Creating a design plan for any space in your home can take some time but it doesn’t have to be difficult. Putting in some time planning will make executing your room makeover much easier and far more successful because you won’t be making decisions and second guessing at every step.
Our first floor half bath isn’t a bad space. It is a jack-and-jill style bath between my shop / studio on one side and our entry hall on the house side.
Because it serves both the residential and commercial sides of the house, I’ve always kept it simple without a lot of personal details.
Even though it’s not a bad space, it has been feeling a bit bland and the floor tile that we installed before we moved in over 10 years ago, is looking a little tired and worn.
I already had a few boxes of tile that I bought a full year ago sitting in the hallway. When I bought the tile, I’d planned on using it as an inlaid tile “rug” inside front studio door but once I had the tile, I decided I didn’t want to do anything too trendy that I’d regret in 6 months.
Luckily the tile was more than enough for our small half bath so using the tile as my starting off point, I created my design plan for this small space.
How I created my Design Plan
Using the same set of tips / process I shared with you a few days ago, I’m working through the process of planning, designing, listing and scheduling to tackle this bathroom makeover.
The planning process for this space has been pretty simple because I’ve had a vision for this space for a long time. Nearly a year actually. The entire room is going to be designed around the floor tile, tile I’ve had sitting outside the bathroom door for an entire year so here are the elements of the plan for you to see…
Timeframe for the Powder Bathroom Makeover
Once I start, I’m planning on getting the project done in under two weeks. This project will be more of a surface update throughout the space. I may end up swapping out the toilet to a chair height style but other than that, it’s not going to be more than updating some finishes.
For that reason, I don’t expect it will take this long but I’m factoring in my schedule in the shop and the fact that we are also traveling to the beach house to work whenever the weather is good enough to stay there without heat.
The List for the Bathroom Makeover Project
- Replace floors with new tile
- Paint vanity and replace hardware
- Add new wainscotting detail to walls the whole way around the room
- Paint wainscotting and wall above two contrasting colors
- Add natural wood detail to ceiling if possible
- Add details to the doors to give them more character
- Add hooks to back wall
- Update artwork
- Paint / restrain ladder
- Replace light fixture
- Add new rug
- Replace toilet with chair height version?
Inspiration
Unlike other projects I’ve done, I didn’t seek out inspiration from scratch. The tile somewhat dictated the direction of the makeover and I knew I wanted to add in some character so the inspiration was more about the details than an overall look or feel.
If there is one image that sums up the look I’m going for, it’s this: https://thewilddecoelis.com/
I also really loved the overall feel of this modern bathroom from Pure Salt Interiors. https://www.pinterest.com/pin/14636767529547646/
The shape of the tile, the vertical shiplap wainscoting, the neutral colors that are anything but boring.
I’ll also be infusing some vintage details to tie into elements used elsewhere in the house and the cute faucet that I’ll be keeping.
Set a Budget
I don’t really have a set budget for this project because I already have the big ticket item (the flooring). The flooring cost a little more than $300 a year ago and it’s been sitting here in the boxes waiting to be used all that time.
To follow along with my process and to help you, I’m setting my budget at $600. This is manageable and realistic for the type of bathroom makeover I’m planning.
$300 of that has already been spent to account for the flooring but I want to give you a real idea of how much things cost and how this process works.
I currently have $300 remaining in my budget to spend on the rest of the project.
Get Help or Know where it is when you need it
I’ll be tackling this project mostly by myself but I know that B can assist should I find that I’m in over my head or if something unexpected comes up.
The Small Details
The toilet roll holder is an absolute eyesore so I hope to replace that. Other than that, my goal beyond replacing the floor is to add character. The room on it’s own is pretty vanilla so by incorporating some natural wood on the ceiling, some fun hooks for towels and the wainscoting detail, I hope to give this space some serious oomph without going over the top.
Don’t Stress
I’m sure I’ll reach a point where I start feeling the stress creep in but I’m really just excited.
So now that I’ve gone through all the points above, here is my design plan for the powder bathroom makeover.
Powder Room Design Plan
Flooring:
I bought this tile a full year ago thinking I was going to use it as a sort of entry rug tile inlay at the front door of the shop. After it arrived and I paired it with the oak, I decided I didn’t love them together and didn’t want to do anything too trendy that I’d regret a year from now.
It turned out to be the perfect amount of tile for the powder room and even if I did nothing but replace the tile, the tile would look great in the bathroom.
https://www.bedrosians.com/en/product/detail/allora-deco/?itemNo=DECALLFIODECOM
The current floors are ugly, there is grout missing that collects dirt and it’s time for a change. The new tile is modern and fun with a pattern but a bit more unique. I love the geometric feel of the pattern and think that is what brings in the modern element even though the shape of the tile also has a vintage feel.
The room completely revolves around the tile. It’s the tile that has inspired every other design choice I’m making in here.
The Walls:
The current walls are a light blue. A great color that I still really love but you can see the lines from where I painted a mural around the room when we first created this bathroom. The texture has bugged me for so long so i’ve been wanting to find a way to hide them.
I also recognize the room is pretty bland on it’s own. There is no character aside from the decor I’ve added to spruce things up.
My solution is to create a wainscotting detail around the room. Instead of doing beadboard (too cottage feeling) or a board and batten look, I’ve decided to go with a vertical shiplap look. The vertical lines are kind of a modern take on the beadboard look which is the balance I’m looking for.
I’ll paint the wainscoting a neutral taupe-gray color that compliments the floors but creates a little contrast. The wall above the wainscoting will be painted a soft, creamy white. Not cream but not stark white either.
Ceiling:
On the ceiling, I’d really love to add some oak planks; the same boards we’ve used on our floors elsewhere. My goal is to create some warmth with the wood tones. If this doesn’t wok out, I’ll paint the ceiling the same color as the upper walls.
The Vanity is great as is.
It’s a dark wood color and I’d be fine with keeping it the way it is. I am toying with the idea of painting is a dark charcoal but part of me thinks I may not be a big enough change to make a difference in the overall look of the room.
I will be swapping out the hardware. The current knobs are the ones that came with the vanity and I found these adorable black and white ones that feel a bit modern but also a big vintage which ties into the faucet that I’m keeping.
Lighting:
Because we are keeping the faucet and trying to incorporate a few touches that feel more vintage, I’m opting for a schoolhouse style light fixture to replace the enamel farmhouse style one we currently have. I’m leaning toward one with a clear glass globe but in a similar shape to the ones we have in the laundry / mudroom and the pantry. This connects the bathroom to the rest of the house while still making a unique statement in this small bathroom.
Putting all of the elements together is getting me so excited to see this project take shape. By doing all this planning before diving in, I know exactly what i need to do, exactly what materials and supplies I need which will hopefully keep this project on schedule and stress free!
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