
The Moen set didn’t come with a house coat rack. I bought a Moen housecoat rack ($14.98 + HST) from the same line as the other fixtures set and installed it on the door. (The door is hollow, so I was careful to use anchors but that required me to test a billion pilot hole sizes with a bunch of bits until I found the perfect one.) I thought it was useful because it more than doubles the hanging storage. Here it is:
I bought a Glacier Bay shower head and detachable handheld head for $19.99 + HST and replaced the nasty old head:
In keeping with my mission to eliminate tacky, porous wood wherever possible, I bought cheap faucet handles and put them on the existing fixture for $18.98+HST.
The bathroom had a medicine cabinet which was, frankly, disgusting. It hadn’t been cleaned in ages and, even if it wasn’t too small, I still would have removed it (and this is coming from me, the guy who embodies function over form and wore Dollarama sandals all summer). Here’s the new one I bought for $22.98 + tax. There’s a mirror on the front, but I opened it to ensure I wasn’t tempted to take a duck-faced self-shot.
Moving into a new house is hectic. Naturally I forgot to take a picture of my biggest bathroom renovation item: a new shelving unit a few feet above the toilet. You’ll need to settle for a mental picture painted by my limited vocabulary. It’s white with two doors on the front (brushed metal handles) that cover an alcove with two shelves; it also has a shelf at the bottom of the unit that’s not covered. This unit dramatically increases the bathroom’s storage capacity by a factor of infinity, since there is almost no extra floor space for an organizer and the sink is a pedestal. It’s really nice, and better be because I spent $77+HST on it.
In all, I spent $202.06, including taxes, and several hours of my time to complete this mini bathroom reno. I think the increase in usability alone is worth the price tag. If there’s a value deficit, however, I think it’s filled by not having to hear my partner complain about how gross the wood fixtures are.
Looks great! There are a lot of little things that we need to do also
Thanks Michelle, good luck with those.
I replaced my bathroom fixtures a couple years back. It was satisfying, but not a trivial job, for sure. Same with a new toilet. Not too complex, but not too easy either.
Yes. The real work was measuring / leveling and finding studs that worked with the measurements in question (although some I ended up needing to use drywall anchors). I haven’t replaced the toilet because it’s in great shape. For us, the tough work is going to be getting rid of the laminate wall, and installing tile / a new tub and putting in a glass block window since the room has a fan anyway. I’m holding off on that work for a few years, and certainly until after there’s a main floor bathroom. I stripped/re-did caulk on parts of the shower where it seemed in poor condition just to be safe.
Looks good, Joe, and good for you replacing the wood. Not only for the reasons you put in your write up, but also because wood is generally a high maintenance item and, unless I’m mistaken, more prone to mold etc. when exposed to the high moisture levels produced in a bathroom than elsewhere (excluding outdoors), unless its highly protected with varnish or something.
When I was preparing my first house for sale I went out and picked up a 2 door laundry cupboard. My bathroom had a floor to ceiling built in shelving unit which was sort of functional and sort of not. A long pole held it in place on the open side (the side right beside the bathtub). So I had the top two shelves removed along with that part of the pole running through those shelves.
Having done some careful measurements, I’d purchased a cupboard that I knew would fit. It assembled the cupboard and then had it installed. What a beautiful thing, and such a simple change made the world of difference in that bathroom.
The most expensive part of that reno was getting a new vanity top (the old one was an old mess) and taking that opportunity to get the cabinet itself straightened up. Don’t know who put it in there in the first place, but how can you install a cabinet crooked?
Since I’m not handy enough myself, I had to get those items done for me.
The simplest and next best, and cheapest, part of the reno was painting the whole thing. I think painting is one of the better returns on investment. It really freshens and cleans a space up and changes its whole outlook.
So, if you discount the vanity top part of the job, the painting, the purchase and installation of the new cupboard, the removal of shelves and the pole, and the paint job, cost me @ $200.
Simple little things like the ones you’ve done more often than not have a major impact on the look and functionality of the room.
Enjoy your new house (hope the move goes ok….it does take some orchestrating!!!).
Thanks and that’s exactly how I feel: “simple change[s] made the world of difference”.
That’s a great way to quickly add value before a sale. Speaking of measurements and shelving, we actually bought a larger shelving unit that had a bottom designed to fit behind a toilet and thus afforded more stability+storage space. We ended up returning it (whoops) because while I knew the measurements horizontally / vertically, I didn’t expect to buy a “behind the toilet” unit and subsequently found out there wasn’t enough space between the toilet and wall.
oops….meant to say that I assembled the cupboard, somehow I typoed and put ‘it’! my bad.
My place didn’t have any hand towel rings in the master bathroom when I moved in and had a stationary showerhead. Thankfully I still had a leftover showerhead from a rental apartment that I put in and I think I bought hand towel rings for $5-20 from Home Depot. Those were easy fixes.
I also bought a shelf thing for the other bathroom for like $50 that both added color and storage!
Nice upgrades, great price
Huge improvement, especially in the aesthetic department. And added storage is always a good thing, especially in the bathroom.
Thanks! Yes, I think our little changes added more value than the $200 in costs.
lol, dude, you have the same fixtures as I do
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Some other DIY things in a bathroom that are medium difficulty are a new cabinet or vanity (or just a new countertop for existing cabinet), new paint, and a new floor. They make vinyl flooring nowadays that’s no glue – just make sure the floor is smooth, cut to fit and lay. I’ve upgraded that stuff in both our bathrooms – the floor is fussy and particular, but not difficulty (i.e. I pulled out the vanity and toilet first, spent a lot of time making sure the floor was smooth, and a lot more time cutting to fit).
For faucets, only use Moen. I had a faucet go after 15 years, went to buy a replacement part, and the local hardware store just handed me the piece and sent me on my way. Moen has a lifetime warranty so the hardware store just kept replacement parts in stock.
Nice. Did your wife pick out the fixtures? I told her what fixtures we needed, but she chose the brand / colour.
Great tips about cheap, quick changes. I might do the vinyl work BUT in the next few years, after getting a new bathroom on the second floor (possibly the jobs will be one-after-the-other) I want to re-do the bathtub enclosure. If a guy is there doing tile to replace laminate anyway, it probably won’t be much more to get the walls done.
That’s a great tip about Moen. I heard that was the case and glad to hear it confirmed, I’ll probably stick with their stuff. It’s funny because I always assumed they were premium and therefore expensive, but even to get a Moen faucet wouldn’t have been a lot more than a no-name one.
Anything in our house that involves decorating or good taste is selected by my wife with no input from me. I stick to installation.
We’re thinking about redoing my office in the next half year or so. I want a more masculine look I think – and even that, I’ll let my wife pick. I have no taste at all in this stuff.
If you’re interested in wood office furniture, definitely consider Parks Furniture if it’s not too far for delivery. The stuff they have at their main showroom in Hamilton is outrageous; excellent, ornate wood pieces at good prices.
Nice job – super price! That stainless fixtures can be sanitized is essential, but that they look great and you have more storage is an excellent benefit.
Thanks Andrea, yeah my main goal was definitely related to keeping it sanitary but the attractive look is a nice side benefit.
I have very similar, if not the same, hanging accessories. I’m sure the aesthetic upgrades make a huge difference in the space, plus the massively increased functionality. Definintely not bad at all for $200. You’re reminding me, I have an additional robe hook thingie sitting on the counter in my ensuite, waiting to be put up. I should get around to that.
Do it up
The best part of the reno you did was ” I stripped/re-did caulk on parts of the shower where it seemed in poor condition just to be safe.” If water gets behind the tile and into the drywall or studs you will have major $$ in the future. You could even have health effects from any mold. The esthetics are good, but the caulking has the best ROI.
For sure, it’s important to prevent water damage.
Nice job! The pics look great. I did a minor renovation on the kids bathroom a few years ago. That one cost around $400 but only because I replace the whole counter top and put in a nice glass shower door. You can really refresh the look of a room without spending a ton.
That’s awesome and yes, it’s remarkable what can be accomplished with a “refresh” rather than a complete overhaul.
I plan on staying in my house for a very long time. I don’t want to but it is all that I can afford. I generally only replace things that may break and if it is cosmetic then I just have to let it go.
My bathroom is a terribly tacky colour but it matches the terribly tacky tile in the bathroom area and the tile is not damaged so I am stuck with it.
Tiles and mortar are quite affordable, it just takes a lot of effort to install yourself. If I were in a “house poor” scenario without liquidity, I’d definitely be more inclined to put additional sweat equity into it.
My home has still not recovered from my attempt to paint the kitchen ceiling.
Any home repairs I do tend to devalue my home and some of us are more hazardous than handy.
Hey, that’s pretty good, and I agree the wood is tacky. Renovations don’t have to cost a fortune just to give a room a lift.
Exactly, thanks!
Great job! You are enjoying all those improvements I’m sure. We recently added a back of the door rack to hang clothes on and it has been a huge help–not only for us, but also for guests. I can’t believe what a difference it has made in functionality and convenience. Worth more than we paid for it!
Thanks Maggie
glad to hear it went well for you.
More people are going with classier fixtures and accessories in their bathrooms now than ever before. Your own bathroom should be a mini retreat and be equipped to give you both comfort and privacy. You want your bathroom to always be clean but even more than that, germ free. As a married man, I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that the majority of women consider the comfort of the bathroom as important as the bedroom which may explain why homes being built today have master bathrooms rival the size of bedrooms…
That’s a great comment, but it seems spammy.