It's a rental. Does everything in there function? Then you deal with it, ( yes it is pretty ugly ) until you leave the rental.

Or you spend your money for a new vanity in white and a white toilet, put down a new floor tile . Paint, a new shower curtain and rod.

The mustard tub will still be there : )

Oof - those are some tough colors.. if it were me, I’d start with a great shower curtain (would prob look for something that has the mustard) and then get a simple rug that covered as much of the floor as possible -

I would probably leave the counter alone although there are some pretty great removable wallpaper vanity makeovers online if you feel crafty - you could add a charming small lamp if there’s a convenient outlet and lots of fresh white towels

It is a rental but has some free reign as it is eventually a tear down in a few years. Regardless of rental or owning, you should love your environment. What do we think about paint colours?

I would like a lighter cream, enough yellow to make sense with the rest of the room. A cold white will make the gold look worse.

Some of the finishes would not necessarily be my choice, but I am definitely not in the ”need to wipe all things yellow/gold off the face of the earth“ camp - so I would lean into the gold tones a bit. I would just do it with accessories, though. Towels, etc. And i think something like this set from West Elm might be a lot of fun with the counter.

And I also love the combo of blue and gold.

It looks clean and in good shape. Spend the landlord's money on new paint. Spend your own money on Gel Gloss for the countertops, Mop & Glow floor polish for the sheet vinyl, new shower curtain and window curtain, nice towels and warm washable non-skid bath rugs.

Paint the wall tiles (prep is key!), the walls and that brown strip of laminate under the mirror offwhite, buy a second hand vanity, solid wood drawers or kitchen cabinets (if possible a long counterop too), DIY galore! Keep the floor tiles and bath, they won't look too shabby once all the other eyesores have been transformed.

What exactly are you able to do in this rental?

- Can you paint the vanity?

- Can you you have the tub painted?

- Can you replace the sink & faucet?

- What does the lighting in the room look like?

I would spend money to replace the vanity, top , sink. Make sure to measure properly for the new one so it can fit just right under that mirror.

Get a fabulous shower curtain, great floor mats - one long one would be best.

I would paint the walls a soft gray. The floor looks like it has a little warm gray mixed in it.

If you wanted to spend a little more, you could have the tub reglazed.

Try to do as much of it as you can yourself - that will save a lot. Just make sure you know what you are doing!

Good luck

I like the yellow. If I was renting that, I’d replace the countertop. The floor is only vinyl but goes with the yellow color scheme. Just put an inexpensive laminate top for a few hundred (???) bucks.

I agree with the "love your environment" statement. Paint the walls and change the lighting. If you must then paint the vanity but leave everything else alone. No reason to send it all to the landfill for the new bathroom to also be sent to the landfill in 2-3 years.

I wonder if you could use some fun stick and peel wall paper?
I haven’t tried that stuff yet, so perhaps someone would know if it comes off okay.

Less contrast tones down the whole look. Earth tones. I agree, substantial carpet for the floor, maybe paint walls a bit darker, nice linens and shower curtain. All in shades of terra cotta, peach, cream and brown. I don't love those colors, but that last thing you want in there is a grey or blue, it will just make the yellow and brown stand out more. You want colors close to the counter top in intensity too, but mix the colors, no more solid dark blobs. The cabinets appear to be laminate. I don't think you can paint that.

A color scheme like this except cream instead of grey, all the same intensity, so not one in particular pops out. I inherited some funky colors at my last house and learned that to tone down a color you don't like, chose ones close to it on the color wheel that you do like. Not across from it.

Earth tone decorating ideas. https://www.elledecor.com/design-decorate/color/g30550544/earth-tone-decorating/

I agree with Mrs Pete. Eveything can be pulled together with the accessories. I’d keep the choices calm and simple.

Pick a shower curtain which relates to the sink and counter. Keep it closed so the tub and tile are hidden.

I think the color was called Harvest Gold

Yes, I was of the harvest gold generation. I once had a kitchen that was avocado with a brown and silver foil graphic wallpaper. Your bathroom is a dream compared to that!

The toilet looks like it's white so I would replace the sink (not expensive). Your photo doesn't show the vanity as being white so I show it white with the wood trim at top painted white. If you're handy you can make a frame painted white around what seems to be a wall to wall mirror above the vanity. A bit of decor with a textured white shower curtain and white mat will change the look of the room...

Sink & Faucet: Home Depot

Shower curtain: Amazon

Forgot to mention I suggest the walls be painted a warm white.

I see other have made all sorts of good suggestions such as reglazing the bathtub, but I stayed away from more costly suggestions as you mentioned you "do not want to spend too much". I've once had a bathtub reglazed but it was done by professionals but I see it can also be a DIY which wouldn't be too costly but I have no idea of the result.

I would do ZERO - except accessories.

I know the OP wants ideas for ”renovating” the bathroom - but, really... it’s a rental...

True story: I am moving to a new place here in NYC, and as it so happens, it’s a rental. The landlord has offered to paint the apartment any color(s) that I want - which is very nice of him! He is a first class person to offer to do that. But I really love the colors that are there now - because several rooms have a beautiful, light yellow gold on the walls - and I am in heaven!! The bedrooms are done in a nice, creamy white - which is also fantastic. I’m planning on a blue sofa.

Yellow is the #2 power color in Eastern Feng Shui. Red is #1.

how much do you want to invest? (and why is your landlord holding on to 60 year old items? he can write off any remodels. ask him to help you a bit and you'll do the work)

First thing I'd do is paint over that horrid yellow paint.

then I'd get new 3500K LED bulbs/light fixture

You can paint that melamine cabinet, but honestly, if you know how to shop and some DIY, you can get something 100X better.

you can find used vanities on craigs list for a few hundred. the old oak ones you can paint. look for a countertop remnant.

You could also get a cheap base unfinished cab (builder Surplus), paint, get an inexpensive countertop. (go by a stone fabricators shop. look at the pieces he's throwing in the trash. see if you can have it or if he will cut a sink hole for you (about $50)

or, Rustoleum has countertop paint.

then look for a new sink/faucet. again, craigslist, fb marketplace, Restore, etc.

the tub and tile can be sprayed w/an epoxy coating (white) for a bout 500 bucks. see if the landlord will spring for this. (tell him it's a tax writeoff)

flooring, they have paint for vinyl tiles. look up "DIY painting vinyl bathroom floors". lots of ideas

https://sprucingupmamahood.com/1970s-bathroom-remodel/

http://www.livelovediy.com/2012/07/decorating-bathroom.html

some other links

https://toolboxdivas.com/yes-you-can-paint-your-bathtub-and-tile-heres-how/

before and after

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZeewhIe2fns

You could even be on the look out for an older wood dresser, refinish or paint it, modify it for the plumbing, cut out for sink and install ( you could do all of this for 100 bucks IF you know how to shop!)

Oh boy! I remember my first apartment bathroom: Pink tub, mint green toilet and baby blue sink. Yikes! I painted the walls baby blue and scored a gorgeous Scalamandre designer floral fabric and did a ceiling to floor shower curtain with a plastic curtain behind. I actually remember it fondly!

That gold tub is a killer. Consider the following, inexpensive and will come off creatively artistic:

1) Peel and stick vinyl for fronts of vanity. Use a very sharp razor blade to cut with a metal straight edge. Choose a darker brown so that the cabinet fades away. Keep the countertop. Add polished nickel pulls, keep it simple. (like a coin pull)

2) The tub front apron can be covered with a DYI wood panel to be painted the same color as the walls.

3) The floor is the easy one: There are wonderful vinyl mats available. Buy a large one and cut to fit over the entire floor. When placing the mat, line it up with the far wall and vanity recessed base and bring forward. Your eye always focuses on the far wall.

4) There are hundreds of shower curtains available or you can sew a simple fabric. Mount ceiling to floor and add a frosted vinyl shower curtain behind.

5) Remove the mirror and replace with a decorative mirror. I see a heavy dark wood frame. Finding a large frame with mirror is an easy find.

6) Don't forget the art and accessories. I love the faux tortoise shell accessories for the vanity top that freedomplace1 posted! Art is very subjective, support your local artists! The art should have a wide matte and simple black frame.

https://totalwallcovering.com/p97441/dark-brown-crocodile-skin-wallpaper.aspx

https://www.amazon.com/FunStick-Wallpaper-Crocodile-Adhesive-Removable/dp/B09KX83LGS

https://hudsonandvine.com/collections/vinyl-mats/products/vintage-vinyl-floorcloth-mats-williamsburg-woven-prince-edward-est-1754?variant=31625938534461

https://www.wayfair.com/Red-Barrel-Studio%C2%AE--Cowgill-Urban-Graphic-Plain-33-L-x-21-W-Textured-Stripes%C2%A0Wallpaper-Roll-CJ124860-L6161-K~ASCR1351.html?refid=GX685159365512-ASCR1351_26908617&device=c&ptid=1674467181282&network=g&targetid=pla-1674467181282&channel=GooglePLA&ireid=49163061&fdid=1817&PiID%5B%5D=26908617&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAiAxaCvBhBaEiwAvsLmWD9dVIJ3c5TCjFnsiMuDi7kETw74bp4ENIPvPqQenR2XK9sIRRRkzxoC8dsQAvD_BwE

https://www.etsy.com/listing/1554093713/vintage-floral-and-bird-shower-curtain?ga_order=most_relevant&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=shower+curtains&ref=sr_gallery-8-1&pro=1&frs=1&organic_search_click=1https://www.addicted2decorating.com/diy-tub-skirt-decorative-side-panel-for-a-standard-apron-side-soaking-tub.html

https://www.addicted2decorating.com/diy-tub-skirt-decorative-side-panel-for-a-standard-apron-side-soaking-tub.html

Leave the tub alone. A shower curtain will be the best investment. Paint the room warm ivory that won’t look fluorescent.

I would negotiate a new vanity and sink. Otherwise, paint it as well.

Cover the floor with a nice rug that brings in a color you like and works with the shower curtain.

This bathroom is darling. What’s the difference between a tear down and charming? Perspective. Styling.
I would go with some very modern touches. Geometric patterns. The only thing I truly don’t love is the towel holders. You could go more modern there. Maybe black.

That bathroom is fun! Lean into it. The shower curtain is normally closed, so as long as that looks good, and you have some cute artwork, accessories, and towels, then the space will be pretty.