Asked on Jan 07, 2020

What do I do to this bathroom?

Leanne
by Leanne

I am extremely indecisive and have a whole house to fix up and make our own. Super excited but super overwhelmed. For this bathroom I dont know if I should leave it white and paint the vanity either black or slate gray or I also have a classic gray stain. OR I have a dark blue/gray paint Refuge and do the vanity in the classic gray stain. My boyfriend bought this mirror and lights and I feel like if I stain the vanity I have to match the wood right? Just to give you a sense of the place Our kitchen and family room are white. Our entryway, stairs and living room are classic silver(gray) and the entryway wall and dining room are nature's gift(light green). First 3 pictures are of the bathroom, then of the mirror that is hanging , 2 of the paint color Refuge, the last is of the stain I bought. My original thought was to stain the cabinet in the classic gray and paint the walls Refuge. Now I'm thinking it will look washed out. Plus I LOVE the way the slate gray or black vanity looks. Or wait should I paint the whole bathroom black or navy and stain the vanity a light classic gray like the mirror...my mind won't stop! Please help a first time homeowner with too many thoughts and not enough knowledge!

  15 answers
  • Personally, I would want some contrast between the cabinet and the walls. I like the idea of the dark walls with the light cabinet, The frame of the mirror will really 'pop' against a dark color. Keep in mind, it's paint. If you don't like it, you can always change it!

  • Scarlet Paolicchi Scarlet Paolicchi on Jan 07, 2020

    I agree on the contrast between cabinet and walls but my personal preference would be with the lighter gray on the walls and the darker gray on the cabinets.


  • Kathy Gunter Law Kathy Gunter Law on Jan 07, 2020

    I would go with white enamel paint on the cabinets and replace the faucet and pulls. I love the color you chose for the walls. If you don't want white, then go with a color 2 shades darker than the walls. I think the mirror will be fine as is, especially if you could get a shelf or two that match.

  • Pamela Pamela on Jan 07, 2020

    Hi ! I would skip the staining idea , altogether ! I LOVE the paint color you picked , refuge !!!!! I would paint the vanity in that color , it will really make the white top and toilet pop ! I would keep the wall color a very light gray , you have a small room without a window , a dark color will make it look small ,(unless you just paint one wall as an accent wall ) Then I would use a dark gray mat to go with the vanity . And maybe a couple of floating shelves above the toilet , painted in the refuge color , to hold a plant or a decorative jars with

    q tips or cotton balls ... Have fun !!!

    I also just bought our first home !!! And have to bring all the rooms out of the 70's. I used the colors in both my bathrooms , ( since they were connecting Jack and Jill bathrooms ) light gray walls , dark gray vanities with light vanity tops .

  • Pamela Pamela on Jan 07, 2020

    Here are before and after , using the color scheme...

    • See 1 previous
    • Pamela Pamela on Jan 09, 2020

      Hi ! Thanks . I didn't paint the vanity , it came in that color . I would say the smaller vanity is a medium gray and the bigger vanity with the barn door fronts is a darker gray , closer to the color refuge paint .

  • Nan W. Nan W. on Jan 07, 2020

    Leanne: we have very similar bathrooms.


    I would use that gorgeous pant on the cabinets (be sure to take off hardware for a more professional-looking job)


    Here is my (red! - from previous owner) and then my lighter, fresher upgrade:


    PS I even used the same mirror -- just with a wisp of cream paint to "distress" it

    • Leanne Leanne on Jan 09, 2020

      Looks great! It was a little unsure about using the blue on the cabinets until you posted that! Thank you!

  • Emily Emily on Jan 07, 2020

    Leanne first of all don't worry because the thought and consideration you are giving these questions will stand you in very good stead in your decorating decisions. Read what you say above. .. "Plus, I love how the slate gray or black vanity looks" . . . you do know what you want. As an aside and not in answer to a question. If at all possible remove the toilet paper holder from the sink. It "spoils" the line.


    • Leanne Leanne on Jan 09, 2020

      Thank you I guess your right. I'm so thankful to all of you and hometalk. My mom always refinished furniture and our house beautifully and creatively growing up; but she is sick of all my questions lol. The toilet paper holder will be gone! I cant stand it there as well.

  • Morgan McBride Morgan McBride on Jan 07, 2020

    I would paint the cabinet, add knobs, and change out hte faucet! Then add some color with art or accessories.

  • DD DD on Jan 07, 2020

    I agree with Emily go with the look you love the slate gray vanity will look wonderful and modern Emily is right the toilet paper holder catches your eye can you move it to the front of the toilet so you really don't see it. Not sure how big the bathroom is, if you can reach it in that spot. Just make sure you use mollies so it doesn't pull out of the wall :) Then paint the walls a few shades lighter than the vanity Good luck with your new home oh and a word to a long time home owner who has moved a lot :) Tackle one room at a time start to finish so you can see and appreciate your progress!!

    • Leanne Leanne on Jan 09, 2020

      Thank you! I'm trying to do one room at a time or at least starting to now. Other than the little things that need to be done. It's hard while trying to look for inspiration I get so distracted seeing gorgeous bedrooms but that is last. Thank you again

  • Dee Dee on Jan 08, 2020

    Hi Leanne: I would not paint the walls a dark color, the bathroom is way too small for that. I would paint the vanity the Refuge, it is a gorgeous color. I would paint it in semigloss for durability. You could even paint around the mirror the refuge. Get some new chrome handles. I would get the spot resistant chrome for the handles and I would probably buy a new faucet in the same finish. You can either put a small cabinet over the toilet or some shelves. I bought a small cabinet at Home Depot and love the extra storage space.

    Buy a dark gray bath mat. Costco has a thick beautiful mat for $15. Get gray and white towels.

    Have fun, you bathroom will look great.

  • 17335038 17335038 on Jan 09, 2020

    That wall on the left side is a huge blank space.


    To add instant 'life' to this powder room use this wall for a large colorful dimensional piece of artwork. Large is the key word here - it needs to fill the space to have that wow factor.


    Another idea is to cover the wall with a 3D photo decal mural, examples below. It would be less work than painting and a fast way to add some fun energy to the space.

  • Holly Lengner - Lost Mom Holly Lengner - Lost Mom on Jan 09, 2020

    Painting the cabinet and giving it knobs will make a huge difference in that bathroom. I love all the thought you are putting into this bathroom and your excitement for decorating your first home! Congratulations.

  • Lifestyles Homes Lifestyles Homes on Jan 09, 2020
    Since you have the entire house to do and are feeling overwhelmed, then I suggest painting the walls for now.

    Painting the vanity is proportionally a lot more prep work and a semi gloss enamel would wear better on the vanity.

    Buy a new light fixture or some new globes and towels/rug to tie together what color of artwork you put on the walls.

    Move on to the next room, 1 day later.

  • Marion Nesbitt Marion Nesbitt on Jan 11, 2020

    I'd leave the walls as your entry, etc. is same colour so continuity. Lighter makes the room look larger as well. Agree with previous suggestion about changing the faucets. Brass is in so would match mirror. Agree with previous suggestion about toilet paper holder. There are stand up ones that don't take up much space. Like the plant on the toilet tank. Might change it to ivy so more curvy shapes to offset all the straight lines. Maybe a pic above toilet. Would move bathmat in front of vanity and use the same colour for accents in pics, and towels, etc. Don't like painting nice wood, but if you must paint......


  • Lucky Home Today Lucky Home Today on Jan 22, 2020

    I would go with a new mirror with a white frame, then install a few shelves. Some wall art above the toliet paper holder (and maybe change that out for a newer/fancier looking one).