Buying Guide: Everything You Need to Remodel a Small Bathroom
Remodeling a small bathroom is the highest-return project in any home: with $3,000 to $5,000 you can completely transform a 5 x 8 foot bathroom. This is the shopping list I hand to my clients, organized by phase in the order of the job.
How to choose materials for a small bathroom: what really matters
- Measure before you buy: a 24" vanity and a round-bowl toilet save inches of walking space.
- Waterproof the shower: a membrane stops mold behind the tile — the costliest mistake in DIY bathrooms.
- Large-format slip-resistant porcelain: fewer grout lines = the bathroom looks bigger.
- Save water: 1.28 GPF toilets and WaterSense showerheads lower the bill without you noticing.
- Light and mirrors: a big or LED mirror does the most to open up the space.
Quick comparison
| Product | Phase | Price | See deal |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oscillating multi-tool ⭐ best pick | Demolition | check current price | View on Home Depot ↗ |
| One-piece toilet, round bowl | Plumbing | check current price | Buy on Amazon ↗ |
| Shower set with thermostatic valve | Plumbing | check current price | View on Home Depot ↗ |
| 24" floating vanity | Vanity | check current price | View on Wayfair ↗ |
| Slip-resistant porcelain tile | Flooring | check current price | View on Home Depot ↗ |
| Waterproofing membrane for the shower | Shower | check current price | Buy on Amazon ↗ |
| Quiet exhaust fan with light | Lighting | check current price | View on Home Depot ↗ |
Phase 1: Demolition and tools
Tear out the old before buying anything: an oscillating multi-tool, a pry bar and heavy-duty bags are enough. Seal the doorway with plastic sheeting against dust.
1. Cordless oscillating multi-tool — precise demolition
The oscillating multi-tool (DeWalt or Milwaukee 20V, for example) cuts drywall, lifts trim without damaging the wall, and trims door casings for the new tile. Where the handsaw can't reach, this tool does it all. Buy spare blades.
- Cuts where no other tool reaches
- Doesn't break what stays
Phase 2: Plumbing — toilet, shower and faucets
Plumbing goes after demolition and before closing up walls. Don't move the drains: moving them costs thousands; choosing compact fixtures costs hundreds.
2. One-piece, round-bowl toilet, 1.28 GPF — compact and efficient
The round bowl saves ~2 inches of front clearance and the one-piece design has no crevices that collect dust. TOTO, Kohler and American Standard all make compact 1.28 GPF versions that perform just like the old 1.6 models. Measure your rough-in before buying: 12 inches is standard.
- 30-second cleaning, no crevices
- Saves water (WaterSense)
- Saves space in front
3. Shower set with thermostatic valve — stable, safe temperature
The thermostatic valve holds the temperature even when someone opens another faucet: zero scalding, ideal with kids or seniors. Buy the complete set from the same brand. In 30" x 30" showers, a handheld head with a slide bar splashes less and makes cleaning easier.
- Real anti-scald protection
- Makes cleaning the shower easier
Phase 3: Vanity and mirror
A floating vanity doesn't touch the floor: you see the tile underneath and the bathroom feels roomier. 24 inches is the sweet spot.
4. 24" floating vanity with integrated sink
Look for soft-close drawers and a one-piece sink (fewer seams = less mold) in light tones. It must be anchored to the wall studs, not just the drywall: find them with a stud finder before driving screws.
- The bathroom looks bigger
- Floor cleanup is much easier
Phase 4: Flooring and tile
Two decisions save you from the most expensive mistakes: large-format porcelain on the floor and a waterproofing membrane in the shower.
5. 12x24 slip-resistant porcelain tile — few grout lines, continuous look
Harder and less porous than ceramic. In 12x24 with a running pattern, the grout lines nearly disappear and the bathroom looks bigger. Choose the slip-resistant floor version and buy 15% extra for cuts. Avoid very dark tones in bathrooms without a window.
- Very resistant to water and wear
- Modern look, fast installation
6. Waterproofing membrane for the shower — your insurance against mold
The Schluter-KERDI system goes on over the cement board before the tile and blocks water completely: it's the difference between a 20-year shower and one with mold at year 2. It adheres with thinset, cuts with scissors, and a kit covers a small shower in a weekend.
- Total protection against leaks
- Simple DIY installation
Phase 5: Lighting and accessories
Neutral light (3000K-4000K) and a good exhaust fan: the cheapest upgrade with the biggest impact against moisture.
7. Quiet exhaust fan with integrated light — goodbye moisture
Look for under 1.0 sones and 50-80 CFM for a small bathroom. Models with integrated LED light replace your old fixture. Vent it with a duct to the outside — never into the attic — and put it on a timer so it keeps venting after the shower.
- Quiet: the family will actually use it
- Prevents mold
Budget: a small bathroom for $3,000-$5,000
Typical ranges from my projects (DIY, ~40-square-foot bathroom):
| Line item | Typical range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Demolition and disposal | $0 - $300 | DIY and save |
| Plumbing (toilet + shower + faucets) | $600 - $1,200 | Without moving drains |
| Vanity + mirror + sink | $400 - $900 | 24" floating |
| Flooring, tile + waterproofing | $800 - $1,500 | Includes thinset and grout |
| Lighting, fan and accessories | $200 - $500 | Towel bars, LED mirror |
| Contingency (10-15%) | $300 - $600 | Something always shows up behind the wall |
Tricks to make it look bigger
- Tile to the ceiling: vertical lines stretch the space.
- Glass door instead of a curtain: the curtain cuts the bathroom in half.
- Big or LED mirror: doubles the light and the sense of space.
- One dominant light tone: white, beige or light gray on floor and walls.
- Recessed niche instead of shelves: stores everything without stealing space.
Final checklist
- ☐ Measure the bathroom and the rough-in (12" standard)
- ☐ Buy demolition tools and protection
- ☐ Pick a compact 1.28 GPF toilet and a thermostatic shower
- ☐ Pick a 24" floating vanity and a mirror
- ☐ Buy porcelain tile (+15% extra) and waterproofing membrane
- ☐ Buy a quiet 50-80 CFM exhaust fan
- ☐ Hold 10-15% of the budget for surprises
- ☐ Work order: demolition → plumbing → waterproofing → tile → vanity and toilet → accessories
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to remodel a small bathroom?
DIY: $3,000 to $5,000 in materials. With a contractor: $8,000 to $15,000. The biggest savings are in demolition, painting and installing the vanity and accessories.
Can I remodel without moving the plumbing?
Yes, and I recommend it: you avoid the most expensive part of the project. Choose compact fixtures designed for the space you already have.
What size vanity works best?
24 inches is the sweet spot. In very narrow bathrooms, consider a corner vanity or a pedestal sink.
Is the waterproofing membrane worth it?
Absolutely: it's the cheapest insurance on the project and prevents a bathroom's costliest repairs.
Final verdict
Invest in this order: waterproofing, efficient plumbing and compact fixtures. The one-piece round-bowl toilet, the 24" floating vanity and the waterproofing membrane give you the most impact per dollar. Don't move drains unless you have to: you'll have a bathroom that looks twice as big for $3,000 to $5,000.