Before & Afters Home Improvement

Easy Mini Bathroom Reno

29 January, 2014
Mini DIY bathroom reno.

snow

Hello friends!

As I look outside at the 4 inches of snow and ice that has pretty much shut down our neck of the woods, I am so very thankful to be safe and sound in our warm home.  Craig drove me to my 38 week prenatal appointment yesterday morning and I’m super glad that he did.  He was that psycho driving the big 4×4 truck that was weaving in and out of the standstill traffic.  After I realized that my yelling at his psycho-ness wasn’t being very productive…I just closed my eyes and prayed…and you know what?  He got us home safe and sound.  He dropped me off at the house and then went back out to help the many people who were left stranded on the side of the road.  They were so very thankful for him and he found so much joy out of helping others.  I love him for that.

snow

Since I’m stuck indoors and not allowed to go out to play in all of this fluffiness, I thought that I would share some of the easy ways that we spruced up our outdated mini guest bathroom.  I completed this project…ohhh…about 6 months ago.

I say mini, because I didn’t do any massive reconstruction…although I would have liked too!  You know how it goes though…same song, different tune…not in the budget.  This project was also totally DIY…meaning…if little ‘ol me can do it…then so can you.

Welcome to our super tiny and dark guest (soon to be babies) bathroom!

bathroom reno before

Pretty perfect as is right?  I mean…who would ever want to change a thing???  :-/

Since I couldn’t gut the whole thing and totally start from scratch, I decided to start with the one major thing that annoyed the heck out of me…

…the dingy shower glass doors!!!  Those doors were so difficult to keep clean.  From the glass doors to the disgusting mildew that constantly got trapped at the bottom.  Does anyone else have this problem?  They had to go!

Months ago, I shared how I got rid of them!  Click How to Remove Shower Glass Doors to see.

how to remove shower glass doors

Once the doors were removed (hooray!), I gave the shower/tub surround a good deep cleaning.  Then, I hung an extra long shower curtain along with some regular sheer curtains hoping that it might help make the space feel a little larger.

Aaahhh…much better.

bathroom curtains

I made the curtain tie backs with some burlap and ribbon that I already had on hand.

Next up was the color change.  I ended up lightening the walls with Sherwin Williams Mint Condition.  It’s a very calming color.  I’m a fan.

With the new paint on the walls, I decided it was time to update some fixtures.  Wouldn’t you agree?

bathroom light

I found the new light fixture at Lamps Plus.

bathroom light fixture

Next up, I replaced the faucet.  This task was a little more difficult.  It’s just very awkward trying to maneuver yourself under the sink.  After some research and a couple of hours of using a few choice words…the faucet was replaced.

Old faucet…which is also in every single one of our bathrooms…

bathroom faucet

It isn’t bad really…just not my style.  I found this lovely on Overstock.

farmhouse bathroom faucet

Pretty adorable right?  It’s got the whole farmhouse faucet vibe…and those knobs…

With the new faucet and light fixture, I decided that the rest of the hardware needed to be replaced too.

So…this…

SONY DSC

…turned into this…

SONY DSC

*Totally just noticed that you can see my reflection in the chrome.  Thank goodness I was fully clothed!  Not that I ever walk around the house not fully clothed…

This…

SONY DSC

…turned into this…

SONY DSC

I love the double towel rack, but I cannot tell you how many times that I have nailed my head on it!  Ouch!

I also replaced the boring brass knobs with some fun ones that I found at Hobby Lobby.

knob Collage

Next up…the fancy mirror!  Again…I know it’s hard to believe that I would want to change this thing out…I’m just crazy like that.

SONY DSC

I decided that the easiest way for me to update this mirror was to frame it.  If I tried to remove it, then I knew that I would be chancing damaging the walls.  Aintnobodygottimefordat.

Over used phrase?

Sorry.

Anyway, I found and followed these great tutorials to stain and make my frame…

Cheap and Easy Way to Update a Bathroom at Shanty 2 Chic and Staining Wood Trim at Ana White.

Finished mirror…

DIY framed mirror

I stained the wood American Walnut to give it a bit of a rustic feel.  If you scroll back up to look at the new towel rack, then you will also notice that I added a piece of stained wood to the wall to tie in with the frame.

I was skeptical about using the command strips (per tutorial) to stick the wood to the mirror, but it’s been 6 months and is still holding on strong.

Another easy update that I did was replace the light switches.

Sometimes it’s the little things that make the big differences.

We’re not finished yet!

I reorganized the linen closet with some random baskets that I already had.

Before…

SONY DSC

I thought about removing the closet door to open up the space a bit and maybe do some fun paint inside, but my motivation for this room was dwindling and I was just ready to be finished with it.  Does that happen to you guys?  You are all excited and gung-ho about starting a new project…then…some time later…you are STILL trying to finish it…and by the end you’re just like…”I just want to be done!”

That was me.

After…

organized linen closet

Easy organizational tags that I made using PicMonkey.

organizing tags

Lastly, I gave the disgusting tile grout (after scrubbing them like crazy) a facelift with this guy…

grout pen

grout Collage

Whew!

The mini bathroom reno is complete!  As you can see, there are many ways that you can refresh your bathroom without a complete demo and hard labor.  I am pretty happy with the end results.

Mini DIY bathroom reno.

Mini DIY bathroom reno

New rugs came from Kohl’s.

Hopefully, you will find a little inspiration in this post!  Do you have any other ideas for some easy, inexpensive, DIY ways to spruce up the bathroom?

My hunny just got home with some Golden Oreos…that’s my cue to go now!  Oh…he also got me a “surprise”.

taco socks

Taco socks…

…because I’m “half Mexican”.

Sometimes I wonder about that man…

Thanks so much for visiting!!!

signew

I often share with these amazing peeps…

SUNDAY
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MONDAY
Funday Monday @ Still Being Molly
Give Me the Goods @ Better With Age
Motivate Me Monday @ Keeping It Simple Crafts
Make It Pretty Monday @ The Dedicated House
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Tutorial and Tips @ Home Stories A to Z
Make The Scene Monday @ Alderberry Hill
The Scoop @ Confessions of a Plate Addict
Project Inspired @ Yesterday on Tuesday
TUESDAY
Tuesdays Treasures @ Uncommon Slice of Suburbia
Tweak It Tuesday @ Cozy Little House
From Dream to Reality @ The DIY Dreamer
WEDNESDAY
Wow Us Wednesday @ Savvy Southern Style
A Little Birdie Told Me Link Party @ The Life of Jennifer Dawn
Down Home Bloghop @ Tilly’s Nest
Whatever Goes Wednesday @ Someday Crafts
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Fall into fall Wednesday @ DIY by Design
Work It Wednesday @ Place of My Taste
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Inspiration Gallery @ Craftberry Bush
Inspire Me Please @  Liz Marie Blog 
Grace at Home @ Imparting Grace
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Weekend Bloggy Reading @ Serenity Now Blog
Home Sweet Home @ The Charm of Home
Fabulously Creative Friday @ Jennifer Rizzo
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Weekend Wrap Up Party @ Tatertots and Jello
Frugal Friday @ The Shabby Nest
Fertilizer Friday @ Tootsie Time
Link Party Palooza @ Lil’ Luna
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Show and Tell Saturday @ Be Different Act

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24 Comments

  • Reply Jesse 29 January, 2014 at 10:38 am

    So cute! I absolutely love it! So fresh, bright and welcoming! You’d never know this was a “mini” makeover! Your faucet is AMAZING!!!!
    Jesse recently posted…Disney World for AdultsMy Profile

    • Reply Luisa 30 January, 2014 at 3:51 am

      Thanks Jesse!

  • Reply Jennifer Dawn 29 January, 2014 at 3:35 pm

    It looks fantastic! Everything looks brighter! :)
    Jennifer Dawn recently posted…A Little Bird Told Me Link Party #76My Profile

    • Reply Luisa 30 January, 2014 at 3:52 am

      Thanks Jennifer! The bathroom doesn’t have any windows, so I’m glad that you mentioned that it looks brighter. Definitely what I was going for! Mission accomplished!

  • Reply Lisa at Texas Decor 30 January, 2014 at 8:34 am

    You accomplished a lot in there! It looks great! I’m in love with the faucet knobs and I love the new towel rack. Hobby Lobby has the best little knobs for all kinds of projects. I love the ones you chose for the cabinets. We framed in our bathroom mirrors too and it makes a world of difference. Oh, and I’m definitely getting one of those grout pens. Good job, little mama! (love the taco socks!)
    Lisa at Texas Decor recently posted…Foyer Basket and Dining Room SideboardMy Profile

    • Reply Luisa 17 February, 2014 at 4:24 pm

      Hobby Lobby really is the best! Especially with their 50% off sales! I’ll let Craig know the socks was a win! Haha!

  • Reply Barbara Ann 30 January, 2014 at 2:11 pm

    Your bathroom is the size of or main bathroom upstairs in our condo. But we have a 1/2 bath downstairs. We redecorated that this week. New England beach theme. Lots of beadboard,moldings and a new vanity. Ordered a piece of granite and a clear glass vessel sink.
    End of year that upstairs bathroom will get redone to the bare walls.

    Love how you did yours and that you did it. Blessings
    Barbara Ann

    • Reply Luisa 17 February, 2014 at 4:26 pm

      I would love to gut ours, but…you know how it goes! Good luch with your main bathroom! Thank you for visiting!

  • Reply Marti 30 January, 2014 at 3:41 pm

    What a pretty bathroom makeover! I’d love for you to share it with us at Sewlicious Home Decor! :)

    http://sewlicioushomedecor.com/saturday-showlicious-craft-showcase-party-3/

    Marti

    • Reply Luisa 17 February, 2014 at 4:26 pm

      Thank you Marti!

  • Reply Selene Galindo 18 February, 2014 at 12:25 pm

    Wow!! What a great difference…nice job!
    Love your shower curtain sheers, mirror and knobs!!
    We’re almost done with our bathroom too and it’s just amazing what small changes can make!
    I stopped by from the DIY dreamer and will be following your lovely blog on pinterest!
    Selene Galindo recently posted…More Progress In The Master BathroomMy Profile

    • Reply Luisa 21 February, 2014 at 8:10 am

      Thanks so much for stopping by! Just visited your blog. You and your family are so cute!

  • Reply Heather {Woods of Bell Trees} 19 February, 2014 at 7:54 pm

    Hehehe taco socks! Love it! What a difference between the two! I love the shower curtains you used! Thank you for posting about the grout pen…I am so annoyed we had tile laid 3 years ago and I don’t know if the grout was a bad batch or if the company that installed it really shouldn’t have had a newbie doing the job alone, but the grout looks darker in some areas than others which makes it look dirty! Going to get a grout pen pronto! Thanks!
    Heather {Woods of Bell Trees} recently posted…Liebster Award!!!My Profile

    • Reply Luisa 21 February, 2014 at 8:13 am

      Thank you!The grout pen truly works wonders! If we ever replace the tile…white grout will NOT be an option! Good luck with yours!

  • Reply Susan 20 February, 2014 at 8:20 am

    Lovely update. I will be pinning! Your bathroom color is close to the color in my master!
    Susan recently posted…Spray Painting My LampsMy Profile

    • Reply Luisa 21 February, 2014 at 8:16 am

      Thanks Susan. Isn’t the color such a relaxing color?

  • Reply Carrie This Home 21 February, 2014 at 4:28 am

    I love how this turned out! What a difference a few little changes makes! Taking that old shower door was such a great decision and I love the curtain you put up in it’s place. Great job!
    Carrie This Home recently posted…How To Spot A Good Used FrameMy Profile

    • Reply Luisa 21 February, 2014 at 8:17 am

      Thanks so much! I would do it over again a million times!

  • Reply Judy 25 February, 2014 at 6:31 am

    Honestly your mini changes made a huge impact. I will be featuring this tonight at my Winter Blues Wednesday party that opens at 8pm EST. Please stop by and pick up an I’ve BeenFeatured button. Thanks. http://diybydesign.blogspot.com
    Judy recently posted…Going GoldMy Profile

    • Reply Luisa 25 February, 2014 at 9:45 pm

      Yaay! Thank you Judy!

  • Reply richellaparham 27 February, 2014 at 3:02 am

    This is a wonderful post! I love the way all those little changes added up to make a BIG difference in this room. Good job!!

    Thanks so much for joining the Grace at Home party. I featured you this week!
    richellaparham recently posted…Grace at Home No. 95My Profile

  • Reply Jan 1 March, 2014 at 6:34 am

    Visiting from Cozy Little House Tweak It Tuesday. That’s a great before-after bathroom with no tearing out and drywall dust flying everywhere! Really pretty and fresh-looking and yes, definitely looks bigger. I am in the planning stages of redoing a downstairs 3/4 bath (it has a shower but no tub) that serves as a powder room and guest bathroom when I have visitors. Am replacing the builder’s grade mirror that is now going on 24 years (ahem), new flooring that will be realistic wood-look easy to do myself vinyl plank flooring, new paint, one wall done in a glitzy wallpaper, new light fixture and new faucet. On the menu are new t.p. holder and towel holders (love yours!). I may try spray painting the ones I have (which are shiny brass, also 24 years old and still going strong for the most part and a not-offensive design). I want to replace the shower curtain arrangement on my very mundane builder’s grade acrylic shower stall with a mod-look swinging glass door. That will come a little later on. I didn’t even think about mildew build-up though, hmmm… I need to re-examine that idea now that you pointed out the issues with a glass door shower. I’m happy to see I’m on the right track with my planned replacements: wall paint and paper to get rid of 1990’s olive green and grape colored wallpaper borders, faucet, mirror, light fixture and for me, flooring, as I will be covering over cream colored vinyl that has seen better days.
    Jan recently posted…Fly By the Seat of My Pants Italian ChickenMy Profile

  • Reply melissa@joyineveryseason 4 March, 2014 at 6:24 pm

    just beautiful! i love your faucet and towel rack replacements! “fully clothed” made me laugh :)

  • Reply Milan 20 August, 2014 at 4:31 pm

    I really liked double towel rack. Where did you get it???

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