A woman has transformed her tired bathroom for less than £400 after her professional refit was cancelled due to the UK’s lockdown – and she claims she’s saved over £1,500.
Blogger Hayley Rubery, 29, from Essex, was scheduled to have a complete refit of her bathroom – costing around an estimated £2,000 in June 2020.
But with the job being cancelled because of the COVID-19 pandemic, DIY-savvy Hayley has upcycled her bathroom for a budget price of £375.99 and still managed to bring her dream vision to life in her £350,000 three-bedroom home.
Hayley used leftover Dulux paint, vinyl flooring from eBay and created a parquet counter for her cupboard using wood from the garden.
Blogger Hayley Rubery (pictured left), 29, from Essex, transformed her tired bathroom (pictured right) for less than £400 after her professional refit was cancelled due to the UK’s lockdown
Hayley (pictured creating her new counter top) was scheduled to have a complete refit of her bathroom – costing around an estimated £2,000 in June 2020
She explained: ‘We were initially booked in to have our bathroom re-done in June then the pandemic hit. Having our bathroom renovated just wasn’t a financial priority anymore.
‘However, I wanted to refresh our bathroom as it was a little outdated so I set myself a challenge to do it on as little money as possible. I spent £375 in total. Our refit would have cost a couple of thousand.
‘I loved the process of decorating, it was so fun to see my vision come to life. I’m really happy with the outcome.’
But with the job being cancelled because of the COVID-19 pandemic, DIY-savvy Hayley has upcycled her bathroom for a budget price of £375.99 and still managed to bring her dream vision (pictured) to life in her £350,000 three-bedroom home. Pictured right: The bathroom before the transformation
Hayley (pictured) used leftover Dulux paint, vinyl flooring from eBay and created a parquet counter for her cupboard using wood from the garden
As well as using paint and wood which she already had, she spent £36 on vinyl flooring, £29 on tile paint, £4 on some new handles, £9 on a toilet roll holder, £14 on a towel holder, and £15.99 on a rattan sheet for her cupboard upcycling project. Pictured: The bathroom before (left) and after (right)
Hayley added: ‘Originally I wanted to buy some railway sleepers and scaffold boards for the shelves and worktops but even used ones cost around £80. I found some wood behind our shed and sanded two pieces down to make a worktop and a shelf.
‘Then I decided to get creative and attempt to make a parquet worktop for the counter. I didn’t really have any expectations but it turned out way better than I thought it would – I’m so chuffed with it.
‘I also upcycled the existing unit rather than buying a new one. I ordered some new gold handles from Amazon and a rattan sheet which I glued to the glass. It completely transformed the unit and cost £20.’
As well as using paint and wood which she already had, she spent £36 on vinyl flooring, £29 on tile paint, £4 on some new handles, £9 on a toilet roll holder, £14 on a towel holder, and £15.99 on a rattan sheet for her cupboard upcycling project.
A few larger purchases were also needed to complete the project including a £99 shower screen, £100 shower system, £40 sink tap, and a £29 toilet seat – but this still saved Hayley at least a thousand pounds.
Hayley credits creativity with being the key to carrying out successful DIY transformations.
Hayley said: ‘I decided to get creative and attempt to make a parquet worktop (pictured) for the counter. I didn’t really have any expectations but it turned out way better than I thought it would – I’m so chuffed with it.’
Hayley credits creativity with being the key to carrying out successful DIY transformations (her completed bathroom project, pictured above)
‘I adore the painted ceiling. I wasn’t sure whether to paint the ceiling at first but am so glad I went for it as it completely makes the room for me – it feels so cosy,’ Hayley said.
‘I’m also really happy with the outcome of the worktop and the floor. I think they’re both statement pieces that work really well in the room. For me the usage of wood and plants help to soften the monochrome and make the space inviting.
‘You have to get creative. Never in a million years did I think I’d be making a parquet worktop in my garden from leftover wood but here we are. Try and use what you have.
‘Have a dig around and see what you have left over from other projects. You may have enough paint from another room to create a feature wall or upcycle some furniture.
‘I’m also a massive fan of second-hand sites like eBay and Facebook marketplace. They’re great for picking up items that just need a little TLC and they can totally be transformed into something amazing.’