A “Dated” Beige Bathroom Became an Airy Stunner — And It Cost Under $100
Don’t underestimate the impact that painting kits and a change in lighting can have in transforming a space. That’s what Taylor Greeley (@Tayglo_) learned when she and her partner, Markus, decided to renovate their apartment’s 50-square-foot bathroom.
“Our bathroom is oddly big for what it is, and your eye was initially drawn to the floor… [It] felt dated with no personality,” Taylor says. “We knew a little change would go a long way. We kept the overall layout of the space but made small changes to make it modern.” Here’s how Taylor and Markus modernized their bathroom on a budget.
The drop ceilings got a makeover.
To help the space feel less enclosed, a permanent ceiling change was in order. Taylor and Markus hired a contractor, Jeff Abate, to eliminate the drop ceilings, elevate them by 6 inches, and finish them in a smooth white. (The contractor did this throughout their entire home!)
The bathroom storage was optimized.
Next, Taylor and Markus decided to replace their dated bathroom cabinets and use that same space for shelving instead. “Our contractor ripped out the old cabinets and installed butcher block wooden exposed shelving, which I love!” Taylor says. She and Markus use the new shelves to store towels and toiletries.
The vanity stayed the same, but the couple replaced the hardware with black matte options from Amazon. Taylor and Markus also added a new mirror and a new vanity light.
Paint is the star of the bathroom transformation.
Taylor gave the bathroom fresh coats of paint, and she used Sherwin-Williams’ Eider White for the majority of the room and a deep gray (Sherwin-Williams’ Forged Steel) for its accent wall.
However, it was RustOleum’s refinishing kits that truly made a difference. The couple painted the floor and shower white using the brand’s home interior floor coating kit and its tub and tile refinishing two-part kit, respectively. Both kits together cost just over $100.
“I was surprised to do minor renovations and have them hold such a big impact,” Taylor says. “I was convinced we would need to get a fancy shower or move the vanity, but what we did in there did the trick.”
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