Well, you have a smashing tub...

However the cabinet above the toilet...not so much. Depending on your storage, I would get rid of that...and I would like to talk you into this:

Blue is actually a really good choice for that bathroom...can we see what it looked like?

How do you feel about a delicious mossy green?

Thanks, but I'm not looking to actually change the storage. The room has little storage as it is -- it's a small bathroom! Also I'm budget-constrained, so just sticking to paint. Eventually the next thing I'll update will be the weird vanity lights.

Here's the color as it is right now. Obviously, I don't want to keep it this color. :) Looking for a lighter, modern color to soften the room and update the look of the tile.

I'd be tempted by navy - darker and richer than the current bright blue. Beverly's mockup works. Love the large art above the tub. A large mirrored medicine cabinet as she shows would be a good idea. ETA: Travertine might be dated but it's not ugly at all.

The only way to make the tile feel at home would be with a greige, white, maybe sage green. If you go neutral, plan on an accent color that's repeated in several elements (rug, towel, cup, etc).

I like the artwork over the tub. The tile isn’t so bad, just a neutral and not outdated. Two things that look very dated are relatively easy to fix: the carved arch doors on both cabinets and the light fixture. You could just take the doors off and order simple shaker doors from a craftsperson on Etsy for $100. For the light fixture, anything current and simple would help, wouldn’t have to cost a lot. It won’t exactly be your dream bathroom but would look fine with the other ideas.

What do you mean by a "modern color"? Perhaps we need to understand that first. I agree with you about that particular blue. That's just awful...

Also, to me, white walls would be a mistake in here.

OK folks, thanks for your ideas so far! I've done up a few mockups of your ideas:

Mossy green:

Sage green:

Dark gray:

White / greige (painting the cabinets the same color, as I'm not sure what would be a good accent color for cabinets):

I dunno, it's hard to fall in love with any of them. I'm not sure I want another bold color as some have suggested. The rest of that floor of my house has Westhighland White walls, and it's an organic modern / California-cool look everywhere else. This is the one room with a strong Tuscan element (and those unfortunate builder-grade cabinets, which, again, I don't think I can afford to replace, but replacing the doors sounds like a fine idea.)

I'm still stuck. Any other thoughts? Any other light colors?

How about SW 6238 Icicle for the walls ( https://www.sherwin-williams.com/homeowners/color/find-and-explore-colors/paint-colors-by-family/SW9144-moonmist#/6238/?s=coordinatingColors&p=PS0 ) and then paint the cabinet and vanity in SW 9162 African Gray ( https://www.sherwin-williams.com/homeowners/color/find-and-explore-colors/paint-colors-by-family/SW9144-moonmist#/9162/?s=similarColors&p=PS0 ).

The pale blue works well with the tile, and the medium gray gives a pop to the vanity top. Change the mirror over the tub to artwork, or a large canvas picture print of a favorite city/place. Here's an example of how you might get a three panel canvas print of a picture you have taken for about $200-300 ( https://www.costcophotocenter.com/wall-decor/canvas-prints/multi-panel ).

Benjamin Moore Quiet Moments, or the lighter Healing Aloe. I know you said Sherwin Williams.

I think the warm white looks really good. You could add natural wood floating shelves on each side of the mirror for towels and maybe a plant. This might work to blend with your organic look.

The color you mentioned, SW Westhighland White is what we have throughout a house, walls-trim-cabinets-mantle- kitchen. it is made with theirluminous base and is a very beautiful warm white. I didn’t pick it out but so glad someone did. I would either stick with that or find its color swatch card and move up 2 spaces and see what it’s slightly darker cousin looks like for the walls. With travertine (or simulated travertine) I would stick with warm white classics and also keep the lighting at 3000K or 2700K for warmth (and artwork). It will still look like a “plain” bathroom but cozy because the warm undertones.

Hi North Texan,

Trying out your paint idea -- here's Icicle (walls) and African Gray (cabs). Just did it very quickly. I dunno -- I'm now getting the feeling of restrooms you see at diners. :) Then again, perhaps the builder-grade cabinets force that issue no matter what.

try these colors. (if you want dark and dramatic, try Iron Ore, or Urbane Bronze, or even black)

look at this darker paint color on the walls w/travertine. also notice the darker vanity and ORB finishes.

But, these travertine colors (in the beige family) also look best against that stone. if you want color, do it w/accessories. I've posted some pics below on what else you can try.

you can find cheap vanity lights. if you're going through the trouble of painting, then fix the other issues while you're at it. Try Lampsplusopenbox. they have great deals on lights.

I'd also remove that cabinet thing over the toilet. it just looks so builder basic. with a few changes, you could really make a diff in the overall look.

Try doing some wood shelves. for a few bucks you could make these.

heck, you can find 2 or 3 of these shelves for less than $25. decorate them as shown.

you have a skylight, so put some little potted plants on them for some greenery.

or look on craiglist for wood planks, or brackets. even check for vanities on there.

you can find something like this for a few hundred. a dark vanity would look great against the travertine:

bring in some color w/towels, wicker baskets, plants, rug,

etc.

remove the mirror over the tub and try some type of art or pictures.

you don't have to go overboard like here, but it is different! Black would actually look really nice w/your travertine. you could get a slew of white frames w/black/white prints and hang those on the wall.

Maybe this article could help, Christina. They asked 3 designers what colours to paint a beige-tiled bathroom. I think a warm white would complement the tile well and then I'd try black or charcoal for the cabinets.

I agree with so many of the other posters that a color from the tile would look best on the walls. Those doors on the cabinet over the toilet are your worst problem. The cabinet throws the whole bathroom off balance. If you cannot remove it or remove it and replace it with shelves then at least remove the doors. I would paint the vanity a brown black and make sure any shelving is in the same color.

How about a soft steel blue on the walls?

Or agreeable gray, it’s a griege, but maybe too close beige for you.

Here's a wild idea -- SW Cavern Clay. Color of the year!

nope!

how about this: I love the Anjou Pear color:

and look on craigslist for a used or cheap wood vanity.

top it with a remnant stone top, or look up how to make one out of wood for next to nothing!

ikea has these shelves

just a thought sage green

Owners Bath · More Info

Following

whatever color you end up with have you thought of painting the actual wall tile the same color?

Lots of great ideas to change the over-the-toilet storage and lighting. I would get the SW paint strips for any of these colors suggested AFTER you change the lighting. Your travertine has a tinge of orange so some of the inspiration photos may not work. Painting the vanity black with the black wire storage idea will ground the room. Then choose a wall color.

Does anyone know if she CAN paint the travertine wall?
Beth?

Actually, yes, she could paint the travertine, RedRyder. A member here painted her travertine kitchen backsplash. Came out really well. Would it hold up well in this bathroom? Don't know. Another member painted her regular bathroom tile floor and that came out very well and is still looking good after a few years.

I like the suggestions to paint the vanity dark brown/ black and shelves - not the box cabinet. Baskets on the shelves to hide things and at least 1 plant. Then seems like soft white or creamy walls would work. I believe the cabinets are the problem not the tile!

Maybe I'm going against the grain here, but I don't think the problem is the travertine -- though, yeah, the original owners didn't do you any favors with that tile choice. The real problems:

- That's a great tub, but a clawfoot only looks good when it's allowed some space around it. This one's crammed up in to the smallest space possible, and it doesn't look "right".

- The builder-grade vanity and over-toilet cabinet stand in stark comparison to the tub. They're mis-matched.

- The workmanship in this room is sloppy. The tile ends oddly near the vanity, and the tile is about an inch taller than the vanity. I think it's sloppiness as much as item choices that're affecting this bathroom's overall look.

What I'd do, if this were mine ... I'm assuming a moderate budget:

- Keep the tub ... it's not ideal for the space, but it's already installed.

- Remove the vanity and replace it with a fancy pedestal sink. The pedestal sink will be a better partner for the fancy tub, and it will visually open up the room.

- Removing the clunky sink took away storage ... that must be fixed: choose a deep medicine cabinet with a fancy border. Medicine cabinets can be as deep as 6", so this 'll replace a good bit of storage. Find a pretty basket that can fit between the toilet and the pedestal sink; use it for toilet paper storage.

- Remove the builder-grade cabinet above the toilet. Replace it with a pretty train rack for towels.

- If budget is no issue, remove the travertine tile and go with a white subway ... all the way around the small room. White will make the room appear larger.

- I think blue is a great choice for this room, but the cobalt-y blue you have now looks more appropriate for a child's bathroom with a tropical fish shower curtain. You need a deeper, richer blue to mesh with this tub. The green someone else suggested was a great choice. But you need either white or a deep, rich color.

- Details matter. This room would look great with a basketweave tile on the floor ... and a black toilet seat (not a black toilet, just a black toilet seat).

- Stealing from an above poster, I like these choices very much -- yeah, that's a console sink, and I suggested a pedestal, but I really meant "something fancy that'll match the tub". Do note that cool storage silver storage rack in the green bathroom. Note, too, that the floor with a bit of black (again, in the green bathroom) really works with this style. I also like the light fixtures in the green bathroom ... they seem appropriate for the tub /style.

You're suggesting the same elements that Pennydesign did, Mrs Pete. :) I agree they would look wonderful. I don't mind the travertine at all. It's a good looking tile that calls for something less stark than the current cabinets.

You're suggesting the same elements that Pennydesign did, Mrs Pete.

Yes, I said I was stealing from an above poster. Those elements match the tub ... and since the tub's already in place, I can't see not working with it.

I'm not sure I agree with them being "less stark" ... more like "not builder grade cheap".

I don't think you're far off with your own idea paint color above, Christina. Darker is better....Anything light will just make the travertine the star of the show, and it needs to take a back seat (because you don't like it).

Of course, I'm partial to the green, but it has to be the right green...dramatic. The one you did in your mockup, while close, just isn't quite right :)

Also, the sink I listed above is only 270 ish...just food for thought. Also, has a shelf, which is as much as your existing vanity has.

Funnily enough, I don't mind your light fixture...

Painting the travertine...idk. Then your shower would stand out.

Interested to see what you do.

ETA photos won’t attach to this post, will try below

I tried to post earlier, it didn’t show so I hope this isn’t a repeat. The super-white gloss of the plumbing fixtures makes off-white painted cabinets right next to them look dirty (not just yours I notice this everywhere). For a low budget I would leave the white plumbing fixtures - tub toilet sink - as they are but get a new black (or very dark brown) wall cabinet above the toilet (@$60) so you still have your hidden storage, & paint the existing vanity base cab to match it. For the walls, a warmer white to complement the travertine, wall paint a couple of shades darker than the super white plumbing fixtures. The cab above the toilet is easy/cheap to replace, the vanity is a much bigger project IMHO - leaves scars on the floor, needs a plumber’s help etc.

Of course replacing the vanity, fixtures and lighting would help,,,,immensely. But if you read what OP wrote, she's not doing that. She said maybe if budget allowed she would get a new light. That leads me to believe she doesn't have the budget for anything else. I tried to point out some budget friendly options (for shelving and lighting), and perhaps looking on craigslist for a used vanity that she could paint a darker color. For a few hundred dollars, it's possible to redo a few of those items. It's up to Christine if she wants to go that route.

As for the travertine, I wouldn't paint it. There's too much of it. And honestly, it's not the problem. everything else around it isn't doing it any favors. The stark white of vanity/cabinet are clearly the issue. A darker vanity, mirror, some shelving, accessories and paint color, are the only thing that will transform this bathroom.

I did a little mock-up just to show what changing those would look like

You could substitute the paint color, but she was looking at darker, warmer tones.

We've all made our suggestions and opinions known. Christine, it's up to you which advice you take.

Travertine is classic but the bright white adds too much contrast. Even though you don't want beige, it will blend better with the warm travertine than those trendy cool greys.
Beth H posted some good colors to work with the warm stone. You could use one of the deeper shades to paint or just glaze the vanity. You might only need a sample jar.
If budget allows a medicine cabinet would be good hidden storage with open wood shelves on either side. The shelves and natural baskets would continue the warm look from the stone. A bit of decor on shelves would become the focus and the travertine just a backdrop. Check discount places Home Goods for racks and storage pieces. And maybe some bubble bath for that clawfoot tub
You might could fill the space between the sink and mirror with wood frame to help with the way the tile ends at the vanity edge. :-)

I was suggesting spending no more than $100 total on the whole bathroom :-)

I saw this cab for over the toilet for 60 bucks for hiding stuff. The rest is paint: the existing vanity gets dark paint to match the over-toilet cab, and painting the walls.

that current vanity looks like a melamine finish. not worth the hassle of painting it. (they rarely paint well anyway) they're cheap to buy brand new. that's why I mentioned looking on craigslist for a small, oak vanity. you can paint those and top it w/a new countertop. either a remnant, or find a pre-cut one for under $125 Heck, sometimes people sell those oak cabs w/a granite top, sink and faucet for under $100. it's worth looking at them.

I know this may sound crazy, because I would also like to ditch the cabinet, but I’m thinking maybe add another cabinet just like it over the end of the tub for balance. You’d need to cut a hole in the lower shelf for the elec outlet on that side. Then put a board across the top of both cabinets, add crown to the board, even over the mirror. Install a couple small can lights in the board over the mirror eliminating the dated fixture. Put a trim piece that looks similar to the trim at the top of the tile across the wall from the end of the tile over the sink and the toilet. The sudden stop of the tile seems disruptive to me. I’d probably try to color match the trim above the sink and toilet to the tile and paint it and the wall below that color. The rest of the room could go warm white or whatever works. Before color, I would try to find a way to make the room more cohesive. If not two cabinets, consider moving the one cabinet over the tub, adding the trim at the level of the top of the tile and installing a larger rectangular mirror that would cover both the sink and toilet area.
(Not an artist, but here is a sketch)

Sketch didn’t go...but I see there are others who have similar ideas to balance the shelves

SW Agreeable Gray or Sea Salt

How about Behr Honey Infusion? I have it on the walls in the north facing guest bedroom.

I'll agree my thoughts didn't work at all...so now I'm siding with those calling for a rich color on the walls, possibly that green.

Forrest green would look great. forest green color 014421

Paint the travertine! Our bathroom was entirely pink ( everything- tub, tiles, ceiling, etc.). I used the white Tub & Tile product to paint over all the tiles. It held up quite well until we finally overhauled the bathroom. I ended up painting everything: I painted the walls a light sage color, the cabinets & floor became a dark grey, and I stenciled a white pattern on the floor, covered by decking waterproofing material (which worked perfectly). Paint is a great way to spruce things up, without too much cost.

Cia your bathroom is great, but what would Christina do with the shower?

Here is what I used in my condo with no natural light. Same colors as you have (you can see the shower tile). It helped brighten up the space a lot even though it was a darker color.

Pennydesign: paint it with Tub & Tile. It goes over everything: tile inside and out of a shower/tub area and even over the inside of the tub. It has an Epoxy finish so it’s quite hard and water resistant