If you don't change the tile I don't see the point in trying to change the wall color. What is there is a good match for the tile. The vanity top isn't great, but I don't think a white-white would be an improvement because the tile is a very warm color. The white toilet really stands out - not in a good way. You could always look at remnants in slab yards to see if there is something else you would like better for a vanity top. There may be something available in a big box store off the shelf that would work if the vanity is a standard size. I think the wood vanity works with the tile. Since this is the only bathroom I would just leave it alone as any change is going to be quite disruptive, and without changing the tile, not a big change.

Since this is not an ordinary 1970s tract house with the typical small bath, drywall walls and nothing really specific to the 1970s except colored tile or fixtures, I would encourage you to just embrace it. I don't really like the word "dated" at all. That's like getting on a hamster wheel of trying to keep up with something. This bathroom is dark because it has one small window. The paneling does make it a darker environment as well, but you could paint the entire thing white and it still would not be a "bright" bathroom. A clear glass shower door or screen would be better than a shower curtain in that regard. The pale blue is a decent shade of blue, it's not avocado or bubblegum pink or one of the yellows that would not look good with this wood. The blue fixtures are are all intact as a set, and they appear to be in good condition as well as the tile. You could probably find a decent color match for a new toilet seat here: https://www.toiletseats.com/p/bemis-color_matched-blue-toilet-seats/ If the vanity doors are water damaged, you could refinish them or paint the vanity white or a version of the light blue. This is not a bathroom that somebody would typically design today, that's understood. But the house appears to probably have a wood beamed ceiling with exposed sheathing and wood paneling throughout, since it is included in the bathroom. In my opinion nothing could look worse than trying to update this bathroom to typical 2020s fashion because it won't fit well in the context of the house. If this were a typical 1970s drywall box it would be a different story, but you've got a lot of character/architecture going on in there. Frank Lloyd Wright often had wood in his bathroom. Yes I know your house does not have a FLW pedigree, it's not a museum, but he inspired later architects to use more natural materials inside the house. Yes, most of his bathrooms are also dark.

Agree with the above. I'd also consider: - A shower curtain with pretty color, pattern and texture. Add colorful mats. Downsize from the large mat currently in front of your shower; when it takes up the whole space, it looks cramped. - I don't see any place to hang towels. Looks like above the toilet is the only option? This might knock out the plant on your toilet tank, which is too bad because every room looks better with some greenery. Perhaps you could hang a plant kinda between the toilet and the vanity? - If you replace the vanity, definitely choose something with drawer storage. - A paint job is in order -- looks like something messy around the shower-ceiling? While you're doing this, crown molding would really elevate the room. - That square light over the shower is doing nothing for the room. - Yes to replacing the current window blinds. If privacy is an issue (and the blinds suggest that it is), maybe cover the window with a film that'd obscure the view while allowing light in.

OK - I think I need to clarify some things... I live in Australia - the rise in interest rates has added $1000+/month to my mortgage for the last two years, the dream house is a pipe dream right now. Like I'm talking at least 10 years off, if ever. I want my house to be a place I'm happy to inhabit for the foreseeable future. I have ONE bathroom, the toilet is in a separate room. The house would be unlivable without this set-up because I have a housemate. The bathroom is also used by any guests that come over, because there is only one, so it's not a "private area". I can't remove the border tiles - they were installed before the vanity/shower/bath, so I can't remove any tiles without demo-ing the entire bathroom. My taste has barely changed in the last 20 years, it evolves slightly and gradually, and I update accessories, etc as time goes by, but I'm comfortable with what I like and I'm not worried I'm going to regret it. I would prefer to stick with chrome hardware throughout the house, as this is the colour of the door handles and kitchen hardware - but I am open to recommendations for style for faucet/taps/vanity handles. NO WHITE PAINT anywhere. I don't like white paint, never have, it feels sterile and like it belongs in a hospital. My vibe is eclectic, personal and a mix of eras (mostly 60s-80s). I like to mix old with new, most of my stuff is thrifted/second hand, etc - but sometimes I buy new pieces that speak to me and I enjoy the mix. Thank you to @la_la Girl and @Kendrah - I don't mind the idea of a deeper colour paint, but probably not green, as the tiles have a greyish/blue tone in them and I think green might just be introducing another disparate element. I am going to use green elsewhere in the house though, and I'll check out that colour you recommended, it's gorgeous. I also like the idea of a bamboo shade - but not sure it fits the inspo... I would love some advice based on my inspo pictures, I think I agree with you @Kendrah that inspo #2 is probably a better way to go, adding more pink might just end up making the whole situation a bit sickly. So let's stick with this is as the inspo: Any advice on how to achieve this look, on a tight budget, working within the parameters of my existing bathroom, would be much appreciated. For reference: My bedroom is still very much a WIP, but this is my current plan (I already own all the furniture and most of the art/accessories - just need to paint and source lighting and a rug really):