First thing for me would be to do the flooring. First thing that popped in my mind is a penny round in a fun color (since you mentioned a creative type workspace) and then it doesn't have to be much more than some artwork, upgrading the hardware etc...

Are you thinking of tiling the walls?
Inexpensive subway tile in a larger format to be a bit more contemporary and you can also go with a non traditional grout color. Dark gray if you want a more industrial feel with some cool lighting with edison bulbs and new hardware. Or a more vibrant color for a more artsy type look.

so many options, this is truly a blank canvas and it isn't so bad....

1.Paint walls a deeper, warm color.
2. Add some art work to walls-try HG,TJ's, etc.
3. Move glass shelf to wall above toilet.
4. Go to thrift store/CL and find a small dresser, vanity or chest of drawers to keep supplies in and add some interest. Maybe a nice tray on top with paper guest towels. (the cloth towels would bother me if this is an office or place of business).

I'd also recommend changing the mirror to something more decorative. (You can find a lot of gorgeous ones for under $200)

Here's one that may look nice.

Here is a link that might be useful: Mirror in picture

Why is there a towel bar in a public restroom??

It might not be a "public" bathroom, but in many locales even a "private" bathroom within a public building has to meet current guidelines for universal access. Thus the grab bars and the large footprint. That's also why the have the sort of mirror that they have. It's generally not necessary to have a mirror specific to ADA/Universal Access, but if that is the guidelines you are trying to meet, it's easier to just pick one that's "approved".

Where I live even new construction bathrooms ensuite with an individual's office need to be compliant. The owner of my practice had a "coat closet" plumbed as a private powder room and converted it after inspection, because the reality of it is if he were disabled enough to need such a bathroom he would not be able to work and would not be using the office--so he didn't want to devote the real estate in an expensive office space to it.

Maybe have people brainstorm and vote on some kind of theme and then have everyone contribute a photo, or an object of some sort, related to the theme, that can be hung on the walls?

At DH's office they had a photo contest and had the winning photos printed up and hung in the office--it started conversations with co-workers about the photos and warmed up relationships. People really liked it.

This post was edited by hoovb on Wed, Feb 4, 15 at 18:15

I would get rid of the rug around the commode, icky icky. And replace the towel bar and towels with a paper dispenser. Move it over by the sink, if possible.

I'd consider a pretty color that everyone can agree on and some large, colorful art.....even framed posters.

Agree about the towel bar and towels (in flu season? And who is laundering those by the way?). My office has one of the no-touch paper towel dispensers where you wave your hand in front and the paper towel automatically rolls down. We all love it. Before, we had those tri-fold paper towels you see in public bathrooms. Lots of waste because you would grab one, and a huge handful would come out, and they were strewn around. Sometimes a bunch of the tri-fold paper towels were wet from someone with wet hands pulling on them. The no-touch auto dispenser is much better and more sanitary since you are waving your hand in front of it, rather than touching it. I would try to get a no-touch faucet too (our office bathroom has those too, and not only is it more sanitary, it has cut down on wasted water).

I'll link a residential no-touch paper towel dispenser, but there are commercial ones too that likely have more capacity.

Also, I tam thinking of my hairdresser's who re-did their public bathroom on a budget, but had to be fashion-forward cause they're a hair salon, and the hair stylists are young and cool. They installed a bright white subway tile that goes from the floor to halfway up the wall - they found it inexpensively. It really changed the look of the bathroom, and brightened it up a lot. They also changed the floor to a wood-look tile which you would think would be expensive, but they found some remnant amount at a tile store for cheap (small bathroom means they didn't need much). Added a pretty sconce light - you'd be amazed at what's available on Overstock or other websites in the way of sconces for not a lot of money. Pedestal sink. Nifty garbage can from The Container Store. Paint job. Voila - a spruced up bathroom that was not expensive to do.

Here is a link that might be useful: No-Touch Paper Towel Dispenser (residential)

This post was edited by Mrs_Nyefnyef on Wed, Feb 4, 15 at 21:52

I like lizabeth's ideas. Inexpensive! And DIY. I really do think putting some color on walls will show an immediate improvement.

Agree with Lisbeth as well. Keep the floor unless it is falling apart and needs replacing. I'd go for colors to pull the floor in better. The current wall paint with the floor is terrible. I like the mirror. I like the grab bar style. I think the stuff over to the right of the sink is disjointed. Furniture for storage and to provide a drop zone would be great. The TP holder might be better pulled forward from where it is currently. But only (IMHO) if you can mount it onto a stud or blocking. One think I hate are fixtures falling off because they are only mounted on drywall. there is not strength in drywall for fixtures that get pulled and bumped.

Design a mosaic mural and execute it in 1" glass tiles. Set it up in Photoshop so you have 1" squares with 1/16th grout lines between. It will take some time but it doesn't have to be super elaborate or cover the whole wall. Good creative project for your team and fun for any client who might see it. If you want to speed it up do something in 4" tiles.

AND... PUT the toilet seat down! (Or get a seat without a lid.)

I'd find some fabulous and/or fun wallpaper (depending on the nature of your business). I think you could completely change the whole thing for just the cost of paper and the time (or $) to hang it.

{{gwi:2144135}}

[Traditional Bathroom[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/traditional-bathroom-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_712~s_2107) by Lake Mary Interior Designers & Decorators Angela Gutekunst Interiors, Inc.

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[Contemporary Bathroom[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/contemporary-bathroom-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_712~s_2103) by St. John's Photographers Becki Peckham

{{gwi:2144137}}

[Beach Style Bathroom[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/beach-style-bathroom-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_712~s_2110) by Philadelphia Architects & Building Designers Sandvold Blanda Architecture + Interiors LLC

I don't think this is paper, but since you are a creative group this might be a fun way to go..

{{gwi:2144138}}

[Contemporary Powder Room[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/contemporary-powder-room-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_713~s_2103) by San Anselmo Interior Designers & Decorators Ann Lowengart Interiors

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[Modern Bathroom[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/modern-bathroom-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_712~s_2105) by Boston Interior Designers & Decorators Melissa Miranda Interior Design

What is your budget?

The cheapest quick fix will be paint. I'd choose a bold color, maybe a dark gray or a dark cornflower blue. Agree with everyone that you must get rid of the towel rack! Towels in a public restroom are a no-no!

lizbeth's suggestions are spot on! Get an antique/shabby chic washstand or cabinet (maybe industrial chic depending on your office aesthetic) and put some paper towels in a tray on it. Hide the toilet brush, toilet paper, extra paper towels, cleaning products inside the cabinet!

Get rid of the rug! Can you paint the floor with floor paint? Probably cheaper than replacing it. Perhaps you can use a diagonal check pattern with black paint only. You'll need something durable and washable.

Pick up some wall art. Cheap wood frames are available at Ikea or online. Even some framed posters will be nice. I like antiques, so poke around antiques stores, thrift shops, goodwill. You can find some amazing stuff for almost no $$. At costco you can blow up photos for very little money. They sell photos on canvas that can be nice, and are inexpensive.

Ikea might have a sink base that will fit your sink. The bottom of the sink is ugly, so if you have carpentry skills, you might be able to retrofit an antique dresser under the sink that will cover up all that plumbing.

Add a couple fresh flowers in a small funky vase on the shelf. Change them a couple times a week. Amazing how fresh flowers can perk up a any room.

This wouldn't cost much, and certainly would dress it up.

Or, if you don't like the thick rope trim, you could thin it down using 1/2" "sizzle strip" tiles