Master Bathroom facelift/makeover

11 years ago

last modified: 11 years ago

I'm horrible with design ideas so I really need some help here. But I believe that a few changes and this small space could be dramatically improved. I do want to keep the cost to a bare minimum and I need help staying within my specifics stated below. Appreciate any design ideas that you can offer up.

Purpose for upgrade: I'm hoping to put my house up for sale as soon as possible. And a facelift would really help this bathroom. But again I want to keep this as low cost as possible. Spending $5000 on this bathroom will not increase the value of my home by even a fraction of that. I'd like to spend maybe $500 or less on this project.

Other facts: House built 1995, traditional midwest ranch style home, all doors and trim are oak (middle stain color, i.e. not light or dark, is medium oak color). Bathroom measures 6' from entry door to front of the shower and 4'10" wide (pretty small).

Current bathroom facts: Shower with chrome shower head and chrome shower door. The shower itself is cream/almond color. I do not want to remove the shower, or try to paint it, or otherwise (the shower and shower door will remain as is). I think that I can make the chrome door of the shower "blend" into the room if I was to change flooring, vanity, wall colors and possibly go with chrome or maybe a satin nickel faucet and light fixture. Seems like maybe a light grey paint and other proper accents might work well with the chrome shower door. Floors are 12x12 cream/light tan colored tiles (everything is light tan currently - yuck!). Master bedroom that enters into this bathroom currently has, yep you guessed it...tan carpet. After I'm done with several projects I will be getting all new carpet...something modern, but still neutral that goes well with oak trim work. My master bedroom has expresso furniture, and a nice green/greyish accent wall. Other colors in master bedroom are dark browns with subtle gold and burgandy accents for bedding.

What I am willing to do:

Vanity - oak, I'm willing to completely replace this or paint or stain it. Measures 36" wide x 21" deep. Hardware would likely need updated as well (it's currently antique bronze)

Faucet on vanity: can be replaced with whatever you think is best. Currently is antique bronze.

Vanity counter top: currently a light tan laminate. Can we replaced. I'm also open to trying to paint it using that Rust-o-leum product that I've read about. A high-end replacement like granite or anything like that wouldn't really a) fit my house, b) would be too high-end for my house, and c) would likely be a waste of money. A new counter top is certainly an option as this is somewhat of a standard size vanity and I could even likely find one on sale at any of the big box home improvement stores.

Vanity mirror - currently just a flat large square/rectangle. I think replacing this with a nice somewhat large oval, framed mirror might be nice. Thoughts?

Vanity light - is currently chrome and probably a bit lower than it should be (maybe around 4-6 inches too low). Needs updated/replaced - so depending on fixture suggestions this is yet to be determined. But if my wiriing allows for it, I will attempt to move this up a few inches because when I look into my mirror the bottom of the light is about level with my nose (I'm 6'5" tall).

Flooring - has to go! Has 1 or 2 cracked tiles as well. Any suggestions on what to put back in? Please even specify color. Again, I'm extremely design challenged:).

Window covering: is currently one of the cheapo blinds. I don't need the privacy or shade so I can do just about anything here. But I think it needs something for decoration.

What am NOT willing to change:

Oak door & trim. Unfortunately my whole house has oak doors and trim. I'm not willing to change literally all of this in my entire house (~2600 sq ft, 5 bedroom, 3 bath), therefore I do not want to change the trim in this 1 bathroom either as I don't want 1 bathroom that doesn't match the rest of my house.

Toilet - I'll remove it to change the flooring, but I plan to put the white toilet back in

Shower - no changes at all

Ideally what I'd like to hear back on is:

What flooring material, size, color, etc should I use?
Window covering - curtain? valance or full? color?
Wall/paint color (please be specific) - I'm thinking maybe a grey tone might go well with the existing/remaining chrome shower door and new Satin Nickel faucet, light and vanity hardware? If you agree, how light or dark of a grey should I use? If not, what else might look work?
Vanity - should I leave it original (oak)? or paint or stain it? if paint or stain what color? is staining a better option? I'm leaning towards staining it an expresso color. I also do NOT like the vanities with legs on the bottom (i.e. where you can see the floor under the vanity). To me that's just an area that collects dust. I also need decent amounts of storage in the vanity since the bathroom is small and doesn't have a closet or anything else. Currently the vanity has 2 doors and 3 drawers all of which get used. Also, I don't have a medicine cabinet (just a flat mirror) and I can't install a medicine cabinet either because of the plumbing within the wall behind the mirror.
Mirror - suggestions? oval? framed? other?

Did I miss anything? Also, I prefer clean & modern design...nothing crazy:).

Many thanks and I hope this is detailed enough (along with the attached photos).

Pictures:

https://www.dropbox.com/s/cozakw8699sh0lz/2015-09-23%2021.56.29.jpg?dl=0

https://www.dropbox.com/s/icitsbo826smoh6/2015-09-23%2021.56.16.jpg?dl=0

https://www.dropbox.com/s/vxtk8mdpwknubxd/2015-09-23%2021.56.02.jpg?dl=0

https://www.dropbox.com/s/wogbmyyioh7yzo3/2015-09-23%2021.55.55.jpg?dl=0

Featured Answer

bluedogdecorating

11 years ago

It sounds like you aren't in a super high-end market, so here is what I would do to get this bathroom ready to sell: take down the shower doors and put up a bronze tension pole with a simple aqua shower curtain, and take the rug off the toilet seat. While tan may not be the most trendy right now, a well staged home isn't necessarily trendy, just clean and simple. I wouldn't waste money on costly remodels like new tile or counters or even replacing the faucets, there doesn't appear to be anything wrong with them. A curtain like this would be good in your space:

http://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/store/product/tidal-shower-curtain-in-aqua-white/1043870769?categoryId=13475

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (13)

Karl Wolfman
Original Author
11 years ago
Thank you for the idea. I'll add that I paid $176k for the house 2 years ago and that houses in my neighborhood sell for around $195-240k. I think with an idea like yours or possibly a basic makeover (in a few areas of my house) and I could increase the value to $200k+.
Related Professionals
Corpus Christi Interior Designers & Decorators · Manhattan Interior Designers & Decorators · Hudson Interior Designers & Decorators · Farmington Interior Designers & Decorators · Savannah Architects & Building Designers · Rolla Architects & Building Designers · Bangor Architects & Building Designers · Newark Architects & Building Designers · Superior Architects & Building Designers · Dover Kitchen & Bathroom Designers · Hays Kitchen & Bathroom Designers · Hobbs Kitchen & Bathroom Designers · Pierre Kitchen & Bathroom Designers · Ottawa Kitchen & Bathroom Designers · Vancouver Kitchen & Bathroom Designers
havingfun
11 years ago
last modified: 11 years ago
Clean the vent system. From my system it looks dirty, paint, replace cover, actually it might be nice if you got a beige one or something like that.

You need to confirm that removing the doors will not leave costly holes in your tub or walls.

i would replace the door handle, lever handles often look more classy and are nice touch. I would do in the same color as the faucet.

Make an accent wall out of sink wall, use stick and removable wall paper, trees are very popular
Snug yet elegant powder room · More Info

Paint the accent wall. Note the mirror, very in framed mirrors
Jennifer Brouwer Design Inc · More Info

tiles, now come in peel and stick and i think you can even cut extra off so you can do a 6"-12' > backsplash, nice dark color very urban, do a different mirror though, kinda frilly, they will think you staged it.
Powder Room · More Info

use peel and stick window film, put glass shelves and basket for storage don't even need to leave behind. note how curtain would be simple fit city and draw in different color fixtures. very sophisticated despite pre 60s tile.
NYC bathroom 1 · More Info

big thing update cabinet hardware, stick to classic or modern, but match faucet, light fixture and door handle. Note glass, now they separate the toilet
mid-century modern · More Info

another pic of that separated toilet, see glass only goes to cabinet.
mid-century modern · More Info

note darkness of wood, dark woods are in. maybe you don't want to do the whole house, but how about the whole bedroom and the bathroom, not a lot of money, just time.
Master Bathroom Remodel - Rockaway NJ · More Info

note separate medicine chest and then a framed mirror. dark wood, dark blue.
Lake Ozark Remodel Project · More Info
havingfun
11 years ago
last modified: 11 years ago
ok, i would like you to have a more sophisticated shower curtain or leave the shower doors in place.

Primavera Shower Curtain · More Info

How about stick on window film-have cheap on line or at big box stores, can do window and shower with these this one is clear
Vines Privacy Window Film · More Info
Little City Privacy Window Film, Non-Adhesive, Standard 36"x48" · More Info
stained glass goes great with the beige and you can have a black or brown accent wall
City Lights · More Info
more sophisticated
Bamboo · More Info

a couple of examples of stickers you can use on the shower door and the glass in front of the toilet.
Home Decor Trees & Floral Decals - Home Tree Wall Murals · More Info

Painted Bamboo Peel and Stick Wall Decals · More Info

Peel and stick wall papers, all three are really in style right now, the second more for the darkness.
Birch Tree Peel And Stick Wallpaper · More Info

Peel and Stick Wallpaper - No Glue, No Residue, No Mess! · More Info

Peel and Stick Wallpaper - No Glue, No Residue, No Mess! · More Info
Ok, so what we have is hopefully update the cabinet, via paint or darker stain and hardware that matches sink hardware. an accent wall here with peel and stick tile, and/or peel and stick wall paper or a dark paint. A new framed mirror.

Update light fixture over sink with simpler shades, no need for new fixture, just less frilly glass can get everywhere for cheap.

Update door handle and maybe darker stain on door.

Update or paint over head fixture.

possible window film or sticker on shower door.

window film on window with glass shelves and baskets for storage.

look at floating floor if insist on new floor and possible under heating-really is pretty cheap.

Would rather see you spend money on laminate floating floor for bedroom and get rid of carpet. make sure floor is wood style.

Ok, done for now, write if you have questions.
bluedogdecorating
11 years ago
My neighborhood has very similar pricing, and b while fully remodeled homes certainly go for more, it isn't enough more to justify the cost to remodel. I think the others have some good ideas if you were staying, but particularly in the price point you are in, most buyers are looking for clean and simple, so wallpapers and window films will likely scare off more buyers than scalloped lamp glass (they won't know it is peel and stick, and see major project). My best advice is to go on zillow or realtor.com and take a look at what houses in your neighborhood that are listed for the price you want look like and try to copy that for the least money. Also consider talkingnto an agent before any major work, they can guide you to the best use of your money. I know it is very trendy to have wood floors everywhere, but carpet is still viable especially if it is brand new (case in point, house across the street went for one of the highest recent prices, was a full gut job remodel by investors, and has carpet in the bedrooms), and carpet is still much cheaper to have installed than any other flooring.
bluedogdecorating
11 years ago
Also, since it looks like you have an acrylic shower insert, when you take the doors off just fill the holes with some caulk of the same color, as long as it is a clean job no one will notice it.
havingfun
11 years ago
only 2 comments, first i would expect better of a $200,000 home. In many places this is still good money not a knock down. Second, my doors looked like that and were not acrylic?
bluedogdecorating
11 years ago
Really depends on where you are what $200k will buy, in my neighborhood you'll get a solid home in good shape but will still have a lot of original finishes (kitchens and baths for houses built in the 50s and 60s), in general you aren't going to get a fully remodeled home in my city for $200k unless it is really tiny, and we are pretty average for the country on housing and cost of living. As far as acrylic I was referring to the shower walls and floor, not the doors.
Karl Wolfman
Original Author
11 years ago
thanks for the input... I'm in Iowa and I too would expect nicer for $200k that's why I think it's necessary to at least make this bathroom look better. I know how to do all of the work myself. So for $100 I'm flooring, and maybe $300-400 for a new vanity sink/counter and paint with decorations I think that would go a long way.
havingfun
11 years ago
ok, i was just updating the bath without so much funds needed to increase possibility of more popular flooring. you have an all wood cabinet, which makes it higher quality than what you can buy for really reasonable price. I see nothing wrong with your vanity top, you could go stone, but it probably is not necessary. In iowa, I do not know if you are city or country. I suspect country would prefer frills cities have been going trimmer scaled down looks. that silly piece of glass separating the toilet, is quite inexpensive and puts you way up there on the style front. that was what I was hoping to help you accomplish. But, people have different sensibilities, so I will bow out now. Have fun!
Karl Wolfman
Original Author
11 years ago
I'm in the city. somewhat larger city for Iowa...100,000 plus. I don't know what you mean about the glass separating the toilet? can you clarify?
havingfun
11 years ago
Wednesday 10:19 pm, first set of pics, pics 5 & 6.
havingfun
11 years ago
Yes, I can not be sure about Iowan cities, but most cities tend to like cleaner, meaner lines. So, where as your fixture is fine, they might think your shades are too frilly. Everyone carries them, and it is one time being a guy comes in handy. Don't go metal, but simpler lines. Only cost about $15-$20 and 10 minutes of time. Cannot get any easier. Same with coating the shower door. The glass makes the room look larger and brighter. Actually, most real estate people say stick with white or off white in your rooms. Your cabinet is also great, if you can just make it darker, spend another $10-$15 on knobs, I got great one at lowes the other day under $2. ie:

Shop Cabinet Pulls at Lowes.com · More Info

Shop Cabinet Pulls at Lowes.com · More Info

Shop cabinet knob at Lowes.com: Search Results · More Info

Shop cabinet knob at Lowes.com: Search Results · More Info