Your bathroom is VERY dated. It would be ashame to go thru the trouble and expense you are planning and not remove both the mirror and the tile. Neither one of those things is going to compliment any changes you make. I wouldn't even try and save that sink unit. You can get a pedstal sink for under 120 dollars and will up date that room in ways you can't even imagine.
As for the light fixture I wouldn't say maybe I'd say when we change it. It too is VERY dated and needs to go.

I actually like the ceiling and side lights. I'm having difficulty understanding the mirror (medicine cabinet?). Does the mirror open up? It would be nice to cover that shelf up. Maybe move the mirror down?

Anyway, have you looked for some fresher wallpaper? There are so many wonderful wallpapers, and your room is small and could benefit from some pattern.

I would agree about getting rid of the sink and counter, but I think all-in-all, it's pretty charming. (Maybe because I grew up in the 50s!)
Dee

Can you tell us more info?

What decorating style is the rest of the house? What type of budget do you have? Is this DIY, and if so, what skill level do you have.

Are you really wanting to update this? Or are you just tired of the wall covering. To really accomplish an update you will need to think about taking out most of what is there now.

Yes, we know it's outdated! Wait til you see the pink tiled main bathroom!
But back to this one...
Here are some more photos of the light/medicine cabinet. It looks like they took a big ornate frame and put light units in it,and mounted the frame around the regular medicine cabinet.

Tile is ALWAYS a good thing in the bathroom. Yours is white, it maybe original but it is back in, so good for you one less thing to deal with. The mirror and sconces are just not suited for that room. I wonder why they went so ornate? Luckily the electric is there for sconces. Sconces are all the rage right now. Can you get a taller rectangle framed mirror and cover the metal hole right up? It reminds me of an old cheap hotel. If you decided to get a new vanity go for a kitchen height one. The best thing ever is a vanity you don't have to bend over to brush/spit into!! I am not a fan of pedestal sinks. Why give away storage space for no reason? Besides they are too low! Really all your fixes except the vanity will be pretty inexpensive. This will be a fun project because the before and after will be so dramatic!

If you take the tile down maybe replace it with beadboard. this will help to update it at little expense. I really do think the mirror should go. You can do better with what is out there and a nice pedestal sink would help.

Thanks! As far as our decorating style, I'd call it traditional. We are in our late 40s. The home I decorated last was very bohemian. I practice medicine but I was an artist as well. I had a stroke in 2008 that killed the artist in me, so I have reverted back to the very traditional styles I grew up with.
We could consider another vanity, but that's a whole bunch more dedisions and wonder whether we could fix the tile if there are issues.
We are DIY people, but my "vision" has left me. My husband is a D.I.Try kinda guy. :) He's in there busily eliminating the wallpaper.
Yes, that metal whole under the cabinet looks like a cheap hotel shelf to me, too. I wonder if it wouldn't be so horrible if we painted/stained the mirror and fixed the lighting units, if the stain was a black or chrome color?
I may be making no sense....It's been a long day!

I think of beadboard as "cottagey" and don't think it would fit in this rambling brick 50's ranch. Am I wrong?

Well, I'll be the odd man out and say how much I like it as-is. I really, really like the sconces/medicine cabinet, but it's definitely got it's own personality.

If it were my bathroom, I'd do everything on your list from the first post, but I'd leave that medicine cabinet.

You could go with a whole classic/retro vibe and use plain chrome hardware. Go French and add more ornate hardware in brass or pewter. Sleek and spa like with ORB or satin nickel.

I wonder if you could paint that little shelf to match the tile?

I think it's a charming bathroom that has a lot of potential to be a wonderful, unique place.

I would put up a simple flat mirror and either leave the inset shelf or cover it with the mirror. I would put sconces on either side.

I would leave the tile, there is nothing wrong with it. Paint above it, sure.

I would put a new vanity top on, you can probably get one that is all white that would fit.

They still make that ceiling fixture, its not dated, its "period".

Simple shutter on the window would be nice.

Kohler makes a faucet called Triton, that would be very appropriate for a 50s ranch bathroom. They have made it for about 50 years.

I think its kind of charming, so I would update it but update it appropriately for a ranch, not try to turn it into something else.

Here is a link that might be useful: Rejuvenation Lighting.

I'd change the wallpaper for either different paper or paint.

I'd change the whole vanity. It is not a "keeper".

I'd keep the funky med cab and sconces and maybe paint them silver/chrome for a fresh look. You can use different shades for the sconces if you don't like those, but I think they are kind of fun. You'd have to paint new stripes if you keep them.

Leave the tile and towel bars. Those are not a problem.

I am not sure if you need to change the light fixture, but it couldn't hurt.

The outlet plate has got to go, lol....

I'm in agreement white 4 x4 tile is classic! If it is good shape don't rip it out. I think the mirror would be cool painted white, with some new shades. You could go for a french country theme, with black toile and pale yellow or pink walls. Home Depot has some great vanity tops that are under $150.

If you really, really can't stand the mirror, just find one you like large enough to cover the area that isn't tiled. Perhaps you could order new doors and drawer fronts for the vanity and paint the whole thing, or find one on craigslist. You could go for the 50's retro look too.

I wouldn't rip the whole bathroom out and replace everything.

See the link below:

Here is a link that might be useful: cute renovation

I wish I could remember who it was that posted their pics of a similar period redo. I think they did minimal "updating" but they did paint over some hideous paint that the PO's had done. I think the vanity top was small gray/black/white tiles...anyway, they just did a little tweeking to what had always been there, and it turned out fabulous!

Thank you for the input, everyone! I'll be researching and thinking about all of your suggestions.
I'd definitely consider a new vanity, but am worried about those tile issues. If the new vanity doesn't occupy the same space as the old, we'll be back to trying to match the tile and grout. I don't know if it can be done without tremendous research, effort and skill.
In some ways, I envy those who buy new homes and finally occupy them when they are just "right." I really treasure the soul this home has, and want to honor it but bring it a little more up to date.
If anyone has reading recommendations on classic ranches, I'd love to invest in some. I don't know if there's a way to PM someone on this forum, but feel free to do so if there is.
And thank you again.

Your vanity looks pretty standard. Head to you local big box store with a measuring tape. I am pretty sure you will find one that fits that space and cover any tile issues you may have. Resale on any bath with tile is huge, do not remove it! If it was done well it is added value and the best thing for water issues in a bath (even w/o at tub/shower). Be glad it is always in style classic white!! I also am not a fan of wall paper in a bathroom just for this reason. Water and wall paper do not get along! With out a shower you do not have steam issues, I realize but even though it is coming back in I will never be able to wish the nightmare of removing wall paper an any one ever again.

I can see why you want to update, but, actually, that light is back in! I would leave it as a modern classic touch. Look through websites such as Houzz for inspiration. You can remove the paper, paint and update the medicine cabinet with a new one. Just curious if the trim moulding on the sink cabs is removeable? If so, remove it, paint the cab and add new knobs.You can get a nice updated look with little money.

Here is a link that might be useful: [Houzz[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/traditional-bathroom-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_712~s_2107)

We have wallpaper in two bathrooms. Done properly, wallpaper will stay on the walls and the seams will stay tight no matter how many hot, steamy showers get taken, and when the time comes for new paper, the old peels right off fairly easily if the wall was sized. Vinyl covered papers wash repeatedly and look brand new afterwards, and are very appropriate in a bathroom or kitchen. I love wallpaper, always have, have it almost everywhere in my house, and I do it myself.

How about just painting the old vanity and replacing the knobs, top and sink? I definitely like the tile, and IMO, a light is essential over the throne for reading! I like yours. But how is the towel bar under the window attached - how can you remove it w/o damaging or revealing the screw holes in the tile?

I have a dated" vanity in our powder room too. I absolutely love the look of taking an old dresser and rehabbing it to a BR vanity, but had issues with what to do with the wall treatment if I couldn't get something in the exact footprint.

So, just before the holidays, I painted the vanity and put new pulls on it.I used a Martha Stewart coffee type color (forget the actual name) and pulls from Renovation Hardware. Also replaced a towel rod for a better one from RH. I think it looks pretty good.

FWIW, I like that mirror and the sconces.They have "character." Perhaps after you choose your new wall color, you can make the decision of whether to paint the frame. I wonder if you can paint the recess below it a white to make it merge better with your white tiles?

I have only one suggestion! If you don't like the style try to save any pink vanities etc... as they are now worth money or will very soon.

Here is a link that might be useful: Save the pink bathrooms.

Thanks, pjtexgirl! I have seen that website, and the retro renovation website, and we won't destroy anything intentionally, and we will recycle and make someone's day. I don't plan to replace things unnecessarily in this house, but we don't have the talent to update in a perfectly period fashion. Wish I did...it is a really pretty well preserved piece of history!
We're going to try painting the frame around the medicine cabinet, the electrical fixture, and the "box" under the medicine cabinet. Try to find a medicine cabinet in chrome or brushed nickel for the actual cabinet part.
I'll try painting the fixture parts on the ceiling light and save that.
I don't think shutters are a possibility because, again, we have these metal casement windows. I don't want to drill into them or damage them.
I'm going to try to get the detailing off of the existing vanity and repaint and replace hardware. I'm sure we'll have questions about that.

For those of who you so generously offer help and advice, a question:
Do you prefer questions to be grouped by a room in a post, or do you prefer individual posts with one specific question? I read ALL the time, for a long time now, but don't feel qualified to offer opinions, so I'm mostly a lurker.

Shermann, the towel bar under the window is screwed in, and I imagine we'd try to find some epoxy or filler, and then try to match the paint.
That towel bar, and one just like it in the pink bathroom, both are loose. I don't know why just those two???
I don't think the powder room needs so many bars anyway! All you can do in there is wash and dry hands :)

This is the only other mirror like mine that I've seen. I've searched the Internet and wasn't able to find one. I purchased my home, completed updates and grew to appreciate and love this unique mirror / medicine cabinet. A coat of paint and lamp shades can transform this piece and bring out the ornate detail.