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Bathroom Update for under $100 including DIY Faux Marble Countertop

Can you transform a bathroom by changing most of the surfaces, including counter tops, for under $100? YES! Can you transform a drab formica surface to a beautiful faux marble counter top for less than $50? YES! Can you paint the existing laminate cabinets to create a more modern sophisticated look? YES! All it takes is a little time and even less money, and I’ll show you how to update a bathroom for under $100 including DIY Faux Marble Countertop.

Disclosure: I received a free sample of this product in exchange for writing this blog post.  (Be assured that all of these opinions are my own. I would not support a product if I didn’t believe in it.)

Bathroom Update for under $100 including DIY Faux Marble Countertops

Let me show you the “before.”

Bathroom Update for under $100 including DIY Faux Marble Countertops

Yuck!

The first thing on the bathroom update to-do list was to get rid of the “builder grade” mirror.

Friends, it is amazing what an actual framed mirror can do for the look of a bathroom. It’s easy to slap a piece of glass on a wall, but it also makes it look cheap.

On a whim one day I switched up the dated light covers with a few lamp shades I found that we weren’t using.

Another little crafty project I created for this bathroom was my DIY wall pallet sign. 

We also transformed the terrible black speckled formica to a beautiful faux marble countertop.

My “modern farmhouse” bathroom update all started when I stumbled upon a product that would transform this bathroom.

Disclosure; this post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. This does not affect the price you pay. This disclosure statement refers to the rest of the Amazon links in this post. See more on my disclosure page.

The best faux Marble countertop vinyl

I hated these black countertops, and I I figured I would have to wait until we had the money to replace the entire vanity.  But low and behold you’ll never guess what I found…

INSTANT GRANITE!

Yes, you heard me right, it really is instant (well, sort of). This is a PVC vinyl “film” with a no bubble backing that makes it easy to install.  It is Fade resistant, easy to clean with most household cleaners, and you can remove it without damaging the old counter.

This stuff  also has a honeycomb grid pattern that creates air channels that help release the air bubbles to make install much easier!

The color I chose was called White Italian Marble and I couldn’t be happier.

Installation notes for Instant Granite faux marble

  • It is best to have two people for the install if it’s your first time. Now that I’ve completed one vanity, I believe it will be much easier for me to complete another one on my own. There is a small learning curve in the beginning. I thought I could lay the counter top AND backsplash down in one piece (because the old countertop is one piece), but we couldn’t get it to look right.
  • Take your time and don’t be afraid to pull the vinyl up and start over. The product is very easy to work with, and very forgiving. I think I pulled it up at least 3 times at first, just trying to make sure all the air bubbles were gone.
  • Don’t be afraid to caulk! I had seams on every corner, and caulking made all the difference in how the final product looked. The caulk hid the seams, and also made it look more real.

Installing the DIY faux marble countertop

Bathroom Update for under $100 including DIY Faux Marble Countertops
installing DIY Faux Marble Countertops
installing DIY Faux Marble Countertops

Ideas to update a bathroom on the cheap

  1. Remove builder grade mirror and replace with a framed decorative mirror – I had this mirror on hand so it didn’t cost anything
  2. update lighting (even if it’s a free update, LOL)
  3. add decorative towel racks – $20
  4. paint cabinets – supplies $10
  5. install Instant Granite – $50
  6. Add fun artwork or sign – $10

Now I feel like I have a new modern farmhouse style bathroom, for UNDER $100!

Some Final Pictures:

Bathroom Update for under $100 including DIY Faux Marble Countertops
DIY Faux Marble Countertops
DIY Faux Marble Countertops

Updating a space doesn’t have to break the bank. With a little time and effort, and only $100, you turn a bathroom from drab to fab!

Lindsey*

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  3. Love the makeover! What a great transformation. Thanks for sharing at the inspiration Spotlight party. Pinned & shared.

  4. Michelle says:

    A gorgeous transformation that doesn’t break the bank – what’s not to love? 🙂

    Thank you so much for sharing this at the Farmhouse Friday link party! Pinned and shared! 🙂

  5. thededicatedhouse says:

    What a great transformation! Thank you for sharing. You are one of the fan favorites at The Showcase from the Make it Pretty Monday party at The Dedicated House. Here is the link to The Showcase so you can check out your feature. http://www.thededicatedhouse.com/2017/06/sunday-showcase-make-pretty-monday-8-12.html Make it Pretty Monday goes live tonight at 8:00PM. Hope to see you at the bash! Happy week to you. Toodles, Kathryn @TheDedicatedHouse

  6. Your bathroom makeover looks great. I love how bright and fresh it looks. Thanks for sharing at Snickerdoodle. Pinning.

  7. Cathy says:

    What a fabulous product. And you are so right about a framed mirror. I just got one for my bathroom last year and it makes a huge difference. Beautiful job!

  8. Emy says:

    I love how bright and fresh it is now! The instant granite is so interesting!

  9. What a beautiful transformation! Love the colour scheme you choose and how bright the space is now. Great job!

  10. Love how light and bright the bathroom now is! And I’m definitely intrigued by the instant granite. Thanks so much for sharing at the #happynowlinkup!

  11. melissa says:

    Found you through Sincerely Paula’s blog link-up. This looks amazing!! I recently used a bit of the faux marble adhesive paper while making over a writing table into a vanity and I could not believe the results! That stuff is awesome! It looks SO real! I bet you just love going into that bathroom now!
    ~Melissa

  12. Virginia says:

    I love this! I think your counter top is amazing! I’ve been looking for a way to upgrade my kitchen counters without having to completely replace them. Do you think this type of product would work or is it better on a smaller counter?

    Virginia
    More to Mrs. E

  13. K.Rupp says:

    Oh that is cool! I don’t think I have seen that product before. That makes a nice makeover that doesn’t cost too much. I will have to pin this:)

  14. Leanna says:

    This is so much nicer and brighter than it use to be. I love a bright bathroom, it makes all the difference. Love your makeover.

  15. Tiff says:

    I’m stopping over from the Craft Schooling Sunday linkup!

    The Instant Granite looks really cool! It looks like a good alternative to replacing an entire countertop.

    Our previous home had one of those builder grade mirrors & I hated it! I actually picked out a framed mirror for our new home & I love the impact it makes.

  16. Debbie says:

    The faux marble form looks interesting. How does it look and hold up?

    • The faux marble holds up great. It has the same heat resistance and durability as a melamine or laminate product. You can scrub it and disinfect it just like you would any old counter top. Hope that answers your questions.

  17. JESS44903 says:

    Looks so pretty! 🙂

    I would love for you to share this with my Facebook Group for recipes, crafts, tips, and tricks: https://www.facebook.com/groups/pluckyrecipescraftstips/

    Thanks for joining Cooking and Crafting with J & J!

  18. Sheryl says:

    Love it! Also love the blue paint wall color. Do you happen to remember the brand/name of wall paint you used? Love the whole room! Great job!!

  19. Jeanne says:

    Great transformation!

  20. Wonderful new look… I love the color and lightness of the re-do. 🙂

  21. Betty Bakk says:

    That instant countertp looks interesting. You can frame the mirror stuck to the wall…probably $10. Just get trim molding – nails, caulk and paint.
    Really inspiring! ❤️❤️