Some questions:

Did you mean that the other three walls *do* have wallpaper? The one with the toilet paper holder looks like it has wallpaper.

Do you like the wallpaper (if that is what it is) and mirror frame?

Is your budget more like paint-and-towels or can you go a couple of hundred dollars higher for new wallpaper and perhaps some new artwork??

Holy moley, that's a lot of black tile! I would call a company like Miracle Method and have them come out and spray that wall white. Wow.

I would change the mirror to something simpler and more elegant. Then I'd definitely change the toilet paper holder to a sleek chrome one. It's probably the lighting that is really killing this bath, so I'd change it too, again to something in chrome. It looks like it has to be a single fixture above the mirror. I think that the room could use the softening influence of a sheepskin rug.

Search Black Powder Room here on houzz, there's lots of beautiful powder rooms done up in black. Right off the top changing the light fixture, mirror and wall paper could do the trick. I really don't think the black tile is the actual issue, it's everything else that's dated in the room. You'll be pleasantly surprised once you search :)

The other 3 walls look like wallpaper but are actually just painted accents. Thanks for the tips - I'll go do a search. Def will be changing out the mirror, TP holder & lighting.

Budget is tight because there is a lot of updating to do in the new house & won't be able to tackle everything at once.

I'm with "missyspear" above...your bathroom is cool. Just a few updates and it's good to go. Change the white wall...paint it a warm caramel, put a fluffy white rug on the floor as someone suggested, get a toilet paper stand, preferably in teak or white wicker. Leave the black tile! And that mirror...love it! It ties in all the other colors in the room. Find an equally funky painting to go on the other wall. Your style is cool, it just needs a little updating. Enjoy!

I kind of agree with the "black wall could be cool" assessment--while it is not something I would have chosen, I think there are ways to make it very striking. Either repaint the three other walls a solid, but light, color (white or light gray, perhaps) or wallpaper them with an interesting black and white graphic wallpaper. Love Carolyn's idea of a sheepskin rug and new, simpler mirror, chrome lights and other hardware. And maybe, if you want to bring in some color, use some tiny pops of either bright red or tangerine in your accents.

I agree with most of the other posters that making the most of the shiny black tile is the best choice. You can't minimize something with that much presence, so you might as well take advantage of it: it's got drama and glamor.
I'm going to assume the mirror is part of a recessed medicine cabinet and that the frame can be painted. Here are some ideas for working on a budget:

For $70 budget: paint the room, buy new toilet paper holder, paint the mirror frame black or white, hang some 16 x 20 inch or preferably 24 x 36 inch art from elsewhere in the house, paint the metal of the light fixture black or any silvery metallic color.

For $50 more, hang a 24 x 36 inch black and white poster of a classic movie star ($25) in a black wood frame (25). Small is ineffective. Large is good. Think movie poster- they are designed for maximum impact.

For $200 more, replace the medicine cabinet with something glamorous.

For $100 more, replace the lighting fixture.

This will be a fun bathroom that you'll enjoy using.

Is this the "company" bath for guests mostly? If so, it needs the drama and the only issue I have with the black is the possibililty that it "eats up" the light, so you can't see your reflection in the mirror very well. If that is not happening, paint the other three walls and light shade of a color you love, update the lighting and mirror, add some new towels, rug and a wow piece of art and you're done!

This is the only bath on the main floor so it will be used by everyone (guests & family) regularly.

Apple_pie_order - Thanks! I really like the idea of some really large b&w art. I have some great pics from Rome that will look nice blown up. Would you put art over the toilet or on the opposite wall?

Also I think the mirror is just a framed hanging mirror - would something like the attached pic look good in white - or be too much? That one is from Ikea so it would be a relatively cheap addition.

I would post another hot of the room but we don't close for another 45 days.

On a tight budget you can only do so much.... It also depends om what kind of style you like. For a more contemporary look I think you should paint the walls white, change fixture and toiletpaper holder into chrome ones. A updated mirror in a silver frame would look so much better. Accent the bathroom with turquoise details, towels and rug. It will look fresh and modern yet inexpensive.

A black and white bath can be quite attractive and dramatic. Start your update with matching chrome or polished nickel hardware as I see a mismatched mixture of shiny brass and chrome. You might also consider replacing the plastic "crystal" type taps. I agree that a simple mirror and new light fixture are needed. Remove the wallpaper and hang some black and white art.

Hi---change all the gold to chrome or brushed nickel (spray it with Krylon Chrome paint if you can't afford new)---A frameless mirror-hung horizontal-nearly expanding from wall to wall. Paint walls an icy plum color such as SW 6263 Exclusive Plum... Amber accents. :)
[houzz=][houzz=][houzz=]

There's a photo of a white painted Ikea mirror made from the frilly black one pictured above at
http://www.ourcraftyhome.info/gallery/ikea-mirror/

I like the silver edged round Songe Ikea mirror for $49.99:
http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/80178419/

If it were my bathroom, I'd put the art on the wall opposite the toilet. Hanging things on ceramic tile is a pain: if they are heavy, you have to drill holes in the tile or the grout. The Rome photos blown up sound perfect. Instead of a basket of magazines, I'd put a travel guide to Rome. When you are bored with that, change to some other travel guide to Paris, London, whatever. There are always travel guides at local library sales. There are toilet paper holders with racks for magazines, by the way.

I'll leave the magazine rack out of the bathroom. I don't want my guests to get THAT comfortable in there :-)

I like that silver Ikea mirror!

I like all the suggestions but am still wondering if it would just be better to just find the little bit extra $ to rip out the tile & sheetrock it (we can do that ourselves).

I wouldn't rip it out. Why spend the extra money . Paint it stark white. Replace the mirror, and toilet paper holder. Add a picture. New bathroom. $150.

i agree about the black tiles- but i have seen it look good but the white walls would have to go..i like the idea of spray painting them white too, because unless you are feeling bold and can go the whole way...
i hate the mirror and would toss it quick whatever way i go
and magazines next to toilet just send a shiver ....