If budget is a necessity then there are ideological methods in which you can improve the bathroom. One of the best ways to brighten and liven up the room is simply by adding a mixture of warm and attractive colors of paint.

Yes - paint... like my subject line mentioned. I don't consider paint an "ideological method" of changing a room however. You must be a spammer?

I think because the bath doesn't have any natural light I would go lighter on the ceiling. I like the colors that play with the taupey aspects of Revere. Take a look Lancaster Whitewash, if that turns to cool, maybe Elmira White.
I would paint out the trim and the door in Revere. They aren't special.
I would actually love to see the vanity painted something rich and dark. Maybe Greenbrook, or Copley Gray.
While framing out the mirror will look awesome, I feel like your bathroom would look great with a little sparkle. I would love to see that wall in a glass mosaic tile with a smaller mirror. Or maybe you can cover the frame of the mirror with mother of pearl tile?

DIY instructions for bathroom mirror with tiled frame are at the link below.

Of course, I was a lot lazier and glued glass tiles directly on my mirror, like this blogger did:

Instructions are here (Note: This is not my blog or bathroom):
http://savedbysuzy.blogspot.com/2011/10/tile-mirror-tutorial.html

Here is a link that might be useful: mosaic tile bathroom mirror

Have you thought of doing a very very faint blue on the ceiling (maybe something like BM constellation)? You could do the rather convetional rp at 25%? I have no window in my hall bath but layered lighting and actually ended up painting the walls and ceiling all the same color and loved the simpleness... Oh and o another thread of RP and ceiling color I think someone maybe brownwynsmom suggested a slight peach color like sw organzia or something.... I'm not sure I'd want an off white with peach in a bathroom not sure how it would play when applying makeup.. But I do see how that color could work....

Yep, the bathroom definitely needs a makeover!

I would strongly consider changing out the light fixture. I've gotten some decent lights at Lowe's, for a reasonable price.

Years ago, my Mom offered to visit for a weekend to help me paint our bathroom. I asked DH what color family we should use, and he said "First that counter has to go!" He was right, unfortunately, but after looking at it for 15 years, it had become invisible. We ended up changing the vanity, sink, faucet, as well as paint (walls and ceiling) and light fixture (and then shower curtain, towels, and accessories). I love the way it turned out, even though it turned into a much more expensive project than a $50 can of paint.

Well I do plan a more extensive makeover next year or the year after with vanity and countertop replacement and probably floor, and tile backsplash...but I just can't stand looking at this "1980 rental apartment" bathroom every morning for an indefinite period!

Thanks for the tile frame idea that's great! It would not take a lot if tile and could really dress things up!

Yes I think the light fixture has got to go- but with what? I have never picked light fixtures before and don't know where to start- it is the only source of light and the shower is on the other side of the room so it needs to throw some light up to the ceiling as well as down. I thought of building some kind of soffit like shade in front of it and then using brighter bulbs... Does that sound crazy?

So what about several shades lighter of revere pewter for ceiling or should I just go white? Maybe a darker color in the same taupey grey family for the ugly vanity... And I'll add hardware to dress it up.

This post was edited by tinan on Tue, Jul 16, 13 at 12:26

I am not sure how i feel about a blue ceiling - I love blue and the master bedroom is wedgewood gray (more blue than gray) but with these pinky undertones in the faux travertine floor, I didn't want to go with blues.

I could really use some guidance on what type of light fixture to look for...

I recently did a mini makeover in my small bathroom which also has no natural light. I painted the walls a very light grayish color (wish I could remember the name) and painted the vanity in a khaki color. I replaced the mirror and added a new light fixture. I also replaced the faucet with one I happened to have that I never used (for another bathroom). We did tile the floors but they seem to be similar to your color floors. It turned out quite nice compared to how it looked before. This image doesn't really show the faint gray of the walls but I thought I would post it anyway.

I just found this photo on a blog. She was unsure of the color on the walls but I love it! I think it could look really good in your bath!

I think I'll go with the Revere Pewter walls and a lighter version for the ceiling, and then a darker but same family for the vanity.

Now I need to choose a light fixture - I'll start a new thread!

Consider painting the vanity black and adding cool handles. When you're ready for a light fixture, find something black. Sometimes staying w/everything in the same color value can be boring. Your gray walls/tan tile floors with some black thrown in could look a bit more dramatic. ;o)

Don't stress a out light in the shower. I don't have any either. A simple cheap solution is the LED disk lights at Lowe's that stick to the ceiling. You tap them on when you need them and they run on AA batteries. Can't remember the exact name but they are by Utilitech and cost around $11 for 2 small lights. Not glamorous but will get the job done. They would hold you over until the big remodel and make things like shaving much easier.

Our bath (which is about 5x10; I was mistaken on the other thread) has 1950s peachy tan floor tile, toilet and tub, with rusty brown tile countertop. We did the vanity and woodwork in a creamy white and the walls in RH Silver Sage. The palette feels kind of beachy to me.