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razoulay001

Help make my bathroom better

6 years ago

Any ideas or advice on how to make my bathroom better? I want to either repaint (what color?) or wallpaper and not sure what direction to go. I won’t be changing the blue Moroccan wall tile and there is white subway tile above the vanity, so something that goes with those.

I would like to change the floor tiles. What would go with my other tiles? And something that doesn’t show dirt quickly (kitty litter box under the sink, small children, full time working mom with no maid- you get the picture! White floor tiles would look pretty but push me off the edge of my tenuous hold on sanity).

Any other decor suggestions or DIY ideas that are not too expensive (e.g., I hate the light blue toilet, so would like to change it)are appreciated!

Thank you!!

Comments (35)

  • PRO
    6 years ago
    last modified: 6 years ago

    Wood look LVP flooring.

    Edited to add, OP said, "I would like to change the floor tiles. What would go with my other tiles?"

  • 6 years ago

    Can you give a close up of the floor tile with good light? Is it blues and grays? What is the color of the wall tile? It looks a dark slate gray. A very light grayish blue paint might look better than the yellowy cream. Maybe white paint would work, but I don't usually like the contrast with dark tile with white. Here it might work. I see no reason to change the floor tile if it is in good condition. It hides your kitty litter very well, I bet!

    Please do not cover nice tile with plastic.

    I wonder how it would look to change the light bulbs to something cooler? Try that and see if you like the color of the tile better.

    I am not a pro.

  • 6 years ago
    last modified: 6 years ago

    Would you want to look into cement tiles? Something patterned, with a lots of navy, a bit of white? They can be more ,modern in character or more traditional, but it'll be in keeping with characrer of arabesque you love

    https://www.cementtileshop.com/in-stock-encaustic-cement-tile/CannesII.html

    https://www.cementtileshop.com/in-stock-encaustic-cement-tile/PavilionIII.html

    etc, etc

    Several sites and many stores carry these. They can be appropriate to the character of the house, depending on a house of course,

    Cement tiles are usually 8 by 8 and I think will be more slippery than what you have now. The concept can be cool though.

    I love your flooring per se but agree it's one tile too many per bathroom..was the work done in stages? Loks like a good tile job I must say. How old is the house? When the flooring was installed? asking because sometimes one demoes-and something comes up..

    I love your art!

    And storage in walls.

    as for the wall color-I wouldn't wallpaper.. at least not until I decide on the flooring.

    I'm inspired by that orange you have in your cite shower curtain..if you're ok with going bold, I might borrow it for the walls. Again after I decide on what happens with flooring. Might decide to stick with white.

    Is the white tile extended to the bath surround?

    Sorry for the typos..

  • 6 years ago

    I kind of like your floor and wall tiles. Not sure of a paint color, but whatever you choose (I’m leaning to light gray) paint the “cabinet” above the toilet the same color. The shower curtain is too busy, but I think the coral/orange works with the tile colors. Can you relocate the litter box? Seems a shame to let it downgrade a potentially nice bathroom. Not a pro.

  • 6 years ago
    last modified: 6 years ago

    Keep the floor tile. Change the toilet to a white model, paint in a light grey with a hint of blue, paint the internal doors and the rad cover(???) in a deep blue that works with the tile, and also the mirror surround. Thin out the wall artwork, less is more here. Find a nice, calm light gray or white shower curtain with a blue accent or design (maybe, https://www.decorpad.com/photo.htm?photoId=161116).

  • 6 years ago

    All great comments. Here's my two cents: Navy and white is trendy and reimagined, and it will keep the bathroom bright. You seem to like a cleaner look judging by the sink and the art frames. There is even an inspirational navy monster painting on a white background on the wall. 1. New shower curtain white like a hotel room or spa. It can be hung high to avoid dirt. 2. White walls with a warm undertone, durable finish, mildew resistant paint. 3. the cement floor tile mentioned by aprilneverends, white background, large scale navy pattern, not too busy and very well sealed, large squares. 4. ok not necessarily in this order--paint the toilet cabinet the same as your wall color. 5. toilet in white. 6. Some slightly exotic, quirky, Moroccan looking light fixture to hint at the exotic wall tile. This is what I would do, but I like white in a small bathroom. What do you think? And....cat people out there, they have these high tech litter boxes now to help with cleaning, any suggestions! Have fun and keep us posted, Happy Holidays!

  • 6 years ago

    Sorry for the auto corrected typo-- cat people, any suggestions on a high tech litter box "?"

  • 6 years ago

    High tech boxes won’t fit under that vanity...it’s a bit cramped for the litter box anyway. Better to get an enclosed version for elsewhere.

  • 6 years ago

    The tile, shower curtain and floor are all very busy together. Maybe try a solid color shower curtain?

  • 6 years ago

    I think you're 80% there. I would change the toilet, change the shower curtain to a simple white, change the shower curtain rod to a non-tension one, and then paint the wall cabinet to the wall color - maybe painting the walls all together. In my opinion, the wall tiles go well with the floor tiles and I would change neither.

  • 6 years ago
    <?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?><md>Thank you so much for all the wonderful suggestions! A lot of good options, I’m milling them over- but toilet seems like a definite and maybe a simpler shower curtain. The feedback on wallpaper is helpful- that is a definite no
  • 6 years ago

    Start with white toilet and white shower curtain. Natural daylight would be nice. Is a solar tube possible, and in the budget?

  • 6 years ago

    What bothers me most in your bathroom is the shower curtain ..replace with white or clear plastic and look again ..

  • PRO
    6 years ago

    Here are some bathroom vanity ideas... Happy Holidays!


    Bathroom Ideas

  • 6 years ago

    I agree with many comments here that the tiles are ok. Change shower curtain and toilett colour and paint walls, cabinet and (is that black thing a heater?) paint it if u can. Change the lighting so that the right parts of the bathroom are litt properly. And get a kitty litter box that fits flush under the cabinet.

  • 6 years ago


    If you opt not to change the floor tile -- or before you change it, consider adding a lighter colored gel mat with sloped edges so it will not be a stumble hazard. It will also make your floor warmer for when you step out of the bathtub/shower.Would paint the walls a light to medium blue rather than pink and/or yellow.


    https://www.google.com/search?q=light+colored+gel++mat&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjElvGU0M_mAhWDXM0KHZENDicQ_AUoAnoECA4QBA&biw=1326&bih=617#spf=1577236593324


    Definitely would straighten the shower rod -- set it in stainless steel rod mounting brackets.


    https://www.houseofantiquehardware.com/set-of-shower-curtain-rod-mounting-brackets-1-inch-diameter?utm_source=froog&utm_medium=cse&utm_campaign=gdf&partner=froog&CAWELAID=120035490000003618&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIxNTB0s_P5gIViIbACh20mgQTEAQYByABEgKOZPD_BwE


    Change the shower curtain to a thick shower curtain liner that is mold/mildew resistant. If you want/need color in the room, add only a valance or a swag valance outside the liner.



  • 6 years ago

    The curtain jumps out to me too. Get a white one.

    And the lighting. The room seems dark and dingy, in this picture at least. Is there a window? An overhead light? You need lots more clean white light.

  • 6 years ago

    I’d paint the walls white, plain shower curtain and perhaps white wood like floor boards and some cool artwork

  • 6 years ago

    Your bathroom has a lot of pluses--lots of storage, toilet not visible from the door, and a decent size.

    I would leave the tiles. They're nice and go well together. I would paint walls and woodwork white or pale gray to blend with floors. Definitely replace the toilet.

    Shower curtain should be white. I would look for an extra long curtain (or have one made) to hang from ceiling to floor. I'd also try using 2 curtains to give more volume.

    You might think about replacing the mirror over the sink with something that makes more of a statement. You might also consider a longer towel rod with nice, plushy towels or, more practically, nice towel hooks. You might think about black faucets, towel rods, and toilet paper holder.

    I would skip wallpaper. if you need more pattern, maybe the shower curtain could be a wide, black and white, vertical cabana stripe.

    Leave the kitty litter where it is. It blends in with the floor and isn't that noticeable.
    Good luck!

  • 6 years ago

    Big gold mirror and gold accessories would look good too

  • 6 years ago
    last modified: 6 years ago

    I don't mind the curtain, but I'd try a rug to soften and cover some [2'6" x 4'] -

    rug has light to repeat vanity, and navy.... The crisp contrast of navy blue on ivory makes this rug as snappy as a cadet's salute. Soft blue floral motifs add a secondary note of interest. The delicacy of line hints at Colonial-era dcor, emboldened and updated with warm Caribbean flair. Indoor/outdoor can hose down.

    Nourison Caribbean Ivory Navy Indoor Outdoor Rug in 2'6"L x4'W · More Info


    https://www.houzz.com/products/nourison-caribbean-rectangle-26-x4-area-rugs-ivory-and-navy-prvw-vr~149948485

  • 6 years ago

    What jumps out at me is the mishmash on the walls. Dark blue lantern tiles on 1-1/2 walls, butted up to white square tiles on the same wall. The other walls no tile at all. No idea what's behind the shower curtain. Then what looks like a piece of window casing running down the side of the vanity cabinet, on top of the blue tile. This appears to be a bathroom that's been repaired piecemeal at various times. I think you would see a vast improvement if you just made the walls cohesive and all the same material, instead of having a patchwork quilt effect.

  • 6 years ago

    I'd make the walls / verticals the same basic color as the wall paint. Reducing visuals of even the louvered doors into open shelving or plain fronts [painted wall color].

  • 6 years ago

    Hello Ms. Lila, any updates on the blue bathroom?

  • 6 years ago

    If you want to keep Moroccan tiles, I’d suggest putting your $$$ in the flooring, paint walls and the cabinetry white, change shower curtain to solid color, and easiest fix for toilet is simply switch out blue seat for white one.
    If the kitty box is working for your kitty then don’t change.

  • 6 years ago
    last modified: 6 years ago

    I work in the flooring industry and you'd be amazed what they can do with vinyl (gasp! I know it's like a 4 letter word for some people!) flooring now a days. Lots of times you can even "float" it over existing tiles which saves tons of $$ and headache on tear out of existing. There are some great stone, tile and even concrete looks out there. Just a thought :-)

  • 5 years ago

    This has been a long time coming but I finished updating the bathroom and here are the pics. Thanks for all the advice and help. I did wind up going with vinyl plank- it’s waterproof, I could lay it on top of my existing floor, so it was easy!

    I added the beadboard to even out the walls that had tile on one wall and nothing on the other. I glued it right on the tile so I didn’t have to demo or deal with laying drywall.

    We replaced the toilet with a white one, then paint, wallpaper and a new shower curtain and rod.

    I still have plans for updating the mirror in the medicine cabinet, making a radiator cover and finding a better kitty litter solution, but I thought I’d share the after pics now.

  • 5 years ago

    Wow. That looks amazing! You made a great decision with the floor and beadboard to reduce your demolition mess. The bathroom looks great! I love the blue and white theme.

  • 5 years ago

    Looks great! Thank you for sharing!

  • 5 years ago

    Wow, Lila, I love everything. (Including radiator-and that seldom happens to me)) Congratulations on the job well done!

  • 5 years ago

    Gorgeous!
    I struggled with the litter box as well and finally found a home for it in a hall closet. Very unconventional but it’s a tiled floor and we leave the bifold door open with a door stop as we didn’t want to cut the door or wall. We made the shelf above the box solid and use a very low dust litter. Not for everyone but works for us. We also have mats to catch litter. This allowed us to give kitty a big box with a lid. Think outside the box, pun intended! :)

  • 5 years ago
    last modified: 5 years ago

    Wow. I didn’t realize LVP had this choice for flooring.

    Please, can you share the floor info?

  • 5 years ago

    This looks so cool!! I love the white and the blue and the gold in the frames!

  • 5 years ago

    Thanks, all! I like your idea, ker9- and lol! I’ll think about my closets and which I could spare floor space in.

    Eld6161- the floor I used is https://www.flooranddecor.com/duralux-performance-flooring/volakas-stone-marble-rigid-core-luxury-vinyl-tile---foam-back-100780287.html#prefn1=color&prefv1=White&start=9

    Nucore also has some marble looking options. I did some research so only looked at ones over 5mm thick (there are a few more stats you can find when you google about luxury vinyl tile/plank).