Basement brown bathroom needs help

7 years ago

Hello!

I’ve got a basement bathroom which is proving hard to pull together. I need color ideas!

There is dark brown floor tile with dark grey grout (fine, not changing), light warm tan shower tile (not changing), tan walls, another shade of brown on the vanity wood and a yellowish tan laminate(it’s like a printout lol?) fake stone countertop. Nothing quite matches. Trim and door is white. I don’t particularly like brown, but the tile is staying.

I want to:
- paint walls
- refinish vanity countertop (something like Giani or Daich SpreadStone DIY coating) or replace it
- paint vanity wood? (pretty sure its an IKEA kitchen cupboard, dunno how it would hold up) maybe leave it
- replace ceiling light, possibly with heating for cold basement
- replace vanity mirror and light
- add over toilet storage (color?)

There’s a lot of different brown shades happening currently, so I was thinking the walls might have to be white?

Color / product ideas welcome!

Featured Answer

Nancy in Mich

7 years ago

I see your problem. Since you are keeping the pure browns of the floor and shower tile, I think that your goal is to get the yellow-brown tones out. So you need to paint the room a very light greige that will go with the lightest color in the shower tile. Then decide if there is a color for treating the counter top that goes with those colors. Something either very dark or very light, no yellowy tones in it. Then, paint the cabinet in a contrasting color. (So if you go for a light color counter, the cabinet would be darker, if the counter is dark, then the cabinet would be lighter. The cabinet could actually be a color other than gray or brown, too. Maybe a gray-green.) The above-toilet storage may be painted either the same semigloss as the cabinet, or a semigloss version of the wall paint. I would get either a clear shower curtain or glass doors. For the mirror I would wait and see what it looks like when other things are done, then decide.

For heat, if you use the basement bathroom a lot, you may want to get a cove heater to keep the room always warm. I put one in my bathroom and it is so nice to walk into the closed-up bathroom and close the door behind you and have a toasty environment in which to disrobe - even just to use the commode! I leave the bathroom at 72 degrees. With a heater in a fan, you have to switch it on and wait to warm the room. I have burned out my Broan/Nutone fan heater three times because I forget and leave it on and don't get back in there to shower when I thought I would. Now, I can go in anytime and it is warm. Comfort Cove heaters.

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Comments (16)

annied75
7 years ago
I would just make a couple of fixes that will make a big impact. Change out the mirror to a brushed nickel finish that will match your vanity pulls. Then, paint the walls a smoky/slate blue. If you don't like blue tones, then look at a sage green. For additional storage, I would add open shelving that could hold towels. You could also add baskets for smaller toiletries.
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annied75
7 years ago
I forgot to add -- BM Duxbury Gray is a good option. I have this color in my basement bath.
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Waynette Bailey
7 years ago
As above, I'd paint it a nice shade of blue. I would choose a lighter blue than slate, unless the room doesn't receive a lot of reflected light
Tiff
Original Author
7 years ago
@Nancy thank you so much! I love all your ideas. Shower door and a heater! Seems so obvious but i wasn’t thinking of them.
Tiff
Original Author
7 years ago
@annied75 I wanted to try a light blue color but I’m scared the dull/yellowish lighting will turn it weird. Maybe if I also can brighten it up! I liked this example (photo).
Tiff
Original Author
7 years ago
@Waynette Bailey It is a rather small darkish space at the moment so you are correct, I am apprehensive about dark colors for the walls. I do like the idea of blue since I don’t even like brown much. Could distract from all the brown :)
Nancy in Mich
7 years ago
I like blue for your walls, too. I don't think white would look that nice, the contrast would be too stark. That is why I suggested a very light greige. If you have a vent fan in there, you can get a new one with a light, if you do not already have that. It will add a lot of light if the vanity light is the only one you have.
cat_ky
7 years ago
If your lighting is a dull yellowish color, change those bulbs before picking a paint color. They will only make all the colors you try have that dingy yellowish tint. I like the idea of a very light blue, or a very light blue green. (aqua). It needs color to be a brighter more enjoyable space, and it has none now.
annied75
7 years ago
The inspiration photo you posted reminds me of BM Quiet Moments.
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Tiff
Original Author
7 years ago
Thanks all. I’ve got a lot of good ideas here. I’m going to get some light greige and greenish-blue paint chips and probably come back here for opinions :)

PS Re: lighting - I’ll look for a vanity light that doesn’t point downwards. I also have a ceiling light+fan by the shower, but the light it gives is not super bright or nice. Wonder if I can change the bulb.

Thanks again!
Nancy in Mich
7 years ago
If you are going to a big-box store check out what colors are available for the counter top refinishing, too!
annied75
7 years ago
I think that once you put some color on the wall, then your countertop will look fine.
Tiff
Original Author
7 years ago
@annied75 maybe, but I still think it’s ugly I’ll probably attempt something with it.
annied75
7 years ago
Ha! Ha! Gottcha! I wasn't sure on your budget. I would go to a stone yard and look at remnants. You could score on a good find!
Nancy in Mich
7 years ago
Yes, I spent $200 and received a counter for my 24" vanity in quartz. It included four holes in it for the drain and 8" spread faucet and handles, edge finish and sized to order at that price.