Just getting rid of the wallpaper border and changing the window covering would help enormously. I'd paint the cabinets white and add new hardware.

Shutters would be lovely on the window, but white wood blinds could also work. Because granite or quartz countertops would be quite expensive, you could price recoloring your laminate countertops, or replacing them with a different laminate. With the pink staying for awhile longer, white or pale gray walls could give you a fresh look. New light fixtures would also help.

However, keep in mind that bathroom design has changed greatly over the years and your big tub and angled cabinets are something that you may eventually want to replace with a different configuration. So I would choose mostly cosmetic changes for now and wait until your budget is big enough for a total remodel.
Carolyn Albert-Kincl, ASID

I agree with all of Carolyn's suggestions.

I would paint the walls a soft true gray...nothing too blue or purple.

Paint the cabinets white, add chrome door hardware and replace the counter with a more neutral laminate.

Place a large art piece over the tub...something that isn't affected too much by moisture.

Outline the mirrors with white trim moulding to make them look like 3 large separate mirrors. Install new vanity sconce lighting.

I like Carolyn's suggestion of a new plantation shutter for the window.

I think you have the best suggestions already. Good luck. I have a big tub like that I am dying to rip out.

I like mmilos' suggestion of a large piece of art over the tub! Here's one I like that could work for you.
http://www.gallerydirect.com/art/product/tatara/venetian-i?substrate_id=2&product_style_id=5&frame_id=10&size=40x29

this piece may work as well:

http://deciture.com/shop/decor/9/momentary-canvas/

I have pink marble in my master bath and love it. I have white cabinets, beige walls and white ceiling. Beige and white go great with pink and give a fresh look. Put plants around the tub, white accents, and a large piece of art and you are good to go! Oh, and that counter top needs to go. Also, I have molding around my mirrors, so that is a great idea. And I would replace the overhead lights. Home depot has great stuff in lights and bathroom fixtures.

Im sorry but you cant do the floors last, the floors and walls must be done in the same time. Underneath the floors and walls you must install a proper system of waterproof board and sealant. Otherwise youre asking for a waterdamage.

Th e cabinet layout seems very awkward; I would remove them and replace with a floating vanity.

Another Houzzer on this site surrounded his tub with wainscoting and painted a soft cream color. That would look nice on your tub, paint your cabinets the same color and update the lighting and window covering and paint the walls. Would be a huge difference.

If you wanted to change the color of the tile, but not incur the expense of tearing out and re-tiling, you could have the tiles re-glazed white or whatever color you choose. It is a quick, easy and inexpensive way to update the look. I would take off the mirrors and have them recut into 2 mirrors placed at each sink and then frame the mirrors. Install 2 new light fixtures and hang artwork in the center where the center mirror is. (Or could add another framed mirror there, if wanted.) Add some hardware on the cabinets to dress up the vanity. Replace countertop as desired.

Curtains, mini-blinds, wallpaper border--be gone. Go with white faux wood blinds and no curtain or valence.

Change lights over the vanity.

Paint cabinets white. Agree with Carolyn to paint walls pale soft gray.

Frame mirrors using molding.

If you're going to replace the counters then take this opportunity to think about adding a cabinet between the two sinks. You could move your plugs inside the cabinet and keep hairdryer, etc plugged in but out of sight. Use a tambour door to maximize counter space.

Really like the momtoollie bath. Colors are great. Looking to replace my fiberglass shower - can you tell me what brand you have in your shower?

melamine paint can also be used along with a glaze to change the look of your counter tops. I did mine that way 10 years ago and it is just now starting to show signs of wear.Its also a cheaper and more personalized finish until you find the right counter top.

I would remove the mirrors and replace with a matching pair over each sink. Remove the corner shelf and replace with inexpensive cabinet for storage. By having two smaller sinks, you may be able to afford new counter tops. Paint the cabinets white and add hardware. I agree with the suggestion of a large piece of art over the tub too. It has so much potential! I, too, love the momtoollie bath! Great job!

momtoollie bath is GREAT.

I have a similar bath configuration. We did cosmetics of flooring, painting cabinets (I did that), new light fixtures, mirror sink, faucets, and toilet, frameless shower door, porcelain tile with glass tile accent on vanity and tub surround. The total cost was just over $2000, half of which went to tile setter's labor.

Why does the pink tile need to stay? I have discovered that houses built in the 1980s do not typically have the moisture barrier codes of today. I am just concerned you may end up with some larger issues down the road if not replaced. If the tile is still in pristine shape, you could change out the glass enclosure to frameless to update the style. Other than that, I agree with the suggestions of others.

Additionally, the large mirrors are more than likely glued to the wall (mine were). More damage that needs repair if you change them out, but well worth the effort.

Surely you must be able to buy tile paint or cwhy not consult a paint specialist? Here we can over paint just about anything with a product named Zinsser Perma-white, a multi-purpose primer/topcoat which dries to a nice white satin finish. This can also be tinted up to medium shades using any of the Farrow & Ball range. Job done and you can go over the grout with a grout pen. I had a bath that colour for 20 years also and was sooo glad when it went (to be a duck pond in someones yard.)

Granite or natural stone countertops are expensive however, find a stone fabricator in your area. They have leftover sections of stone from projects that they can fabricate for your counter top. Instead of a solid slab, we were able to accomplish the same look for less than 1/3 the price using 2 pieces of left over stone. The seam was almost impossible to find.

There is a great website called Design Seeds and it has lots of color palates, I would suggest starting with your pink and seeing what else you Love with your pink. I have attached a couple of the many options. The link to the site is www.designseeds.com.

There is a rosa allacante marble with gray & white veining that may go with your pink tile. There are also several grayish granites at $35 sf such as Kashmir White that could work. You could use it on the counters with white undermount sinks. I would paint the cabinets gray. You may be able to add small beveled mirrored tiles as an edge treatment to your mirror panels (just glue on the edge) or white painted wood trim, and you can find very affordable chrome sconces with glass shades to replace the dated ones. Add ceramic 4x4 either gray or white tiles to create a tub backsplash and top with matching tile chair rail. Remove the wallpaper border and paint the wall with a gray that's several shades darker than the cabinets. Replace the existing valance with a white Roman shade. Add new chrome 6" pulls. An inexpensive oriental style rug and artwork with the right colors will add finishing touches.

Pink/dark stain/ green are at war. Blinds and border, too. The pink tub isn't going to look so bad if you paint the cabinets, add new pulls/lighting, and get rid of the green laminate. As has been suggested. I'm tired of gray but it does look nice w pink. My husband added moulding around our mirrors and it looks much more custom. Art and/or open shelving on that blank wall. Add a pretty area rug and chair, too.
Good luck. It's hard to work with things you don't love. Been doing that for years.

You have a lot of good suggestions here. Taking down the curtains, removing the border wallpaper would be a good start. Before you paint, take down the vanity light fixtures and reduce the size of your mirrors adding frames. Do you use all 3 sections? Maybe you could eliminate the middle one and add artwork there as well as over the tub. Paint and put up new light fixtures. (BTW, nice natural light from the skylight.) Also, you might change our your shower door. If you choose one that is not clear it would help minimize the pink and give you more privacy. Choose matching finishes for the light fixtures, shower door, cabinet hardware and new faucets to complete the look.

What a great space! Start with the wallpaper removal and remove the curtain. I would also frame the mirrors and remove the middle section. Stick with hardware that matches the shower surround. Pick your paint color LAST. Houzz has some great articles on pairing colors. I once had a pink tiled bathroom and used gray accents to make it a little less girly. OR, you could add a pretty chandy in the room and go all out girly. Most men don't really care about the decor unless it's garage or man cave.

I've been thinking (yikes!) maybe skip the partial re-do until you can afford to do the tile and the counters and the floors all at once. That way you don't have to live with a torn up bath twice.

You could take down the valences and replace the blinds and then start a fund to do the whole thing right.

Here is another idea if it helps

If you plan on changing out the cabinets for new ones, then I suggest you do the flooring and the cabinets at the same time so the floor will all be the same, this way if you decide on either floating cabinets or cabinets with legs the flooring will be seen under the cabinets and it's all replaced with same flooring.

We did our flooring first but didn't replace the flooring where the cabinets were so we had to make sure any cabinets replaced came out the same distance as the flooring.

If you really don't like the color of the tile, it can be professionally painted a neutral color like white since the flooring in your shower stall is white.

I would look into removing that old shower door and get one without the metal, looks so much better and up to date.

Do you need the opening you now have in the middle of the counters? That would be a great place for more storage. You can either have it with just storage under the cabinet or bring it all the way up to the ceiling, and create a shelf on the counter with a roll up door and you can put all your make up, blow dryers, curling irons, etc. in there.

I would also remove the mirrors and get some nice framed mirrors, picking a frame that would compliment cabinets in color/style.

The shutters are a great idea for the bathroom because you can get shutters in different materials now instead of all wood. Just let them know it's for a bathroom and the room will get wet with steam, etc. They can help you pick the right material for your shutters.

Another idea is if you ever decide to replace your windows they have blinds built right into the glass of the the windows and their double paned and will filter the sun out butter.

As for the counter tops; Quartz is a good man made material and the design pattern flows better and if you have hard water like we do; you can clean them with Simple Green and clean your faucets, tub and shower to remove those nasty water marks.

I would try to choose colors that make the room look lighter if your room is naturally dark, and lighter flooring will make the room look bigger than a darker floor would. Mirrors also bring light into a room. I would also make sure your hardware for your cabinets match your faucets and light fixtures, gives it a better flow in the room. We were not going to do anything with our cabinets at first, so I painted them an espresso color, and found that wall to wall Oak Mirror and stained it espresso color to match. And you can see what we did with the counter top which is Qurartz, and I picked a bronze faucet that looks like bamboo.

You didn't really mention what your style is, so I would ask if you prefer Modern, Traditional, Contemporary, etc. before suggesting what you should replace things with.

Many of the earlier ideas are wonderful. I LOVE the pink and beige combination it is surprisingly bright and cheerful. Grey is also wonderful with pink - it is just the usual fix. Personally, I would never remove anything on which I could change the finish. Especially since the bath will be a slow project, now is the time to play with colors to see what you like best. The pink stays - why spend money on something you intend to remove down the road. You have great mirrors - don't rip them out - you already own them. Add "picture frames" around all three mirrors. You are in control - make wide or narrow frames, whatever you like best. The cabinets just need to be scrubbed down sanded slightly then primed and painted. Light sanding between coats.

I would paint the interiors a bright happy color as a wake up surprise for you each morning. The open central area should be enclosed - don't buy a custom cabinet - you aren't sure what you want to do yet. A handy person could frame the area so that two doors would enclose the space. Use a center support for the framing and buy 2 new or used doors to complete the project; after all you will be painting the cabinets - so everything will match.
The easiest and least expensive and quite funky solution would be to put curtains hanging from the counter top to the floor. There is nothing you can do that will be wrong. If you like the look - enjoy it. If not -paint is not too expensive. I would paint and seal the counter tops as well there are kits to help you do that.
I realize that some of the wonderful hints are from pros. The ideas and methods are fantastic - that is why they are Professionals. Personally, I do not believe in perfection for myself. I'm painting only for myself and my own enjoyment - Life is far from perfect and a bit of creative imperfection can be a new way to look at things when money is tight.

Can't wait to see your project!

Hey Mbidlen,

Here are some master bath ideas we have completed in the past. Feel free to visit our site www.NuBirch.com to gain more inspiration for all your remodeling needs!

Team NuBirch

Try painting the walls a light gray, paint the vanity white. Replace counter in a a gray, white, and black pattern. Keep the sinks and faucets if they are still in good shape. Add chrome pulls and towel racks. You can replace the large mirror with two separate ones. Defintely replace light fixtures. Change out mini blinds and valance with a roman shade. Best of luck with your project!

Hi there, I would strongly recommend going with a pvc blind especially since the window is so close to the shower any of material will get ruined. I would put a pvc shutter it would work amazing in this space.

http://www.blindsdirectcanada.com/shutters-toronto/pvc-polysatin-shutters.html

Update the lighting. Bare bulbs are out. Maybe a chandelier over the tub.

budget, oak cabinets and pink. Just like my ensuite was. I kept the cabinets oak since they were in great shape. (I painted the ones in my powder room white, a few years ago and vowed to never go through that process again as it is very labour intensive and you have to do a good job to make it stick) I put a laminate countertop in creamy white tones - perla piazza by Wilsonart using the flat lay process and a crescent edge - was only a few hundred dollars and it looks like a slab of stone - so pleased) The walls are creamy off white. and a new faucet. Lovely!!! sorry no pics at this time. But all it cost was paint for the walls, countertop - laminate, faucet. I did change the flooring to a wood look. Very pleased and had money left over to do another room. Good luck.

Also, I took the lighting down that is identical to yours, but put it back up as it is the absolute brightest to put makeup on and pluck eyebrows. Unless you have a fancy lighted mirror.

sorry also wallpaper border and curtain topper should come down. White wood blinds would be gorgeous of white shutters

Paint, paint, and more paint plus a new counter and you'll be good to go. With the right primer and paint you can paint any surface, including that pink tile. Unless you are replacing your cabinets, do not waste you money on any type of natural stone or other solid surface counters.

Here are a couple of budget friendly ideas.
1) Formica brand laminate counter top in 3456 - Mocha Travertine
2) Benjamin Moore paint - Iron gate (darker brownish gray) and/or Navajo White, both of which are color coordinated with Phoenix Sand (close to your pink tile color?)
3) Find a cute second hand chair and recover the seat in something fun and up to date, like Spiral Maggie/Kelso.
phoenix sand

iron gate


navajo white

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I guess I need to figure out how to embed the paint colors. If you go to the Benjamin Moore site, you can pull up the colors by name. Sorry.

Or you could save your money, live with it for a few years, and do it as "right" as whatever may suit you and your needs. Sometimes the quick /fast fixes, just take you $$$ further from the dream and aren't really fixes at all.. Maybe there doesn't need to be a tub, or maybe a different tub. The cabinets are not great, and they don't merit all new tops and under mounted sinks and new faucets. Removing the mirror which is very likely glued, will result in a drywall project. ........ and on it goes. Sometimes a room has simply done its time, sad to say: ) In other words...... will you ever love the pink tile?

If you just want a facelift for now, change the wall color, window treatments, mirrors and lighting. But if you want new cabinets and flooring, you might consider the amenities and arrangement. Do you use the tub? How about a Japanese Soaking Tub instead? Do you need 2 sinks and are they situated for convenience? Do you have enough storage for towels and toiletries? Food for thought.

This bathroom is just like the one I am getting in my new house(new to me). It is also kinda sad. In the bathroom I have now, I have pretty much the same set up. I put frosted glass in the big window so that the bathroom immediately became private. Also, no need for any window treatments! I love it- so much so that I did the shower the same way. I put a little wooden shelf with a towel rod on it, above the tub on the wall(my new bathroom has a window on both sides) I put sunflower yellow towels there and a Mexican painting above it. On one of the frosted windows, I hung a stain glass piece I found at a flea market. I bought about 3 boxes of mexican tiles and tiled the front of bathtub wall to the floor border. Then, I put Mexican tile as a border around the tub top edge--with hot glue. I figure if the next people want it down-it will be easy to remove.
I then found trim at Home Depot(plastic, light weight), spray painted it and used that double stick tape(the kind that has foam in the middle) and stuck it up to frame the mirror. I didn't even have to miter the edges because I bought the square wooden decorative pieces in the lumber department and used them as the corner pieces. Before I put it all up, I measured carefully and then spray painted the pieces with a reddish brown, glossy spray paint. The trim didn't go all the way to the mirror edge, so my solution was to put tape on the mirror(about an inch or so) and paint it the wall color which is khaki.
As far as decorating, I used the Mexican Talevera pottery and big sunflowers on the middle of the counter between the sinks, and one in the corner of the bathtub edge, with a different wheat colored spray. I hung more towels from hooks at the shower side just for color and used throw rugs in front of sink areas and shower. People come in and are really impressed with how it looks. I would send you a picture, but haven't figured out how to do that! Sorry. Good Luck.
Think about what you want and just jump in, my favorite thing was the frosted glass window and shower because you can't see inside the shower with all the shampoos etc., also when husband doesn't use the squeegie!

Why not go dramatic....paint the cabinet black. Add multiple frames to mirror, cheap ones painted black and white. White walls, black kick plate, black rugs. Heavy curtains... cheaper than shutters. Add cornice over lights, if you're not able to replace, and funky lamp on counter to add more lighting options.

Have you decided on a countertop material? We would also suggest replacing the outdated laminate with a new laminate. There are so many options available. Take a look at our Dimensions line: http://vtindustries.com/dimensions-countertops. You can have the look of natural stone at a fraction of the cost. We'd be happy to answer any questions you may have!

Painting will do wonders for your bathroom and shutters will automatically modernize your look. Material has a way of holding in the moisture....or you can build a cornice if privacy is not necessary. Change the hardware and automatically you have a new bathroom. If you upgrade the shower door as well for a couple of hundred, it will give you the face lift I think you're looking for.. New rugs and accessories will help complement the "on-it's-way" to renovation look and get you thru until you can get the bath of your dreams. You have the space...save and then redo. Good luck!

studio duo inc. How do you upgrade the shower doors for a couple of hundred?