I just did the exact remodel you're talking about (everything but the wall tile and tub) in a small 5x5 bathroom. It cost me approximately $2000 to have the tile floor redone, new toilet and vanity put in, lights and all fixtures changed to brushed nickel, etc. I purchased all materials at Home Depot, shopped around for the labor, and was my own GC. I think it looks so nice for what it cost and I've gotten tons of compliments.

If you are talking about a 5 by 7 or 8 bath, if get some quotes--unless you go nuts, the estimate should be around 10k or even less.

I hired a contractor who redid our small master bath for $10k - replaced everything down to the studs/subfloor. The walls were/are not tile, though, FWIW.

OP here-- 9K for a full remodel is very reasonable! And Ikea is quite nice.

A friend of mine just completely redid her bathroom - stripped it down to the studs, replaced all tile, repainted, got new fixtures (from ikea mostly). She had contractors do most of the work, except the pick up and assembly of Ikea stuff. she told me the total cost was about $9K, which was lower than another estimate she'd gotten for the same work ($12K). so... yours would be less than that I assume!

so what's the ballpark cost of partial remodel like this ( assuming mid-range prices for all the new stuff)?

A new vanity and fixtures can go along way to freshening up a bathroom. You would definitely want to paint, using the right type of paint for bathrooms (latex?). I would only replace the toilet if it is really old/damaged and uses more than 1.6 gallons in a flush. Otherwise, just reuse it and buy a new seat.

Do you have an exhaust fan? If not, see if you can get one installed - it will help save the paint job. Make your kids use it anytime they shower.

I agree that you can glaze or paint your wall tiles, though it is supposed to be a lot of work. I looked into it, and decided to pass on that. The results look good in pictures I've seen and I believe there are a few people in the area that specialize in this, if you live in the DMV.

I don't imagine that leaving out wall tiles makes a huge difference in cost. What's your budget? Are you DIY?

Very common to only replace fixtures, but yes if you re-do tile later you could end up replacing them again or at least removing and reinstalling. Depends on the layout.

You could glaze the wall tiles.

We live in a mid-century apartment building. Bathrooms have not been updated in years. we redid the kitchen a few years ago and did a little wok in the master bathroom. Now the paint is peeling in the kids' bathroom, and we have to do something. I don't think we can afford a full bathroom remodel but would it make sense to do a partial remodel (replace sink, vanity and toilet, and perhaps floor tiles, but not the wall tiles which I think is the most expensive part)? When eventually we do a full remodel (who knows when?) will we have to replace everything anyway? Thanks (and sorry if these are clueless questions...)