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The refresh of our first floor bathroom is finally done! I needed to fix the peeling paint on the window trim and that really spiraled into a full blown, yet affordable, makeover.

A few months after we moved in, we did a budget friendly upgrade painting, adding board and batten, and laying new luxury vinyl plank floors. To keep costs low, we kept the same vanity, bathtub, and light fixtures. I did not put a lot of time planning the design originally (I was 8 months pregnant at the time and just wanted it to look better than it did)! I loved the board and batten, but I was ready to add some color and make the room feel more polished.

Before

After

I love how light, bright, and colorful the space is now!

When we first moved in

When we first moved into the house 5.5 years ago, everything was very beige and blah. The previous owners had renovated the bathroom, but everything was very basic as they were going to rent it out.

After living with it like this for about 6 months, we decided we wanted to elevate it some but within a tight budget.

Phase 1 Renovation

We added board and batten, painted the walls a charcoal gray, and laid luxury vinyl plank flooring we had leftover from another project. We kept the vanity and all the fixtures the same, which made it a very budget friendly update. But after 5 years, I was ready for something a little more colorful and more my style.

Phase 2 Renovation

This time around, I spent a little more time planning the space (and a little more money) to make the room feel more cohesive. After fixing the finishing elements on the board and batten (always use wood filler to cover nail holes, not caulk like I did 5 years ago), I painted it and the trim Benjamin Moore Homestead Green in satin. For the walls and ceiling, I chose Benjamin Moore Simply White in satin for a slightly warmer white that didn’t look too yellow.

Bathroom Overhead Light Fixture

I was so excited to switch out that old boob light! I found this really pretty gold and capiz light fixture that feels a little more whimsical than what I would normally pick out. It was the most expensive upgrade I did in here, but I love it!

Vanity Light and Medicine Cabinet

I had the hardest time picking a vanity light, but I finally found this one and I love how it looks like lampshades but it’s frosted glass (fabric lampshades in a bathroom where there is lots of moisture doesn’t seem like a good idea). I also updated the medicine cabinet in here. I already had a cut out for a recessed one since that is what was in here originally. A medicine cabinet was a necessity in this small bathroom, but I like how this one does not obviously look like a medicine cabinet. It is also a great improvement from the one we had in here previously that did not latch properly and would spring open and almost hit you in the face randomly!

White Floating Shelves and Chrome Accessories

I put these white floating shelves up 5 years ago when we moved in – again, you need all the extra storage you can get in a small bathroom. I decided to leave them during this phase 2 renovation, mainly because I didn’t feel like switching them out (if I’m being honest). But they work well and I actually like that they blend in with the white wall.

A double towel rack is also a great space saver in a small bathroom. We had a black one here before, but I switched it out with a polished chrome one. I went with polished chrome for all the bathroom accessories (like the oval hand towel ring and toilet paper holder) for a more timeless look.

Vanity and Polished Chrome Sink Faucet

To save money, I kept the same vanity, but switched out the faucet for a polished chrome one. Again, I love the timeless look of chrome. I did do some mixing of metals in here with the polished chrome faucet/accessories and the brushed gold in the light fixtures. Doing all polished chrome felt too matchy-matchy to me, but to each his own! As for the vanity, I may end up switching it out in the future (it’s not in the best condition), but for now, it works and I don’t mind the brown countertop anymore.

Floral Shower Curtain and Artwork

The linen floral shower curtain was a random HomeGoods find and I love how it pulls the colors together. I wanted to pull some of the brown from the vanity, but keep it light and colorful, which this one did! I kept the same painting for this wall (it’s actually a beautiful painting from Italy that my mother-in-law gave me), but I swapped the white frame for this light wood tone one to add some contrast against the wall.

The bottom picture on this wall is a photo I took of my oldest son on one of his first trips to the beach and I just love the memories it brings me every time I look at it, so I kept it here and just switched out to the same wood frame. The top picture is actually public domain art that I downloaded for free online and printed on cardstock at home! It’s a super affordable way to add art in your home.

I’ll spare you the before picture of our super gross and rusty air vent cover that was here before. This beautiful stainless steel cover (in the antique brass finish) was a small but major upgrade in here!

Budget Breakdown

So how much did it all cost?? Here’s a breakdown of all my supplies:

• Paint and supplies: $125.00
• Medicine Cabinet: $143.00
• Capiz light fixture: $169.76
• 3-Light brushed gold vanity light: $84.22
• Polished chrome sink faucet: $69.00
• Chrome double towel rod: $35.98
• Oval chrome hand towel ring: $18.29
• Pivoting toilet paper holder: $11.79
• Chrome towel hook: $12.29
• Antique brass air vent cover: $22.40
• Linen floral shower curtain: $21.05
• Double shower curtain hooks: $5.00
• Items I already had on hand: Frames, pictures, shower rod, decor, Kilz primer for the window trim and dark walls

Total cost $717.78

My original budget was $500, so I went a little over. But I still feel like $700 is a very budget friendly update for the finished look I accomplished! I also saved a lot of money by installing the faucet and light fixtures myself (with some coaching from my sweet husband, Brad). I love the final look!