I agree I think the shelf, vanity and medicine cabinet need to replaced. If you need storage I would put In a linen cabinet

The shelf is a head scratcher. We are a little scared to dismantle it and find out why it’s there and what kind of hole in the wall it may leave (it contains wiring too).

i would love to have a new vanity and cabinet too but I should have mentioned this is a low budget project. We have some money saved for renovations but the kitchen will need most of it. I’m hoping to not spend more than $1000.

I have done some thinking today and would like to spend that on matching antique bronze hardware, faucet, vanity lighting, towel bar and hand towel ring, and then a large rustic wood mirror, paint for walls and cabinets, material for a couple floating shelves (hubby can build), and some lined wire baskets.

My only thought for saving the built in shelf is to put a big plant on top, and add liner wire baskets or wicker baskets that fit the 3 shelves perfectly.

Im hoping we can just bleach the dingy tub/shower surround back to it’s original white and not have to replace that too.

If money is an issue I would just save up to do a proper remodel, and think about what you really want.

If you can't replace the vanity, I'd install a new medicine cabinet. That is a child's height vanity and the drawers are awkwardly placed under a protruding shelf. Focus on improving the function until you're able to rip everything out. Kohler has some nice 26" cabinets that are about $150. Build.com is a good place to shop for everything you need for your bathroom.

We have that type of shower surround in both bathrooms and they are impossible to get really clean. I believe ours is acrylic and we've tried several different products. A Magic Eraser works best but that is slow-going. Use a curved shower curtain rod and hide it.

Bronze faucets don't wear well unless you get a good brand. Delta is one company who stands by their products.

You might get more guidance in the Remodeling forum about why the shelf might be there and if it's safe to remove it. It's taking up too much bathroom real estate and will prevent you from achieving a refresh, much less a spa vibe. By "wires", do you mean it has an electric outlet?

Thank you for the tips, especially on the bronze faucet. Yes, I mean that the shelf has an electric outlet (on the vanity side) and I will post in the remodeling forum. I agree it is taking up a lot of space.

If we lived anywhere else I wouldn't mind replacing the vanity. But we live in rural Alaska where everything has to be shipped in by plane or barge. Which is very expensive. Many US companies refuse to ship to Alaska at all. The other problem is that we have to pay by-the-pound to dispose of trash here, so we try to reuse as much as possible.

I wonder if a better option would be having my husband build us a custom vanity.

Have you checked out Ana White's website? She's got a huge catalog of plans. And she's Alaskan!

Here are a few I found:

http://www.ana-white.com/2011/07/builder-grade-vanity

http://www.ana-white.com/2014/05/plans/simple-gray-bath-vanity

I have! We have actually used some of her plans before! We will have to price things out though as lumber out here is also quite expensive!