Budget Bathroom Makeover

Let's just start out with a couple of before and after photos!

Before: Weird yellow tan? paint on walls which made the bathroom look dirty!

After: Bright, crisp colors that make the bathroom look and feel cleaner and happier!

The first thing I did for my bathroom makeover was to clean everything really well!

I mopped the floors, wiped down the cabinet and countertop, cleaned the toilet, shower, and bathtub.

I had some left over turquoise paint after painting my bedroom, so that is what I used for the bathroom. It is actually a mix of a couple of colors from Sherwin Williams. I love how bright and clean it looks in contrast to the bright white trim paint!

I wanted some shelves over the toilet to add extra storage and take up some unused space. I also wanted hooks to hang towels on instead of a towel bar, because I think it looks better, and I don't have to worry about constantly straightening the towels!

For the floating shelves above the toilet I measured the width and depth between the walls and cut some 1x4 pine boards to size. I used a stud finder to locate the studs in the walls and then used wood screws to fasten the base to the walls. I used a level to make sure everything was straight. For the base I used cheaper pine than for the front apron ( as you can see some knots and gaps if you look under the shelves-you can't tell from a standing point of view though ; )

For the top of the shelves I used a straighter? piece of 1/2in x 10in x 8ft pine board and cut to size. I attached another straighter? nicer piece of 1x4 pine board to the edge of the shelf top to create an apron and hide the frame, by using finish nails. I counter-sank them and filled in the holes with wood filler, sanded, and painted everything bright white like the trim. I simply sat the top of the shelf onto the frame and voila! floating shelves!

To add a little bit more character to the silver hooks I bought at home depot, I used a straight 1x4 pine board and attached to the studs in the walls. I painted it the bright white like the trim as well. Then I just screwed the hooks on to the board.

Yes, I PAINTED my grout! I wanted to use something that was cheap, non-toxic, and zero VOC's...so I used ACRYLIC craft paint! It was a bit time consuming, but it has actually held up really well! I painted the grout about 6 months or so ago, and I bought a sealer but never even used it, as the actual acrylic has held up so well!

We purchased a new toilet from Lowes to replace our old one. It is an American Standard water saving toilet, which is "un-cloggable" supposedly. Haha! it does a good job though. It has two flush options on the top of the toilet. Lowes installed the toilet for us : )

The fun part was decorating! I hung a shelf above the bathtub and added a picture that I painted, as well as a few candles and some starfish. For the shelves above the toilet I change things up periodically. I started out with a few vases, and picture frames. The great part is that you can put up whatever you want---plants, baskets, pictures...etc. Right now I like to keep a basket with extra toilet paper, feminine items, room spray etc.

For the bathroom counter I like to keep another small basket with some rolled up washcloths, fancy soap and toiletries. I also added a blue beach-y vase with a large palm leaf on the counter to bring some life into the space.

I hung a towel ring on the wall, as we didn't really have one before...and again I like the ring because it is easier to keep towels looking "neat" rather than on a bar.

I hung a frame with 3 photos (that are actually postcards) that my husband and I got from the Virgin Islands.

We have never had luck with toilet paper holders on the wall...they always seem to fall off, so I ordered an over the toilet, toilet paper holder from Amazon for $10, and it works so much better!