I agree with Patricia. I wouldn't add any peel/stick backsplash. I think fresh paint and new framed mirror will go a long ways. I would also figure out a bulb that is brighter and whiter. Right now the lighting makes the room feel extra dingy.

A floor to ceiling "curtain" in a fun print or colour you love can do wonders for distraction. Tapestries or tablecloths can be great inexpensive fabric options for this. Hang it at ceiling height with simple clips on a tension rod and keep the regular rod for the plastic liner. See if you can replace the damaged mirror with a prettier one. Any room on the left one for fun colourful 'art'? Is painting the walls an option?

There's a bit of room above a wooden towel hanger/shelf for a piece of art. I think we could probably get away with painting. I was thinking just a bright white since everything else is so dark? We will probably try to brighten up with different light bulbs as well but I'm not sure how much it would help if everything else is dingy.

When I rented, the landlord let me put down a new linoleum floor. I got a remnant and it was inexpensive. The caulking you can redo and with a mixture of isopropyl alcohol and water spray can smooth it out nicely. I would frame your mirror. Seems moisture has gotten underneath it. Is the cabinet peeling? Would the land lord let you sand and paint a similar white? Then towels and a curtain as others have mentioned.

I'd go with a bright white as well but change your light bulbs first. Often a huge bang for your buck and much easier than painting. On my monitor, the floor is what's looking dingy. Your tub, sink and toilet are white? Right away, that's leagues ahead of most undesirable bathrooms.

@motupeg The little medicine cabinet not pictured and the towel hooks are a darker white but not peeling. The actual sink cabinet is just badly stained on top and yes it is peeling on the sides. Since it's a weird linoleum looking material with no seal on the edges, would covering would nice contact paper make sense? We found out the piece to the right comes out (with some effort) and were going to see if we could trim it down a bit as well to make it more flush with the wall and to allow easier access to the back of the toilet.

I like the idea of framing the mirror. What's the best way to do that?

@tartanmeup Yes! I'm happy they are white after seeing other bathrooms people are dealing with on here. They are quite dirty looking but I think re-caulking would help a ton!

@Patricia Colwell Consulting It's not possible to clean the counter as it's a porous counter top and is truly stained. Are you saying no to contact paper? I could see peel and stick back splash looking bad if it doesn't fit and is not done well so more inclined to paint white. We have one in the kitchen that the landlord placed (over old old wall paper gross!) and it looks okay other than only being on one wall. We've seen marble contact paper counters at a friends house that look quite nice in a kitchen and much better than what we have going on here but I don't have first hand experience with it in my home.

No contact paper. I would try really deep cleaning of all surfaces. Rinse, repeat. We owned rentals and had to clean up some bathrooms after tenants left. It is amazing what GOOD cleaning can do. Maybe you could rent a steamer to use on the floor. I would want to know that it is as clean as possible.

@grapefruit1_ar The counter truly is not cleanable. The stains are set in. Anything that would possible get it up would damage the material.

Try the Contact paper on the sink counter. It's cheap and easy to try.

For the overall darkness, check outside to see if there are tree branches blocking the light into the window. Often trimming the branches back will dramatically improve the light in the room.

Then check the light bulbs to see if they can be replaced with brighter LED bulbs in a 3000-3500 K color temperature (you can get them at Home Depot or online).

The flooring can be scrubbed, then the grout painted with a light color (almond or white) grout paint. It costs about $10 from a big box store. It will look a lot fresher and newer.

In that case I would ask the landlord to replace it. It should not cost much and would make it more sanitary.

What have you tried to clean it with? I will tell contact paper for a counter will look 10x worse that what you have. Try bleachlet it sit see what happens can’t be any worse and BTW if it is porous the paper won’t stick anyway.

@Patricia Colwell Consulting I just want to make sure you are thinking of the same style paper I am thinking of. http://www.makedoanddiy.com/2017/05/removing-replacing-contact-paper-vinyl-counters.html It would be something similar to this.

@apple_pie_order Thank you! The grout idea sounds good too!

If you want to try it go ahead.

Previous writers are all on point. Especially with regard to adding color with shower curtains. Whatever your style there is something to please you. Install a graphic curtain, the other eyesores will become less an issue.

The mirror framing kits start at $25. A discounted mirror at TJMaxx may cost less than that.

The side of the vanity could be covered with 1/4” mdf- cut to fit, attached and painted. A 2’ x 2’ piece of mdf is under $2 at Home Depot.

@Patricia Colwell Consulting sorry, not trying to argue. I'm just not sure if it's the same thing you are thinking and really don't have experience with it. I don't know what to expect other than what I've read online.

The problem with placing any adhesive paper on a surface is its removal. It can be a bear to remove and usually leaves residue when it's been on for a while. That would give me pause as a renter.

If you replace anything, like a new mirror at TJ Maxx, be sure to save the old one for the landlord when you move.

I wouldn't frame the existing mirror but purchase a new one to hang. I know it's a rental but little expenses like a mirror, when they improve the beauty of a space easily, will make a big difference in your day to day. I would keep the old mirror on hand in case your landlord doesn't like the improved mirror and can be swapped out once you move.

I would also take a magic eraser to that entire bathroom. I would also get the existing paint color and give it a fresh coat.

Add in that shower curtain and you're good to go.

@User I didn't show it very well in this picture but it is a huge mirror. If we are able to remove it and replace it with a different one, would you recommend replacing it just over the sink, painting the rest of the wall or getting another large one that spans the bathroom wall? I can provide a better picture later if needed. This is about the size (excpe theres also a door on the right)

Hmm, hard to say. Photos would be helpful! There's a few different routes to go depending on a few factors.

If it is a large mirror and stuck to the wall, you may find that the wall needs repair from the adhesive used to hold the mirror. You can't remove it without the landlord's permission.

I do not agree with painting everything white. White may be bright, but it will make the rest of the fixtures look worse, dingy (thinking of the bath surround). Painting a color on the walls, as in a very light blue, aqua, or green, will look much better. BM Sea Salt is one color I like for this.