HELP! bathroom Reno with sad tile

6 years ago

hi creative geniuses! I am updating this bathroom on a TIGHT budget. Unfortunately we need to keep the tile. I'd appreciate ALL your ideas because I'm uninspired and have no ideas on how to update this place. I'm willing to paint the vanity but I think that dated blue sink needs to be changed.. Also the washer and dryer will be removed, so I have a lot of space to work with. I was thinking of creating a linen closet for only bathroom supplies. I'm open to your suggestions of how to reuse that space!

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hsharrington

6 years ago

Hey kaydeen! I think what's driving me crazy is the black rugs on the slate floor. It makes things even darker. I like the slate, but you need to relieve the darkness with clean white rugs or some lighter shade of the sink color. The dark vanity isn't helping make the floors look better, either.

I can kind of see why you would want to replace the sink, but I'll bet that vanity/sink combo came as a set and the sink is bonded to the vanity base. Should have seen the mess when I decided to replace the builder marble counter on my Lowe's combo vanity! I think I learned new words from my contractor that day...

Your rustic floor and modern smooth glass sink/counter need to speak to each other in civil tones and right now they're not.

A white coat of paint--something warm like BM Marscapone--on the vanity and walls/ceiling would look great. Or a warm grey you pick up out of the slate for the vanity and rugs/towels along with the warm white walls would be a way to integrate the two elements and get a sophisticated look.

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Comments (26)

functionthenlook
6 years ago
I don't think there is anything terrible about the tile. I personally like the vintage blue sink. I would carry the same color into the shower curtain, drapes and towels. Either a black or white vanity would work with the colors. You can never have enough storage in my book. I just wouldn't make it as deep as the washer and dryer are now.
melle_sacto is hot and dry in CA Zone 9/
6 years ago
last modified: 6 years ago
I LOVE the blue sink, and tile seems fine & neutral. Post some inspiration photos so we have a better idea of what you're aiming for.

Personally I would change out the door, that particular paneled style always reminds me of sad eyebrows. I wish someone could put it into appropriate architectural context for me so I could possibly learn to appreciate it.
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enjoythejourney
6 years ago
“Tight budget” really isn’t very specific but, given you aren’t replacing the tile, I’m assuming the fixtures are also staying and your are mostly looking for paint and decor suggestions. A linen area would be a cost-effective use of the washer/dryer space. You might consider putting cupboard doors, top and bottom, with open shelves in the middle, to display decor/towels, etc. If you have the budget, I’d replace the countertop and vanity light and move the double towel bar over the toilet/on the toilet-side shower wall, so it isn’t as visible. You might also lower the hand towel bar as it seems a bit high and paint the walls with a light grey/griege or white from your tile. You could add a pop of colour via towels/decor (on the open shelves suggested above), fabric Roman shades, on the windows and a lovely shower curtain. I’d also replace the mats with a larger, white/accent colour one.
kaydeen
Original Author
6 years ago
hsharrington you've nailed it! I couldn't explain why I disliked this bathroom so much, but you've made sense of it all. The vanity and rugs are too dark. painting the vanity will be make a big difference. if I have to keep the blue sink, what color paint would work best for vanity? I'm liking everyone's ideas of bringing out the light greys or whites from the tile. and I LOVE the votes for more storage :) enjoythejourney thanks for your suggestions! lastly, I don't fully understand the suggestion for window treatments, a picture would help
Geneviève
6 years ago
Love it its beautiful!!!

just add some light blue towels
hsharrington
6 years ago
last modified: 6 years ago
Here's some photos of Roman shades as suggested by enjoythejourney. I like the casual feel of the first one, but your sink wants a little structure, so maybe more like the second one.

DePaul Greystone Renovation · More Info

Project 1 · More Info

Mediterranean Bedroom · More Info
kaydeen
Original Author
6 years ago
as per a previous request.. here's a bathroom that I really like.
hsharrington
6 years ago
Forgot to mention that your washer area looks to be only 12" to 18" deep, which is what makes the appliances protrude into the room so much. After you've moved them elsewhere, I would use the full depth of that space for closed base cabinets about 36" high and open shelves above.

You don't want to clear out the big appliances and then close the space back in with a solid wall of cabinets. Leaving the upper space more open (or even with glass doors, come to think of it), will give you much more visual and psychological room at the entrance. You're gonna LUV this room when you've finished with the changes!
enjoythejourney
6 years ago
Examples of Fabric Roman Shades:

DePaul Greystone Renovation · More Info

Contemporary Bathroom · More Info

Clawson Architects Projects · More Info

Mandeville Canyon Home · More Info
kaydeen
Original Author
6 years ago
I'm already falling in love with these great ideas! thanks everyone. if you have photos of the shelving suggestions please share, I'm a visual person ;)
kaydeen
Original Author
6 years ago
Thanks enjoythejourney. I like it a lot, I think your cottage example (open shelving up top) would work best for my bathroom as the shelving area will be longer. Glass doors would open up the top half but I don't think they would be suitable for a bathroom - they'd get foggy after each shower no? Nonetheless, I think baskets in the open top half will be nice too
gracie01 zone5 SW of Chicago
6 years ago
I would replace the mirror with something nicer and install an appropriate light fixture above.
hsharrington
6 years ago
Here's another thing, kaydeen. When you get the appliances out and build the cabinets and shelves in, switch the door swing so that it opens on the right when you're standing in the hall. That way, when you walk in the room, the door is on your left in front of the cabinets and and not the bath/shower. Opens things up visually and you will have plenty of door swing clearance on the left unlike now when it can hit the tub/shower.
WalnutCreek Zone 7b/8a
6 years ago
Some one commented that the door needs to be changed, I disagree. That is a very nice traditional paneled door.
hsharrington
6 years ago
Hey fellow North Bay-er, WalnutCreek Zone 7b/8a! You called the door style correctly, but there's very little that's traditional about that bathroom. There's a rustic floor and a very modern and prominent sink and mirror. The current hardware and fixtures are modern in shape and finish.

The window trim is classic traditional, however, with the corner rosettes. If the rest of the house is decorated traditionally, and the other doors opening on to the same hall are like the bathroom door, then I would keep it. If the other doors in the hall are different, I would match those instead.

It's good that you drew attention to the door style since kaydeen is talking about getting cabinetry where the appliances are currently. She's going to have to take all those styles into account when she decides what the cabinets will look like.
njmomma
6 years ago
Not a Pro.

I love your floor and blue sink! I would paint your sink cabinet a dark gray and do the same with cabinetry for towels, etc.

Go white walls.

Spend the money on a great looking mirror. That would be your jewelry in the room. Add some great lighting.
kaydeen
Original Author
6 years ago
njmomma, I like your thoughts on painting the vanity Gray. I think that will help it look more rustic and less modern. now just to figure out what shade of Grey LOL! I want the room to be very fresh and Airy... I was thinking of doing white Cabinetry with open areas (in the middle or at the top) for baskets
Kendrah
6 years ago
It is really helpful to see your inspiration picture, from which you can certainly incorporate many elements.

1. Paint the vanity and walls the same color so the vanity does not take up as much visual space. It will make the room look bigger. Keep the blue vanity top. I think it can look nice with the right things surrounding it.

2. Find a paint color similar to your inspiration pic - a very pale, light grey, crisp white trim.

3. I like others' ideas of cabinets on bottom and shelves on top where washer dryer currently live. Also like idea of keeping it shallow, not so deep.

4. Get new mirror and baskets for open shelves in the same wood tone of mirror in your inspiration pic.

5. Get shower curtain and roman shade fabric that have the motif and colors of the tile wall in your inspiration pic.

Mirrors Ideas

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Pic of cabinets on bottom and open shelves on top (not suggesting yours would look at all like this one...)

Summit Bathroom · More Info

Open bathroom shelves with pretty light colored woven baskets

House in Rye · More Info
kaydeen
Original Author
6 years ago
Wow Kendrah!! brilliant, just brilliant!! :) thank you so much. I'm really excited to start working on this room. I've found two pictures that ill use as inspiration for the cabinet area
PRO
Mint Design and Development LLC
6 years ago
Please check your local Habitat for Humanity ReStore for items that will help your remodel budget. The door makes the space tight. You might consider small double doors preferably opening into the hall They will need an astragal for privacy. I think the blue lavatory can be lovely with the appropriate water and mold resistant wallpaper. The space you are making available is a good depth for bath linens but consider drawers for smaller items so you don't have to rearrange every time you need something in the back. Simple Human makes drawers which can easily be installed on shelves and hide behind doors. I would definitely hide storage with doors to avoid visual clutter and protect from moisture. Speaking of moisture, take a look at your exhaust fan. There are some very efficient and quiet fans on the market today. In addition there are products like DampDry and the little packets that come in almost everything these days that you can place inside the storage closet. If you go with floor to ceiling doors I suggest looking for mirrored ones to visually enlarge the space. Painting the vanity white (properly prepare the surface first), coordinating the lavatory with rugs, towels, a window treatment and paint or wallcovering will give you the look you want within your budget. Splurge on a natural organic diffuser and enjoy!
nosoccermom
6 years ago
I would start by removing the rugs and the washer/dryer and get a shower curtain that incorporates the browns and blues. That may already be enough.

Or, if you want to paint the vanity, I'd go with a very light gray pulled from the floor. I recently painted with General Finishes milk paint (minimal prep and suitable for indoor/outdoor use) and recommend it enthusiastically. You can mix a custom color yourself.

I'm also a big fan of the round 99.00 IKEA Stockholm mirror that is above in the pic you posted. It comes in a lighter ash and a darker walnut.

https://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/80404479/
User
6 years ago
last modified: 6 years ago
I love the blue sink, too...

I would paint the vanity white....once you get the washer and dryer out of there, it will really shine.

Floors are nice, towel rails are nice, maybe a new light fixture?

I can't wait to see progress pics!!! What a smashing little bathroom it's going to be...
oliviag55
6 years ago
it's wonderful that you can move the washer and dryer elsewhere. once that is accomplished, you will feel much better about your bath.
the floor is traditional, and quite pretty, imo.
I would do open shelves floor to ceiling in the vacated washer/ dryer area. big space on the bottom for a couple fabric hampers.
just move the rugs so they line up with each other.
you could change the door swing of the existing door. not so hard to do. the filled holes will be on the hinge side. then again, you could replace it with a better door later.
good luck. you have a much better situation to work with than many I have seen on here.
kaydeen
Original Author
6 years ago
interesting that a few of you have mentioned changing the swing of the door. I never thought that would create an impact. I'll take that into consideration once the interior is complete
Kendrah
6 years ago
I don't understand why everyone is interested in replacing the door or changing the side it hinges on. The washing machine area will be much more open feeling with new shelves and I think it will be nice to open the door to that area as it does now.

A small detail - I have the same tiny trash can you have in a few different bathrooms. It comes in white too, which will look nice in your bright new space.

Kaydeen, I do hope you will post pictures of your progress. I'm very excited to see!