When we bought our new house one of the first thing that dated the home was the "yellow" looking cabinets. They were everywhere in the house, don't get me wrong the house was very nicely built but wasn't my style. One of the main rooms I wanted to remodel was the master bathroom. I learned the most remodeling tidbits from this room. No matter what we did I couldn't make it my "dream" master bathroom. But making one big change and a few small ones I was able to transform it into a bathroom I could really love.
BEFORE
After
I could live with a lot of this bathroom, but ONE thing I couldn't live with was this glass block wall! And so it was GONE!
THE CABINETS:
I knew I wanted the cabinets to go, but we didn't see the value in removing them. They were perfectly fine cabinets so we opted to paint the cabinets and the walls. As much as I wanted white/cream cabinets I had to (LESSON 1) EMBRACE what the bathroom already was. We knew we couldn't change the floors because of the radiant heat so I was working with some interesting color mable floors. Instead of trying to change the bathroom into a style that wouldn't work I EMBRACED the look. We opted for a taupe-ish color for the cabinets and white walls. We left the mirrors, floors and even the hardware!
I knew I wanted the cabinets to go, but we didn't see the value in removing them. They were perfectly fine cabinets so we opted to paint the cabinets and the walls. As much as I wanted white/cream cabinets I had to (LESSON 1) EMBRACE what the bathroom already was. We knew we couldn't change the floors because of the radiant heat so I was working with some interesting color mable floors. Instead of trying to change the bathroom into a style that wouldn't work I EMBRACED the look. We opted for a taupe-ish color for the cabinets and white walls. We left the mirrors, floors and even the hardware!
THE SHOWER:
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This is where I got to have my fun. I got to pick (Lesson 2) one SPLURGE item in this room. I opted for the shower. I felt like the block wall and the salmon colored tile dated this bathroom as well and made it feel smaller than it was. So keeping in mind that we couldn't gut the entire bathroom we instead just gutted the master shower. I wanted the shower to be the focal point so I went with a matte and a gloss tile in a chevron print design. This project took the longest of the entire house. It was very labor intensive and was definitely the SPLURGE in our master suite. But I can't imagine our bathroom without it!
Small Changes Go Along Way:
When updating the bathroom we did a few smaller updates (Lesson 3) It's amazing how small updates can make a big difference. Maybe you can't afford to gut your entire shower, but try swapping out small things. I switched out the original bathroom lights for some that had a similar marbling like the floors. We also got new undermount sinks ($150) which also helped update the bathroom. We were even able to use the original faucets since they were perfectly fine. We also got new quartz countertops. We knew we'd probably be buying entire slabs of the quartz so we used this same countertop in the upstairs guest bathroom as well as in the shower for the bench and soap shelf. The last fun little update we did was updating the backsplash. I love the look of mixing golds and silvers together so we went with a glass backsplash that had gold tiles. I then accented the bathroom using gold trays and other gold items.
When updating the bathroom we did a few smaller updates (Lesson 3) It's amazing how small updates can make a big difference. Maybe you can't afford to gut your entire shower, but try swapping out small things. I switched out the original bathroom lights for some that had a similar marbling like the floors. We also got new undermount sinks ($150) which also helped update the bathroom. We were even able to use the original faucets since they were perfectly fine. We also got new quartz countertops. We knew we'd probably be buying entire slabs of the quartz so we used this same countertop in the upstairs guest bathroom as well as in the shower for the bench and soap shelf. The last fun little update we did was updating the backsplash. I love the look of mixing golds and silvers together so we went with a glass backsplash that had gold tiles. I then accented the bathroom using gold trays and other gold items.
Other:
I am all about keeping my bathroom looking clean, but (Lesson 4) FUNCTIONAL! Instead of hanging my towels in the main part of the bathroom or along a towel rack we added hooks into the toilet room so they can be hidden. Another fun thing I did was get a cute basket for the bathroom to store Leo's toys. This allows me to be able to get ready while he is entertained. I switch out the toys every week so things are new and exciting since we spend a good hour in the bathroom everyday. Plus before we head out for the day I just put everything back into the basket. Lastly the other thing that I feel like keeps my bathroom looking crisp and clean is (Lesson 5) by being brave and having LOTS OF WHITE accents. I love white bathmats and white towels. I can bleach the towels and I just get my bathmats at Target or Fred Meyer and they aren't more than $20 so I replace them once a year if the wash isn't cutting it.
I am all about keeping my bathroom looking clean, but (Lesson 4) FUNCTIONAL! Instead of hanging my towels in the main part of the bathroom or along a towel rack we added hooks into the toilet room so they can be hidden. Another fun thing I did was get a cute basket for the bathroom to store Leo's toys. This allows me to be able to get ready while he is entertained. I switch out the toys every week so things are new and exciting since we spend a good hour in the bathroom everyday. Plus before we head out for the day I just put everything back into the basket. Lastly the other thing that I feel like keeps my bathroom looking crisp and clean is (Lesson 5) by being brave and having LOTS OF WHITE accents. I love white bathmats and white towels. I can bleach the towels and I just get my bathmats at Target or Fred Meyer and they aren't more than $20 so I replace them once a year if the wash isn't cutting it.
Remodeling Tips Reviewed:
1. EMBRACE the existing style.
2. If you are going to SPLURGE just pick one thing.
3. Small ACCENTS make a big difference. New countertops, undermount sinks and lighting are really not that expensive to swap out and really update your bathroom.
4. Keep things FUNCTIONAL and clean. Maybe you need to buy new baskets or hooks to be able to disguise some of your stuff. There is nothing better than always walking into a clean bathroom with nothing on the countertops and one that isn't littered with toys.
5. WHITE towels and bathmats keep the crisp clean look. Just replace them if they are starting to loose their purity.
LEO APPROVES OF IT ALL!!!
1. EMBRACE the existing style.
2. If you are going to SPLURGE just pick one thing.
3. Small ACCENTS make a big difference. New countertops, undermount sinks and lighting are really not that expensive to swap out and really update your bathroom.
4. Keep things FUNCTIONAL and clean. Maybe you need to buy new baskets or hooks to be able to disguise some of your stuff. There is nothing better than always walking into a clean bathroom with nothing on the countertops and one that isn't littered with toys.
5. WHITE towels and bathmats keep the crisp clean look. Just replace them if they are starting to loose their purity.
LEO APPROVES OF IT ALL!!!
Don't mind the weird coloring of some of the photos. I had to take some during the day and some in the evenings. If only my child would nap during the best lighting times!
House Details:
Cabinet Paint Color- Indian River // Wall Paint Color- Elmira White // Tile - Standard Paint and Flooring Kennewick WA// Lighting KIE Lighting (Kennewick) // Towel- Macys // Mats- Target //
I think the biggest thing I have learned from this remodel is that is remodels force you to come out of your comfort zone. I never excepted to have such a traditional house, but that is what we bought so I had to search to find my signature style. I was able to do this in the bathroom by the shower and the fun little tile backsplash. These things bring elements of my "dream" master bathroom all while staying true to the style of the home.
Cheers,
Jess
House Details:
Cabinet Paint Color- Indian River // Wall Paint Color- Elmira White // Tile - Standard Paint and Flooring Kennewick WA// Lighting KIE Lighting (Kennewick) // Towel- Macys // Mats- Target //
I think the biggest thing I have learned from this remodel is that is remodels force you to come out of your comfort zone. I never excepted to have such a traditional house, but that is what we bought so I had to search to find my signature style. I was able to do this in the bathroom by the shower and the fun little tile backsplash. These things bring elements of my "dream" master bathroom all while staying true to the style of the home.
Cheers,
Jess
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