Painting Cabinets and bathrooms - suggestions needed!

16 years ago

Hello.

I just purchased a home and am interested in updating some bathrooms. If at all possible we are going to start with just paint and new fixtures, but may end up busting out all the tile and starting over. The home is a great home but it was built in 1987 so the tile and grout look very dated in my opinion. In the interest of trying to modernize and "clean" up the look we have to paint the cabintets as well as the walls. Most of the new looks we like are anything other than white on the cabinets. I also see lots of monochromatic looks where the cabinets, trim and doors are all very close to the same color as the walls but am not sure I have to go that route.

Here are the basics of the rooms in question:

Two bathrooms have an off white tile with a dark grout. One is a charcoal type grout and I think the other may have less gray in the grout but still is a darker color.

Another bath has a grey tile (not sort of grey - actual textbook grey). It even has a strip of red tile in the shower - think 1980's and you get the idea.

What suggestions do you have for paint colors in these rooms but especially for the cabinetry!

Thanks!

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Comments (16)

teedup1
16 years ago
There's a Bathrooms Forum here you might check out for specifics.
DYH
16 years ago
First, if you want to change the grout color, I've included a link to a product recommended by some tile experts on the Bathrooms Forum.

As for paint colors for the walls and cabinets, you may want to post photos here to get more input.

Cameron

Here is a link that might be useful: grout colorant
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Oh yes, a nice new light would be lovely. Even Home Depot and Lowes have nice choices for reasonable prices in lighting. Wayfair has a huge number of fixtures to choose from. I prefer ones with lights that shine downwards, but there are lots with lights facing upwards - that's really your choice as long as you get good light. Don't be tempted for any Edison style bulbs in the bathroom because in my experience they are often really yellow and that doesn't help anyone looking in the mirror trying to do makeup or shave etc if there is a yellow cast. I like this one which won't disappear against the wall. If you changed the handles on your vanity to match the dark or the bronze this might be nice but of course it depends on all your other choices. I thought this one was just a big different if that suits you. A little bit modern and industrial looking. Very classic and if I used this, I'd probably make the handles on the vanity match. you could also consider a new faucet in the same finish. For a floor pattern, you could likely do a hex stencil if it is small enough. I agree the existing pattern is going to make many stencil options not work for you. This particular one would allow you to paint small hexes throughout and then you could customize if you wish by adding a word like they've shown in the picture, or adding a border (that border could be the navy blue colour with the rest being white. Or here is another option where they've just used a plain hex in what looks a bit of a colour variation - that looks lovely as well. For your mirror, Home Depot carries kits so you can make a frame for your mirror. But someone posted on Houzz last week a place where you could order frames that are meant to dress up a mirror like yours and they were really nice looking. Worth doing a bit of research on that. Once you've decided on a flooring then that should inform your other decisions on wall paint colours. Would you consider a wallpaper or something like grasscloth on the walls in the bathroom. The grasscloth comes in some really gorgeous colours. Since it is a guest bath there won't be a lot use on a regular basis so I think you could easily choose wallpaper or grasscloth to bring in some colour. Look at these really gorgeous colours....if you went with a white floor either or these blues would be so lovely. But if you wanted to keep the floor etc as it is and used this taupe colour in the room along with your new white counter top and some bright white trim - that and a new light fixture etc might be all that is needed.
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msjay2u
16 years ago
hopefully the dark grout is really grout and not mold!
scb71
Original Author
16 years ago
We may eventually tear out the tile and start over but I hope you call can help me make due with these tiles!

Ok - if this works I have some pictures to share:

Bath 1 -
This is the downstairs bath. You can see it is pretty nondescript and ready for your suggestions. We are thinking of going dark (maybe black or charcoal for the vanity but then what about the walls?) but are open to your thoughts!

BATH 2 -
Next are pics of a Jack and Jill bath between two of the guest rooms. It is pretty bland as well. What suggestions do you have for wall color and vanity color?

Bath 3 -
And last we have another guest bath that has grey tile and a true blast from the past with the red stripe in the shower. PLEASE HELP!
scb71
Original Author
16 years ago
Help Please!

Pics are added so bring your comments and please share your pictures if you have any of your remodels or your favorites!
teeda_2006
16 years ago
"Most of the new looks we like are anything other than white on the cabinets."

Could you post some pics of bathrooms you like? What style are you planning to decorate the rest of your home in? To me your current cabinets/tile would lend themselves most easily to a traditional style, but it isn't clear from your post if you're trying to go more modern?
annzgw
16 years ago
First, consider yourself lucky to have the white tile. It's much easier to work with than some of the others colors you could have ended up with! In cleaning the tile, try some Dirtex. It can usually be found at Paint stores if you can't find it at the big box stores. It's great stuff and I've used it to prep cabinets for painting, removing dried paint from a frig and cleaning tile!

What style decor and colors are you drawn to? I can see anything from serene spa colors to dark gray or bold red being used in those bathrooms.

See the link below for a redo of bathroom. The OP posted the pic here and I saved it. She helped design/paint her friend's bathroom.
The brown would also work in your bath along with glazed cabs!

Here is a link that might be useful:
msjay2u
16 years ago
I like your bathrooms but the grout is uggggh. One thing I would so is paint the grout. In HD a couple of years ago I brought this stuff called grout renew. It is no longer on the shelves in some stores because I guess people can buy that for $5 rather than redoing their whole bathroom. You can order it. It is made by Polyblend. here is a link to it
Grout Renew

Anyway the grout renew is like a paint and sealer for grout. It comes in all the same colors as regular grout. I would buy white for the first bathroom. You get an old toothbrush pour the grout renew in the bottle cap, dip the bristles in the grout renew and basically paint the grout. It seals the grout and paints it. You can use it to change the grout color too. You keep a rag on hand and wipe any that gets on the tile. I did it in my kitchen and it took me 20 minutes to do the whole room and I was VERY satisfied with the results. I swear by this stuff and I am going to tell you the truth the grout looked new, was water proof and I never had to do it again. It worked better than regular sealer! Thats my two cents on bath one. Also with a white on white tile I would keep the cabinetry white and I would paint the walls a color that makes the white POP. I do not know your tastes in colors so I can't suggest a color.

Bath 2:
I would do the same thing.

Bath 3:
I was just looking at that same tile for my bathroom. Well in the picture it looks like a toffee color and I just read your description and you say grey so maybe not. I would paint that bathroom. Is the 1st and 2nd picture of bath three truly the same room? That shower stall does not match if so. Now in there I might consider redoing the tiles at a later time.

It appears your tiles are in good shape, your grout might need updating. I don't like the red strip in the bathroom (what were they thinking?) A couple of other suggestions. I would have someone build a frame around the mirrors, update the shower doors to a more modern looking style or take them down. In one of my guest baths I updated the shower doors to the frameless style and it looked soooo much better. I prefered the glass door rather than a shower curtain in there for some reason however I should note that one of my guest baths got used often by guests and I had to have the shower doors readjusted a couple of times. In the end the shower doors for that room was not a good idea in my situation.

Last suggestion for cabinet colors. Since most of what you see is white it is hard to find cabinet pictures in other colors. You can do a search on Yahoo or google images and use the color as a search term. I think your bathrooms are totally workable!

thats my 2 cents

Here is a link that might be useful:
msjay2u
16 years ago
Annz posted her reply while I was working on mines and she had the same idea I had, work with what you have, paint the walls a color to make the tiles pop. Even the mirror has the frame like I was talking about! Glad to see others are on the same page of thinking!
scb71
Original Author
16 years ago
Thanks for taking the time to share your thoughts! There are three baths shown - the first one has one picture and then the second bath also has a picture where you can see the tub/shower next to the floor tile. The third is definately grey.

The grout is a dark grout but it is not mildew stained - it is actually the color of the grout. If a new color grout is a high value item it can be done but it is not necessary like it may be if it were dirty and gross. I appreciate the ideas about the grout renew. We may go back with a lighter grout stain.

As for paint suggestions - that is truly what I look forward to hearing from you all.

We like spa like colors as well as a richer look where a chocolate may work. I think the first picture would be the bath with the darker look as even though it has a shower it will function more like a powder room. Therefore a formal high end look with a dark palate may be an option, but it does not have to be.

The Jack and Jill Bath - the middle one with the light tile - could work well with a lighter color. I jsut am not sure which way to go here.

The grey bath I am really struggling with. What goes well with grey?

We will be using Sherwin Williams so any favorite paint color choices will be well received!

Thanks again.
jerseygirl_1
16 years ago
Pop it with red and black acessories. BM White Dove is a white with grayish undertones. I would use that for trim.
Pick a light silvery gray for the walls and use the same color for the ceiling. I would use chrome for fixtures with white shades. I think shiny fixtures will make the grays brighter.

You can paint the vanities gray, black or espresso.

What is the look you are going for? Traditional or contemporary?
teeda_2006
16 years ago
There is currently a thread titled "painting bathroom cabinets: black bean or chocolate". In it are photos of bathroom cabinets that have been repainted. There are some nice color combinations there--dark cabinets with a light blue or taupe colored wall. Either of these would look nice in your bathrooms with the white tile. I would change out the hardware to a silver finish.

Regarding the grey tiled bath--I would consider having the tiled reglazed, both in the top and on the counter. It's going to be difficult to work around that red strip otherwise. It would be cheaper in the long run than replacing these surfaces. If you really want to keep the grey then I would consider some type of wallpaper in this room to try to blend it all together.

Other than colors, is there a particular style you'd like to achieve?
scb71
Original Author
16 years ago
Thanks. I like the idea of incorporating the red in that grey bathroom with pictures, accessories, etc.

As for our style - we like "modern" I guess. Not contemporary in the true sense and not traditional with wing back chairs and floral prints. Something clean, up to date and with style. Is there a name for that? Not that I am going to use their furnishings but Crate and Barrel or even Pottery Barn always have good clean tastes it seems.
citymomof3
16 years ago
I think you could make the grey/red bathroom sort of cool if you go with what's there for now. You could paint those walls a lighter grey and paint the cabinets a black color with shiny, silver pulls. For some reason, I can see you doing the grey, black and red with a couple of cool vintage fashion ads hanging on the walls. Here are some ideas....

http://www.allposters.com/-st/Fashion-Vintage-Art-Posters_c19219_.htm

As far as the other bathrooms go, I second the suggestion of painting the grout. My mom did it and it looks brand new!! You could go with a light spa-ish green on the walls in the one bathroom and a pale blue or taupe in the other. Here are some ideas for colors.....

You could paint those cabinets a nice shiny, white or go with a black or espresso just as easily. Here is a photo of my black bathroom cabinets...

With some paint and new accessories, I think your bathroom will all look great!!! Make sure to post a follow up with pictures of your progress!!
citymomof3
16 years ago
Just had to post these!! Look how gorgeous grey & red can look together!!!

Here is a link that might be useful: grey, white red bathroom
User
16 years ago
msjay thanks for the info on the grout renew. I had used a similar product several years ago which was great. I need to do some more, and now I know what to look for. I am hopeful that it works as well as you said. It really makes a huge difference. Home Depot and Lowe's here I come tomorrow!!!