help updating a bathroom with old blue tile

4 years ago

Hello! I am a new homeowner and just bought an older home and I’m trying to update my hallway bathroom. Can’t afford to remove or add new tile so I’m thinking some pain as well as new fixtures. We took out the old metal medicine cabinet and patched that. So I’m thinking maybe a mirror, new light, some storage above the toilet and new paint. I was hoping to get some ideas what color paint would be great? Thanks in advance!

Featured Answer

Maureen

4 years ago

last modified: 4 years ago

I would keep the walls simple so room feels calm and suggest creamy white walls to counterbalance tiles. Allow accessories to pop instead so tiles are not the driving force.

- Paint cabinet the same color as the shower tile for an updated look.

- Modern mirror and lighting will have a big influence

- Coordinated shower curtain and towels.

- remove the oddly placed towel rack and could add hooks on another wall with a print above

- Update window with a Roman blind

- If you like the look below, include warm components - additional storage over toilet, wicker garbage pail and laundry bin, and a framed picture.

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Comments (7)

tozmo1
4 years ago
For me, that blue is screaming for wall paper! Maybe not exactly these, but you get the idea, have some fun!
suezbell
4 years ago
last modified: 4 years ago
Tile seems fine. Would not want wallpaper in a room with patterned tile -- too "busy" for that small a space. Would pick a pale shade of a paint color from within the tiles for your walls.

Shadows appear to indicate that the light for the tub/shower is coming from outside the tub/shower so use a thick clear shower curtain liner to let the light in -- skip the more formal shower curtain.

You could add a long sided swag valance to the window. Do keep the mini-blinds for privacy.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01MQJSPWD/ref=twister_B0868P94D6

If you're changing the toilet, choose the newer kind with the seat slightly higher. Your knees will one day thank you for that.

Recommend stainless steel for bathroom door knob and hinges. Chrome works well with that.

Choose a faucet with an arc . Choose levers/handles rather than knobs for both sink and tub.
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Nancy in Mich
4 years ago
I love tozmo1’s second wallpaper for your bathroom, the Asian print just appears to match your slate blue so well. I can understand if this is not your thing, though.

It depends on how much “decorative objects” you like in your bathroom. For instance, I have seen sets of towels, rugs, shower curtains, vanity containers and waste baskets in a pine tree motif that might go with your blue. If you prefer to just paint and have a few decorative things then you can probably find a print of trees to hang over the toilet that will bring out the color of the tiles. What is your level of decoration that you are comfortable with? Will you consider wallpaper? I have seen some tree wallpaper that could go well with that tile, too.
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Nancy in Mich
4 years ago
Here is a birch tree wallpaper that may look good. https://www.wayfair.com/decor-pillows/pdp/foundry-select-shalon-birch-trees-27-l-x-27-w-wallpaper-roll-w002538554.html?piid=736929629
katinparadise
4 years ago
Your tiles are in great shape and should be easy to work with. I would embrace the period and have fun with it. I'd look for a pretty shower curtain that incorporates the blue and stick with a white close to the color in the floor tiles. I would keep fixtures in chrome, which are period appropriate for your bathroom.

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Home-Decorators-Collection-22-in-W-x-28-in-L-Framed-Fog-Free-Wall-Mirror-in-Silver-81168/205577496

Embrace the time period in the bathroom with a light style that is from the same period.

https://www.amazon.com/Nuvo-76-277-Diamond-Channel/dp/B002OMJBNO

This shower curtain would be great in your mid century style bathroom.

https://www.opensky.com/avlolo/product/mid-century-modern-retro-drop-shapes-in-shower-curtain-60x72-inches?

Since you don't have a lot of room to hang towels, I would add over the door towel hooks and something like this over the toilet to store towels.

https://www.wayfair.com/home-improvement/pdp/dotted-line-demi-wall-mounted-towel-rack-w001991980.html?piid=
acm
4 years ago
love the floor tile!

I'd find a light gray with blue undertones, and then do something fun with your accents, like rugs and shower curtain and whatever -- could go gray or yellow or bright green to add some fun.