Kmart shopper’s $109 ‘grotty bathroom’ transformation

A Kmart shopper has completely transformed her aunty’s “grotty old bathroom” by using a bunch of accessories from the popular retailer.

A Perth woman has managed to transform her aunty’s “grotty” bathroom into a sleek looking space using $109 worth of Kmart items and budget tiles.

Lou Nelson, 33, said her aunt‘s house hadn’t been touched for more than 30 years, with much of its style dating back to the 1950s.

“She asked me to do some spruiking up but what started with painting in a few rooms, ended up being the whole house,” Ms Nelson told news.com.au.

But the DIY lover wasn’t complaining, saying she couldn’t wait to give the place a fresh new look.

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Lou Nelson, 33, gave her aunt’s bathroom a complete new look using $109 worth of Kmart products.

After completing most of the house, which included fixing all the cracks and gaps to reattaching window frames, she then turned her attention to the bathroom.

“I remember being in this house as a kid so it brought back a lot of memories working on it, and my aunt said she would also love to do something about her bathroom,” Ms Nelson explained.

The bathroom before the renovation. Picture: Supplied

The bathroom after the renovation, complete with budget tiles from Facebook MarketPlace, Kmart accessories and paint from Bunnings. Picture: Supplied

Ms Nelson, who has 12 years tiling experience, decided to take matters into her own hands with her skills coming in very handy when laying out the grey and white tiles she bought off Facebook MarketPlace for just $400.

“My best friend and I used to work together tiling pools and he came over and lent a hand,” Ms Nelson said.

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Lou also built the vanity with storage space. Picture: Supplied

The duo were able to tile on top of the existing tiles, without comprising too much of the space.

“Luckily with old houses like these the tiles aren’t so thick, so it worked out well with the new set going on top and not losing too much space.”

Ms Nelson also redesigned a second-hand vanity with new doors and a built-in base before giving the bathroom a few coats of mould proof paint from Bunnings.

She then completed the look by spending $109 on a bunch of accessories from Kmart which ranged from just $1 for shower rings to $12 for a grey floor mat.

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She placed the tiles over the existing ones. Picture: Supplied

And completed the new look with Kmart towels and a shower curtain. Picture: Supplied

Other items included storage containers for $4 each, a hand towel for $3.75, mega towels for $5.75 and a $9 makeup organiser.

“I was on a really tight budget because I was doing this for my aunty and really wanted to keep costs down for her,” Ms Nelson said.

“I wanted to her to go from having a grotty, old bathroom she felt ashamed of stepping foot into, to a brand new bathroom with completely new towels all there ready for her.”

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The hand creams and face towels were also from Kmart. Picture: Supplied

Ms Nelson said when she unveiled the new room her aunty couldn’t believe it.

“She said she feels like a whole new woman in a whole new home.”

Ms Nelson, who has since launched her own DIY business called Fox Den Design Co, shared before and after snaps of the bathroom reno in a Kmart Facebook group, attracting almost 1000 ‘likes’ and over 100 comments.

Lou’s aunt, Bernadette in her new bathroom. Picture: Supplied

“That looks amazing!!” one person wrote.

“What an awesome job, it looks amazing,” another added.

“Good job replacing the vanity without disturbing the asbestos,” a third person said.

Ms Nelson said she was blown away by all the positive feedback.

“Your Aunty must be so so thrilled. You have given her storage and a modern bathroom on such a tiny budget. Well done Lou you are a wonderful niece,” said another Facebook member.