Comprehensive Guide to Remodeling a Small Bathroom

Homeowners often think that remodeling a small bathroom—typically around 50 square feet or less—will be faster, easier, and cheaper than tackling larger bathrooms. However, you may not save as much time and money as you expect since a small bathroom still requires many of the same amenities and professionals, just in a more confined space. Discover which parts of the remodel you might handle yourself and where you can potentially save money.

Small bathrooms challenge you to get creative with less space. Use interior design tips to see how color choices, lighting, and mirrors can make a room feel larger. Approach your bathroom remodel as an exciting puzzle and enjoy solving it without overspending.

3 Types of Small Bathrooms

Bathrooms are typically categorized by their function rather than size. This depends on their location in the home, primary users, and whether they include a tub or shower. All types of bathrooms can be small: powder rooms or half-baths, guest bathrooms, and full bathrooms.

Powder Room or Half Bath

Larger homes often have a powder room or half-bath that includes a sink and a toilet.

A powder room is a convenient extra bathroom for homes with multiple floors or larger families. Its small size and limited fixtures mean you can remodel a powder room relatively quickly and inexpensively.

Since a powder room is usually a second or third bathroom, there's no rush to complete the project. This makes it ideal for DIY work.

Guest Bathroom

A guest bathroom is a full bathroom that includes a toilet, sink, and shower, tub, or both.

Guest bathrooms are primarily used by guests or children. Because they get occasional use, many homeowners opt for economy fixtures and materials, significantly cutting costs.

As secondary bathrooms, guest bathrooms don't have the same strict timelines for remodeling as primary or sole bathrooms.

One way to save money: Since extra storage might not be necessary, opt for economical solutions. If you expect elderly guests frequently, consider adding features like grab bars, lower counters, no-slip flooring, or a walk-in tub.

Full Bathroom

A full bathroom includes a full range of amenities—toilet, vanity, sink, and tub/shower.

Full bathrooms can serve as primary, en suite, guest, or children’s bathrooms. The difference between a full and half bathroom is the inclusion of a tub or shower. Durable fixtures, waterproof floors and walls, and good storage are essential.

If the full bathroom is the only bathroom in the house, you'll need to follow a tight schedule or arrange for alternate bathing facilities during the remodel.

Cost to Remodel a Small Bathroom

The cost to remodel a small bathroom, which typically involves reframing, new drywall, flooring, lighting, vanity, and tiling, can range from about $5,000 to $30,000. Most remodels average around $10,000. High-end fixtures and materials can push costs towards $30,000. Increased square footage and multiple appointments with professionals also drive up costs. If plumbing or electrical systems need overhauls, expect costs to skyrocket.

Small bathrooms require fewer materials and are usually less expensive to remodel. However, since standard-sized materials are used, you may have leftover waste. A 3-foot by 5-foot powder room can cost about $1,500 to $2,250 to renovate, whereas a 9-foot by 10-foot bathroom can reach $13,500.

Acting as your own general contractor—interviewing, hiring, supervising, and paying individual professionals—can save money by avoiding the overhead costs of a general contractor. Here's a breakdown of typical remodeling costs:

• Faucets and plumbing: $250 to $1,450
• Fixtures: $200 to $1,800 for specialty options
• Bathroom counter: $200 to $1,000
• Cabinetry: $250 to $3,000, depending on space and style
• Flooring: 10 to 15 percent of the budget, or $200 to $1,350
• Painting: $150 to $550, depending on paint and room size
• Replacement light fixtures: $100 to $400
• Ventilation fans: $50 to $300

If you're a DIYer with construction skills, you can save a lot by doing some tasks yourself. Labor costs to remodel a bathroom range from 40 to 60 percent, usually between $50 to $75 an hour. General contractors might charge $300 to $400 per day, electricians about $50 to $100 per hour, and plumbers up to $2,000 per day.

Professional vs. DIY Small Bathroom Remodeling

The cost savings for a bathroom remodel depend on the extent of work you can perform yourself. Many DIYers can handle demolition, painting, or finishing tasks, reducing contractor fees.

Depending on your experience and enthusiasm, you might take on more complex jobs like tiling, flooring, installing the toilet, drywall, or vanity and sink installation.

You can split the work—doing some yourself and leaving more complex tasks to professionals. Contractors usually agree to this arrangement but ensure you don't interrupt their workflow. Work during weekends or when the contractors are done for the day.

Tip

Hiring a certified bathroom designer can make your project more efficient. Designers often work with reliable contractors, ensuring a clear plan and quality execution.

How a Small Bathroom Is Remodeled

Demolish the Old Bathroom

All remodeling projects start with demolition. Homeowners often do this to save money. You can remove fixtures or flooring and go as far as stripping down to the wall studs and floor joists. It’s hard but manageable work that you can do over a weekend. Rent a dumpster or arrange for a disposal company to haul away debris.

Build the Framing

Projects usually involve opening walls and ceilings. Structural framing, such as a new shower stall, requires basic carpentry skills or experience. Framing might need an inspection to ensure it’s done correctly.

Electrical Work

A licensed electrician will install new circuits, lighting, and ventilation, then arrange for an inspection. After passing inspection, they’ll return to finalize connections for switches, outlets, and fixtures.

Install Plumbing

Experienced plumbers are critical for small bathroom remodels. They handle water supply lines, drain lines, sink supplies, and toilet installation. If new flooring is installed, a flange extension for the toilet may be necessary.

Tip

Plumbing and electrical work often need professionals. Many remodelers hire experts to prevent dangerous, code-violating issues. Inspections are mandatory at the plumbing and electrical rough-in stages and after final installations.

Install Drywall

After plumbing and wiring inspections, a drywall pro or DIYer can install and finish the drywall. Note that drywall shouldn’t be installed in a tiled shower unit. Drywall compound needs to harden before sanding, so this process can take a few days.

Install Shower or Floor Tile

Tiling is often a significant cost in terms of time and materials. Many leave this to professionals due to its labor-intensive, precise nature. Tiling a shower is especially tricky. However, if you want to try, tiling the bathroom floor is easier since it doesn't need to be as waterproof as a shower pan.

Install Flooring

Bathroom flooring should be waterproof, easy to clean, simple to install, and attractive. Popular choices include ceramic tile, porcelain tile, sheet vinyl, and tile/plank vinyl. Avoid solid hardwood, engineered wood, or laminate flooring in full bathrooms—these materials work best in bathrooms without bathing facilities.

Install Cabinets and Add Finishing Touches

Once the plumbing and electrical work is done, the drywall is sealed, and the room is painted, you can install vanities, cabinets, light fixtures, towel bars, and mirrors. Many homeowners DIY this part to save money.

Tips for Remodeling a Small Bathroom

Limited space doesn’t mean limited creativity. These tips can help you love your cozy bathroom.

Create an Illusion of Space

Trick the eye to make the room feel taller. Blur the line between the ceiling and wall to create an illusion of height. Match the ceiling with narrow crown molding and replace hanging light fixtures with recessed lighting or wall sconces that direct light upwards.

Lighten the Bathroom

Use light colors and avoid dark shades and high contrasts in small areas. Matching the floor tile to the wall elongates the room. Keep the ceiling white for the best effect, and maximize natural light when possible.

Use Bright Colors

Introduce some color. Keep your bathroom light and airy while adding pops of color with fun towels or a textured bath mat for a bit of personality.

Use Large Patterns

Fool the eye with large-scale patterns like oversized squares and wide stripes to make the space seem bigger.

Sliding Shower Doors Save Space

Use a shower curtain or sliding doors. Hinged shower doors may not work well in small bathrooms. Instead, opt for sliding glass doors or a curtain to conserve space.

Curved Shower Curtain Rods

Consider a curved shower curtain rod to prevent the curtain from sticking to you in the shower, adding up to 33 percent more space.

Use a Pedestal Sink or Small Vanity

Large vanities consume precious space. Install a pedestal sink or choose a rounded-corner vanity to free up inches and prevent bruised hips.

Use Open Shelving

Open shelves offer storage without the bulk of swinging doors. Keep essentials on these shelves and store bulk items elsewhere.

Use Mirrors

Mirrors can help two people get ready simultaneously and brighten the room by reflecting light, making the space feel larger. Shiny fixtures and gleaming white tubs and sinks also enhance brightness.

Be Creative With Towel Bars

Mount towel bars on doors for easy access in tight spaces.

Consider Sink/Faucet Alternatives

Choose a low-profile wall-mounted sink or trough sink to free up floor space. Wall-mounted faucets reduce vanity depth, and corner sinks can be space-savers.