We did it — Olivia’s bathroom, which also serves as our guest bath, is finally finished. What was meant to be a quick refresh stretched out longer than planned (as these projects often do), but the transformation is worth it.
The main goal for this budget-friendly makeover was to change the entire room using paint and a few smart updates. We plan a full renovation down the road when we’re ready to gut the space and address the original 1980s details, so this was intended as a vibrant interim solution that still feels finished.
The difference from before to now is dramatic — the old floor-to-ceiling beige is gone and the room feels fresh, moody, and cohesive. We kept costs incredibly low and ended up right around $499 without any demolition. Here’s what it looked like before:
Olivia had two non-negotiable requests: she wanted to choose the paint color (she picked a deep teal called Weekend by Magnolia Home) and she wanted mermaids. Because this bathroom also functions as a guest bath, we balanced playful mermaid accents with grown-up finishes so it feels welcoming to everyone.
Here’s what we changed and why — practical, affordable, and high-impact updates that any DIYer can use to transform a small bathroom on a budget.
What we did
1. Paint – The wainscoting already helped break up the room, so we used contrast to create drama. The wainscoting and trim were painted bright white (Benjamin Moore Simply White), the walls in Weekend by Magnolia Home for that deep teal look, and the doors in Benjamin Moore Wrought Iron to add polish. Dark doors instantly elevate a room and tie the palette together.
2. Lighting – Rather than replace the entire vanity fixture, we swapped dated frosted shades for seeded glass shades to modernize the look without electrical work. It’s an easy change that adds texture and better light diffusion.
3. Wall decor – Instead of expensive artwork, I framed a thrift-store frame around a hanging vase and added a few simple store-bought blooms. It’s an inexpensive, feminine touch that can be swapped out seasonally for a fresh look.
4. Cabinets – The cabinets showed wear and moisture damage, but a fresh coat of paint dramatically improved their appearance. I used Benjamin Moore Coventry Gray and added glass knobs and pulls bought on sale. Paint allowed us to postpone a full cabinet replacement while still upgrading the look.
5. Floor – We cleaned the tile thoroughly and refreshed the grout using a grout paint pen, then added a rug that complements the new wall and cabinet colors. The floor will be replaced in a future renovation, but this gave it new life for now.
6. Sink and countertop – We refinished the sink and countertop with a tub-and-tile refinishing kit in a weekend. The refinished surfaces have held up well so far and saved the cost of replacing the entire vanity top.
7. Shower and tub – The shower and tub were refinished as well. It was a smelly, meticulous job, but the result ties the whole room together and avoids the expense and disruption of full replacement.
8. Decorative details – To honor Olivia’s mermaid theme without going overboard, I added subtle coastal accents: a seaglass-style soap pump, braided jute basket for hair ties, a silver tray that reads like mermaid scales, and mermaid-friendly art and a statuette. I also included a whimsical mermaid towel hook beside the shower. These small touches make the room feel playful and personal while remaining tasteful for guests.
Finding family-friendly mermaid decor that wasn’t overly suggestive was a bit of a hunt, but the pieces I chose are sweet and age-appropriate. I also added a driftwood-look shelf to display a small watercolor mermaid print and a statuette.
9. Window treatment – For privacy and a coastal feel, we installed a driftwood-style shade that fits the room’s aesthetic and keeps the space guest-friendly.
10. Shower curtain – I made a tassel-trim shower curtain using a simple DIY tutorial I used previously. The tassels add texture and a playful, hand-crafted look that complements the mermaid accents without being literal.
Olivia is thrilled with her new bathroom and now asks for bubble baths nightly so she can hang out in there — which is exactly the kind of joy a small makeover should bring.
Budget and sources
- Wall paint – Magnolia Home Weekend (eggshell) – $44
- Trim paint – Benjamin Moore Simply White (semi-gloss) – $18.48
- Door paint – Benjamin Moore Wrought Iron (semi-gloss) – $18.48
- Cabinet paint – Benjamin Moore Coventry Gray (satin) – $18.48
- Tub & tile refinishing kit (used three kits) – $77.91
- Driftwood-style window shade – $29.90
- Replacement vanity light shades (seeded glass) – $39.92
- Glass cabinet pulls and knobs (on sale) – $21.94
- Tassel shower curtain (materials/tutorial) – $28.00
- Turquoise rug – $17.99
- Mermaid towel hook (on sale) – $1.99
- Mermaid statuette (on sale) – $9.99
- White flourish shelf (on sale) – $27.49
- Matted frame – $16.99
- Hanging wall vase – $29.00
- Gray/green bath towel – $12.34
- Tassel hand towel – $6.99
- Watercolor mermaid art – $24.00
- Grout paint pen – $8.99
- Silver tray – $15.29
- Seaglass-look soap pump – $17.99
- Braided jute basket – $12.99
TOTAL: $499.15
I also received about $12 back through a cash-back program, bringing the effective cost closer to $487.15. For under $500 we updated paint, lighting, fixtures, cabinet hardware, the sink and countertops, tub and shower, window treatment, and decor — a lot of change for a modest investment.
The takeaway: high-impact paint, smart refinishing, shopping sales, and thoughtful details can completely change a small bathroom without a full renovation. It’s a great approach for anyone who wants a refreshed space now while saving a more extensive remodel for later.
With this room checked off the list, we’re moving on to the dining room and an exterior refresh next. And somehow the holidays will be here before we know it — time keeps flying.
If you want to revisit the steps we used for grout refreshing, painted cabinets, light fixture updates, and refinishing the sink and tub, those previous DIY posts provide step-by-step tutorials and more photos of the process.
