DIY - Bathroom Makeover (Under $300)
Background:
My house was built in the 1930’s so it has a lot of character but it’s super old. The basement was finished in 2015, but honestly it is not my style. Whatever I have to deal with it… for now.
(Feel free to skip to the Let’s Get Started Section)
When you first start any project, understand why you want to do it. Do you hate the space? Is it because you are bored? Does the space make you unhappy every time you look at it? Are you trying to just keep up with a trend? Can the space function? Understanding why you want to start a project is very helpful to know your motives and to also keep a budget in mind.
For me I just really hate this bathroom… So I ask myself “Why do you hate this bathroom Kristin?”. I work in Quality (if you don’t know what that means it is fine most people don’t, but I am not here to explain what a Quality Manager does, but since I am in quality I like to to determine the root cause(s) of my actions). When I am trying to identify the root cause of a problem, defect, etc. we use a tool called the 5 Whys, I know I am getting a little too nerdy but for me to understand why I want to start a certain project, it benefits me to use this tool.
This is what goes through my brain…..
Why do I hate this bathroom…..? I hate this bathroom because it has no life.
Why does the bathroom not have life? It’s dark, it has no windows, it looks cheap.
Why do you think it looks dark/ looks cheap? (This is where I start coming up with my project ideas). It has Yellow walls. The brown vanity looks and feels cheap. The Faucet - I just hate it. Mirror doesn’t fit the room (also looks cheap), beige flooring is so out of date, hardware is bronze (I hate bronze) and I don’t understand why there is a towel holder above the toilet - needs to go.
SO I pretty much wrote down what I need to fix in order to make this bathroom have more “life”.
So why don’t you just update those features that you hate? (this is where my brain thinks money and time).
It has Yellow walls: I can totally paint the walls. Probably $50 for white paint.
The brown vanity looks and feels cheap - I could buy a new vanity but I will have to remove this one and then buy another one which can cost $250+, OR I can paint the one.
The Faucet - I just need a new faucet. The one that is there looks like it may have been reused many many times.
Mirror doesn’t fit the room (also looks cheap) - I can paint it or buy a new one.
Beige tile flooring is so out of date - I can update the tile… BUT that is way too expensive and time consuming. I can paint the tile but that will take a long time, or I can get a longer rug to cover the tile - that isn't really fixing the issue but it is the cheapest option.
Hardware is bronze (I hate bronze) - I can buy new hardware… Or I can spray paint the current hardware and not spend any additional money.
Towel holder above the toilet: Remove the towel holder… replace with a shelf? Or a picture?
Start your project. (Not a why - but I wanted to conform with the 5 why tool).
This is how my brain works. I figured out why and how I want to do the project as well as giving myself additional plans and options to make sure I stick within a budget.
Budget First
Goal Budget: Max $350
Paint bathroom walls white ($55)
Paint the brown vanity a green color ($25)
Buy a new faucet. I am thinking black. ($120)
Buy a new mirror. Thinking bigger & skinny frame (color: black) ($70)
Beige Tile issue: Get a new longer rug - preferably white and black ($20)
Spray Paint Hardware: Get matte black spray paint ($6)
Need a new shower curtain ($20)
Picture or Shelf above the toilet ($30)
Now that I have my plan in place - I am heading to my beer fridge. You should also grab a beer to continue reading (or whatever you want to drink I just prefer beer).
Lets get started:
Materials for this Project:
Beer(s) of your choice
Paint: Cabinet Paint & Wall Paint
Primer
Roller: 4in Foam Roller
Ladder *If you are short like me
Drop Clothes
Screwdriver
Step #1: Grab your beer & open it. Drink a sip lets get this project started.
Step #2: Paint the walls white.
Prep before you paint! Put down drop cloths, remove hardware from walls, patch your walls, sand if applicable, use painters tape (I use frog tape/or blue painters tape), I wrapped my toilet in plastic moving paper so its easer to paint behind the toilet, and I wore clothes I don’t care about.
I used White Dove by Benjamin Moore, OC-17. It’s a soft white and doesn’t have the yellowish undertones like the last paint. I had to paint my ceiling too since everything was painted in that gross yellow.
I did two coats of paint to make sure I didn’t miss anything. Let it dry over night.
Step #2: Paint the Ugly Vanity
I love bold colored vanities especially in a white bathroom. I went with green since I knew I wasn't going to replace the tile. I think that green and beige flooring will go well together. I went with Magnolia Home by Joanna Gaines, you can find it at your local Ace Hardware store. I went with the color Eden. Against the white dove walls it feels soooooo bright and welcoming.
For more information on How to paint a bathroom vanity, visit my blog.
Before Picture
Step #3: New Faucet
Purchase a faucet. Our plumber recommended Moen Faucets. We trust him so we bought a Moen. We actually had a coupon for Moen since our Kitchen Faucet shit the bed. So kind of ironic that we went with another Moen but whatever they replaced our kitchen faucet AND gave us a 60% off coupon so we bought this faucet. I am obsessed with the black hardware look. It was a total of $123.33. Installation was super easy and it came with the black drain!
Step #4: Purchase new mirror.
I wanted a skinny black framed mirror, I found some awesome ones on Wayfair and Amazon, like this one.
But I ended up lucking out by finding this guy at Costco… For those who know me know I hate hate hate going to Costco, especially in the Denver area. SOO crowded but sometimes its worth it! I got this mirror on sale!
It is legit perfect.
Step #5: Cover the Beige flooring (as best as I can for now)
I really want to get rid of the flooring color and I think eventually I will be either painting it or adding FloorPops. Right now to keep it under a budget I am just going to purchase a bigger rug to cover up the tile. It’s an easy quick fix for now until I end up winning the lotto and redoing this entire house.
When finding a rug check out TJ Maxx/ Home Goods/ Amazon all have a great variety but I went to Costco and found this gem!
Honestly, go get a Costco membership. It’s worth the great finds. This rug cost me $12.00… Can’t beat that!
Step #6: Hardware Time
If your bathroom hardware is in good shape and it’s the style that you want then hey, let’s just spray paint them! I kept my shower rod, the curtain ring things, and my hand towel holder. I then spray painted them matte black, using the Rust-Oleum Stops Rust, since it is in a bathrooms and moisture is definitely a worry.
Let them dry over night.
I poked holes in top of cardboard box to prop the cabinet knobs to help spray paint them evenly.
The toilet paper holder & towel holder didn’t make the cut - I hated them. They didn’t fit my style so I found this TP holder guy on amazon its a perfect fit and also added these towel hooks.
Since I got rid of the weird towel holder above the toilet I added a floating shelf. I wanted to build my own but came across this one from target and thought it would be perfect.
Action #7 : Decorate
The Shower Curtain is amazing. I think it brings the entire project together. It is from Walmart - check it out!
Ideas for bathroom shelves: Picture of you dog, candle, q-tip cup, plants (fake or real), some smell good spray, anything you want.
I added a basket for extra toilet paper, but you can add magazines, books, hide beers/ ice people etc. I actually may hide a Smirnoff Ice now… thats a good idea.
Feel free to add wall art and pictures to your space. I lean more towards the minimalist side (less to clean).
Once you are done decorating you better be enjoying a cold beer in your new updated bathroom.
