We have a tiny little half bath downstairs that tucks under our staircase. It was all builder grade finishes when we moved in. I attempted years ago to begin a half bathroom makeover in here. We upgraded the original light fixture to the one shown below. I painted the walls blue to cover up the original off-white color and I painted the oak cabinets white. We also replaced the linoleum floors with tile. Here is what it looked like at that point.
Still pretty sad looking. I never liked the cabinets white, only because the sink is off-white and it highlighted that fact. My husband wasn’t interested in removing the vanity so it stayed that way for a long time while I debated what to do. One day last year when I was in Home Goods, I found the perfect mirror, just like this one shown below.
It was a steal for under $30 so I grabbed it. When I got it home I knew it would be perfect in the bathroom. I had always wanted to remove that medicine cabinet and replace it with something nicer. My husband definitely was not thrilled with this idea, he is not an enthusiastic DIYer! So it sat in my family room for months. Finally, last spring (as in 2014) my husband agreed to remove the medicine cabinet and hang the mirror. We also realized that the light fixture would have to be switched out to accommodate the height of the rope hanger on the mirror.
It is so hard to get decent pictures in this room because there aren’t any windows. I ended up purchasing galvanized metal sconces online, that are actually meant to be outdoor lights. You can use outdoor lights indoors, they are often much less expensive.
After the mirror and lighting were installed, it sat this way for another year before I convinced my husband to add plank board. Fortunately, one day a few months ago something happened to our toilet and it had to be removed to be repaired. My husband decided that since it had to come off anyway, that would be a good time to do that planking.
I’m not going to write a step by step on how to plank board because there are plenty online to choose from and it’s actually not that hard. I painted my planks in a dull white so the off white sink wouldn’t stand out as much.
We also switched out the faucet fixture. That turned out to be the most difficult part of all. We kept the vanity because (1) my husband wasn’t about to change it and (2) I really didn’t want to lose all of the storage space under there. I couldn’t leave the cabinets white so I decided to try a distressed, stained barn wood look to match the mirror.
The cabinets look darker in the pictures above than they actually are. This picture better represents how they really look. I will write a post on how I got that finish soon.
One thing I couldn’t find online was a how-to on finishing off the plank board when only doing a 3/4 wall. We decided to just go with quarter round molding.
By Using the quarter round, it gave a nice little ledge around the bathroom where we can display things if we choose.
My wooden whale and the rustic box that holds the hydrangea’s both came from my favorite annual flea market. The whale was one of this year’s finds, the rustic box was last year.
I plan to change up the display in the box with the seasons. If you follow me on Instagram, you may have seen this picture I posted for the Fourth of July.
One final touch I’d like to add in my half bathroom makeover is a Kilim rug. That may be an upcoming DIY project because the room is so small I cannot find one that fits. You can read how I got the barn-wood, distressed look on the cabinets here.
Update: See my DIY Kilim Rug here
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Nellie says
August 3, 2015 at 9:00 amYour powder room came out really well, loved the planking that really added such a nice touch,
and gave some texture……loved your frame with just the 2 starfish, very clever, and the whale is so
cute too. Very nice job…………..
Blessings, Nellie
RoxanneK says
August 3, 2015 at 6:07 pmThanks, Nellie! So sweet of you to say!
linda says
August 3, 2015 at 9:04 amYou and hubby did a wonderful job. I so love the plank wall! Over from Amaze Me Monday. Have a great week! Linda
RoxanneK says
August 3, 2015 at 6:07 pmThanks, Linda! I love my plank walls too, what a difference!
Marilynn says
August 3, 2015 at 1:26 pmYou’ve come a long way from the little girl who couldn’t keep her room neat. Lol
Love,
Mom
RoxanneK says
August 3, 2015 at 6:06 pmThanks, Mom…maybe there’s hope for Julia too. lol
Emily @ Table & Hearth says
August 3, 2015 at 5:12 pmAnd plank walls save another space!!! It looks awesome Roxanne! What thickness wood did you guys use for the planks?
RoxanneK says
August 3, 2015 at 6:06 pmThanks, Emily! The planks are 1″ in width.
Tara says
August 3, 2015 at 7:07 pmLook great Roxanne! Love the plank wall!
Tee says
August 3, 2015 at 7:11 pmLove this makeover! That mirror is great and the planks definitely give this bathroom character! Great job 🙂
Ruthie says
August 3, 2015 at 9:16 pmThis turned out great! I love your attention to detail and the planked walls is gorg!
Amanda @ Old House to New Home says
August 3, 2015 at 10:22 pmIt looks great! I absolutely love the planking!!
Sherry says
August 3, 2015 at 11:00 pmThe bathroom looks great. I can’t wait for you to post how you got that finish on the cabinets.
Erin @ the-organized-life says
August 4, 2015 at 10:30 amBeautiful job! I love the plank wall!
Keitha The Bajan Texan says
August 4, 2015 at 7:45 pmWOW!! Amazing Roxanne!
Samantha says
August 4, 2015 at 10:20 pmLOVE the plank wall! I may just have to copy that in my bathroom!
Keri says
August 5, 2015 at 8:00 amI love the bathroom!! That wooden whale is cool!!
Kim @ Sand & Sisal says
August 5, 2015 at 10:33 amIt turned out so cute! The planking really makes the room! PINNED it!
Deb says
August 5, 2015 at 8:51 pmThis turned out Gorgeous Roxanne! Just love it!
Tania says
August 5, 2015 at 10:07 pmI love it… so small and cozy looking and very pretty! :o) The finish you did on the vanity looks really cool too… adds to the beachy feel!
Tania
Rebecca says
August 6, 2015 at 8:07 amI love this tranformation! Great job!!
Mila says
August 6, 2015 at 9:37 amI do hope you’ll share your bathroom makeover with ourlink up.It rurned out lovely!
http://milaslittlethings.com/2015/08/idea-box-thursday-link-party-22.html
xx
Mila
Mila says
August 15, 2015 at 8:49 pmAnd your post was ‘the most viewed’ last week ! 🙂
http://milaslittlethings.com/2015/08/idea-box-thursday-link-party-23.html
xx
RoxanneK says
August 16, 2015 at 3:03 pmThanks Mila!!
Kendra @ www.joyinourhome.com says
August 6, 2015 at 11:50 amIt came together soo beautifully, Roxanne! I love the planked wall and the faucet just dresses up that countertop perfectly! It really is a beautiful makeover! (Would love it if you stopped by our party on my blog and share it if you get a chance please 🙂 Enjoy your day!
Terry says
August 6, 2015 at 1:11 pmYour bathroom turned out beautifully! I love the choices you made! The room actually looks bigger too, so bright and fresh! I would like to invite you to share this project as well as your other work at my furniture get together this evening beginning at 6:00pm (MST). I think you do amazing things here on your blog!
Smiles!
Terry
http://thecuratorscollection.wordpress.com
Lindi says
August 6, 2015 at 1:24 pmI love this makeover Roxanne! Thanks for sharing at the Talented Tuesday party! The plank wall looks amazing. You have to get yourself some power tools if the husband won’t do it! lol. I’m working on learning to use tools for that very reason 😉 The kilim rug will be a big project too! Can’t wait to see it if you do DIY it!
Erica @ Dwell Beautiful says
August 6, 2015 at 1:36 pmWhaaaa this is SO gorgeous! The perfect beachy oasis. I love it!
Terry says
August 6, 2015 at 11:58 pmThank you so much for joining in on my party! I am excited you came :0)!
Have a great weekend!
Smiles!
Terry
Leah Sannar says
August 7, 2015 at 2:46 pmWow, what a difference that made! Great buy on that mirror from Home Goods. I’d have snagged it too, and I LOVE the planking. Definitely looking for your tutorial on that one! 🙂
Sydney @ Tastefully Frugal says
August 7, 2015 at 6:39 pmI LOVE this!! That whale is definitely my favorite part! Thanks for sharing all the details!!
Taryn @ Design, Dining and Diapers says
August 8, 2015 at 4:34 pmThis turned out amazing! Super cute, love all the little details 🙂
Debby W says
August 9, 2015 at 11:56 amI love the finish on the cabinet and the bathroom turned out fantastic:)
Becky A says
August 9, 2015 at 7:02 pmVery clever! Perfect for our Rivah house:) Thank you!
Nikki Frank-Hamilton says
August 9, 2015 at 11:32 pmWhat an incredible transformation, it doesn’t look brand builder new, it looks fantastic. I love each and every bit of it! Great job.
Julie says
August 10, 2015 at 9:12 amWow, this turned out great! I love that mirror and the planked wall. Your accessories are really fun, too! (found you at Metamorphosis Monday)
Julie
Amy@HomeRemedies says
August 11, 2015 at 1:06 amFantastic makeover, Roxanne! I love the planked walls, and the round mirror is just perfect! Thank you so much for sharing with us this week at Talented Tuesdays!
Elaine says
August 12, 2015 at 12:13 pmSuper cute!! Love it!! Thanks for linking up on My 2 Favorite Things on Thursday Link Party!! Hope to see you again tomorrow!! Love partying with you!! Pinned!
Pam @ The Birch Cottage says
August 17, 2015 at 5:47 pmI love this bathroom makeover! I love the mirror, the plank wall, the cabinet finish, and the sconces. Uhm…. I like the whole room. Nice job!!!
Vesna says
August 22, 2015 at 2:49 amHi Roxanne! First time on your blog and I love it! Beautiful makeover! Love the mirror and plank wall! Great job!
Have a lovely weekend!
Vesna- Home Chic Club