Bhg
  • Shop
  • News
  • Food
  • DIY
  • Garden
  • Renovating
  • Decorating
  • Health
  • TV
  • Hard to Find
Bhg
  • Shop
  • News
  • Food
  • DIY
  • Garden
  • Renovating
  • Decorating
  • Health
  • TV
  • Hard to Find
Subscribe
  1. Home
  2. Renovating

Reader reno: It only cost $126 for this mum to give her bathroom a complete makeover

All in one week. - by Olivia Hart
  • 17 Sep 2020

When one Sydney mum decided to renovate her kids' bathroom on a budget, she was not kidding around. 

WATCH: How to renovate your own bathroom 

Working around her four kids' sleeping schedule, Veronica Chahda completed the makeover within a week and spent a total of $126!

Better Homes and Gardens Online caught up with Veronica to find out more about the amazing project.   

Old and ugly bathroom before makeover

Before: A stock standard bathroom with no flair or design features

Veronica Chahda
after reno, brighter and more colourful with carpet and shell pink cupboard

After: A creative and stylish bathroom with eye-catching elements

Veronica Chahda

Tell us about your bathroom and what it looked like before the renovation? 

The bathroom was originally very bland and boring, I think that’s the best way to describe it. Obviously, bathrooms aren’t really an exciting place however the grey mixed with the aqua feature tile just didn’t give it any life.  

What inspired your renovation?

When COVID first hit and we were having to stay home a lot more, we began to slowly revamp the rest of the house. The bathroom was next up on the list.

dark dirty toilet and tub

Before: A bleak bathroom

Veronica Chahda
renovated tub and toilet

After: A fun and bright bathroom fit for kids and all ages

Veronica Chahda

Have you done any renovations before?

I wish I had the money to do proper renovations to be honest, but working in retail and having four children means that unfortunately we just cannot afford to do it.

We have, however, recently made a few changes to our laundry which cost us $396 and we made a few little changes to our kids' bedrooms. Next up we’d love to do some changes to our ensuite.

What kind of look were you after?

I wanted something a little bright, yet earthy. Something a little fun but not too in-your-face. My four kids share that bathroom and they’re aged 8, 5, 4, and 2 so I wanted something warming for them and for our guests. 

fancy bath tub with plant beside it and orange mat

After: A pop of colour adds warmth to the neutral palette

Veronica Chahda

What was the biggest challenge?

There weren’t any massive challenges as such, but it is a lot when you’re trying to do everything yourself in between parenting! I often worked when the kids went to bed and that’s when I removed the grouting, but it was tricky finding time to do certain things.

Wood framed mirror and clean sink

After: A tidy and fresh vanity makeover

Veronica Chahda

The renovation process

  • Removed mirror and built the frame.
  • Removed the vanity doors and wrapped in vinyl.
  • Removed grout and silicone around the tiles.
  • Painted the aqua feature tiles in the sink and shower.
  • Re-grouted and redid the silicone. 
  • Cleaned the grout on the floor and used whitener.
  • Styled accordingly. 
Close up of mirror with note saying Wash Your Hands - love mum

Little details added to the vanity to make it all the more cosy

Veronica Chahda
Close up of bathtub rack with candle and towel on it

A cute bath caddy shelf

Veronica Chahda

Budget Breakdown

Grout: $30 from Bunnings

Paint: $30 from Aldi

Frame for mirror: $10 from Bunnings

Grout stain whitener: $13 from Bunnings

Shower head: $40

Vinyl for cupboard doors: $3 from Kmart

All up it cost $126 plus $30 on extra décor. I used a few items that I already had at home as well.  

We definitely shopped around and we got a few items on clearance. Aldi happened to have a special buys week on tile paint and primer, so it was perfect timing.

Organised tubs under sink with labels

An organised cupboard with labels and tubs

Veronica Chahda

Favourite part?

The vinyl contact from Kmart for $3 was definitely the best buy and has made such a difference!

But the best part is looking back at the before and after and knowing what minimal changes were made and what a huge difference it has made to the bathroom. 

You may also like 

Reader Reno: A luxe bathroom facelift on a budget

10 best small bathtub ideas

How to create an outdoor bathroom

  • DIY
  • Renovating
  • Decorating
  • Bathroom Renovations

Treat yourself to a subscription-Save up to 25%

Plus, your chance to win

Subscribe Now
Treat yourself to a subscription

Treat yourself to a subscription-Save up to 25%

Plus, your chance to win

Subscribe Now
Treat yourself to a subscription

Recommended to you

YOU’LL NEED A WEDGE TO HANG THAT DOOR
Watch 6:32

YOU’LL NEED A WEDGE TO HANG THAT DOOR

{headline}

{headline}

This week’s Aldi special buys is not like the others

This week’s Aldi special buys is not like the others

Three ways to keep your bathroom renovation costs down

Three ways to keep your bathroom renovation costs down

Top 5 tips for renovating your bathroom

Top 5 tips for renovating your bathroom

6 ways to winter proof your bathroom

6 ways to winter proof your bathroom

{headline}

{headline}

Small bathroom designs: 14 of the best small bathroom ideas

Small bathroom designs: 14 of the best small bathroom ideas

Before & after: A dated bathroom gets a modern upgrade

Before & after: A dated bathroom gets a modern upgrade

Everything you need to know about painting floor tiles

Everything you need to know about painting floor tiles

{headline}

{headline}

Before and after: This mum demolished and transformed her bathroom for under $16K

Before and after: This mum demolished and transformed her bathroom for under $16K

Reader reno: A combined bathroom and laundry makeover for $3,000

Reader reno: A combined bathroom and laundry makeover for $3,000

Before and after: A luxe bathroom makeover for under $4,000

Before and after: A luxe bathroom makeover for under $4,000

A renovator's guide to bathroom heating & ventilation

A renovator's guide to bathroom heating & ventilation

This flamingo-coloured clawfoot bath just made all your Palm Springs dreams come true

This flamingo-coloured clawfoot bath just made all your Palm Springs dreams come true

How to renovate your bathroom on the cheap

How to renovate your bathroom on the cheap

5 easy upgrades to take your bathroom to the next level

5 easy upgrades to take your bathroom to the next level

Bhg
  • About Us
  • Subscribe Today
  • Contact Us
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
Bhg Magazine Subscribe
  • About Us
  • Subscribe Today
  • Contact Us
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy

Brands

  • All Recipes
  • BHG Shop
  • Girlfriend
  • Home Beautiful
  • New Idea
  • New Idea Food
  • Practical Parenting

Our Network

  • marie claire
  • Beauty Crew
  • Who
  • Women's Weekly Food
  • Bounty Parents
  • That’s Life
  • Perth Now
  • The West Australian
  • 7Plus
  • 7mate
  • 7NEWS
  • 7Sport
  • Sunrise
  • Starts at 60
  • Hard to Find
© 2022 Are Media PTY LTD
All products are independently selected, tested or recommended by our team of experts.If you buy something, we may earn an affiliate commission.
Get more from Better Homes and Gardens

Magazine Subscription Offer

Treat yourself to a subscription-Save up to 25%

Shop This Offer
Treat yourself to a subscription