Updated and remodeled bathrooms add solid value to your home. If your bathroom is outdated, dowdy or simply in need of basic repairs, there are many things you can do to make it attractive, often on a shoestring budget.

Basic Refurbishing

Sometimes, a new wall treatment can do wonders. Think about some of these ideas:

• Experiment with paint. Use bold colors, or just paint one wall with a striking color.
• Paint all of the walls white and accent with colorful accessories, such as towels, rugs, curtains and shiny brass curtain rods.
• Tile one wall or the baseboard. Paint the walls in a complimentary color.

For best results, use a mildew-proof primer and latex, waterproof paint. If you need to remove old wallpaper, rent a steamer for the weekend and steam the old paper off. Be sure to scrub down the walls with Trisodium phosphate (TSP) and water before you prime and paint.

If your existing cabinets are in good shape, try refinishing them and changing out the hardware. New knobs and draw handles are relatively inexpensive and you can achieve a whole new look that accents your newly refinished cabinetry. You can also find interesting antique hardware pieces at flea markets and second-hand shops that make for unique cabinet drawers.

When you begin working on your bathroom trim, try your best to make the wood trim look like new. Unless the trim has wood rot or is heavily damaged, you can remove all of the baseboard and window trim pieces on your own, and sand and paint (or varnish) them before you reinstall the baseboards. Doing it this way takes a little more time, but you will save a ton of money on lumber while creating a great look.

Installing new light fixtures, including wall sconces on either side of the vanity mirror, is another great, and relatively inexpensive way you can update your bathroom. If the lighting in your bathroom is enough, simply replacing ceiling lamp and sconce fixtures will allow you to continue to have enough light in the bathroom while updating your fixtures. Again, you can often find wonderful bargains at flea markets, but if you’re looking for help in your search, your local home improvement center is a great resource, as the staff can help you with your every want and desire.

The Big Stuff

You needn’t be intimidated by a complete remodel if you don’t happen to be a plumber. Most homeowners can upgrade all of the plumbing fixtures these days with do-it-yourself plumbing kits. These kits come with extremely detailed instructions, and if you are unsure about any step, you can scour the internet to find a free video tutorial.

Another thing most bathrooms have – bathtubs – will need to be replaced at some point in time. If your bathtub is old, stained and in need of replacing, you’ll need to make sure the new tub you purchase is the right size for your bathroom. Then, when you’re ready to remove your old tub, start by turning off your water supply, and then open a faucet that’s located beneath the tub level to drain all water from the supply lines.

Next, remove the faucet, drain and spout, before determining how to proceed. Tubs that are placed between two walls may be easier to remove if you’re able to remove your piping and pull the tub off the ground. However, if your bathroom isn’t set up in this manner, you’ll have to cut your pipes, possibly remove a portion of the wall that your bathtub is connected to before removing it from your bathroom.

When you’re installing your new tub, if your tub isn’t an exact fit for the space your old tub took up, you’ll need to adjust your piping accordingly. However, if you measured properly, all you need to do is follow the removal steps, but in reverse order. There’s a good chance you’ll need to make repairs to the wall surface it rests upon the flange of your new tub. Use cement backer board beneath the tiles in the tub and shower area to protect against moisture and mold.

The last thing you’ll want to tackle is the floor. Wood floors will require sanding and at least three coats of thinly applied varnish. Old bathrooms often have one or more layers of linoleum laid over a perfectly good wood floor. To find out if you have a hidden gem, use a utility knife to cut through the linoleum in an inconspicuous place – the corner of your bathroom floor near your bathtub is a great place to make a small incision.

If the floorboard looks good, simply remove the linoleum, sand and varnish. A note of caution: assume that your linoleum contains asbestos and use the proper personal protective equipment when removing it, such as masks and gloves. If the floorboards are not suitable for refinishing, consider tiling the floor.

Once again, there are many do-it-yourself tiling kits available that will make your project much more manageable. In most cases, you can complete the tiling of your bathroom floor in one weekend, though depending on how detailed your tiling project is, you may need a few weekends to complete it. Whether or not you choose to tile your walls or your floor, buy extra tiles and store them—the day may come when you will need additional pieces to complete repairs.

Rachael Jones is a blogger for DIYMother, where women aren’t afraid to use power tools in a dress.