I agree, talk to your landlord. There are some examples of dark dramatic walls with beige fixtures here on Houzz but you can't do anything without the owner's permission anyway. And generally I wouldn't recommending sinking too much of your own money into updating a rental home.

I have always liked khaki and black or navy as a colour scheme and that's no different from almond and black/navy!

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Pictures please?

First do a thorough cleaning. Everything. Lights, walls, grout, cabinets fronts, hardware, etc. Then add art and cute (machine washable) rugs.

I guess... turn off the light when you go to bed?

Okay, more seriously, if you can show us some photos there may be some suggestions you can consider to implement. Even the right shower curtain and window curtain (if there is a window) and a rug can go miles.

Thanks everyone, I added photos. Seems like the landlord will probably be OK if I paint. Definitely some hyperbole on my end, but I am in a dilemma about what to do with this space and appreciate your suggestions.

Well, the right shower curtain can be left closed to eliminate the view of the tub, and some rugs can cover most of the floor. Just those two things, plus some great towels and art might make it sleepable for you!

I'm a landlady & if a new tenant asked me to renovate my bathroom, they'd get a big eye-roll... especially if the rent reflected a dated bathroom. I'd wonder why they rented the apt in the first place. That said, if i liked them & they were really good tenants, I'd probably be okay with new, DIY neutral paint & other small updates & I'd take it off their rent. That said - the bathroom in my rental is nicer than the one in my new house--go figure.

It's a RENTAL not a forever home. If it is clean and everything works, the color is not going to affect taking a bath and brushing your teeth and what ever else!

Get a cute shower curtain, nice towels and a rug. Put a picture on the wall and yes turn out the light at night.

A great “foil” color for the fixtures is B.M. Squirrel Tail. It will take over the room, and that is what you want to happen. Landlord said “yes” to painting, then go ahead.

No need for Zoloft.

Replace lightbulbs with the new LED Warm Light.

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If I were the landlord, I would not be on board with a dark color. Too taste-specific, too hard to paint over. A mid-tone neutral might fly.

If you want to go dark--and I agree with lindsey that black would look great with beige/bisque/almond fixtures--look to do it with rugs, towel, and shower curtains.

You could also look a changing out the light bulbs for something with a higher color temperature. It can make a dramatic difference in how colors look.

-look to do it with rugs, towel, and shower curtains. That doesn't affect your landlords bottom line. You like black paint on the walls, but the next tenant doesn't (and I would HATE it) and he is stuck with a color that is very hard to get rid of.

Landlord said “yes” to painting. If landlord has an issue at the end of your lease, then repaint the room in that obnoxious color he provided you.

Leave the rental immaculate. Next tenant is his problem, not yours.

Love that curtain Judy!

Sherry, what's snowflakey about wanting to have your personal living space go up an extra notch? Especially if you can do it within bounds set by your landlord?

I like the squirrel tail and shower curtain suggestions. If the landlord is good with you painting that color, it seems like a nice update for a reasonable amount of money and time.

Nope, I am not rude. she asked for advice and I gave my opinion. I think she should decorate with what she has. She DOES NOT own the place. If she did my opinion would be different. The landlord OWNS the place. She just someone passing through.

You know, some people are renters for a long, long time. I own rentals and am delighted when a renter proposes to improve the place and happy to pay for some of the materials and/or work. At least it shows that they care about their home and don't destroy it.

Also, I don't know where you are, but in some areas, buying is pretty much out of the question.

Back to the topic, I even think if you use a color that is not white, pastel or gray, preferably a dark color, the beige may not even be noticeable.

Check this out: https://www.gardenweb.com/discussions/5228931/paint-color-suggestions-for-my-dated-beige-almond-bathroom?n=46

Mel, how long do you plan on staying in the place? years? then spend a few hundred and get a diff vanity. (of course w/landlords approval. maybe she'll go half w/you) Look on craigslist for some great deals. anything is better than what's there.

Now you can paint and a shower curtain, new lights, some art, towels,,,you can do it less for 500 if you know how to shop and diy. but if you're moving out in less than a year, I wouldn't bother unless I got the stuff for next to nothing.

maybe this will help w/ideas

https://www.apartmenttherapy.com/20-reversible-ideas-to-overhaul-your-rental-bathroom-asap-245581

Yep, just what I said. She does not own the place. She talks to the landlord. What they want goes.

Painting the walls in a tone such as the one JudyG suggested and adding towels in a tone anywhere from royal blue to black will make a big difference.

If you've never used dark towels before, beware! Wash and dry them several times before use (separate from any colours that are lighter than them, of course) or you and your bathroom will be covered in dark fuzz!

Check out BM Kendall Charcoal or a lighter gray. Best starting point would be a shower curtain that combines some beige and other colors, one of which to pick for your wall color.

Those 80s/90s oak trim cabinets may suggest a less glamorous approach.

Society6 has all kinds of art work on shower curtains, incl. matching bath mats, towels, etc. https://society6.com/shower-curtains

You could always look for sticky contact paper to cover the cabinet or the temporary wallpaper options for the walls that are super popular!