A bathroom makeover is more than just a fresh coat of paint or new tiles — it’s an opportunity to transform one of the most-used spaces in your home into a stylish, functional retreat. With the right design choices and smart upgrades, you can create a bathroom that feels luxurious, organized, and perfectly tailored to your lifestyle.
What We Were Working With
We had a lot of problems to overcome in this bathroom: no built-in storage, grimy wall color, popcorn ceiling, old fixtures, and mismatched corner shower. And no wall-mounted toilet paper holder, to boot.
I wanted to achieve a fresh, clean, modern-cottage style on the cheap.
Hiding the Popcorn Ceiling with DIY Shiplap
Rather than scraping the popcorn ceiling, we put up real shiplap over it. To make the ceiling look finished, we added crown molding. Then we painted the ceiling, crown, and upper half of the walls Sherwin-Williams Alabaster in eggshell.
Choosing the Right Floor Tile
Finding the right flooring took time. I considered peel-and-stick tile, but after testing samples, the quality wasn’t right. In the end, we chose mosaic ceramic tile and installed it ourselves.
DIY Vertical Shiplap Wainscoting
To add cottage-style charm, we added vertical faux shiplap on the walls halfway up. I intended to paint it sage green, but in a windowless bathroom, it was all wrong. I painted the shiplap Mindful Gray by Sherwin-Williams instead.
Concealing the Corner Shower
The corner shower was the first thing you noticed. To conceal it, I discovered a 36″ x 36″ corner shower rod and matched it with an extra-long white shower curtain. Together, they were less than $140—way less than retiling.
The DIY Bathroom Vanity
I desired a wood-stained vanity but did not want to spend money on a new one, so we constructed one ourselves. The wood cost around $100. We used a faux marble sink and an antique brass faucet.
The Finishing Touches
I prefer to combine metals to have a contemporary appearance. We utilized brass as the dominant finish but incorporated some black and oil-rubbed bronze.
Small updates made a big impact:
- Replaced outdated switch plates with new ones and painted them to blend in with the wall
- Replaced doorknob to coordinate with new hardware
- Hung a large arched mirror above the vanity
- Constructed a floating shelf above the toilet from scraps of wood
- Installed baskets, framed artwork, and minimal decor
Final Thoughts
I did not have a full picture at the beginning, but it all blended together. We adapted to the conditions of the space—small, no windows, and low budget—and created something to be proud of.
Also Read : National Decorating Month Hacks: Affordable Ideas for a Home Overhaul
