I can see painting, but that vanity top?

Can you spend the money for a new top? and mirror? sorry, but that ornate silver frame mirror doesn't work at all. If you can remove the frame, re-frame the mirror w/a diff type of trim or wood.

maybe some larger sinks?

Shouldn't be that much. you can find a remnant piece you could use.

For the vanity, I'd use a good quality paint meant for wood. BM Advance is one.

If you did a charcoal color and a creamier grayish countertop (or a soft white) I think it would be fine.

Fill in the holes on the vanity prior to painting. get new hardware.

Something like this would look great.

https://domesticblonde.com/2016/10/21/oh-floor-how-i-love-thee-painted-tile/

diff mirror (this one w/wood trim is simple to do) Find a mirror off craigslist (people are always dumping those regular mirrors. have it cut to size if need be)

Paint the vanity a darker color, get a new top, new hardware. these floor tiles are stenciled. Of course you'd pick colors to match your other tiles. shades of creamy white, neutral beige, griege, etc. you could also do blacks, charcoal, greens, dark blue/grays,

I like this color combo. the black/charcoal for vanity, gold hardware, black frame mirror, painted tiles, soft white wall color

then do a simple wood bath mat (if you can't buy one, make one). The warm wood tones will compliment the shower tile, and warm up the vanity color

But the granite top has got to GO

sand and prime (I like the spray can Zinsser oil base). fine sand AGAIN and wipe clean

you can brush on the primer too, but the spray can is so much easier.

https://www.bhg.com/bathroom/vanities/how-to-paint-bathroom-cabinets/

stenciled floors

On this one they painted the floor a solid color, did some wainscot, a bit of wallpaper, new white top and a charcoal vanity. I like the square sink too. updates the look. notice the mirror and how it's framed w/simple white trim work. it's easy to DIY (and cheap. Use baseboard molding!)

https://www.farmhouseliving.com/blog/diy-painting-tile-floors

This one used special floor paint. it will last longer. do not use a wall paint or chalk paint on the floor

I like the solid color w/the little stencil design. this vanity is a warmer charcoal color (kendall Charcoal would be a close match)

Royal Design stencil has some great choices and tons of pics and how to's

this soft blue/gray and yellow base charcoal color (Chelsea Gray-BM) might work w/the shower tiles

If you paint the floor tile, all you'll really have is the shower tile, and a small bit around the tub. I wouldn't be overly concerned w/matching it exactly. close enough will work.

outfit the tub deck w/potted orchids/some greenery, bring in a teak bathmat (you can even make one yourself) ,

new vanity light, and wall paint.

Right now, that current wall color is too gray for the tile/vanity/granite. wrong shade.

Off that limited color selection you posted, Pebble and Pewter are about the only two that work w/the tile. (and really, neither of those work w/the granite top.)

i'll say it again,,,,beg borrow or steal, but get a new top. Find that FIRST. then come back w/colors

but the main this is to get rid of the vanity top/mirror/light. That will have a huge impact.

if budget is a concern, save up for bit.

check fabricator/stone shop to see what they're throwing out.

check craigslist for vanity or remnants. you'd be surprised what you can get on there for cheap.

If you just can't swing the new top,

here is a similar bathroom redo like yours.

c-the link at the end for how to

https://www.drivenbydecor.com/painting-bathroom-vanity/

check out her other projects too

https://www.drivenbydecor.com/category/diy-projects/

“The pre-existing vanity top and tile are complications my brain can't handle.” Linda, your instinct is right on the mark - you need a less busy, less in-your-face-yellowy counter, and a new counter solves the complication your brain can’t handle. Not replacing the counter dooms the whole project IMO.

“I'm kind of open to anything. I'm not great with colors, and it always takes me forever to come up with combos”. Are you brave enough to stop worrying about making a mistake, and trusting enough to see the genius in Pro Beth’s curated color combos and her other advice?

I did a quick mock up w/some of my ideas

As you can see, the colors all work w/the wall tile.

the floor tiles are one solid color (you could do a little stencil on them in a darker shade of the same color),

Diff vanity top is key here,,,

gave you the white trim mirror

wood bath mat,

check out the window covering. it's a bit softer looking than the heavy shutters/blinds.

and a wood towel rack w/some coordinating towels. (you could also hang a picture here)

Plants and a vanity-top decor display finishes it off

oh, don't forget the new light. this is a soft brushed gold, find matching cabinet hardware. This is from lowes-Kenross is the make.

I like this charcoal vanity (any of the top two rows could work)

The decor element of the wood tray across the tub w/little coordinating items is also cute.

don't forget some potted plants or orchids around the window

Similar tiles to yours. they used a slate blue color. wood trim mirror, hanging plant holder, wood stool, I don't care for this towel bar. doesn't reall match.

towels and art over by tub:

throw in some color and other elements if you like

If you like the wood idea, use the same tone of wood from the mat and or the mirror frame, and do something like this:

towel bar or hooks screwed into the wood. get some nice towlels. on the window I gave you a roman blind w/a soft design in a sage green.

I really like the dark vanity color that Beth suggested. And I do agree the countertop has got to go. I wonder if it is possible to reuse the sinks and faucets from this one and find a surface that is much less expensive than granite.

If you don't want to change out the tile and countertop then I would pick either a cream color for the walls or a gray green.

The color that is currently in there is too purple(Taupe) against the countertop

If you go to a local stone yard and talk to them about buying a remnant, getting a small sink installed and drilling a hole for a faucet, you will have a better idea of what the cost will actually be. Forcing yourself to keep the most difficult-to-match item in the room (and a significant one) makes the project challenged from the start.

Don’t limit yourself to one paint company. SW and BM make cabinet paints in every color. I repainted the small vanity in my guest bathroom to practice, then did my master bathroom. My floor tile is too expensive to change out, but by painting the vanities a beautiful grayish-purpley blue, my bathroom changed dramatically.

Use all the resources available.

To me, the problems are the wall color and the granite. To simplify your project, paint the walls and vanity and replace the countertop. The floor color is fairly neutral and will hold up better than painted. Sage green and cream are good options; avoid grey.

Wow, thank you, everyone! OK, I agree...the vanity has to go. If I had a simple white vanity that would make things so much easier. (Also want to add...if you think that vanity top is bad in the bathroom, you should see it in our large kitchen. That will be next on my list)

I saw one on Craigslist that could work—white quartz with a light gray marbling, square sinks, includes backsplash and sidesplash, for $400. I just need to check the size.

Thank you, Beth, for all the amazing mock-ups! I love the idea of a charcoal vanity/white top and light tiles with a lighter stencil. (Too funny, my 3/4 bath in the final pic has a Royal Design stencil!) Would you recommend pure white as a base or would that be too stark against the tan tub & shower tile?

I should have mentioned...yes, that ugly mirror frame has got to go! i was thinking of doing two mirrors instead, or I could go the cheaper route and either leave the mirror frameless or build a new frame myself.

Are you recommending getting rid of the plantation shutters and instead using curtains? No one can see into that window (second floor, faces the woods), so that would be a possibility. ETA: I thought the towels on the rack were a curtain! Eyesight is not that great. :) So you're recommending lighter-weight blinds then?

As for the floor, a couple of you suggested not painting the tile. Has anyone had issues with painted tile? I did the 3/4 bath (see the final photo of the batch) and it's only been a week but it seems super sturdy. I used 4 coats of base paint, then the stencil...this process took several days, Then 4 coats of the finish over two days. Then let it cure for three days before adding back the toilet. I'm going to be very careful for a month or two...brush vacuum, hand wiping. And I figure every year or so I could add another coat of finish.

I know there are lots of options for cabinet paint, but I have done a lot of furniture painting and stenciling over the years, and Beyond Paint is the best one I've ever tried. It's almost like you can't screw it up. (And I promise I am not working for them. :D ) The cabinet and tile in the 3/4 bath look like I bought them that way. And I could always ask my relative to help me tint it to get just the right shade of charcoal if I don't want to use BP's gray.

Finally, I wanted to mention that the bathroom as this way when we moved in three years ago and I have done absolutely nothing to it yet! This is why there is nothing in the way of plants, art, etc. Loving the suggestions in this thread for what to add!

Thank you again!!!!

So I found this brand new vanity top on Craigslist for $400 -- it's the right width, but it doesn't mention the depth. It's quartz with a bit of gray. Should I avoid gray since we have those brownish tub & shower tiles?

The tub, shower and floor tile are the best part of that bathroom. The vanity with the framed mirror just appears too heavy for the room. Simplify all the details

I would consider painting the walls and vanity the same color as the shower tiles to unify the background so that the white tub and window are the focal point. I’d leave the floor as is but cover it with a beautiful rug that ties into the countertop and your bedroom decor.

Linda, that one looks like standard depth. should be 22" ?

I like it. haggle ! maybe you can try $300 if you "get it today" lol

you can keep looking or jump on that one.

do you even plan on changing out the tiles in the bath? ever?

if you paint the vanity a charcoal, and the floor tiles, you aren't going to see too much of the shower tiles from the countertop. you could always use warmer bulbs if you think it's too 'cool gray'.

up to you.

Thanks to everyone who shared ideas! I wrote to the person with the vanity top on Craigslist and am leaning toward a charcoal vanity, maybe with gold hardware...depends on the top, but I do love the gold light fixtures Beth recommended.

Leaving the floor as is but adding a runner is a fabulous idea! I might be able to find something nice from Ruggables since those are washable.

I'll worry about the wall color after finalizing the vanity color and top. Since I'd be keeping the rest pretty neutral, maybe I could get away with a more colorful paint on the walls.

And oh yes, fixing the mirror or replacing it with two separate ones...TBD once I see how it looks without the frame.

Thanks again!!

I think a darker cabinet with gold hardware/fixtures would look great!

Oh good @FrameMyMirror! I wasn't sure about gold with charcoal.

Once the new top is installed, you can make hardware and paint decisions. Looks like a huge bargain if it is the right size. Offer $300 as @Beth H suggested.

Beth had some great ideas, but I'm not sure I'd paint the floor tile. Even with floor paint, there's too much chance of scuffing or peeling, IMO. I'd paint the vanity and walls white and get black hardware, faucets, mirror, and lighting. Leave the top as is, because that granite has black in it. That will be a vast improvement with not too much effort.

Once you get the bathroom color uniform, use the soft finishes (towels, rugs, plants) for pops of color. If you get say a pretty colorful rug and then repeat the colors in the rug in your towels and faux plants it will keep your eyes moving around the room from accent color to accent color. Don't forget to place accent colors on your bathtub ledge as well.

https://www.houzz.com/photos/129-furnace-street-contemporary-bathroom-portland-phvw-vp~86551414

129 Furnace Street · More Info

Ruggable is not the only washable rug in town:

https://boutiquerugs.com/collections/machine-washable-area-rugs?msclkid=910c0458b2f4126d388867fea8aec7f0&utm_source=bing&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=USA%20-%20Washable&utm_term=Washable%20Rugs&utm_content=Washable%20Rugs

https://www.washablerugs.com/

https://www.rugsusa.com/rugsusa/control/search-washable-rugs?mkwid=pcrid_77309593969203_pkw_washable%20rugs_pmt_bb_pdv_c_slid__product__pgrid_1236950890807755_ptaid_kwd-77309665833766:loc-190&pgrid=1236950890807755&ptaid=kwd-77309665833766:loc-190&intent=&cl_a=click&cl_aid=rugsusa&cl_asid=bing&cl_ch=sem&cl_vend=bing&cl_camp=590024574&cl_adg=1236950890807755&cl_crtv=77309593969203&cl_kwid=77309665833766&cl_mt=e&cl_gtid=kwd-77309665833766:loc-190&cl_id=b5d258b140a8195200b23b175af2cb15&cl_cache=[timestamp]&msclkid=b5d258b140a8195200b23b175af2cb15&utm_source=bing&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=adwords_sem_act_washable%20Washable%20Hub-G17606711497&utm_term=washable%20rugs&utm_content=act_washable_washable%20rugs

Wow, thanks for all the additional thoughts and information!

I was wondering how it would look to paint the walls white. @Sabrina Alfin Interiors, interesting idea to leave the granite top and paint the vanity white, and use black hardware! (Truthfully, I love gold but just today was lamenting that the ones I installed in that 3/4 bath are so hard to keep looking clean). Would white walls be too much with that? I could always get a runner that brings it all together?

@shirlpp Thanks for the info on washable rugs! That will give me more options.

@Ml Schnap I definitely want to get some décor items and art that will tie everything together. I'm thinking about how a series small hanging plants might look in front of the window.

I only like white towels because I bleach the heck out of them. But I could add more colorful hand towels on top of them.

@RedRyder the seller is willing to sell for $350! Which still seems like a deal, especially compared to the cheaply made, easily scratchable tops I've been seeing at Lowes, etc.

I’d stick with a creamy white for base color; if you do stencil, maybe use the licorice (as in your chart), or perhaps mocha….it’s so hard to tell with photos. If you are getting a new quartz top, I’d also recommend sticking with a warm, creamy color….this will work better with your tile. I would also not add a bunch of colorful towels, I’d keep things nice and bright. I know you didn’t ask about this, but I might look into getting a doofere shower curtain for the other bathroom……the florals don’t go with your “star” tiles, imo. Good luck!

Thanks, @coray! I actually wasn't planning on painting the floor when I redid that 3/4 bath and bought the curtain. A month or so later I decided to go for it, and it's killing me that the (expensive, custom) curtain now isn't quite right. So I've been digging in my heels. :D

I'd love to go for something like this idea, where the boldness of the curtain suits the boldness of the floor: https://meganbellmade.com/blog/2019/6/9/diy-budget-bathroom-makeover

I think something with a bolder design (and more of a creamy background as opposed to a bright white...but still with some of the green) would look better. Like a pattern by this designer. But I just can't pull the trigger!

Ooh, yeah, Linda, I know that hurts….I’ve done this sort of thing myself. It looks like you did a nice job with the stenciling (in the photo it looks like a patterned tile), and I know that must’ve taken some effort, so I’d let the floor shine and skip more patterns, go with a nice, plain linen shower curtain or something of that nature ….I’ve got one from RH and another from Parachute Home I like. But: it’s your house, so you do you! (I like this one, shown below, by Parachute Home…..it’s interesting, has a pattern, but won’t compete. Not sure if it’s too white, though…..can’t remember the exact colors in your 3/4 bath.)

@Beth H. :I was rereading the thread and noticed that you asked whether I plan to ev er replace the tiles. The answer is probably not...I have a much bigger project I want to prioritize, which is replacing all our carpeted areas with wood or LVP. I love the idea you posted of the cream paint with a simple, small stencil in a light color, and others' suggestions to just throw a runner over the tile. :)

@coray Ooh, I love how the pattern is at the top so there's still some interest but it doesn't compete with the tiles! I wiah it came in a creamier color.

Am I wrong in thinking that there should be a bit of green to tie in the walls?

It doesn't need to be an actual shower curtain. The shower has a glass door, but we keep the cat litter in there and use a curtain to hide it.

Thanks to everyone for their great ideas! So much to think about.