Bathroom Renovation On A Budget
My Mom and Dad recently renovated the bathroom in their 1960's home so that it would be more universally-designed, meaning accessible for them as they get older. They replaced the old tub with a new walk-in shower that includes a seat, and they added space at the back of the narrow room so that they can eventually move the washer and dryer up from the basement to the main floor.
This was a project that needed to be done on a very limited budget. No new countertops or sink, and no new cabinets. Only a new floor was purchased, as the old ceramic tiles were busted up when the new footprint of the room was created.
The result was dramatic, proving a successful refresh that's both practical and beautiful doesn't have to cost a lot of money.
For now, I've filled the extra space where the washer/dryer will be with an old glass-front bookcase for storage. A vintage medicine cabinet adds charm.
As evidenced in this post, I tried - to no avail - to convince my Dad to purchase a flooring option other than vinyl, but alas, due to budget limitations and the ease with which it can be installed, vinyl won out. I did, at least, get them to leave it outdoors for a few days to off-gas the PVC fumes. You can see that the vinyl does indeed, look great in a faux-marble design.
The grey in the flooring inspired us to go for a soft misty grey on the walls. Well, that and the fact that we had leftover grey paint from a project a couple of years ago! The paint colour is Behr Evaporation. The bottom of the walls were already clad in wainscotting so it was carried through on the new walls at the back as well, and given a new coat of ultra white semi-gloss (again left over, so no cost for paint).
A bench hand-made by my grandfather was whitewashed, and four hooks on the wall above it offer ample hanging space for towels. Baskets hold essentials like toilet paper.
My Mom sewed the curtains from material she had for another project, which worked brilliantly here. She then also used a strip of the same fabric and sewed it along the bottom of the shower curtain to add some punch.
Natural and vintage pieces were used to fill in the room and make it pretty. An old glass-door bookcase hutch was painted and distressed, and it now holds baskets of toiletries, towels and hand-made family quilts. An old vintage medicine cabinet was hung on the wall, and jars and crocks hold rocks, shells and wheat for a natural touch.
This project was accomplished on a very small budget and gives their country home a modern but still relaxed and rustic vibe.
