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vampirekatebush

Bathroom help! Intense black & white tile, cramped layout, oh my :(

7 years ago


So, whoever designed the master bathroom in my house was… not someone who has any business designing bathrooms. It’s a *ton* of black & white tile, cheap builder grade cabinets/hardware, and the layout is incredibly cramped.


Aside from what’s visible in the picture, there’s a second identical sink/medicine cabinet next to the one pictured, and the toilet is across from that, right next to the tub. The door in is between the second sink and the toilet (the person who took the picture was most likely standing in the doorway). The layout is really, really tight and there’s no space for anything aside from what’s in here - even my small laundry basket blocks a vanity cabinet door.


As much as I would love to gut the bathroom entirely and start fresh, that’s not in the budget for at least a few years. But I’m at a loss for what I can do to make it more pleasant & inviting. I feel like there’s so much going on in here that small things like cute towels, a new soap bottle, adding a plant, etc really aren’t enough here.


Anyone have any ideas to work with this space? I own the place. I can spend a few hundred dollars right now, but I also wouldn’t mind suggestions that cost a bit more and could be budgeted for/implemented over time.


Comments (25)

  • PRO
    7 years ago

    Hmmmmm, you have a problem here! However, to fix this with the least amount of dollars, take off the black and white wall tile where you don't need it, which is everywhere except for the shower. Paint the walls, white, or whatever bright color. Take off the tub apron tile. Replace it with a wood panel, painted black, to match cabinetry. For the backsplash on the tub and sinks, just use plain white tile, 4 - 8" up or so. Easy!!! whatever inexpensive white tile you use for backsplash, use it to line the shower tile for now. This could actually look cute!

  • 7 years ago

    Are those 12x12” ceramic tiles? Grouted? maybe you could put paneling or wallpaper up over the top of them? I know that sounds crazy and I don’t know how to adhere it without making a huge debacle down the line, but fwiw.

  • PRO
    7 years ago

    At that point, Maraya, just remodel the bath. No $200 fix here. Sorry. The above suggestion for $200 ended with remove the wall tile (and replace the drywall/resurface, and paint). You are not replacing the tub apron with a wood panel, or the backsplash, and NO not easy. And you can't add tile to the shower, even as a liner, without tearing out the shower tile and re-doing = $$$$. Save for the future. Live with it until you have the money to re-do it. Funk it up with artwork over the tile.. big piece over the tub to break up the monotony of the checkerboard. Window treatments (short term, inexpensive), artwork, accessories to distract from the checkerboard tile (at least it's black and white!). And live with it until you can re-do. Showers especially are costly. Start with consults now with real pros so you get realistic $$ estimates and have time to plan and select materials thoughtfully. Have fun with it in the meantime.

  • 7 years ago

    Oh wow that beats my chocolate brown tub with grey tile and floral wallpaper. Yes ripping out tile is a pricy fix but you could epoxy paint them. You need a power sander to scuff sand them or alot of arm muscle with a course sanding sponge. Appliance spray epoxy will do for all but the shower and floor. The shower would need that thick tub and tile epoxy which stinks bad but makes a more durable finish like professional refinishing.

    Some of that thin plywood Beadboard glued over the tile with liquid nails might not be terribly expensive. it would give a vintage look with B&W tile. It would be quicker than the multiple coats of epoxy. These could make it less blinding as you wait to do a full remodel. You can plan to replace things in in stages.

    With as busy as the tile is, you might not want to add too much colorful decor to add contrast. But things like soild curtains and a large canvas could hide some of the checkerboard pattern. (ooh dogs playing checkers instead of Poker on Black velvet.LOL.)

    Whatever you do will be an improvement, even if a temporary fix like spray paint. good luck.

  • 7 years ago

    Paint it! You will need to lightly sand your tile with a fine grit sanding paper. Clean off well and then prime with a good bonding primer. Topcoat with an epoxy paint such as rustoleum tub& tile. I would leave the tile in the shower alone but the tub surround should be fine! I’m guessing that tub doesn’t get much use!

  • 7 years ago

    I think Dragonfly above nailed it. There is no $200 fix. If you can't afford to gut it now, I would go for a campy vibe and emphasise just how bad it is, as if you really meant it...think pink flamingos https://www.pinterest.ca/pin/541487555177309158/ 

  • 7 years ago

    WOW!!! That is huge! If you can afford it remove them all if not play with it for a while to make this room whimsical and add towels or a picture of a deck of cards.

  • 7 years ago


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  • 7 years ago


    Queen of Spades · More Info

    This is what I would do .

  • PRO
    7 years ago

    Big fluffy white towels and big DIY ART piece on wall. And save up. I guarantee you touching any tile will turn into bug project you are not ready for. White rug on floor, white shower mat. It can be really charming.

  • 7 years ago

    You said white Flo ! I say red :)

  • PRO
    7 years ago

    Find some cool wallpaper and mount it on balsam wood or some 1/4” plywood and hang on wall over tub. Will draw the eye and calm down the checkerboard effect.

  • PRO
    7 years ago

    Haha. I said white because it is easier to throw in wash with some bleach and done. But you could do red, or teal or even bright yellow.

  • 7 years ago

    If the pattern everywhere bothered me enough I’d paint over the wall tile. I’d clean it well and use Zinsser 123 or Zinsser BIN (they’re bonding primers. First is water based, second is oil. They both work well.) and two coats of a good quality paint like BM or SW brand.

  • PRO
    7 years ago

    Please no red that would just add to the tacky IMO. Klenk makes an awesome tile paint but to be honest it will always look like cheap painted tile I would just embrace the black and white for now add some great big fluffy white towels If you can find alarge painting that works hang it and save money for the inevitable gut job. I would keep away from too many accessories

  • 7 years ago

    If you can't stand to look at it, you can either use a tile paint or get some removable wallpaper for the areas outside the shower. The wallpaper will telegraph the grout lines, but that's not important in this case.

  • PRO
    7 years ago

    A few ideas

  • 7 years ago

    If you're not trying to sell the house right now, just embrace it. At least it's not boring. I agree that big art over the tub or a few shelves stacked high with rolled white towels could help break up the checkerboard. I also think beadboard over the tub apron and the walls outside the shower could be worth a shot, knowing that it probably won't hold up for the long haul.

  • 7 years ago
    last modified: 7 years ago

    Art that doesn't take itself too seriously.

    and embrace it for now. It's funky...as much as checkerboard allover makes me slightly dizzy, I see the bigger problem in the layout. I'd save and research meanwhile.

    Plants are always good. If you ask me. I can see one on the tub edge. Something.. simple in care.

    I do see something Alice-in-Wonderland-y in there. I don't mean a theme. i mean-the vibe.

    If I see a metaphor in a space-it helps me a lot to connect to it, with all its mistakes and shortcomings.

    So. Maybe what you need for now, while waiting and planning for the big remodel-is finding your own metaphor?

  • PRO
    7 years ago

    Here is towel rack for shower so big fluffy towels help calm the visual space.

  • PRO
    7 years ago

    Honestly, don't add a thing to this bathroom (artwork, accent towels, etc.). Less is MORE in this bathroom. Instead of spending $200 I would budget everything out that you want and start planning/saving for it. For the remodel, I would consider removing the bathtub, which seems to take up a lot of the space.

  • 7 years ago

    Wow! And I thought my black and white master was busy. I think you've heard the only limited-budget options for aesthetics. For function: do you need two vanities? Even if you plan to do two in a future remodel, you could consider removing one for now so that you could add a shallow storage cabinet or simply have more room for your hamper.

  • PRO
    7 years ago

    ahh replace the tile with simple white tiles with a splash of lime green bits between the white tiles. It will look so beautiful. Replace the gold frames with dark bronze or black. I love this color theme.

  • 7 years ago

    I would keep it simple and uncluttered. Use white towels.

    Start saving for the future remodel.

    Find out what psychedelic drugs the previous owners were using and avoid at all costs!!!

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