Small bathrooms are a pain in the ass, especially the dark, downstairs ones that barely fit a full setup. But a good before and after proves you don’t have to sacrifice style just to save space. These small bathroom makeovers on a budget show that even the tiniest spots can pull off something modern, inexpensive, and actually functional.
I’ve rounded up both simple DIY updates from $500 and big-budget glow-ups over $10k, so whether you’re aiming for easy fixes or a total transformation, there’s something here for every space-saving goal.
Under 10k Makeover
I still can’t wrap my head around the fact that this bathroom remodel by u/DIY_Lion cost less than $500. Seriously, it looks like a designer stepped in.
The OP did the whole thing over just three days, keeping the original cabinet base but sanding and painting it, swapping out the hardware, and making a custom maple countertop from a $40 board (which also turned into shelves).
They upgraded to waterproof vinyl plank floors, added a sleek faucet and a new mirror from Amazon’s basic line for $50, and used a jigsaw to DIY the sink cutout. Even the light fixture was an affordable Amazon pick. This whole makeover just proves you can stretch a tiny budget if you’re willing to put in the effort and think creatively.
u/BulkySector5256’s shower door (Dreamline Unidoor Toulon) was the star of the show.
The OP built his own inset-face vanity and tall cabinet, coordinated matte finishes, and pulled it off with a $5K budget. He even thought ahead for accessibility by prepping the wall for future grab bars. Love or hate the color palette, the execution is solid, clean, and seriously professional-looking.
u/Outrageous_Lion5065 went full “moody speakeasy” and somehow pulled it off without making the space feel cramped. Turns out, the pattern contrast and gloss helped break up the black. Add gold accents and that funky mirror, and you’ve got a space that feels more like a cocktail lounge than a builder-grade bathroom. Wild transformation for around $2,700 and 70 hours of first-time DIY work.
This $5k DIY bathroom redo hits a sweet spot between budget and beauty. The skylight and vaulted ceiling make the 5×8 layout feel spacious, while the green tile adds that spa-like calm people kept raving about.
The builder is a stay-at-home dad, handled every bit of the work, tile, plumbing reroute, and even smashed the old toilet by hand.
Honestly, it’s not perfect by pro standards, but it’s solid, clean, and warm. And honestly, for five grand and 150 hours of labor, it looks better than some $25k contractor jobs floating around.
This whole remodel has such a fun, bold energy, teacherlady4846’s colorful and eclectic without feeling chaotic. That round mirror is brilliant, it will be in my future home, but the gold starburst accents, peacock artwork, and unique tile really steal the show. I love that it’s a little funky but still calm, and everything somehow works together. The fact that it was mostly DIY, with just the granite countertop installed professionally, makes it even more impressive. They pulled it all off for around $6.5K in San Diego, which feels like a steal considering how much personality is packed into this bathroom.
I love that he kept the original floor tile in this bathroom remodel; it’s tough as nails and adds that lived-in charm you just can’t fake. Turns out it was a last-minute decision after a brutal two-day demo, and honestly, it worked out. The whole space is cleaner, brighter, and actually feels bigger, thanks to smart layout changes and built-in storage. The scalloped shower tile, recessed cabinets, and even the reglazed tub all pull together so well. Can’t believe it was his first remodel and done in just 15 days for around $8,500. Feels way more expensive than that.
This tiny Brooklyn DIY bathroom makeover sits under the stairs, and it’s the best remodel I’ve seen that mastered in making a hellhole into a sanctuary.
The couple reused all the original plumbing to cut costs, swapped the old standing shower for a tub, and used smart materials like water-safe wood-look tile and marble-effect porcelain (Aurelio by Maximo) for max impact.
It’s only 10 by 2.5 feet, but between the surreal cloud-like tile and sculptural light fixture, it feels like a boutique spa. No exact numbers were dropped. I just estimate it goes around 7k – 8k based on what they shared. 10/10 would shit here.
Over 10k Renovation
The next bathroom by u/brickyardjimmy went from cramped and closed off to something you’d expect in a boutique hotel.
The arched shower completely changed the feel of the space, giving it an almost Mediterranean vibe. That floor tile, terra cotta Texas Penny from Clay Imports, is hands-down the most talked-about detail, and for good reason. It’s warm, textured, and adds just enough personality without overwhelming the room. The color choice (Spanish White) keeps everything feeling open, and while the subway tiles weren’t the original plan, they helped keep costs down. The whole thing came together around $23K, but it looks like so much more.
This closet-to-bathroom remodel by u/KeepCalmEtAllonsy totally caught me off guard.
I swiped expecting a tiny powder room, but this? It looks twice the size it actually is. They worked with just 6′ x 7′ and still pulled off a full shower, pedestal sink, and even room for future storage. The marble mosaic floors and champagne bronze fixtures are subtle flexes, and that glass panel placement makes everything feel more open. For $22K and five weeks, this transformation is seriously impressive.
u/welly7878’s remodel nailed the high-end spa vibe without feeling cold or overdesigned.
The creamy marble, fluted wood vanity, and warm gold Kohler fixtures all blend together in this buttery, modern look. I love the shower niche, it’s huge, sleek, and surprisingly practical. Tile choices were thoughtful too: extra-large slabs meant barely any grout to clean, and people loved the wood-look tile behind the tub. Sure, the rug sparked debate, but that didn’t stop the compliments. With $27.5k invested in a historic NYC building and two weeks of pro work, it’s a big-budget transformation that still feels personal.
u/MolassesGrouchy5615 gutted a dated bathroom and turned it into a cozy, clean-lined retreat for $13k, all DIY except the glass install.
The old penny tile and clawfoot tub had charm, but weren’t practical. They went with a larger format tile to cut down on grout and added a textured feature wall that everyone keeps asking about.
Heated floors were a splurge that totally paid off, and the custom glass door alone ran nearly $3k. The layout shift made the space feel more open, and even with quirks from their 100-year-old house, it came together beautifully over four months.
I feel oddly relieved that u/longfellow65 kept the original ceiling beams in this basement bathroom makeover.
There’s something grounding about them, like a little reminder that the house has history even after a sleek remodel. The rest of the basement bathroom feels fresh, like ceramic tile that mimics terrazzo, a floating vanity, and a shower kit that fits perfectly. It’s clean without feeling cold, and the gypsum board between the joists adds just the right softness. It took about 8 weeks and some pro help for plumbing and electrical, but the result feels way more expensive than the $11K CAD they spent. Here’s how it looks before the bathroom makeover.
This bathroom remodel by u/ilovetocuddle is such a win, not just because it looks amazing, but because she pulled it off at 28 weeks pregnant and wrapped up with three weeks to spare.
I also love how practical it all is: heated floors, quartz counter and curb, a space-saving sink, and no handles thanks to those Blum push-to-open drawers. You can tell every detail was intentional. The cost is around $12k. They bought the tile and fixtures they wanted, quartz counter and curb, custom-cut glass ($2500), heated floors, bidet, schluter system, etc.
I didn’t expect to love this much pink, but the tile in u/Fancybitchwitch feels soft and glowy, not bubblegum. Someone said it looks like the inside of a seashell, and now I can’t unsee it.
The window area looks way cleaner after removing the second door, and the natural light just pours in. The vanity, mirror, sconces, everything flows. I also like how the ceiling got tiled, too, which makes the space feel taller somehow. The remodel wasn’t cheap, around $10K for this bathroom alone, but it really shows in all the custom choices and warmth of the final space. This was the before, so cold and unwelcoming.
