How much are you planning to spend?

What bothers you most?

I think a hint of tint in the wall paint would liven the place up -- it's a bit too close to the counters right now.

If I were trying to minimize changes for maximum, I guess I'd get nicer faucets first, then maybe more modern lights. It sounds like you hate the blinds; if you don't need them for privacy, why not just go without? Then find a couple of spots to hang some art to bring in color...

My budget is $500 give or take. I have lots of beautiful thick towels - but they are all white. I am most bothered by the light fixtures and blinds. I just spent about 10 hours and $100 painting the bathroom. Ugh. It used to be White Sand. Only room for light fixtures is 12" above existing mirror. Looking forward to hearing from you all!

changing lights and faucets, If you have a little extra, changing vanity top and using undermount sinks will make it look way more sophisticated, There are level 1 granite and quartz, for a vanity you can also find remnant pieces which also allows you to keep your project on budget.

She has undermount sinks...

Do you like any of the lights above?

Have you thought about just removing the blinds?

A good way to generate more input is to respond to the input you do get.

For $500 take the mirror down and replace it with two individual mirrors.

Then add 3 sconce lights instead of the over-the-mirror light. One in the middle and one on each end of both mirrors.

If you decide you might want to do more then replace the counter top and get new under-mount sinks and new faucets. I like the spread faucets with 3 holes drilled because they're so much easier to keep clean.

Here's an idea of how some of those elements might look.

mirrors

A big rug like this indoor/outdoor rug would give your bath some color since everything else is white. Break up the expanse of tile right in front of the vanity.

I like the idea is two separate mirrors and 3 sconces. I did that at my last house. Are you envisioning black framed mirrors? I also like the idea if an area rug a lot. Faucet replacements are pricey. Are the faucets the worst thing going on in this room? For light fixtures, I was picturing something that was square or rectangular to mimic my cabinet knobs? Not recommended?

Leveled, where did you find the you suggested?

I meant Lee Lee not leveled :)

knobs aren't a strong enough design presence to direct other choices.

faucets are not the worst thing if you don't mind them -- I just get daily happiness from sharp faucet fixtures. the mirror + sconce idea is a good one, and the rest can wait.

For light, yet very strong change, just do the lights, knobs and I would remove that mirror and place 2 verticals . Maybe 2 nice frames on that wall on the right

I would suggest some fresh paint as well. Perhaps a brighter color

Go buy a can of frost spray paint for the window and you can get rid of the window treatment. I'd sand down the vanity and paint it a dark grey (if that is the color of your grout). Replace the big mirror with two smaller mirrors. If you really are trying to save money, than I'd just replace each light with longer vanity lights.

Thank you all. Sabrina Alfin Interiors and TJ. You both recommended that I paint the vanity a dark color. I like that idea. What finish? Is chalk paint an option - I heard that you don't need to sand with that. I bought an area rug at Home Goods earlier today. See below. Yes? No?

What does everyone think about this light fixture. It is part of the same line as my towel hooks from Pottery Barn.

Maybe the rug is too old-fashioned?

I've never used chalk paint, so I would defer to someone who has. My advice would be to use a semi-gloss or even a full gloss finish; easier to wipe down. I know sanding is a pain, but the finish will look smoother and more finished if you take the time to do it. Make sure you also get wood filler to fill the holes and seams.

there were 3 bloggers who all did a bathroom make over challenge with builder grade bathrooms. they had to do it for under 1k. the results were amazing, especially this blogger:

http://eastcoastcreativeblog.com/2015/09/bathroom-makeover-blogger-vs-builder-grade.html

so if you could scrape together a few hundred more, you could possibly get some ideas and tackle what they've done. or mix and match from the three.

http://www.themakerista.com/a-blogger-vs-builder-grade-bathroom/

https://www.lowes.com/projects/bed-and-bath/bath-blogger-amber-main/article

Both the mirror & vanity bother me the most. I agree with painting the vanity, frame the mirror & if $ left over put it towards new light fixtures & faucets down the road. Good luck!

Wow- the 3 before and after photos are amazing. Thank you!

You can gel stain the cabinets with minimal prep work. See Pinterest for the technique. This would give you a darker color.

The cabinet knobs being square is so subtle that mimicking them would possibly be lost.

The mirrors I posted were more of a bronze. I thought they worked with the maple cabinets.

There are so many nice looking sconces.

You're right, faucets can be expensive. I never recommend people spend more than they're comfortable with. You can do things in stages or you can forego the remodel and save for the whole project.

Everything doesn't need to match. You can mix metals and your crystal knobs with other finishes. Really looks more interesting.

You'll pay extra for the Pottery Barn sconces just for the name. Look on line and in stores and you can find sconces for less without sacrificing quality.

try LampsPlusOpenBox. some great deals on lights.

You have a nice spacious bathroom.....and the white will accept any color design you choose and white is very popular right now! I would change out the lights, hang large empty picture frames over the mirrors so it looks like two twin mirrors, and then decide on a color to to use in the bathroom and go with it....Oh, and if you hate the blinds, then find some sort of window treatment you love, Roman shades, woven roman wood blinds, shutters, sun shades, etc. Good luck you have a lot of space.

Thank you all for your input and pictures. Very helpful.

Checking out gel paint tomorrow...thinking of dark grey.

gel paint? or stain? i please read up on how to do it properly. it's quite a bit of work. if going to a gray stain, you have to strip off that current stain and get it to raw wood. you would be better off doing a gray paint.

How about a bamboo Roman shade at the window? If you don't want to replace the mirror, you can frame it. Since you like your crystal knobs, get lights that continue the vintage theme, but with a modern twist. These are from Lowes. Hey- don't be snobby....when you are on a budget the "big box" stores are great!

As for things on the vanity, a pretty soap dish or bottle with colors you enjoy would be nice. Some art on the wall to the right. Maybe a plant in the middle between the sinks.

Beth - I will do some research on gel stain before I head out to paint store! Thank you. Jenwen, I really like the first light fixture you sent me. Thank you.

A few weeks later, gel-painted cabinet ($65), new lighting ($270), and a curtain (which I made myself at a cost of $3). Next, artwork and area rugs. Suggestions?

Thanks for sharing your updates. Looks nice.

Light aqua? Light blue?

Thank you. I'll post with those additions later this week. I'm also leaning toward those light colors.

You should really take the advice of doing double mirrors. It would make this look so much better!

If you're not up to changing the mirror completely, maybe get a Wood Frame around it, that would make a big difference!

I like your updates!

Look at mirrormate.com for frames to use with your existing mirror which would look like the image above from interiordesignme.

Find a rug to compliment the room(s) that approach the bathroom. And art.

Pull a color from the art/rug and get a couple of hand towels to coordinate.

Sherie2e. Thank You! Would you recommend that a mirror frame be painted the same gray as the vanity?

Jean: I would paint it the same.

Have a look at Mirror Mate. I read about these frames here, and wound up putting frames on all three bathroom mirrors. Inexpensive and a huge improvement.

Has anyone ever removed a huge mirror like the one I have? Do I have to break it to get it off the wall? How are they typically affixed? Glued? There isn't room for a mirror mate. There is only 1" clearance from the existing mirror to the glass of the light fixture.

If you find clips with screws, the mirror may not be glued. I know mine is not glued, because I can slide it a little left to right.

If it is glued, removing is a bit of a process, you can google it. You may be left with a wall that needs repairs.

I installed the lowest profile mirror mate frame in my master bath due to small clearance. Pemaquid slim has a 3/4" depth. You remove the bulb&glass before installation, and then replace after. I was afraid it wouldn't fit, so I ordered a sample and was able to test out the clearance before I ordered the full frame.

You have room. Just put the mirror-mate trim further onto the mirror itself when u attach it. And I would paint it the same as vanity so it looks like one unit. I love what you have done so far. Looks so much better! One little thing ? Love the idea of the silver tray but it's a little too big and its crowding it's spot :) way to go! For artwork? Head to Z Gallerie. They have loads of cool bigger pieces to fill your white wall and warm it up. Or for no $? Take a walk through your house and "shop". You just might find a treasure!

Ok, thank you for your advice. I work slowly, but will post some changes soon.