kids bathroom makeover story

Continuing on with the room makeover stories (get caught up here: entry, family/living, office, kitchen, dining,  master bathroom, master bedroom, screened porch, patio, basement) I’m sharing the upstairs hall bath that my kiddos as well as guests share when they come for a visit.  Right off the bat one of the things I liked about this bathroom, knowing that it would be a shared bathroom, was that there was a door separating the shower/commode area from the vanity.  This is so great, in my opinion, for a shared bathroom to allow for privacy without having to give up the whole bathroom.  So one of my kiddos can be taking a shower while the other is brushing their teeth and there’s no arguing over who gets the bathroom first.  #atleastinanidealworld

But while the layout of the bathroom was great, the overall look was in need of a refresh.  

Here’s where we started.  This was shortly after move-in day.  

This bathroom space isn’t too large and boasts just one small window, so the dark color on the walls wasn’t exactly doing it any favors.  While the previous homeowners had given the oak vanity a facelift with some white paint, this vanity had seen better days.  My kiddos broke the top drawer (which was just stapled on) in like the first week of living here.  #ofcoursetheydid  And while I know that brass is back, the gold hardware read a little too dated for this space. 

I concocted a plan to lighten and brighten this bathroom keeping it classic and neutral with a little pop of color.  The idea was to give it a good foundation that decor-wise would allow me to change the look just by changing the accessories.  So, I visited the bathroom department over at Lowe’s and had the old vanity ripped out and a custom vanity installed. 

I chose brushed nickel hardware after falling in love with this light fixture (Allen + Roth brand from Lowe’s).  When they ripped out the old vanity I had them remove the mirror, so that I could tile the wall from the vanity to the ceiling.  It was a surprisingly simple diy (my first major tile project!) that brought in some major wow factor in this bathroom.  

Click here to see how I solved the little issue I was having where the tile meets the counter top.  

As you can see from the above photo I also painted the walls a much lighter color – Olympic Moonstone Grey which is also the color I used on the walls in both of my kids bedrooms.  It’s a great neutral grey.  I carried the color to the ceiling as well.  I also added in beadboard wallpaper, hung horizontally for a fun twist on a classic.  Then I finished her off with some moulding and lots of towel hooks (which are so much easier for kids to use as opposed to a towel bar!).  

But enough with the talky-talky, here’s how the bathroom is looking now. 

The color story for this bathroom was inspired by the map of Kauai I brought home from our vacation.  I found an old window at Restore and used it to “frame” the map.  I really do believe design is in the details and nothing makes me happier than spaces that have things in them that make them personal.  This map brings back such wonderful memories of one of the best family vacations we’ve ever experienced. 

Shower curtain is from Target.  The window shade was a diy involving a hot glue gun.  #whossurprised #noone

So that’s the kids bathroom makeover story in a nutshell.  In reality it took years to get from point A to point B but that’s par for the course around here.  #slowestdesignbloggereever  But things take time and that’s a-okay with me!   The fun, at least in my opinion, is in the process.  She says after is’t all done.  😉 

I’ve got some super fun big news to share very soon – pinch me – but I have a few more posts planned to share first…..then the big announcement!    And NO – I am not pregnant.  😉