Changing the wall color would be one of more economical options while providing a big impact.

Start by painting it a cheery, inviting color. A bright yellow might work with that blue.

Find a couple of colorful area rugs to go in front of the tub and sink to help brighten things up, and if you don't have any pictures or other artwork up on the wall behind the toilet, find something you like to go there.

If you want to redo the bathroom, you could pull the tub and surround out, put in a regular tub, and put a tile surround up. We're planning on doing that after we get our hardwood floor done later this summer. Right now we're finishing up tiling the kitchen, dining room, pantry, entryway hall, laundry area and coat closet that all connect. Then we have to do a tile backsplash when we get our new countertop in a month, and finish our trim and knotty pine doors. It's overwhelming at times, but so worth it when it's done. Good luck.

Those all sound like great ideas but, paint color that I cant even wrap my head around. What would go with the tub and toilet? As for the mess, I have deemed my hubby the sole cleaner for the bathroom...
Hayley, you may have inspired a simple wall color and color infused accents. =)

I'm very visual and if you see a photo that you may think inspire, please share. Thank you =)

color to brighten your dreary bath....all easy for diy

search "unique shower curtains" on Houzz -- there are several stunning ones that may inspire and have a smige of the blue (or completely compliment it) and yet bring you joy. Expensive (for a shower curtain) perhaps, but you need inspiration and from that you could pick a wall color and accessories -- and still have something pretty to lookaw while in the tub.

I would find a darker grayed blue (the bath mat color looks good) and paint the walls, and everything else white, including the vanity. Make sure you do the ceiling while you are at it….same white, but in a flat finish.

Then find a GREAT shower curtain and keep it closed.

One easy win would be to paint your vanity cabinet white, and put on brushed nickel hinges and pulls.\
Looks like a stock issue 1980s faucet on the sink, and at a home center you can pick up a tremendously nicer one for under $100. It is a bit of a project getting under the sink to replace the faucet, but since I've done it, I know you can too.
As others have said, a good-quality framed mirror will make the room more attractive, as will bright-colored towels and accessories.
Go for "fun" as opposed to "elegant" to counter the impersonal nature of the basic fixtures.
You actually have a pretty nice and neutral blank slate here on which to build an attractive and useful bath.

I don't think your bathroom looks bad at all. That said...go to denydesigns: http://www.denydesigns.com/collections/shower-curtains

Find a shower curtain among a bazillion there that floats your boat. Use it to inform your color palette.

A funky mirror--buy or make--and fresh color on the walls with crisp white cabinets will make a world of difference.

Actually, your bathroom is not bad at all. At worst, it is a blank slate where you can create anything you like! Here are my suggestions:
1. Paint the walls - I would say a dark/charcoal accent wall -behind the vanity. The rest of the walls a dove grey or light grey/blue - and the ceilings bright white.
2. Get a new, larger, framed mirror - don't hang it too high above the sink - if you paint the back wall a dark grey, get a white framed mirror (or medicine chest that can hold your toothpaste, etc)
3. Get a new faucet, depending on your style - I would go more modern
4. Paint the vanity cabinet. I would say black - or white - and change the hardware to match the new faucet you are going to put in
5. get rid of the waste basket - and add a wicker one
6. I can't see the light fixture in the vanity area, but judging from the faucet - you may need to update that as well.
7. Get a new, colorful shower curtain - the two pictured are great!
Home Depot often has discontinued items or close outs that are priced very reasonably. Since you only need one faucet, some hardware and a lighting fixture, you should be able to make all your updates fairly reasonably. Good luck!

Here are my suggestions - Change the toilet to a white one. They can be had inexpensively at Costco or Habitat for Humanity sells them really cheap and they also sell total baths and inserts, You may have to be patient but you will find what you need. A white toilet will not look out of place as the sink is white and separated from the tub. You are not fond of the colour of the tub therefore I would not paint the walls any colours that intensify it. Stay away from gray! Grover axel had the right idea, find a shower curtain you really like and pick a wall colour from that as well as accessories. Buy pretty things that make you smile and you won't even notice the tub. I lived with a white cast iron tub and beige toilet and sink for years and it can be disguised enough that you stop noticing.

Question, the shower curtain, should I sick with smaller prints or could I get away with big bold design?

Go big and bold. Use the curtain to make a statement. It will draw attention away from the parts of the bath you hate. Dinky designs will just disappear.

It depends on your style. I like a classic yet luxurious modern look and based on your bath - it wouldn't be that hard to achieve if you're also into that.

For about $200 -250 on accessories and paint, and some manual work that'll come easy even to non-diyer's you can have a pretty sexy bathroom. Don't fight the current scheme, compliment it.

1.. ($40) Find a very light, very bright - almost but definitely not white - Gray. Hmm good time for an example: Gray Cloud by Benjamin Moore maybe? = then lightly and evenly sand your cabinets and paint them - w/ Purdy or high quality brush. 2. ($60)Go to homegoods, marshalls or TJ maxx and buy the biggest rectangular mirror you can fit in your space ceiling to sink - with a dark wood colored frame or for a more luxe look any non-rectangular shape with a metal frame instead. 3. ($35) Important change your cabinets hardware including the door hinges and faucet handles!! Go to homedepot.com or lowes.com and buy yourself some new modern hardware - brushed nickel or chrome are my fave, but they have all finishes - I personally spend $3-6 per handle/knob. For your cabinet I would stay away from the rectangular or square ones because of the existing curves and if you have an extra hole from the old handle just fill it in with wood filler before painting. Also, go online because at the store they just have the most common knob looking things and common doesn't translate to luxe. Lastly, if your mirror is metal - please match your finishes. 4. ($40) For the rugs - get 2 rectangles or a small circle for the front of your sink and single 6ft runner to extend the length of bath in white or charcoal gray & matching towels. 5. ($25) Shower curtains also hit up Marshalls or Homegoods and get yourself a primarily white, thick and mildew resistant curtain with either a black thin border OR any large print design in again Gray.- and hang just a couple inches below the ceiling, to make ceilings look taller. 6. ($30) Find your favorite small artwork, sculpture etc - no rules and hang it over that toilet. Everyone will look at the artwork and never notice the toilet which now blends in harmoniously with everything else.

Inspirational vibes :

Swapping out the toilet is an easy and fairly cheap fix. Have you looked into having the tub coated? Depending on the material, you might be able to have it painted white. Failing that, funky shower curtains to the rescue! Touch up the vanity area with some paint, and you'll be a fair way toward Spa Town!

(Having said that, I kind of like the gray-blue fixtures -- maybe paint the vanity to match and then go with a sky-blue wall color? But I know that it's hard to capture the "feel" of a bathroom in a photo.)

If the squares on the floor are black you could go with something like this and then paint the vanity black and a mirror framed in black and white walls
or this

I happen to have this one in my bathroom and it would work with the tub colour and brighten up the space
http://www.kohls.com/product/prd-725167/home-classics-reiko-floral-fabric-shower-curtain.jsp

Like others are saying, replace the toilet and then have your tub and surround sprayed white. From there you have a clean slate to pick a tile for the floor and paint the walls.

Contrasts make colors appear different. Try a medium to dark gray on the wall to make the tub and toilet look bright.

and

If you are not painting your walls or changing anything regarding the walls, get a curtain with complementary colors with a design with your taste on it. Change the vanity mirror and get some shower caddies or the wall baskets to keep the stuffs, than keeping it over the sink cabinet. Get a towel hooks and arrange the towel; personally, I would suggest Better Living. Introduce nice lights to enhance the look of the bathroom. These should do the job in a smaller budget.

How about using an exciting and unique vanity mirror? This usually upgrades the bathroom space into a designer styled room.

http://www.irisdesignstudio.com/#!product/prd12/1504390105/perito-moreno-large

Pick a nice gray/white, lot of mirrors, do not go with curtains, slid doors is perfect, remove the cabinet at the bottom, I like the idea that Iris Design posted but not the mirror

Our new home has the same color tub. I appreciate this post and the comments. I thought about staining the cabinet a deep brown, painting the walls an easy cream, the trim in white and finding a curtain with blue browns and whites..... Eventually I would like a nice gray/blue slate floor.

Old post- I wonder how it turned out.

Hey Apple Pie, I have yet to do anything with the bathroom as I work seasonally, however this fall will likely be the best time to fallow up =)

@tingleys: thanks for update. Post new photos when you are ready!