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jennifer_persaud38

Bathroom Update Without Full Reno

8 years ago

Hey Guys! I'm back again with another design dilemna...


Below are some pics of my bathroom (one standing near the jacuzzi, another standing near the sauna/shower/toilet, one of the sinks in the middle).

There is green marble (which I'm not a fan of) and formica cabinets. Being that I just moved into the house, I don't have the money right now to invest in a renovation project or do much to this bathroom for a year or two (I already know what I'm doing with it more or less). In the mean time, what are some budget friendly options for sprucing up this bathroom and downplay the darkness of the green marble.


A few ideas:

-Change the wallpaper (it's very old and somewhat dirty but has a nice character - I have included a close up)

-Possible reface just the cabinets with frosted glass (is this possible? would it look good? Is this budget friendly?)

-Add accessories to liven it up (bath mat, items on counter, pictures on walls)


Any simple changes or ideas to make the bathroom look more alive and modern would be very helpful...






Thank you in advance!

Comments (42)

  • 8 years ago
    last modified: 8 years ago

    It's already quite period now. I agree with april. I wouldn't mess with it especially if you plan to rip it all out later. Sure, it's a period that's out of fashion at the moment, but who knows what may happen in the next few years? After all, it appears that shoulder pads are already starting to come back. :)

  • PRO
    8 years ago
    last modified: 8 years ago

    Paint it and leave it alone until .....

    Rip the wallpaper first please and pref the walls well.

  • 8 years ago

    @april and @writers block - thank you - what do you think about the cabinet doors? Leave them also? It's a very luxe bathroom, I'm just not a huge fan of the green and the wallpaper is just kind of dirty in spots. I just want something to brighten up the corners and yes, make it not look so somber. Any recommendations on rugs? Maybe something bamboo? or should I go with another green? I'm just lost in this bathroom.


    @janmoyer - what color for the walls? White and then just add pics?

  • PRO
    8 years ago

    Exactly !!! WHITE and some art and STOP

    SPROUT117 thanked JAN MOYER
  • PRO
    8 years ago

    You can purchase just doors for the vanity, but with the way they are hanging now I might be concerned that the cabinet could not handle the new doors. Maybe best to wait until you can do what you want- if you do not like the marble. Seems like a waste of time and money doing it half way multiple times. Congrats on the nice place.

    SPROUT117 thanked Pacific Coast Cabinetry
  • 8 years ago

    I would do something crazy like the M. Monroe wallpaper but I realize that it probably wouldn't appeal to the masses. Or you could play it safe and paint everything white.


    SPROUT117 thanked ilikefriday
  • 8 years ago

    @ilikefriday - I like the marilyn a lot just in that back area...but then would the rest of the bathroom walls would be white?

  • 8 years ago

    I would pull a shade of grey from the picture or maybe a similar color to whatever is on the ceiling right now. Then I would paint the vanity and the pony wall a darker shade, sort of blackish green, to fade in with the tile.

  • 8 years ago
    last modified: 8 years ago

    I really like the MM wall paper. Everything else white.

    What shape are the cabinet doors in? One of the doors looks like it may not be hung properly. If it can be adjusted, I'd just clean the doors. It's also possible to paint the formica doors.

    Actually, seems like you're right at the beginning of a new trend. https://sheerluxe.com/2018/01/29/how-embrace-green-marble-your-home

  • 8 years ago

    Cream, rather than white. Something warm.

    A bamboo rug would be nice.

  • 8 years ago

    I'd change the wallpaper and leave the rest until you are ready for a full remodel. Since the paper is dirty - freshen up the room with something along these lines? Because you have so much granite/marble? I'd go with something with a softness to it like these. Good luck!


  • PRO
    8 years ago
    last modified: 8 years ago

    Why on earth would anyone re paper a room they are at some point planning to gut? STRIP. Paint it bright white, get some great chrome hardware, rip off the oddly placed towel bars.......even ditch the white medicine cabinet if you like and trade for a huge framed poster or canvas OF MARILYN.





    and save $$$$$$$$ for the bath you want.

  • 8 years ago
    Marilyn is a great idea. I think white walls also works well. The hardware is really nice chrome ...so I’ll leave that. The bamboo mat idea is also great, but not sure if it works with Marilyn. (Zen vs luxe/glam). I really dislike the cabinet but if it will cost a lot to put on new doors, I’ll live with it. (Yes, one hinge is broken but an easy fix). Thank you everyone!!
  • PRO
    8 years ago

    Black green marble is very dominating. So no matter what you do it will look the same. Get rid of the wall paper and paint everything white.

  • 8 years ago
    last modified: 8 years ago

    I think the green marble is a welcome change visually from beige as the default color variation from white on white on white.

    I would probably take down the paper which reads "mint" but honestly I'd keep marble as a defense from all those people who want to turn your bathroom into one of thousands of identical "2018 approved" bathrooms.

  • 8 years ago
    last modified: 8 years ago

    Palimpsest - Is there a way for me to like your post about a billion times?

  • 8 years ago

    Yes to white paint and Marilyn. Look forward to seeing results.

  • 8 years ago

    I'd take your green marble over my beige bathrooms any day! Way more style. :) You have a great looking window in there and in these pictures, the bathroom doesn't seem that dark at all. Quite livable, imo. Paint it all white and you just might end up liking all that green marble. ;-) (Great article, nosoccermom.)

    Just wanted to echo the others who suggested not to put any money into it until you're ready to reno it completely to your taste.

  • 8 years ago
    Thank you everyone...the green marble isn’t my taste but it is beautiful (my husband opts to keep). With that being said, I would keep it if I could just find brightness in the room and keep it from looking dated. Of course the window helps a ton...I’ll try the white paint, friends that have seen it think it’s not really the marble that’s bothering me as much as the wallpaper because it’s discolored. Could be. Thank you the article @soccer Mom.
  • 8 years ago

    no, it's not dated:) it's fashion-forward)) emerald is all the rage. recently gets paired a lot with black and white. green marble is all the rage. I'd say for a good few years already.

    It's just that with stones and things like that-it doesn't really matter, well not to me, dated, not dated, updated..I either like it or not. Or: I either love it, like it, okay with it, vaguely dislike it, strongly dislike it. It's all very personal reactions. I suspect all sorts of associations, previous experiences, etc, play role. Can change with years somewhat, as almost everything can.

    You know where you are..or rather, you'll know soon:)

    To me, it's quite beautiful.

  • 8 years ago
    How do you guys feel about this wall paper on one wall? (the rest white) ...
  • 8 years ago
    last modified: 8 years ago

    I prefer the original paper or just not hanging paper at all and painting the bathroom a solid color.

    SPROUT117 thanked ilikefriday
  • 8 years ago

    The black and white photo option both coordinates and surprises at the same time. The floral is old-school, not the modern look you want.

  • 8 years ago

    This bathroom is actually "current":

  • 8 years ago
    last modified: 8 years ago

    That last wallpaper you are considering actually reminds me of a kitchen - clashes with the green marble IMO. Agree with ilikefriday, paint is your friend here. Do it the right way and remove the wallpaper you have now and prep first, then paint. One of the many available white paints would brighten up the bathroom as the others have mentioned. Pick your art after you have painted the walls and fixed the door hinge. I think you will be surprised at how much brighter and cleaner your bath will appear without the wallpaper.

    SPROUT117 thanked Denita
  • 8 years ago

    @ilikefriday - thanks for photoshopping that - I don't like it at all!

    Agree with the white walls and black and white print. Thank you!!

  • 8 years ago
    It’s not too bad as is. I would remove the wallpaper and paint the walls. I don’t care for the glass shelves, they’ll get very dusty so I’d remove them. Some luxury towels, rugs and accessories. A piece of art on the wall.
  • 8 years ago

    The nice thing about having a painted neutral colored wall in your bath is that you can use art and towels and rugs to bring in color and softness. Also easy to change these elements out if you get tired of them and want a fresh look.

  • 8 years ago

    Those glass shelves with the pointed corners bother me. (Probably vestige of reading too much feng shui.) But I suppose with plush white towels folded on the shelf, it would soften a bit. And plants.

    I like the space -- a lot, actually. Only the vanity sticks out to me, as possibly not being in good repair. But it may be easily fixable, and I like ilikefriday's idea of painting it in similar color to the marble.

  • 8 years ago

    I think I would do this and work with the strength of the marble rather than try to compensate for it:

  • 8 years ago

    pal-That first pic you posted above (2 hours ago) with the "current" marble bathroom reminds me of looking down into a mountain pass. But I'm wondering what they put in front of it and why they did that.

    Sorry OP; a little off topic.

  • 8 years ago

    I would remove the paper and paint. For me a patterned paper, even stripes is to busy with all the swirls in the marble. But that's just me. Lover of the beige/ white on white type bathroom.)

    I would also put dark green bath mats on the floor in from of sink and near the toilet. It will help break up the expanse of all the marble.

    I actually would use white bath mats. In my (ahem) white/light beige guest bath. I use light ivory. I have a second set that can quickly replace the first as it gets washed and air dryed.

    Since this is your bathroom, I don't expect you will have that much traffic. I agree to freshen up with paint, get rugs and call it a day. Start mentally putting this money you saved into a future reno.

    ETA: My master bath was much much worse. I lived with it for many years before renovating it. We had other priorities with the kids growing up etc.

  • 8 years ago

    A big, soft, light colored rug will cut the green and make the whole room feel softer.

  • 8 years ago

    If I were to live with this green marble bathroom for a long while, I'd embrace it, as Palimpsest says. My wallpaper would be bold and I'd consider pairing the green with gold, pink, purple and/or navy. Perhaps I'd paint the vanity and wall cabinet. Not sure if I'd use the wallpaper everywhere.

    Here's a picture from Barbara Sallick's The Perfect Bath. Green and gold powder room.

    I found these wallpapers that tickled my fancy as a possible pairing for this marble. (I found a bunch of other options but I found them a bit too pricey for a "temporary" refresh.)

    Amazonia from WallpaperDirect:

    JewelBox from Spoonflower:


    Palm Leaves from WallpaperDirect:


    Justina Blakely's Nana at Hygge & West:

    If you are tempted by wallpaper, make sure you get samples. There are so many shades of green out there and monitors are rarely true. Another idea that might work: use wallpaper samples as your art.

    Good luck and please keep us posted!


    SPROUT117 thanked tartanmeup
  • 8 years ago

    Hey everyone!! Thank you for all of the info - I've decided that I CAN live with this marble and might grow to like it after I rip out the wallpaper and add the wall art. I think a bamboo mat and maybe spa products and towels on the glass shelves would be great. Another change that I want in there is to change the two lights over the sink - they are currently high hats. Any ideas?

  • 8 years ago

    Suzmtl - I totally agree with you on the colors. While I love the MM paper with its shades of grey, I am particularly drawn to bold and in your face colors especially if you are trying to draw the eye away from a feature you dislike. Make some other detail so bold that you don't even notice the green tile (though I love the green tile personally).

  • 8 years ago
    last modified: 8 years ago

    I also agree on colors and boldness. Could be paint, wallpaper(I'd go for graphic if already..even though I'm a flora/fauna crazy fan..))..or just art would satisfy me and actually bring me most happiness. One doesn't negate another though.

    SPROUT, I personally am excited you decided to leave the marble, yay!

    (I'm very picky about stones btw so I'd understand others who are picky as well. It is a cool marble though. Just make sure it's not slippery)

    Not sure about bamboo mat. Love bamboo but maybe not enough for this space-reads very luxurious for bamboo mat.

    But I'm not there so my perception can be skewed.

    As for the lights..if to bother already, I'd find smth very cool and bold and it'd be vintage mcm along Palme designs' concept, and will need tweaking, most likely, because I'd order from Europe to cut the costs, and will be a headache in general. So I'm afraid to give suggestions lol.

  • 8 years ago

    I'm no lighting expert but if I wanted to replace the recessed lighting, I'd go for pendants with some bling. No clue if these would actually work in regards to lighting your space, they're just style ideas.


    Glendale, 9-Light Pendant, Aged Brass, 12" · More Info



    Libby Langdon for Crystorama Jennings 1 Light Aged Brass Pendant · More Info


    Roosevelt 1 Light Weathered Pa tina Pendant · More Info

    Trinity Golden Iron 10-Inch Four-Light Pendant with Seeded Glass · More Info

  • 8 years ago
    last modified: 8 years ago

    No no marilyn-ness here.

    To me this is a fabulous bathroom and screams Art Deco-ish. Leave the glass shelves as they totally make it (plus love the light mounted above to shine through all of them).. Spring for these and just let the rest of the bathroom go where it's DYING to go...

    Life should be more fun than subway tile and Revere Pewter paint...You're WAAAYYY ahead of the game, here.

  • 8 years ago

    Fab fixtures, pennydesign!

    I agree that marble has miles of style.

  • 8 years ago
    last modified: 8 years ago

    I vaguely agree about no-marylin (I love her; I love portraits too, madly..I just prefer portraits nobody knows or only I know-or imagine that I know them. it's all so personal though.)..and vaguely disagree about swans ( probably because I have minimum three animals in my master bath only ..so it's a strange feeling of a zoo owner, lol..and also because I like what's there enough).,,but in general I agree of course with penny..it's a fab bath...it would be out of place in my current home, but if it feels right in yours(and I suspect it does)-listen to it, and have fun.