Much like the main bathroom makeover, we wanted to create a clean, inviting space with this classic white half bath makeover. We started from scratch with this powder room renovation and tore out the old yellow toilet, yellow sink, vanity and flooring. I honestly wouldn’t have minded working around the yellow sink and toilet but, like so many of the original fixtures in this home, they weren’t in the best shape and so, unfortunately, it all had to go! As well, keeping the sink wasn’t an option because it would have been more expensive to get a counter custom cut – we went with a modular system where cabinet/counter/sink came as one bundle and pre-cut, saving us a lot of money. We were also renovating with an eventual resale in mind (we’ll be here 5 years, max) and so I didn’t think potential buyers would like the retro vibes!
Before Photos:
This house was built in the 1970s and so the powder room was the original 1970s yellow powder room.
The retro cabinet pulls were cute! I spray painted them matte black and used them in another powder room where we didn’t change the cabinets.
A Blank Canvas: White Cabinets, Marble Counters – White and Grey Power Room:
We used the same grey vinyl sheet flooring, white bathroom cabinets, white marbles counters, and chrome faucet – even the same textured silver mirror – as the main bathroom, to help this upstairs level feel not only fresh and new, but also cohesive!
One thing that made this small, windowless powder room seem bigger and brighter was WHITE! White paint on the walls, plus white cabinetry, toilet, sink, and a glowing white marble counter really made this small half bath look MUCH larger.
The marble countertop was affordable because it was an option offered by Home Depot for their (modular) vanity. It came with the sink attached already as well. Because it isn’t a custom piece (it came in a few standard sizes), it fit into our budget and made this otherwise basic space a little more special.
Why We Chose Vinyl Sheet Flooring in the Powder Room Makeover:
I chose a vinyl flooring because we splurged on new hardwood floors for the whole second level, so I needed something affordable but pretty. I actually really love this flooring because it looks so Scandinavian and was a cinch to install. Since living with it, it isn’t slippery (even in the main bathroom, after a shower) and it’s also very easy to keep clean. I know that sheet vinyl flooring isn’t a “high end” finish, but honestly it works really nicely in some spaces and I think it’s too often overlooked.
Adding Color to a Millennial Grey Bathroom Design:
After the space was renovated, I loved the clean vibes of this classic white half bath makeover but my style tends to be a bit more colorful… “Millennial Grey” spaces really took root when I was renovating this classic white powder room, and you can see I loved soft grey touches as well. I think white is timeless, but as spaces trend more colorful, an easy way to add color without commitment is through art and accessories. Still on a small budget, I made a large painting for some whimsy and added some pale aqua and white polka dot towels:
I also added a couple of framed prints that I stole from my Mom! If you’re on a budget, thrift stores always have amazing art – look for original paintings or numbered prints (stay away from mass produced art, if you want a unique look). But always buy what you love, because that’s what really makes the space.
Here’s the view from the guest bedroom – and yes, painting the baseboard radiators is on the to-do list as well! Once those are painted white, they will no longer be an eyesore.
We’re slowly working to update all of the room in our small, 1970s townhouse. Check out our progress in the townhouse home tour!
How We Saved Money on This Powder Room Renovation:
- We did all of the work ourselves!
- We bought a modular bathroom cabinet/counter/sink kit, which was cheaper than custom or buying individually
- We installed sheet vinyl flooring, which is very inexpensive
- I made the artwork
- I got the mirror at HomeSense, which was a lot cheaper than renovation/home building stores
UPDATE: How to Paint Baseboard Heaters
As promised, we painted our baseboard heaters and it made such a big difference!
