BATHROOM REFRESH

WITH A little to $0 BUDGET, THIS BATHROOM GOT THE FACELIFT IT NEEDED - for now, at least…

This bathroom was rough—from the outdated finishes to the worn-out accessories. With a little to $0 budget and some dedicated time, we knew that even a fresh coat of paint would go a long way. But if you’ve been following our renovation blogs, you know we can’t just paint a room and move on…

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The Transformation

Right now, bathrooms aren’t at the top of our renovation priority list. However, this one was downright embarrassing. Our hard water had left brown spots on the walls where the towel bar used to hang. And let’s be honest—brown spots on a bathroom wall aren’t exactly a great look, especially in the space where our guests would go. Add to that - light pink walls, a polished brass shower, water-stained brass light switches, and a gaudy mirror—it was clear this space needed some love.

One element we did keep was the vintage-style wall sconce. With its ornate details and ribbed glass, it fit perfectly with our style. As we searched for vanities, we quickly realized that replacing the existing one wasn’t practical for this temporary refresh. The cost just didn’t make sense for a space that would eventually undergo a full renovation. So, in true Luke and Jenny fashion, we got creative. I started looking into ways to paint the yellow-toned countertop and vanity base, while Luke, ever ambitious, was determined to build a new one. “It’ll be quick,” he said—famous last words for any DIYer.

Building the Vanity

Once Luke committed to building the vanity base—boosted by his newfound confidence from crafting the office drawer fronts—we took the opportunity to experiment with a fresh cabinet door style. Rather than the typical shaker design, we opted for an inset shaker style with fluted wood panels. This textured look was trending, and we wanted in!

Using wood we already had in the garage and purchasing fluted door trim (which he ran through a table saw to achieve the desired look), Luke built the vanity quickly—and to his credit, did an impressive job. We painted it Shoji White by Sherwin Williams, testing whether the contrast between the wall and cabinet color would be enough for a larger upcoming project.

We also removed the old shutter-style medicine cabinet because, let’s face it—that thing was U-G-L-Y. The walls were repainted to match the rest of the house, but this time in a satin finish instead of our usual choice. Since we already had cans of this from painting the trim throughout the house, it didn’t cost us an extra dime. This small change made a big difference—satin is more resistant to moisture (a must for a bathroom), and now we can wipe away hard water stains much more easily.

For now, the tan tiles will stay since they extend into the shower on the walls. We found a vanity sink and faucet from Ikea that fit perfectly within our budget and style for this project. While Luke worked on the vanity, I hunted for the perfect finishing touches—new hardware, a towel hook, a mirror, and art to complete the space.

Stay tuned as we continue tackling one project at a time, proving that even with a low to $0 budget, a little creativity and elbow grease can make all the difference!

-Jenny Corbett

Finish Details:

Paint (walls)
Sherwin Williams
Snowbound SW7004 - Duration Satin

Paint (cabinet)
Sherwin Williams
Shoji White SW7042 - Emerald Semi-gloss

Cabinet Hardware
Unlacquered Brass
cabinet hardware