If they are secure, a good tile guy can tile directly over them.

However, you have a plain white contemporary bathroom and that's rather classic in style. If you paint the walls white, added art to the walls, Duette shades & a few large tropical plants, the room would be up to date again.

Thanks! I’ve thought about that too. Do you think if I swap all the shiny gold fixtures for black, I was going to paint the walls ‘anew gray’, got art on the walls, new rugs and maybe framed out the builders grade mirror.....would that be enough to update it?

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I love the tiled bench in front of the window. And I like the white tile. How is the grout? Cleaning and if needed new grout will revive it. What about a green or blue with a lot of gray undertones? Maybe you should choose a great rug with some pattern first and then pull the paint color from that. This can be a great bathroom

At least it is white and not some awful color or printed with some goofy design. I would leave it clean it really well and the add some nice accessories and a stack of fluffy towels you could get a real spa vibe in there easily.

You guys always have such good ideas!! I was set on black and white but maybe it needs color! Maybe a print like this above the tub and then pull from that?

I’m bad at coordinating things. Like art, rugs/runner, towels, accessories. Lol.

this type of tile is classic, and enjoying a bit of revival these days. I agree that there is a lot of it though. what about getting a piece of water resistant wood (such as teak) to top the bench? (not the sides though.) I'm not sure what would technically be the best way to secure it -- maybe the same kind of glue used for securing countertops. if you did this, remove the tile "backsplash" that's around the top of the bench. I think if you did just that one change, the rest of the tile will seem much better.

then paint the walls, get some new fixtures and new decor. I'd lean towards organic modern for this room.

slk873 Make a bigger statement with the art you select. it doesn't have to be realistic, just something with emotion.

No please don’t waste your money covering them. The white tile does not look bad or photo bad. It’s a nice large bathroom. You are so lucky it’s not some horrible color or many jumbled patterns. Anyone can live with simple white tile. Beverly provided some great ideas here. i love the 1st white inspiration bathroom.. It looks so serene and elegant. .I think that wall color would be gorgeous in your space. The bathroom will look much better with a new toilet. Is the grout white? Have someone come and clean it. Good Luck!

ok you have me convinced the white tile isnt so bad! Which is a big relief. The grout is white but shockingly in good condition. So white walls? I’ve always thought white walls would feel like a hospital. Looks like I need art work, new fixtures, a rug, new curtains (maybe), new toilet (or at least a new handle), paint and new shower surround. Seems easy but it so overwhelming for me!

I would add more plants in pretty pots.

The inspiration photos with white and off white walls are, IMO, no where near hospital looking. In fact hospitals I’ve been to usually have horrible dingy drab colors. You can use other colors, but need to compliment your tub and vanity. If you post more photos, including the vanities, I’m sure the pros can give you lots of color ideas.

The first one is my favourite Houzz photo on a bathroom cheap renovation. You can switch the teak apron for the seat of the bench BF has suggested. If you don’ have a wooden vanity, could repeat the wood in a pair of shelves

If you have a wooden vanity, then stain it or paint it in a color from the art you’d choose

I would start with a new shade or shutters. You could also put a quartz countertop on top of the ledge. FInd some pictures of what you like and buy similar accessories. I think once you change the curtains and decide your paint, you will be fine.

I like the idea of keeping the tile and covering the top of the bench area with teak wood as someone mentioned above. Upgrade the lighting too and get at least 3000 K bulbs.. Get rid of the brass-chrome looks good anywhere. We had our bathtub resurfaced and it lasted over 5 years of daily use. I’d do a pale color for the walls and add more color with art and accessories.

When we had a rusted tub refinished I had the tile redone too. Goodbye lemon yellow, hello white sands speckles. I love it but picking a paint color has been harder than usual, because the speckles are more grey than expected. Meanwhile I liked the crisp white under coat and decided not to add the speckles over it in the tiny shower. Now it is my favorite. I am try to sell hubby on all white tile for our shower. I would keep that clean white tile and get some big bold plants. Orchids and tropical plants will love the humidity. What about a translucent folding screen or plantation style shutters to replace those sheers? There are those frosted or stained glass looking films too. You have beautiful bath. let the white be a backdrop for Art and plants to give color. I agree with Bev on classic chrome or maybe a brushed nickel for fixtures.

The walls were painted to match the tub...curious. That tub color cost them extra no doubt, I guess one should be glad they didn't go bolder, like red. I would prefer a different (stand alone) TP holder but since you are swapping the fixtures how about white to blend with the tile. Agree on the teak top for the 'shelf' and getting rid of the brass. Not a fan of the puddled cafe curtains...There really is much you could do, the tile is least of the updates needed, but I do wonder at the safety/slip factor on the step to the tub.

I would change the curtains to something more contemporary, such as honeycomb shades that are operable from top down as well as bottom up, offering adjustable privacy but allowing you to see out and maintain light into the space.

I love all of these ideas!! I think getting the kids stuff back in their bathroom and getting more grown up storage for cotton balls, q tips, etc will help. I hate the curtains too. I suggested the frosted films but my husband wants something more private. Here is a glimpse at the rest of the bathroom. It’s pretty big, the counters match the tub and the sinks are kind of a shell shaped. New curtains, lights/fixtures, paint, art, plants and storage will make a big difference. I‘d love new counters but that might be too expensive.

Oh wow, bigger bathroom, bigger problems... If you get rid of the bronze accesories, so this shower frame!

oh no, shell sinks! getting new sinks & countertop and light fixtures will probably be the biggest improvement to that bath. I like the cabinet though, it's simple and classic. I still think adding a wood topper to the bench would give that room more of a spalike vibe.

the beige wall color is not doing that room any favors. white will not look too "hospital" if you do a good job with the decor. esp if there are lots of plants on the bench. or if you must choose a color, a cream that's just a shade darker than the tile (I assume that tile is off-white).

Definitely change out the countertop, sinks, faucets, and light fixtures. Get 8 inch spread faucets or one with just one hole. No more mini widespread - they look cheap. You can frame out the mirror. Change out the shower enclosure for a frameless one. Change out the toilet and reglaze the tub if it's cast iron. Then add some art and towels that coordinate with the art. You have too many rugs. Perhaps a runner in front of the sinks and something in front of the shower. Paint the room white and use white rugs for a spa like feel.

Adding another layer of tile on the floor may produce a trip-hazard at the entry doorway.
You would need to consider a transition piece to bridge the height change.

You could install Corian or another solid surface directly over the tile and the great thing is it's reversible.

Figure out a color theme (use artwork like Beverly suggested). Then do Design Girl’s plan - new countertop and under mount rectangular sinks; new fixtures and new faucets (I just put in single hole waterfall faucets and love them). You can paint the walls white, but I would wait till you pick your theme and artwork since a very, very pale color might work. All white will DEFINITELY work if you’re anxious to get started. Having the tub redone in white will freshen it up. Be grateful your tile is in good shape and is a neutral - you can do whatever you want! It’s a big, big space, so think it through. Painting the vanity is easy once you decide your color scheme. It will look fresh and modern in a new color. (I painted mine a greyish blue to complement my not-white-or-neutral floor tile.)

So here is an update! So far we have a new ceiling fixture, painted, removed blue rugs and kids toys, got blinds and rolled some towels and what a difference!!! It’s so bright I love it. Up next is new vanity lights, faucets and shower surround!

Looks better already!

Your new light, plants, paint and blind look fabulous. The new blind made a Huge difference. Much brighter and modern. I’m so glad you are “loving it”. I think some artwork over the tub as discussed in these comments will also make a huge difference,

Good Luck!!