Small Space, Big Changes: Our Small Half Bathroom Refresh

After pouring my heart and soul into it for almost two years (yes, the struggle is real 😅), I can finally declare victory in completing the bathroom refresh of my tiny downstairs half bath. The moment has come to reveal the results, spill the beans on why it took an eternity, and, of course, share some nuggets of wisdom. I’m here to guide you through the entire process and arm you with tips and tricks that’ll empower you to conquer your own small bathroom transformation if you dare to take on the DIY challenge.

I kickstarted the saga of revamping our dinky half bath under the stairs about two years back. Started strong with some fancy board and batten trim—cue the applause. But then, life happened. A bunch of other home projects decided to join the party, and let’s just say, it turned into a DIY circus real quick.

Bathroom Refresh Mood Board

This was my original mood board for the room! But my grand bathroom renovation plan? Let’s just say it took a detour from the original script. Concrete sink? Swapped those out for a steal of a sink from Facebook Marketplace. Wallpaper dreams? Crushed because the walls were apparently too textured to play nice. And as for those fancy wooden cabinet doors? Budget realities hit hard, and well, they got the scratch too.

I was so excited to get going on the project after I had ordered this render above! But if there’s a DIY sin I’m guilty of, it’s the classic move of starting five projects together, naively thinking they’d finish their race together. You’d think I’d have caught on by now, right? Nope, still here, juggling paint cans and power tools like a clueless DIY magician. But at least I can now mark this small bathroom renovation off the list!

BEFORE

after

I had grand dreams of decking out this bathroom with this gorgeous crane wallpaper from Anthropologie! I mean, my heart was head over heels for it, but reality hit hard when I saw the price tag—it’s basically a small fortune. So, I did what any sane person would do: put the project on pause, hoping my budget would miraculously grow wings.

Spoiler alert: It didn’t. Instead, I came face-to-face with the textured walls in this bathroom. Cue the “oh, no” moment. Smooth-talkin’ those walls was not only beyond my energy levels but also my budget’s wildest dreams. So, I opted to go with plan B, a Venetian plaster paint by Valspar and framed the wallpaper sample for the room instead.

Valspar Venetian Plaster Paint

Now, let’s talk texture – after I had to scratch the wallpaper I went for this faux Venetian plaster that’s basically the real deal’s chic cousin. Opted for the sophisticated hue called Grigio. Gotta admit, that the initial application had me doing a double-take, maybe even a triple-take. Mildly horrified would be an understatement. But hold up, patience is a virtue in the DIY game.

Fast forward to drying time, and voila! It started coming together like a work of art. Picture this: not even a week later, I’m brunching it up, and bam! Spot the same paint in the restaurant bathroom, and would you look at that? Pure divine elegance!

Pro-tip time: if you’re doing your own bathroom refresh and diving into the world of this fancy paint, prime like your walls depend on it (they do), and seal that lid like it owes you money between coats. Trust me, the cracking drama with this paint is real if you don’t.

Installing Penny Tile

Another first time project in this bathroom refresh: a customized penny tile design paying homage to the year this home first stood tall. Let me tell you, diving into this project was like entering a marathon—it took a couple of weekends, squeezed in between the chaos of mom life, to cross that finish line.

Why the penny tiles, you may ask? Well, I envisioned a design that’s not just a bathroom floor but almost feels like a stylish rug in the space, bidding farewell to the need for an actual rug. And guess what? It’s now one of my absolute favorite features in this bathroom.

Word to the wise: Penny tile is a delicate dance, a tad messy, so do yourself a favor and hit up YouTube for some tutorial gold before taking the plunge. Here’s a video that really helped me! Oh, and don’t forget the golden rule: seal that grout! Otherwise, you’ll be staring at stubborn stains and playing the “why didn’t I do that” game. Trust me, it’s not as fun as it sounds.

Using Cafe Curtains For The Bathroom Sink

As previously mentioned, my initial grand plan involved swapping out the sink cabinet doors for a wooden touch. However, with the budget constraints, the ticking clock, and the accumulating minor inconveniences, I found myself yearning for a solution that exuded a more vintage charm.

As we deviated further from the original mood board, a delightful revelation unfolded. This tiny bathroom, evolving before my eyes, started emanating those cool speakeasy vibes. And let me tell you, I was absolutely smitten with every inch of it!

One more change in the lineup: bid farewell to the old floating sink that once graced this space. Now, I know some folks adore them, but call me old-fashioned—I just couldn’t vibe with it. Tricky to clean and not exactly kid-friendly in my humble opinion. So I did what I do best (thrifting) and scored an entire quartz sink off Facebook Marketplace for a cool $40!

before

AFTER

Add Art: But Make it Fun

In a world where home decor seems to be taken as seriously as a high-stakes poker game, I figured it was time for a dose of comedic relief—quite literally, lol. After the epic journey it took to conquer this tiny bathroom refresh, I decided we deserved a chuckle or two. Enter these art prints, guaranteed to slap a smile on your face the moment you step in.

Bathroom Hardware

Last but certainly not least—let’s talk hardware. Now, I’ve got a thing for mixing metals, especially the dynamic duo of black and antique brass (silver, who?). In my lighting choices, I went for a delightful mix, and brass stole the show for everything else.

Pro-Tip for Mixing Metals: The rule of thumb for mixing metals in hardware is to maintain a sense of balance and cohesion. While there aren’t strict rules, consider choosing a dominant metal for a cohesive look, and then use a secondary metal for accents. Repeat the secondary metal throughout the space for consistency. Additionally, having a unifying element, such as a finish or color, can tie the different metals together. The key is to create visual interest without overwhelming the space with too many competing finishes.

And that’s a wrap on my tiny half bathroom refresh! The excitement of finally stepping into the finished space is beyond words. Bathroom renovations may demand their fair share of blood, sweat, and tears, but there’s an unmatched satisfaction in walking into a space you’ve transformed with your own two hands. Being able to stand there, proud of the work you’ve done—it’s a feeling like no other, you know? Here’s to DIY triumphs and turning dreams into reality!