Asked on Feb 10, 2016

Ugly 70's gold bathroom needs help

I have a very small bathroom that is so ugly. It has a gold sink, gold counter, gold bathtub, and gold and white tile in the walls. I have a very tight budget. I did replace the ugly gold toilet and flooring.
  8 answers
  • Hope Williams Hope Williams on Feb 11, 2016
    Hi Corina. You forgot to mention what you are needing from us. What are you hoping to achieve?
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    • Hope Williams Hope Williams on Feb 11, 2016
      Ok now I'm with you. And yes to every question you asked. I'll answer in the order you asked. Discount- do you have a habitat restore, goodwill, etc. close around? Great place to get really good everything you can think of for great prices. Also what about up cycling a dresser, sideboard, maybe something you already have to be a vanity.Vinyl over tile, NO! But, you can paint tile! Yes you sure can. There are kits for "refinishing" tubs, sinks, tile of the ceramic kind. Also there are great tutorials here on Hometalk on how to paint tile just put in paint tile in your search bar. I hope this helps. If you have more questions, just reply in the same manner and it will come to my attention and I'll respond as soon as I can.
  • Janet Pizaro Janet Pizaro on Feb 11, 2016
    Do you want to paint the bathtub,cabinets etc.?
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    • Janet Pizaro Janet Pizaro on Feb 11, 2016
      @Corina Singleton There are Tub and tile kits available from Rust-o-leum, However there is a lot of work that has to be done when you use them. If that is not a factor that could be one solution. Next I would update the cabinets with a new so to speak updated color.Take a browse for color inspiration on Behr.com. They have a very large selection.I would recommend there new line called Marquee collection. I just used this paint in both of my bathrooms and it worked very well. From there adding new hardware is an inexpensive way for a quick update. Once you decide on your painting I would change out the towels and accessories. All of these are very inexpensive and will make your bathroom appear newer.
  • Lori Lori on Feb 11, 2016
    Hi Corina. Lets assume you want to make this as pretty as possible with very little money, like most of us. Paint is your best friend for sure. There is paint for the tile and the counter and vanity. I bet you could replace the sink very cheaply at the re hab store. The tub is another matter and although I know there is paint for that it is questionable to me to even go there yourself. Price a liner for it and as long as you don't go for the whole tub surround and all, maybe that would fit in your budget. All your tile work looks in really good shape and bright white paint will make it look new. New handles on the cupboards and with all the white you are good to go with any colors of accents you like. Hope any of this helps but you will get lots of good advice here.
  • Since you are on a budget and want a change, painting the walls to compliment the gold. White is a nice choice for a clean bathroom but in your case it is really blah and dating your bathroom. The handles are dating your bathroom too so you would fill in the holes and I would paint the vanity an expresso or a complimentary brown to anchor the room. If the countertop is in good shape work with it not against it and that is why getting paint swatches to see what looks good. I would pick a shower curtain with the color(s) you want to see in the bathroom and keep that to 'hide' the gold tub. I do not recommend painting the tub or the sink- it is a very temporary fix and it is toxic and time consuming and a huge project for a beginner. I would get rid of the cheap mini blinds and replace with better blinds and maybe even a curtain /valence to match the towels and shower curtain. UPdating the faucets will make a huge difference too and pick a faucet with some height and spend the money on that update if you can. Now I would measure the mirror and go to home depot or a home store and get some trim/molding to frame the mirror. You can glue or nail it in place and that will look like a brand new mirror (and I would paint the trim the color of the vanity). Light fixtures are also 'jewelry' in a bathroom and it can be as simple as taking the light down and spray painting with Rustoleum Hammered spray paint and voila a new light fixture! I also switched to LEDs and boy does the light look better. I redid my master bathroom a few years back for about $30 in paint. Do not be afraid of color and if light is an issue, I would spray paint the bathroom window with a frost or there is contact paper to make the window private and still let light in. You have good bones and do not be afraid to work with the gold. good luck
  • If you can swing 400 bucks or so, call a pro to come out and refinish the tub and tile in white. They do a great job. It's totally worth the money. For the other issues, Craigslist. Hunt on it everyday. People constantly are remodeling and either giving away their old things or selling for cheap. some of the items are very nice. It's just people looking to remodel. Also check re-stores and stores that are clearing out their floor models.
  • Rhonda Miller Rhonda Miller on Feb 11, 2016
    Paint it all. The cabinets u can use chalk paint (make your own) that will go over the paint that is there, without sanding. Change out hardware and faucet. U can paint counter top too or get a cheap one from the places the above person mentioned
  • Catherine Catherine on Feb 11, 2016
    Paint is the best way to go. I recently painted my old bathroom cabinets brown and put new door pulls and I love the way it looks.. It actually looks like a piece of furniture now. Sometimes just one thing changed makes a big difference. Also the tiles can be painted for a new look.
  • Becky Becky on Feb 17, 2016
    Because you are on a budget (arent we all! :)) I would pick a really fun color that will complement the gold, so that it all pops.