Small Bathroom Makeover Ideas with Bathroom Remodel Pictures to Inspire the DIY Home Decorator
I have a few before and after bathroom makeovers under my belt from one where I Make $8 Decorative Feet to update a Boring Vanity Cabinet to only spending $265 Budget on a full Bathroom Makeover in my previous house. The most recent Bathroom Makeover is where I transformed a piece of hand-me-down furniture into a sink vanity to save on costs. Today I have a small but pretty bathroom makeover to share with you.
Small Bathroom Decorating Ideas
Here was my inspiration to makeover the small bathroom that I use for guests.
Bathroom Makeover BEFORE
It was a little bit 1980’s…
…with a few 1970’s touches underneath?
Bathroom Makeover AFTER
Now it is blue and white with a few pink touches. :-) The biggest change came by adding this vanity. It is from The Mine and called Andover. It fit perfectly along the wall in the small bath.
How I Made Over A Small Bathroom
What I loved most about the vanity? It required no DIY skills to make it. I enjoy DIY’ing, but when something is so perfect and doesn’t require it, what a treat! Less for me to do.
It was delivered in a big crate. Luckily when it arrived, my youngest was visiting along with her boyfriend. His muscle and Ed’s made it possible to get it up the steps to the second floor of the house.
The vanity comes with a matching wood framed mirror, but it did not fit above the vanity since the ceiling is slanted. I gave it to my oldest daughter to use in her new house. I replaced it with this mirror framed mirror.
All we had to do for the vanity was slide it into the space with disc sliders and add a faucet.
I did do one small style change on it, though. It came with pewter style knobs that didn’t speak to me. I changed them out with glass knobs.
The next big change was the floor. We had planned to keep the original tile, but when we removed the old vanity we found no tile under it so we had to add a new floor. I used the same NuCore Luxury Vinyl Plank flooring that I used in my Studioffice, Hallway of Darkness, and Powder Room.
I receive many questions about this flooring. I LOVE it. It is easy to care and doesn’t wear. It has a texture to it that adds a rustic quality. It is very easy to install. It can go over sub-flooring or even existing flooring, so we didn’t have to demo the tile. We did have to buy a new white marble door threshold and then added new baseboards all around the room.
On the walls, I added horizontal planks on the bottom half. I used Fusion Mineral Paint in the color, Liberty Blue to stencil the pattern called Floral Fireworks from Royal Design Studio Stencils on the top half of the walls. It was the affordable answer to the expensive wallpaper I liked and showed you on my inspiration board.
See this post for all the details on how to paint a wall with an All-Over stencil design: Create Faux Wallpaper Using a Stencil and Paint
It is perfect and I have fellow blogger, Kim Power to thank. Soon after I found the wallpaper and was searching for an inexpensive alternative, Kim posted her office makeover. I knew I had found the look I was searching for.
The overall design camouflages the rough walls very well.
Click here to see how I stenciled the walls to look like wallpaper: Create Faux Wallpaper With a Stencil
I wanted to make the small room light and bright to give guests a pampered hotel spa experience and went with a white hotel shower curtain. I had the rings from my previous house. They look silver in the photo, but they are clear glass balls.
After the big changes were made, I had fun adding a few decorative accessories to the room…
…from Birch Lane.
As well as items I already had.
The room is complete except for the entry door hardware. I was hoping to get the shiny chrome door hardware I ordered in time for this post, but will add it to the door and door jam when it arrives.
This room is the first room you see when you head up the staircase to the second floor. Seeing it is a welcoming sight now.
To see the guest bedroom I made over for this challenge – click here: Color Lovers Guest Bedroom Makeover
My Decorating Resources and Links:
*affiliate links used*
Bathroom
Andover Vanity in White | Faucet | Venice 6-piece Blue/White Bath Towels | Madison Fingertip Hand Towel | Shower Curtain and Liner | Rug | Mirror | White Cordless Roman Shade |Peonies (similar) |Floral Fireworks Wall Stencil (Size Small) | Stencil Paint Fusion Mineral Paint – Color Liberty Blue | Light Fixture, I changed the shades
Links to Other “Color Loving” Blogger’s posts :
Kelly Elko | Southern Hospitality | Tatertots & Jello | Inspired By Charm | Four Generations One Roof | Fox Hollow Cottage | Duke Manor Farm | Jennifer Rizzo | The DIY Showoff
Amanda says
Your bathroom is gorgeous. We are about to install LVP floors in our basement, and I love your color. It is perfect! It looks lighter than the “Gunstock” color you used in your other rooms. Can you please confirm if you used “NuCore Gunstock” in your bathroom? Thanks!
Diane Henkler says
Hi Amanda – The NuCore LVP is the same color, Gunstock Oak in all my rooms. If it looks lighter in one room it is only because of the lighting in the room.
Diane says
The “wallpaper” is fabulous, Diane! That’s a stencil I would love to do. Similar wallpaper is soooo expensive and if you change your mind in a year or three… you and your budget won’t feel badly about making a switch. Everything in this bathroom makeover is perfection! Please send it all my way! ;)
Diane Henkler says
Hi Diane – Thanks. I really enjoyed making over the bathroom. The stencil I used was large enough with an overall random pattern that I didn’t have to line up the stencil perfectly every time – which made it easier than using one that had to be lined up with precision. I wish I could send the room right to you. If you are ever in SC, you can come see it in person.:-)
Amy says
I am looking to do a similar bathroom makeover and the flooring store said I am not able to place a bathroom vanity on top of this flooring as it could mess with it expanding etc. I structions even say not to place on top of flooring but place the flooring around the vanity. ??? Did you have any issues with this ?
Diane Henkler says
Hi Amy –
We put the flooring right over the tile. It has been about 2 years now since we installed it. It has not changed at all and the vanity we placed on top is very heavy!!! When you install the flooring you need to make sure you leave about 1/4″ all around the perimeter so the floor can expand. We did this and have no problems whatsoever. I sometimes think the sales people are not that informed. If your vanity is built-in then you should go around it, still making sure to leave 1/4″ gap around it that you then cover with base shoe molding. I hope this helps. We have installed luxury vinyl plank in 5 rooms so far and love it.
Jessi's Design says
Oh my heavens I simply adore this space! LOVE! xo
Harriette says
You are truly a woman after my own heart with the blue and white! I have been in love with this color combination for a long time, you out did yourselfon this bathroom, it is absolutely gorgeous!!!
Cathy Tibbles says
I love that blue! I can’t believe thats paint! It’s gorgeous!!
Di says
I love the bathroom makeover. I need to do an update too, and I am honestly considering your walls for our FLOOR. Hmmm. If that works, I will send the image. I need to address, on a budget, some very dated linoleum. If I keep the walls a solid color, this fab stencil design might – MIGHT – be lovely. I cannot do it on the walls and the floor, but I need to do it somewhere as it is SO lovely. One thought on your room makeover with the cute lamps on the green stool night tables – have you ever thought of turning those lamps into sconce/wall mounted babies? I saw it in a blog, and it was such an OF COURSE. There was a post on turning any lamp into cordless and there was a post on making lamps into wall mounted ones. It frees space and you don’t lose style or function. xoxo
Diane Henkler says
Hi Di – In my previous house I had swing-arm wall mounted lamps in every bedroom. They are the best since they open up the on bedside tables. I didn’t think of using the the lamps you mentioned as wall mounted. Great idea. I will have to look how I could do it. I have stenciled floors in two different homes I lived in. The key to making it a successful project is to make sure you go over the floor with sandpaper on a sanding block to rough up the surface a little, clean the floor well and let it dry. You can use Porch and Floor paint – very light coats or a good brand name bonding primer and paint and then the stencil. Use very light coats. To seal it use water-based poly only. Oil-based poly will turn the paint colors yellow.
Kristin emshwiller says
The bathroom makeover looks gorgeous. We actually just purchased the same stencil and plan to use in our powder room update?
What color did you use in the shiplap, and what base color did you use under the stencil ???
Diane Henkler says
Hi Kristin –
The paint color on the shiplap is semi-gloss Kilz Complete Coat that I bought at Walmart. Color: Ultra Bright White right out of the can. I used the same color on the walls, but in a satin finish.
Barbara says
I love those knobs on the bathroom cabinet! What beautiful rooms you have created. My husbands doesn’t like any changes either. What’s with these guys anyway?
Barbara Whitaker says
WOW…EXCELLENT JOB (Yes I am screaming…its beautiful)
Eppu says
Oh, that looks so beautiful (and comfortable!) all round, especially the bathroom. Nicely done!
Paula Lusk says
Your bathroom looks gorgeous. I love everything about it. You did an amazing job with it. And I just love your guest room, it is so much fun. All of the beautiful colors and prints. Thanks for sharing.
Tina says
I love both rooms! It’s a nice break to view color as much of the blog world is neutral. I just finished painting my kitchen cabinets white ( I can’t believe you did it twice!) and can’t wait to add pops of color. My husband thinks all the white is a little much, but once we put things back my blue accessories will be brilliant. You are an inspiration to the world of color!
Diane Henkler says
Thanks Tina – Congrats on completing painting your kitchen cabinets. You should be very proud of yourself. Sending a “high-five” your way. Most husbands seem to have to get used to seeing changes, I know mine does. I am sure he will come around once you start adding color and your personality in the way of decorative accessories to the room.
VERONICA says
Lovely! Where did you find the soap dispenser?
Diane Henkler says
Hi Veronica – I bought the soap dispenser at HomeGoods.
Katie says
Such beautiful rooms! I’m so impressed!
Diane Henkler says
Hi Katie – Thanks so much. I don’t really go upstairs in my house much since my bedroom and bath are on the first floor. Since redoing the bath and guest room, I find myself wanting to head upstairs more often now. :-)
sheila says
I am a color loving reader…and I love your bathroom and bedroom makeovers. I need to make some pompoms too. How fun! And for the bathroom…love the vanity and the walls!
Diane Henkler says
Hi Sheila – Color and pom-poms in any room = happy. Thanks for reading my blog. :-)
june says
Diane.
Each room is so beautiful. I’m redoing my master bathroom and your color scheme is divine.
Question.. my daughter in law just relocated for medical residency. Noticed they used vinyl plank flooring throughout. We found our socks and bare feet got really dirty walking on it. Flooring is brand new. Any thoughts?
Diane Henkler says
Hi June – I am not sure as it didn’t happen on my vinyl plank floor and I am always in my bare or stocking feet. I am wondering if the dirt and dust after installing the floor was never cleaned up all the way?
june says
Thanks Diane for your thoughts. They are still waiting for the building management to get back to them. In the meantime I called a local flooring store. The salesman indicated the vinyl planking typically comes boxed underside to underside and it is black. He is thinking they stacked the planks and did not clean up afterward.
He also indicated she should use Bona when cleaning and not a Swiffer product because it leaves a residue. Curious what you use?
Love all your bright and cherry colors:)
Diane Henkler says
Hi June – That is interesting that the vinyl planks your daughter used have black backs, mine have tan cork. I have used both a Bona mop and a Swiffer. I used to always use a Bona mop and cleaner as the old Swiffer wood floor cleaner did streak. The folks at Swiffer did realize that their original wood floor cleaner made streaks, but about a year ago, they changed the solution and cleaning pad. It now has a purple strip that makes sure there is no residue left on the floor. since it has been about a year now, most stores now carry this :-)
Terri says
With current, large-scale wallpapers running in the $100’s for a small room, I think your stencil project is the perfect answer. The color and application is gorgeous! Thank you for the inspiration. If you can source the pattern, I would seriously look at buying it (unless you would consider a resale to me?).
Diane Henkler says
Hi Terri – I linked to the stencil in my post. It is from Royal Designs Stencils. It is called Floral Fireworks. Here is the link to the stencil: https://www.royaldesignstudio.com/products/floral-fireworks-allover-wall-stencil
Sharon H says
Oh my gosh! This is uncanny….this is what I want to do to my 1/2 bath off the kitchen/laundry/back entry! I can not believe that is a wall stencil, Diane. Seriously? I’m not sure I want to tackle a stencil….hope you plan a detailed tutorial! love both rooms.
Diane Henkler says
Hi Sharon – Yes I will post a tutorial very soon. It is not hard to stencil when your ceiling height in the room is the same. Mine ceiling was slanted which did make the process a little harder. I will share everything I did.
Beverly Hayes says
My favorite is the bathroom! Just lovely. And the wifi password idea is brilliant, except I’m not sure if you meant to spell it the way you did, or if it was just a typo. It should be “hacienda,” not “haceinda”. What can I say–I’m a spelling freak. Lol
Diane Henkler says
Hi Beverly – I realize now that I created the typo. I made up the name and password for the post as I didn’t want to share our real logins in the post. :-)
pamela says
love that bathroom, especially the walls which are prettier than the wallpaper. the guest rom is just WOW!
Diane Henkler says
Thanks Pamela – :-)
[email protected] at the Crossroads says
Oh, Dianne! You are a master with color! I love everything you’ve done here. Just stunning!
Diane Henkler says
Thanks Jane. Color makes me happy. I love being able to mix and match it in a room.
Doreen @ Hymns and Verses says
When I first heard Kelly was doing this series, I knew your space would be amazing! You know how to do color and make it work! The blue stenciled walls – swoon! So good!!! You did not disappoint!
Karen C says
I love everything! You have done a terrific job???
Ellen says
I love so much in these rooms, but my favorite is the picture stamps! I bought forever stamps when they first came out, and I’m not even close to using them up. And the picture stamps are a great idea for a housewarming gift!
kat says
Gorgeous! simply gorgeous!
Thanks so much for sharing.
chantal says
Congratulations on both rooms, they look great. And I must say that your guests are lucky to have such a nice room waiting for them!
Jennifer Rizzo says
Awesome space Diane! I love all of the color! It looks amazing!
Rhonda says
I ant stop looking at the pictures of the bathroom. I love every aspect of it. What did you use for the horizontal planks? I think that’s just what I need in my quest bath.
Linnea says
Awesome and inspiring job decorating. Perfect timing, too, as I am about to do some decorating (finally!) in some of our guest rooms before the wedding in September. I’d love to make-over our bathroom, too, but that might have to wait. Love the ideas and theme. Thanks for sharing. Might have to show you some before/afters and how you inspired and provided lots of guidance in my rooms, too.
Vicky says
I speechless and deeply in love with your bathroom! Cannot believe that is not wallpaper and can’t wait for the tutorial! You bedroom is very fun as well! Great job!!
Cate says
Oh WOW, Diane! The ball is still sailing out of the park on this one! I can’t imagine that you spent all that time putting on that wonderful stencil on the walls! It all is so cheerful and pulled together. Wonderful that we have you and don’t have to share you with HGTV or Chip and Joanna!. Super job !!!!!!
Marny P says
I have already ordered the bedspread for a guest room. I live in Colorado and have been searching for a new one for quite some time now. I like it because of the colors and the fun look look with a bit of a western vibe. Looking forward to how and you did the stencil. Thanks so much!
Marianne A. says
Oh, that bathroom!!!! Gorgeous!!!! And everuthing else too, but that bathroom is just stunning. You are one talented woman.
Elise says
I love both rooms. You have a talent with color. I love that you know the latest trends but are not a slave to them. Your home is unique and beautiful. You have so many great ideas for making your guests comfortable. I have become a better hostess from following your blog. So thank you for all the great ideas.
Gail Vernali says
Diane, love, love, love it! Makes me want to start over and paint everything white.
Lake life is wonderful, but what you have done with your home inside and out makes it truly a relaxing paradise.
Barb says
That bathroom just makes me smile! Beautiful! Love the guest room and how you incorporated your colors into this space. Such nice touches all the way around! Can’t wait for the next guest room reveal!
Anna says
Oooh I love the bathroom redo….wellll, except for the wall stenciling. ;-)
Gotta say it’s very reminiscent of the free-hand painting we did in our old tack room wall in the barn…back in the late ’60’s. But hey, I certainly do appreciate all the beautiful touches and LOVE the horizontal boards.
The guest room? Well, hey it’s on a lake! That says it all. :-)
Linda Weeks says
I think every one of your subscribers would be happy to join you at the hacienda! Do we get a special rate? Ha! Love all of your special touches!
Fondly, Linda
Lisa Marie says
Perfection! You have worked your usual magic transforming a dull, drab space into a place of happiness. How is it that HGTV has not scooped you up and given you your own show?
SMH.
SS #1 says
Cannot wait to see in person. Ray and Gen would surely LOVE spending time at the Henkler Hacienda. xoxoxo
Becky says
The little details (like the gold frame for the wifi password, and the tray holding your toothbrush holder) make my heart skip a beat!
Mary says
Love, LOVE, love that stenciled “wallpaper” I must watch the tutorial coming up. I need something like that in my new at home office. Can’t beat blue and white for a classic color combo. Great job all the way around!
Roeshel says
Diane! You are such a thoughtful host! I love all of the special touches (does that mean you’re hosting the next retreat? I’ll pack my bags!) The guest room is so bright and cheerful and fun but so relaxing too! And that bathroom! I love every single finishing touch and your design choices. Swooning over the wallpaper. Beautiful work as always!
jennifer hadfield says
Wow! I love those colors together. Those panels behind the bed – genius! The comforter is so cute! It’s the cutest space!
xoxo
TerriC/HoustonLady says
Oh Diane! I love the stenciled wallpaper. I also love bright bold colors : ) You have hit it out of the park with your designs!! Thanks for this fun post : )
Have a great day
Trudy says
Love the stenciled “wallpaper”…..wow. Both rooms are so bright and welcoming. One question, is the bed a full or queen? Thinking it is a full, but was just wondering.
liz says
I love your stencil wall even more than the wallpaper! and I love love love the colors in your guest room – the pink spread, the wall art, the stamps. Swoon. Pretty sure we are all secretly hoping for an invite :)
Ann says
I love your makeovers! I live in a pastel home and want to be surrounded by neutrals and soft colors when at home. I did not think that I was going to embrace any of these “colorful” projects that you guys are doing. Boy was I surprised. I adore the colors you used in your guest bedroom. I could live in that room, easily. And the stencil on the bathroom wall is a stunner. I thought it was expensive wallpaper until I read your storyboard. Amazing job. Such good taste.
Rhoda @ Southern Hospitality says
Diane, this is just gorgeous!! I love that you are so brave with color and you do it so well! Love the bathroom and that stencil has me swooning. I was just looking at wallpaper this really fooled me, it’s beautiful in blue and white. Great job on the whole room and bathroom. You are making that lake house shine!
Joan says
I am so in awe of your talent. Love everything about your two makeover rooms. That bathroom, like everyone I thought it was wallpaper. What a beautiful and dramatic difference it made to use a stencil. And the bedroom with the colored canvas panels behind the bed, can’t wait to see the how-to’s on that. Love everything. Wish I were a guest in your home.
Michael Wurm Jr. says
Oh Diane!! You blew this makeover out of the PARK!! I’m obsessed. The bright bold saturated colors make me so happy! Now … let’s talk about when I can come and stay. ;)
xo Michael
Laura Dennison says
Oh my goodness. I LOVE the stenciled walls in the bathroom and the brightly painted canvases in the guest bedroom! Great job!
Kelly Elko says
I’m packing my bags and heading to the lake! Wow Diane – what a fun, colorful space! I especially LOVE the stenciled bathroom wall. I love all your little touches like the notecards and stamps too.
Sandy says
Fantastic makeovers! And yes, I’m a colol loving gal! Your bathroom is amazing! I would have never guessed that your wall was stenciled. I truly thought it was wallpaper! The room looks so spa-like fresh, light and airy! The bedroom is beautiful and what a view out of the doorwall! Great job!
Jan says
Awesome makeovers. The guest bathroom stencil looks a lot like wallpaper we had in our hall bath in the ’70s. I guess it’s true that styles repeat on about a 30-year cycle! FYI, typo in your wifi network name: should be Hacienda. Apparently the I before E except after C rule doesn’t apply to Spanish ;)
Diane Henkler says
Hi Jan – Funny that we are old enough now to see how styles go around. Remember Flower Power when we were still just kids? Thanks about mentioning the spelling of Hacienda. I made it up for the post as I didn’t want to put our real WIFI password out on the internet. :-)
lou clifton says
I will agree that I love your blog. So many others blogs are decorating with the sponsors items as the decor but, you go the full distance and use your creative side to add much more. I have visited the sponsored items in each blog, but I cann’t afford any. I can stencil a wall or remake something to work. The vanity is gorgeous and the knobs make it your style which is beautiful. I visit your blog every morning. I cann’t wait to see what you have accomplished next.
Diane Henkler says
Hi Lou – Thanks for the nice note. I do enjoy being able to use new decor, but I find more enjoyment in the creative side of decorating even more. I think it stems from my background in retail display where we had to make everything from scratch as we had no budget at all to decorate the store and change out the displays on a weekly basis.
Susan M. says
These two rooms are by far my favorite! I don’t generally gravitate to decorating with blues, but that bathroom stencil may just make me change my mind!
(Just a heads up – shouldn’t it be “hacienda” rather than “haceinda”? Oops!)
Diane Henkler says
Hi Susan – Thanks for mentioning the spelling of Hacienda. To keep my real WiFi password secure, I made this one up just to show how I display it for anyone who stays with us. :-)
Shannon says
That bathroom is stunning!!!!! ? And I mean, gloriously stunning. Bravo!!
The bedroom is darling, and the custom stamps & stationary are amazing touches, so special.
You really wowed!! You must feel so proud, you should!! ?
Pamela Fife says
My gosh, woman. You really get stuff done! I love following your blog. You are original and keep your ideas original. All the others I was following look so much like each other, I quit looking forward to them. I enjoy your stuff with anticipation. And I have lake envy! Looking our your windows to that view!!?? are you kidding me? What a dream home! Congratulations on your hard work. Your home is lovely. I am a lake girl from the start. I have a houseboat but don’t live on it. I would, but not able to now. So looking at your blog is a refreshing take on house decor. Its so bright and inviting.
Diane Henkler says
Hi Pamela – Thanks for the nice note, it means a lot as a blogger and someone who loves to see personal style in everyone. XO As a child my family took two houseboat trips on the Chesapeake Bay. What fun they were getting to explore and move day to day to different spots and staying in a different marina each night. I hope you get to live your dream and get to live on it soon.
laura janning says
that stencil…that room….that color! well done. it will be a wonderful place for your guests when they are visiting.
Diane Henkler says
Yes I think your idea is a good one, your blue and white porch and my bath need to meet up. :-)