Let’s just tell it like it is: bathrooms can be T-O-U-G-H to decorate. Especially if it’s a bathroom that’s going to be getting a lot of use from a family with children. That’s why I was so impressed when I came across this Better Homes and Gardens bathroom: it manages to look incredibly functional without sacrificing style or design.
Things I love about this bathroom are the white walls and subway tile, the grime-hiding gray floor, those fun pops of yellow, and the high-style shower curtain. I love that all the elements of this space are super cohesive without being matchy-matchy. The fact that this bathroom doesn’t have floor to ceiling marble tiles makes it look not only budget friendly, but kid friendly, too.
I went on the hunt for a few projects and tutorials that you could use if you wanted to use this inspiration photo as a jumping off point for your own bathroom redo. Have fun seeing this design reimagined in a DIY friendly way!
1. White Walls
Simple white walls create the perfect blank canvas for adding bright pops of color to this room. To get a look similar to the one in my inspiration photo, try Benjamin Moore’s Moonlight White. It looks great in this room by Modern Chemistry that was featured at Favorite Paint Colors.
2. Belted Curtain Tie Back
The yellow belt holding back the shower curtain is sure fun! Check out House of Earnest‘s tutorial for a tie back made form a belt. (And here’s a happy yellow belt like the one in my inspiration photo.)
3. Yellow Furniture
If you are like me, you probably don’t have room for a vanity-sized piece of furniture in your bathroom. But just in case you do–or you have a smaller piece of furniture that will work–The Idea Room has some great tips for painting furniture, and they are demonstrated with the prettiest shade of yellow you ever did see!
4. Subway Tiled Bath Surround
Love the tiled bath surround in my inspiration photo? Check out this detailed tutorial for installing your own surround with subway tile at The Sweetest Digs.
5. Drapery-Like Shower Curtain
A curtain that extends all the way up to the ceiling looks much more sophisticated and adds a lot of drama to the typical bathroom. Hazardous Design shares their tips for achieving this look. If you are trying to make your own shower curtain, I found fabrics similar to the one in my inspiration photo here, here, and here.
Is gray and yellow still a color scheme you would choose? I love the combination, but it seems like more and more people are choosing to pair gray with other colors. What’s your favorite color pairing? And I’m curious–is a bathroom renovation in your future?
SO timely! We updated the baths in our girls spaces with inexpensive fixes ( a redo was NOT in the budget when moving in)–beadboard, paint, decor only. Now, four years later I realize how ancient the toilet and sink (seashells anyone?) are. I do love the penny tile and vintage mirrors with glass knobs 🙂 However, parts are just gross. Add to that my husbands craaazzy staple gun attack on the beadboard! (Ah, first time DIY’s are always interesting!) So…I thought we could try some some upgrades like a new toilet and vanity top. The more I look, the more I think it needs a total redo! I hate the idea of all the dust and debris though! My greatest bath tip for shower curtains–buy curtains! I have one panel that matches the bedding in my daughter’s room for a stall shower. The other has a set from Land of Nod that were on clearance. They seem to be longer and I always like to think outside the box, so window curtains it is! Alot of people lean towards grey but I am a tan girl–more traditional and classic perhaps? For a bath I would do white, white, white.
White does have a very clean, crisp look. It just requires a bit more work to keep it that way! 😉
Great colors!!!!!! I am so tired of dark walls. I wish I could redecorate. I have to make little splashes here and there, ’cause we do not have our own home. It belongs to the church, and quite frankly, I just don’t have the energy.
Little changes can make a big difference!
Thanks for the tips! I love that the room has natural light. I also have white subway tiles in my bath and I love them. I used Bondera (a tile adhesive) to install them and I’m really proud to say that they look great and it was very easy to finish the remodeling project in a short time.