This powder room makeover was updated on a serious budget. The homeowners could not afford to replace the floor, vanity and countertop. We saved money with cabinet paint and removed an ugly backsplash.
The “Before” picture shows the sad result of a botched remodel. It was so ugly, in so many ways. The original blue gray paint was washed out by the Northern exposure and looked purple. The mirror looked cheap (it was the wrong finish), the vanity cabinet looked yellow, and the dated backsplash clashed with the granite counter.
The Powder Room Vanity and other finishes did not match.
We updated with five easy affordable steps.
Remove the backsplash.
The worst crime in this room was that the backsplash (yellow beige undertones) did not match the granite counter (pink beige undertones).
Our solution was to remove the backsplash and re-texture and paint the drywall. Since powder rooms are low use bathrooms, a backsplash isn’t always needed. A simpler look and feel look more timeless, and it was less expensive!
Don’t replace the vanity – paint it!
Save money when you paint the vanity with dramatic black. The yellowed maple cabinet was painted with with Benjamin Moore Satin Advance Paint and a warm black paint color, Onyx 2133-10. Ceilings, door and trim were painted a true white paint color, Benjamin Moore Chantilly Lace OC-65.
For the walls, We chose Benjamin Moore Stone Hearth (984), a mid-toned warm taupe neutral paint color that matched the tones in the countertop and flowed well with the dining room next door. Northern exposures such as this one can make colors look cooler and bluer than they are, so a warm color such as taupe is a great choice! Ceiling and trim were painted Chantilly Lace OC-65.
Use Your Favorite Art.
Black and White Prints tie in with the Black Vanity – Benjamin Moore Onyx 2133-10..
We believe in using pieces that you already have an love – shopping in the house! In this case, we used existing black and white prints of Boulder, Colorado, a sentimental choice for the homeowner, a gift from her son. They tied in perfectly with the granite counter and the with the black vanity. It looks simply beautiful.
Replace the mirror.
The original plastic white mirror looked cheap. We found a classic rectangular satin nickel mirror at our local Home Goods that was just the perfect size. For this bathroom, the right size was a mirror that was 2/3 the length of the vanity. We left 6″ above the counter and 6″ below the light fixture. Round mirrors are trendy right now, and would have worked, but a rectangular mirror is a classic finish that will be stylish forever.
Install a new light fixture.
We chose a trendy bar Park Harbor Vanity bar light with satin nickel hardware. The white opaque glass tied in nicely with the sink and toilet.
The Verdict:
This powder room is now beautiful and harmonious, and the colors match. The price was minimal – we purchased paint, a mirror, and a beautiful budget light fixture, and used our own labor to get the job done.
Don’t forget to always test your paint colors. Our directions for how to test paint colors are here.
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About the Author
Hi, I’m Michelle Marceny, founder, owner, and Principal Color Designer at The Color Concierge. I believe a fresh coat of paint can completely transform a space. The Color Concierge was born out of my drive to help clients fall back in love with their homes. My clients trust me to help them find the perfect paint color for their home – whether it’s a whole-house paint color scheme or ideas for a single room.
Since The Color Concierge was founded in 2017, we have completed over 3000 color consultations, both online and in-person. I am a Certified Color Expert with 7 years of experience creating interior and exterior color palettes throughout North America.
