Tag: Bathroom

5 Ways to Update a Bathroom on a Budget

Written by Jenna on May 7, 2014. Posted in Bathroom, Bathroom Makeover, Decorating, DIY. 1 Comment on 5 Ways to Update a Bathroom on a Budget

There have been some really qualified “entries” for the ugly bathroom makeover. I’m not going to lie… some of you are in desperate need of direction & a plan on how to jazz up your bathrooms. Most of the bathrooms I received pictures for, have good bones and are similar in layout of many homes, but they need to be taken to the next level to be practical and pretty!

Lowe’s and I are going through the pictures and next Monday will be the day when you’ll get to see what reader submitted bathroom we chose, along with a Creative Vision Board + ‘plan of action’ for the space. In the meantime, I wanted to share my thoughts + ideas with ALL of you on 5 Budget-Friendly Ways to Update a Bathroom…

I’ve been working on my fair share of client kitchens lately, which I adore, but I’m equally obsessed with revamping bathrooms. Having an educational and professional background in architecture and interior design, I love how all the components- cabinetry, hardware, and all the details in between – come together and interlink to create an incredible result. Even more so, I love all the added layers + color that can be brought into a bathroom to make it not only a functional space, but a magical oasis – remember I said last week, who doesn’t sneak away to the bathroom here and there for some peace + quiet?!

Unlike a typical 4 walled room in a house, bathrooms (as well as kitchens) can seem daunting when thinking about a makeover. There’s plumbing, electrical, tile, and more that is involved in changing. BUT, instead of neglecting the idea of an overwhelming revamp, embrace what you have and revamp the layers of the existing. Not only will a budget-friendly bathroom makeover increase the value of your home, but it will also simply make you happy!

Ditch those apprehensive, scary thoughts and let me share my 5 Ways to Update a Bathroom on a Budget…

1. Paint

Easy (well fairly easy) and cheap! There is nothing like a fresh new coat of paint on the walls! And for a typical bathroom, from start to finish, it should really only take a few hours. Since the fixtures of a bathroom are often white or light-colored, think about adding a pop of color on the walls. Or, if you’re desiring a serene and calming space, go light – not white, but light.

Let’s start off with a bang. Check out one of my all-time favorite before and after bathroom makeovers that incorporates a splash of color + fun on the walls, via BHG…

To step it up a notch, consider painting the existing bathroom cabinet. It’s not uber difficult to remove / upgrade a bathroom cabinet, but it does involve plumbing and the possible install of a new countertop and/or sink. If that’s not within your wheelhouse, a new coat of paint will be the answer.

Whether wood or laminate, the bath cabinet can most likely be revamped. If it’s not structurally stable or you don’t love the look, ditch it, but if it can be used there is a little prep work before you paint… Start by removing the doors and give them a good cleaning (diluted all-purpose cleaner, wood cleaner, or white vinegar with a little warm water usually works). Lightly sand the surface â€“ using a hand sander is best. Then add a primer to seal the wood underneath and to give a solid base coat for the paint to adhere to. Then using a roller / brush combination or a hand sprayer, apply at least two coats of paint (read all instructions ahead of time and follow the directions on the product). The transformation will be breathtaking.

Check out this awesome bathroom upgrade with a newly painted cabinet…

Before and After Bathroom space by Centsational Girl

2. Hardware

The layers of any space are key to making it unique and interesting. An easy upgrade in a bathroom is adding or changing the hardware on the bath cabinet. I’ve found that bath cabinets often don’t have any knobs or pulls, and once added the cabinet always comes alive. The cheap builder-grade vanity in my master bath had no hardware, so using a drill, I drilled 2 holes, added crystal knobs, and now the “black dress” is accessorized!

Check out how great this bathroom upgrade looks by The Turquoise Home…

I love the new paint color on that cabinet & the new hardware looks fabulous!

3. Lighting

I feel the light fixture in a space is so important. A fixture can truly make or break a room, and typically I live by the motto GO big, or GO home! How many of you have those old eye-ball style fixtures with 3 or 5 or 7 bulbs across and every time you walk into the bath you cringe because it’s so bright? {It’s okay to raise your hand}. Ditch em’! I’m all for good light in a bath space, but you don’t need a blinding light that is glaring into your eyes every time you enter. Upgrade to a fixture(s) that is different and maybe not typical for a bathroom.

I’m still loving the $17 light that I found at Lowe’s for my powder room. The ‘before’ light was fine, but expected. This light is functional + exciting >

If you’re on a tight budget for your bath, grab a can of spray paint + a few new glass bulbs, to revamp an old, drab fixture. Check out how Lindsay of Makely Home transformed her bath light >

Lindsay also has a great post on finding the perfect bathroom light!

4. Flooring

I know, it sounds like a big, scary project, but it doesn’t have to be! As you may know, I continually profess my love for groutable luxury vinyl tile (LVT). It’s a quick, easy (no experience needed), and budget-friendly way to cover up the ugly mess of a floor that you may have. And if you don’t have an ugly mess of a floor, you might just want a change and LVT flooring is the answer. There are also a bunch of other flooring out there that you may love and adore, but either way, new flooring will truly jazz up a bathroom hands-down!

Here’s a recent update I shared on how the groutable luxury vinyl tile floor has held up after 2 years. If you’re thinking of installing this type of flooring in a bath or any space of a home, this is a must-read!

Want proof that a new floor can make for a killer new bathroom, take a look at this before and after bathroom transformation by Roeshel of DIY Show Off…

Another idea for an easy flooring upgrade is wood laminate, which most of the time can be installed directly over your existing floor. Take a look what Jen of I Heart Organizing did with her bathroom reno…

5. Layers

Last, but certainly not least, but actually the most important… The Layers! If you’re on a bare bones budget and have very little to spend, focus on the layers. What layers? a pretty shower curtain, a simple window treatment (if you’re bath has a view of the exterior), artwork, hooks, shelving, etc. The layers in any room of the home speak your style and share the story of who you are.

You saw a peek of Jen’s bathroom above, and here is the finished revamp >

How fabulous of a space and it ‘s mostly all existing and/or DIY!

Another amazing transformation is Paige’s hall bath of Lively Green Door >

And lastly, check out this fun bathroom space. With a few new elements (no fixture changes), look how it has come alive with new paint, a killer light fixture, and a gorgeous shower curtain.

via BHG

Are you now convinced that a bathroom doesn’t need a full gut to be fabulous? Who’s ready for a makeover?

As always, incorporate elements you love & those that are truly meaningful. Look for inspiration around you before executing, and remember it’s not a race. Now I’ve gotta get back to looking through all those ugly bathrooms to see which would be perfect for a makeover! Be sure to check back on Monday to see if it’s yours!

Want to pin & save for later, here you go…

Kitchens are another space in the home that homeowners fear to upgrade because of time and budget. Totally understandable! BUT just as the bathroom can be revamped on a budget, so can a kitchen. Check out my thoughts for 5 Upgrades to a Killer Kitchen…

Taking over & Transforming the ‘Ugly Bathroom’

Written by Jenna on April 30, 2014. Posted in Bathroom, Bathroom Makeover. 1 Comment on Taking over & Transforming the ‘Ugly Bathroom’

Let’s talk bathrooms…

They’re one of those spaces in the home that often gets neglected, yet should get the most attention. Whether just moving into a home that has a bathroom in dire need of a makeover or a bathroom that’s gone too long without a refresh, revamping a bathroom doesn’t have to be overwhelming or expensive.

Let’s face it, who doesn’t duck away from it all for a few minutes of peace and quiet in the bathroom (especially when you have kids). And who doesn’t relish in a long, hot shower after rolling out of bed to actually feel fully awake. No moments of any day should be spent in a blah bathroom.

The bathroom is truly a space that should feel like a fresh, calming oasis to start the day.

all images taken from a previous post on Real-Life Sensational Standard Sized Bathrooms.

Having said that + sharing glimpses of amazing bathrooms, you have to start somewhere.

Do you remember the master bathroom we started with when we moved into our home 4 years ago? It surely wasn’t pretty and it was the last space in the house to get a transformation…

Were we overwhelmed? YES!

Could it have been expensive? YES!

But we ‘took it over’ and made it ours on a very slim budget of less than $500.

Here is the before & after…

If we could do it, so can you!

I’ve transformed my fair share of bathrooms and even though the task of a makeover may seem daunting + expensive, there are many ways to give this important space in the home a refresh WITHOUT spending a huge amount of money or time! That’s why I was super excited when Lowe’s reached out to me about partnering together to share my design expertise + budget friendly ideas with YOU, my fabulous followers. They have put me up to the task of giving my design advice + a plan of action to a reader who is in need of a bit of help & a “point in the right direction” for transforming their ugly bathroom.

I’m here to help rid you of your ugly bathroom…

The Lowe’s team + I will choose one space for which I will create a Creative Vision Board + a ‘plan of action’ for, and it will be showcased on the blog. As always, I will share doable do-it-yourself ideas + affordable, but stylish design suggestions to transform the bathroom using some of my favorite items from Lowe’s!

Disclosure: By submitting your images to Lowe’s Companies, Inc, including any of its subsidiaries or affiliated companies (“Lowe’s”), you acknowledge that you have read and agree to the following terms, grants, and conditions.

You agree that (i) any images you submit are voluntarily provided; (ii) you have no expectation of compensation from Lowe’s or otherwise; (iii) you own all right, title, and interest in and to the images free and clear without any encumbrance whatsoever and (iv) no relationship of trust or confidence, whether express or implied, exists between you and Lowe’s in connection therewith. In addition, if any of your images references or includes any copyright-protected content, any invention or any other intellectual property, you hereby grant to Lowe’s an irrevocable, perpetual, transferable, and royalty-free license, with the right to sublicense others, to make, have made, use, sell, offer for sale, import, distribute and promote products (including packaging) and services that incorporate in whole or in part your patent, copyright, trademark, trade dress, or other intellectual property rights referenced or included in any one or more of your image(s). You also hereby grant to Lowe’s an irrevocable, perpetual, transferable, and royalty-free license, with the right to sublicense others, to use, reproduce, modify, perform, distribute, and create derivative works based on, any content included or contained in any one or more of your images. The rights you grant herein are for the purposes stated by Loweâ€™s and, at a minimum, for use in accordance with any of Twitterâ€™s terms of service/rules and in accordance with the Loweâ€™s privacy statement (located at http://www.lowes.com/cd_Privacy+and+Security+Statement_137461171_ ). You understand and agree that Lowe’s may be working on or may already know of such images. You also understand and agree that Loweâ€™s is free to disclose or use the images as it deems fit.

Powder Room Remodel: Repairing Wall and Hanging Wallpaper

Written by Jenna on May 14, 2013. Posted in DIY, Wallpaper. 5 Comments on Powder Room Remodel: Repairing Wall and Hanging Wallpaper

Between baseball, a birthday party, and celebrating Mother’s Day (shout out to all the moms out there – hope you had a great day), there was very little time to actually get anything major accomplished on the DIY homefront this weekend. BUT, somehow with 5 minutes here and 10 minutes there, I was able to squeeze in a few trips to Lowe’s (for supplies) and a few moments to hang wallpaper. And thankfully with those spare moments, I actually got alot done and I feel like I’m making progress – even though it’s slow.

Since announcing the plans for the powder room and sharing details on the removal of the toilet and pedestal sink, the room has really taken a drastic turn – for the good. When I left you last, there was a huge hole in the wall from where the tile backsplash was removed and the wall colors were still orange and beige. Well not anymore.

Before I could even think about wallpapering, the hole had to be repaired. I’ll admit, I haven’t had the best of luck patching holes and achieving a flawless finish. It’s definitely an art. I’m good, but not great. (need a great tutorial on patching holes in the wall? check out Sawdust Girl). THANKFULLY, most of the hole will be covered with the new vanity, so I wasn’t super obsessed with making it perfect and smooth. To start, I grabbed a 2′ x 2′ piece of sheetrock from Lowe’s, cut it to fit tightly in the hole (a tight fit is key), and spackled the edges. This isn’t the best way of patching a hole, but it’s the lazy way I took – again because I know it’ll be covered with the vanity.

It took a few days for multiple thin layers of spackle and drying time before I could give the wall a good sanding. The hand sander gave a really nice smooth finished surface.

Once the walls were smooth and clean, I was able to paint and wallpaper the room.

I started out with painting the corners and edges at the window and door of the 3 non-wallpapered walls.

The color is Blue Mystery by Valspar and it’s almost an exact match to the background color of the wallpaper. Even though it’s blue, it has a deep purple / violet hue. It’s actually a very different blue than my office, but with the foyer in between the two spaces, you can’t notice the differing tones.

Once the walls were done, it was time to get down and dirty with wallpapering!

How-To Wallpaper using Paste

I had thought the wallpaper I chose was a pre-pasted wallpaper (wallpaper that has paste and is activated with water) but when I added water to the back of my sample piece, I quickly learned it wasn’t. So this was my first time wallpapering using paste. I was apprehensive at first, but it actually wasn’t at all as difficult as I thought it would be. I wrote a tutorial a long time ago on How-To Hang Prepasted Wallpaper, if you want to check that out.

Supplies:

Wallpaper of your choice. I chose Amy Butler Lacework in Midnight.
Wallpaper Paste
Smoothing Took
Sharp Razor or blade
Other handy tools for wallpapering are: a tape measure, a laser level, a pencil

1. To start, I found the center of the wall and made a mark. Then knowing the width of the roll (20.2″), I determined how far over the edge would need to start (1/2 of the overall which is 10.1″). I made another mark and used my laser level to make marks all the way up the wall (which will be the location for the edge of the wallpaper).

2. After determining where the wallpaper edge would be placed, I added the wallpaper paste to the center section of the wall using a brush.

* There are several techniques to hanging wallpaper, but I thought it would be best to follow the steps that came with my wallpaper roll. Another method that is readily used is to apply the paste to the wallpaper back, fold over both ends of the strip (being careful not to crease the paper) so that they meet in the middle. This gives the paste a chance to activate. Again, the instructions with my wallpaper said to apply the paste directly to the wall, which is what I did. If you want to see more on the other application, I found this helpful step by step method.

3. After the paste was applied, I took the end of the wallpaper roll (leaving about 3″ extra at the top) and adhered it to the wall aligning the edge with the mark I made on the wall. Then continued to roll it out down the wall.

4. As I was adhering the paper to the wall, I used the smoothing tool to eliminate the bumps, wrinkles, and air bubbles. It’s best to start at the top and move down the wall, as well as from the center of the paper and smooth out towards the edges. You want to press firmly, but not too hard so all the glue seeps out. Alittle glue seepage is okay and expected.

5. Once the first panel was hung, it was time to hang the second adjacent sheet. The same steps should be taken, but this time it’ll be key to align the seams so the design / pattern matches (especially with the paper I was using).

photo credit: my 7 year old!

6. Once the paper is up and in place, it’s time to trim – the ceiling, edges, and base. Using a sharp blade / razor, follow the crease / edge and gently cut the paper. It might be damp from the paste, so try not to pull the paper because it’ll rip. Scissors also help.

I also had to trim around the light fixture… that’s to come.

And the result is…

…a beautiful, bold focal wall!

The quality of this paper is amazing. Comparing it to the previous time when I wallpapered, this paper is alot heavier which hides many of the imperfections on the wall – score!

Not to shabby going from this… to this…

Plan of Action for #powderroomremodel:

~~Choose and buy sink~~
~~Choose and buy toilet~~
~~Choose and buy faucet~~
~~Remove sink~~
~~Remove toilet~~
~~Repair hole with new sheetrock~~
~~Repair floor @ sink and toilet~~
~~Hang wallpaper~~
~~Paint~~
Add crown moulding (yes, my 1st moulding ever)
~~Assemble sink~~
Install sink and faucet
Install toilet
Accessorize â€“ mirror, pictures, etc.

7 items crossed off the list since last time. Now that’s progress!

But there’s still more to come. Stay Tuned.

Have you ever hung wallpaper? What method did you use? Was it pre-paste or the kind where you had to add the paste?

Powder Room Remodel – Phase 1: Removing the Existing Toilet and Pedestal Sink

Written by Jenna on April 29, 2013. Posted in Bathroom Makeover, DIY. 19 Comments on Powder Room Remodel – Phase 1: Removing the Existing Toilet and Pedestal Sink

My feet are sore and my fingers have a few blisters, but it’s well worth the pain for how much work around the house was accomplished this past weekend. It was the first days of really nice weather and aside from a baseball game and a birthday celebration, much of the weekend was spent cleaning out the garage, sprucing up the exterior, and starting the powder room remodel.

I shared details of my plans for the powder room a few weeks ago and was thrilled to finally get started. To begin the process the old had to come out before the new goes in, so the Mister and I got our tools out and got to work on removing the existing toilet and pedestal sink. I actually didn’t know the process of how to remove either plumbing fixture, but thankfully the Mister has done this before and helped me out – of course with a few bumps along the way – can’t be a DIY project without…

Do you know where and how to start the process of removing a toilet and sink? If not, this post is for you! Keep on reading, but I’ll worn you, this tutorial is ultra detailed, but the pictures aren’t pretty.

Removing an existing toilet.

1. Turn off the water supply. The oval valve at the side or back of the toilet is the water supply. Using a vice grip or adjustable wrench, turn the valve so you turn off the water. Then flush the toilet a few times to empty the tank. Using old rags, put them in the tank and/or bowl to soak up any left over water. It’s best to use gloves during the process as the toilet bowl isn’t a pretty place.

Yup, that’s a closeup of my toilet… Not something you probably expected to see on a Monday mornin’

2. Remove the tank bolts. Remove the (2) plastic caps on each side of the toilet base. Once exposed, you will see the tank bolts, also sometimes referred to as “Johnny Bolts”. Remove the nut, which is easiest to do using a vice grip or adjustable wrench, and the bolt will be exposed.

Then carefully loosen the toilet, rocking it from side to side to loosen the wax seal, and lift it up. Residual water may spill, but that’s fine.

I warned you this post wasn’t pretty, BUT it sure will be helpful when you want to upgrade that sad looking toilet. There surely isn’t a need to hire a plumber because you CAN do it yourself.

3. Remove the old wax. Once the toilet is lifted, the existing wax will need to be removed. Using a putty knife, scrape away the wax from the pipe flange. It’s definitely important to use gloves too (of course we didn’t, but I suggest you do).

We also removed the tank bolts and plan on replacing them when we install the new toilet.

Here is the hole, free and clear of wax.

Pretty sight, right?

NOT! But at least you now know it’s not that difficult of a process.

If there is a time lapse between removing and installing a new toilet, it is very important to plug the drain opening with a rag to prevent sewer gases leaking into your home.

Removing an existing pedestal sink.

Toilets are toilets, and are fairly similar, but there are a range of sink configurations, so I’m sharing the details of my situation, but yours may be different.

The process of removing our pedestal sink was tricky because we could not get our hand in the back to turn off the water supply. After years of wear, the valve had rusted making it very difficult to turn off. So what did we do? We broke the sink. Not what we anticipated doing, but it had to be done.

After that we…

1. Turn off the water supply. Just like the toilet, turn the oval valve at the back of the sink so the water is shut off. Remove the nut from the water supply. Then put a bucket under the drain trap to collect any residual water, and loosen the nut to remove the trap.

Disconnect any additional plumbing connections and remove the sink. For us, we had to unscrew the sink bowl section of the pedestal from the wall and then remove the tile backsplash I added a few years ago. New sheetrock will need to be installed before anything else.

And this is the result…

The entire room will look pretty in no time…

Plan of Action for #powderroomremodel:

~~Choose and buy sink~~
Choose and buy toilet
Choose and buy faucet
~~Remove sink~~
~~Remove toilet~~
Repair hole with new sheetrock
Repair floor @ sink and toilet
Hang wallpaper
Paint
Add crown moulding (yes, my 1st moulding ever)
Assemble sink
Install sink and faucet
Install toilet
Accessorize – mirror, pictures, etc.

That’s quite a list for a little space…

Please tell me you’ve found this post helpful. The Mister thought I was kinda insane for taking pictures of a toilet, one of the ickiest parts of the home. I know it’s not the prettiest post ever, but who knows when it’ll come in handy.

Before you read this post did you know the details on how to remove a toilet or sink? Not to difficult, right?!

Happy Monday to ya!

DIY: Stenciled Shower Curtain using Drop Cloth

Written by Jenna on April 16, 2013. Posted in DIY. 34 Comments on DIY: Stenciled Shower Curtain using Drop Cloth

I hope you’re having a wonderful week so far. Now that I’m coming off my amazing moment high and getting back into my DIY groove, I’m excited to show you the new stenciled shower curtain panel that I recently made for the kids bathroom.

You may have seen a sneak peak of the shower curtain a few weeks ago when I shared some Spring updates. A few of you even commented saying you loved the color choice (I do too).

It’s bright.

It’s bold.

It’s an eye-catcher…

…And I made it myself. It was super easy, inexpensive, and something you can absolutely do too!

The materials I started off with were:

6′ x 9′ Canvas drop cloth (from Lowe’s)
Stencil – I used the same design from Cutting Edge Stencils that I used in the foyer
Paint – Valspar Pantone Emerald – #PN9055
Shower tension rod
Ball style shower curtain hooks
Foam roller
Tape measure
Scissors

Before I begin, here’s my beef with the typical store bought shower curtains…

They’re too short.

Every shower curtain on the market is 72″ x 72″. I like my shower curtains to sit just slightly above the floor, but then there is SO much space left above the curtain area, so it looks strange and you can see the showerhead. You know how I feel about window panels being placed as high as they can go, well I feel the same with shower curtains. When I redid my master bathroom, I ended up using two curtain panels to create a shower curtain. It was an awesome solution! Since the panels were taller than a typical shower curtain, they heightened the space allowing the room to feel much larger.

That being said, this DIY drop cloth shower curtain is 7′ tall; much higher than the norm and there is only about 12″ from the top of the panel to the ceiling plane versus 24″+.

NOW, let’s begin. Here’s how I made this dynamic shower curtain…

1. The canvas drop cloth size I found at Lowe’s was the perfect size (6′ x 9′), so there was essentially no trimming needed. I started off by laying out the large panel on a flat surface – my kitchen /dining area is a large open space and is the ideal spot for big projects.

I placed the stencil in the upper corner of the drop cloth and secured it with painters tape.

2. Using the vibrant Emerald color and a foam roller, I carefully rolled the color over the stencil putting enough pressure on the roller so the paint adhered to the fabric, but not too much so the paint seeped under the stencil. Believe me, up close it’s not perfect.

3. Once the first section was done, I waited about 1-2 minutes and then carefully lifted the stencil and positioned it in the right place next to the previously painted area. The Cutting Edge Stencils designs are awesome because they create each of the stencils so it easily matches up as you move it along your painting surface.

4. I worked my way across and down. And then…

…realized I made a huge boo-boo! At first, I didn’t put anything under the drop cloth and when I went to reposition it, I realized the paint seeped through. UGH! Thankfully it was still damp and the steamer took the paint right off.

Lesson Learned: Put something under your drop cloth before painting!

You live and learn!

5. After the debacle, I was back on track! Once all the stenciling was done, it was time to make the large panel into a shower curtain. With the 6 end, I took the top edge and rolled it over about 4″ (alittle more or less is fine), and ironed a crease. This edge will create the top part of the shower curtain.

6. Once the crease was created, I took it over to the sewing machine and sewed the edge. Take a look at the graphic for the specific spot to sew – this is important!

7. Once the edge was sewn, I layed the large panel out on the floor again. I took the 12 ball style shower hooks and equally positioned them along the newly created hemmed edge.

8. I marked the locations of where the ball style hooks layed. Again, make sure they are equally spaced.

9. Then it was time to create the hole for the ball style hook to fit into. Only trim through the first layer, not through the finished side of the panel.

10. Slip the hook into the hole. If you decide to tackle this project, you could create a true button opening so the fabric doesn’t fray, but I took the easy way out and didn’t, hehe.

It’s almost finished!

11. Once the hooks were in place, I put the curtain on the shower curtain rod. This was the part of the project where I decided the exact length of my newly created shower curtain. If you remember before, I mentioned I purchased a 9′ long piece of canvas drop cloth, so it definitely needed to be trimmed a bit. Once hung, I put a few pins in to mark the finished length that I wanted.

12. Leaving about 4″ extra to create a bottom hem, I trimmed the excess fabric.

13. Lastly, I ironed and sewed the bottom hem so the crease was at the exact spot that I marked with the pins.

And then it was done! Trimmed, sewn, and sitting high on the wall. Perfecto.

The kids bathroom is right at the top of the stairs so this is the first sight you see. (another reason why I wanted something taller than the typical too-low shower curtains).

It surely is dynamic, fun, and unexpected!

What a breathe of fresh air! Don’t ya think?! Canvas drop cloth is a favorite of mine to work with and I’m thrilled with the outcome of the project.

Here are more DIY projects I created using canvas drop cloth:
Placemats with Decorative Top Stitch
Drop Cloth Table Runner
Faux Roman Shade using Drop Cloth
Christmas Stockings
Simple Lined Window Panels with Drop Cloth Lining
Personalized Envelope Pillow

Blah to Beautiful: Bathroom Makeover on a Budget

Written by Jenna on April 7, 2011. Posted in Bathroom, DIY. 21 Comments on Blah to Beautiful: Bathroom Makeover on a Budget

I feel like I’ve been talking (and thinking) about this bathroom for decades, but in reality, it’s really only been a few weeks. Somehow it took longer to execute than anticipated but I can thankfully say….IT’S DONE!

All things considered, this was (simply) a minor bathroom makeover. Even though I dreamed of new white tile, a dark wood cabinet, and a fresh new sink, I’m very happy with the updates and the outcome. My “overhaul dream” bathroom will come someday in the future!

SO here it is ~

(sorry for the narrow picture, it’s a bit difficult to take photos in such a small space)

And here it was ~

Do you happen to remember a few weeks ago when I shared my handy dandy Sherwin Williams Paint Visualizer tool?? Well it worked like a charm. When testing out some paint colors using the visualizer, I really liked how these two options turned out, so I combined the look…

…and this is how it turned out (in real life)~

My inspiration for the space started with this towel rack that I picked up on my first visit to Hobby Lobby. YES, it was only a few short weeks ago that I went to Hobby Lobby for the first time. WOW, I know!

I don’t think I mentioned this earlier in the post, but this bathroom is the kids (FYI-I envision my bath to look a bit more lux). I wanted to make it fun and reflect their personalities. I liked the colors and style of this numbers towel rack and thought it would be an adorable start to the space. Above the towel rack, my son painted this priceless one-of-a-kind piece of art. (He had some limitations ~ I only gave him paints that matched the room…I know, I’m sneaky!)

So here’s another view of the before…
Mirror: GONE
Light Fixture: REPLACED
Cabinet: PAINTED
Medicine Cabinet: TRANSFORMED

It went from this…

To this….

With a fresh coat of paint on the walls and the cabinet, the kids bathroom took on a new life! The before cabinet did not have hardware, so I added new stylish knobs to dress em’ up a bit. There was also quite a gap between the countertop edge and the wall, so I added a tile sidesplash, and continued two rows at the backsplash. It was so easy and I installed it the same way as I did for the powder room backsplash.

Did you happen to see the medicine cabinet? I kind of skipped over that and don’t want to give too much detail away…but I completely transformed it from what it was before. Stay Tuned for a future post!

As for the mirror, the existing was removed, and in it’s place, I chose a simple frameless oval with a beveled edge. It’s clean and understated (especially next to the medicine cabinet). With a new lighting fixture (and GFI outlets), the electric is up-to-date and complements this newly modern-edge bathroom.

The finishing touches were topped off with my Comic Art Mod Podge Project. Another post to come for details!

So that’s it! A space that I dreaded looking at everyday (well numerous times a day since it’s at the top of the second floor landing) is now fun and refreshing.

O, and the shower curtain…I had it from our old house (bought it at Bed, Bath, and Beyond years ago). No joke, I didn’t even remember I had it until after I chose the paint colors, and realized it coordinated perfectly!

So blah to beautiful is possible on a budget! From paint to accessories, the total for this bathroom makeover cost about $150 (the mirror and the lighting fixture were the most costly items). Not bad!

Have you made over your bathroom lately? Or is there a plan to do so in the near future?