JoBeth, Kyle, and their two kids have lived in their 1950s-style home for four years. When they bought the house, it had not been previously updated. They noticed peeling paint and cracking drywall, but their biggest concern was their kid’s bathroom.
Their kid’s bathroom is also used as a guest bathroom. Since they have many people using that space, they want to update their outdated bathroom. So, we’re going to fix it up and give them a modernized and contemporary bathroom.
The Projects
Painting Bathroom Accent Tiles
On their shower wall are painted floral tiles. These tiles are so dated and just too busy for the family’s liking.
To get rid of the tiles completely would be so much unnecessary work and money. Instead, we decide to paint over them with a solid color, creating an accent tile strip. To do so, we lightly sand over the flowers in order to remove the glossy finish.
Next, we tape around the floral tiles to ensure that we don’t paint over the grout. We then add an adhesive bonding primer because this type of primer can cover a glossy finish.
Finally, we use latex paint to cover the floral accent tiles once and for all. Latex paint is important because it is water resistant and ensures that the paint will not wash away. We chose ivory paint to add an accent stripe without being too distracting and busy.
The new, ivory-colored accent stripe adds much more appeal than the floral tile before it and really modernizes the shower without having to retile the whole thing! The new shower curtain and rod pull the look together and enhance the space, making it look brand-new.
Replacing the Light Fixture and Mirror in Bathroom
In the bathroom, the light fixture and mirror are low. JoBeth mentions that she has to bend down to see herself in the mirror. Since their bathroom is used for guests and not just their kids, the light fixture and mirror need to be raised. We decide to raise them about 3 inches from where they were to ensure that their guests can see.
To move the light fixture, we move the box up and cut out a circle of drywall. Afterward, we add a block of wood behind the drywall, secure it with drywall screws on either side and mount the pancake box onto the wood.
Finally, we mount the light fixture higher and install a new mirror. We chose a modern light fixture and mirror that we think will brighten up the room and make it look bigger. The new light fixture and mirror add to the new contemporary feel of the room, and as a bonus, adults can now see themselves!
Painting the Bathroom Vanity
The vanity in the bathroom is a dark brown color. Because that color does not match JoBeth’s vision for the bathroom, we decide it is best to lighten that up!
First, we remove all of the gold hardware from the cabinets and drawers to make the painting process easier. Similarly to the bathroom tiles, we sand the whole thing to get rid of the glossy finish and paint it with an adhesive bonding primer. After the primer, we sand it again to make it more smooth.
Finally, we paint the vanity a light color because it gives the bathroom a more modern feel. Since lighter tones reflect more light, the new light vanity color makes the room appear more spacious and adds a contemporary charm to the overall room.
Created an Accent Wall Using Wallpaper
To begin, we choose a wallpaper that would add texture to the wall. Since the wall is painted a blue color, we decide on a blue textured wallpaper to add dimension to the space. We hang the wallpaper on the wall with the vanity, light fixture, and mirror.
The wallpaper breathes a new life into the space, instantly modernizing it with a fresh new look. The wallpaper enhances the room’s quality and infuses the room with a sense of sophistication and a new, contemporary style.
Since there is an electrical outlet on the accent wall, we decide to wrap the cover plate in the same wallpaper as the wall to create a seamless and sophisticated look. This addition allows the attention to be focused on the wall itself instead of the white electrical outlet.
Overall, the new wallpaper adds depth and structure to the space, instantly transforming it into a focal point. Additionally, wallpaper is a great tip for updating any room, as it allows for limitless creative possibilities and developing your unique style.
We also:
- Fixed a broken component on the toilet using Fluidmaster’s Everything Kit
- Repainted the walls
- Re-grouted the shower tile with silicon caulk
- Built shelves for storage
- Filled in a gap between the tile and the tub
- Used grout stain to update the grout on the floor tiles
- Replaced the loud exhaust fan with a new quiet one
- Installed a new shower rod and curtain
- Fixed broken electrical
Post-Production Thoughts
JoBeth and Kyle’s bathroom was bland, dated, and a little broken. The dark vanity, beige walls, and floral tiles were begging to be updated, while the noisy vent fan and broken light switch demanded repair. Not to mention a mirror that was too low for anyone above grammar school.
But now, the room has a clean more contemporary feel thanks to a few simple changes, like the cool blue walls that have replaced the sea of beige. New wallpaper adds texture above the vanity, which also has a more modern look courtesy of some fresh paint.
The floral shower tiles are all gone, along with the noisy vent fan and constantly running toilet.
Mounting the new light fixture higher allowed the new mirror to move up too. So now, adult guests can see themselves as well as the children.
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