I spent a bit of this weekend giving our kids’ bathroom a mini facelift. The bathroom wasn’t in bad shape but it had been let go and needed a little refreshing {kind if like how I feel these days!}.
First, a little background… this is our kids’ bathroom and we really haven’t done much to it since we moved in {10+ years ago!}. It has layered wall paper on the walls which isn’t my taste but it’s a very subtle treatment and it’s blue – which I love – so we kept it. There is also a lighthouse/nautical border around the top of the room. Again, I’m not a big fan of wall paper borders but we like the colors and the nautical theme so we kept it. Plus we had so many projects to do when we moved in that the kids’ bathroom didn’t make the list. And now, after over 10 years, it’s grown on me. A few things we did originally was get decorative tab top curtains made. With the leftover fabric, I added a band at the bottom of a textured white shower curtain. This was an easy and cheap way to customize this space. We changed the cabinet knobs and light fixture. That was about it.
Here’s the before pictures. Not bad, just a little neglected. First, there was some needed housekeeping – I had to caulk the tub and faucet since we were getting some water spots on our downstairs ceiling {thank goodness not a plumbing issue}. Then I had to glue the falling wallpaper border and replace the dingy shower curtain liner. Not the fun decorating projects but still the stuff that needs to get done. And it did feel good to check those jobs off my list.
Now for the good stuff. First I found a cute rug at Home Goods with the fun primary colors. Then I needed something to hold our daughter’s growing nail polish collection. So after searching Bed, Bath & Beyond for a solution, I found the suctioned metal sponge holders that are suppose to attach to the inside of your sink. I took the suction cups out and screwed them into the wall. They work perfectly!
I love using party decorations as everyday home decor. I found these paper lanterns {without the lights} at Target and thought they could add some life to this space. I also hung bigger white ones in our bedroom – really fun!
Next, I went around our house and looked for any art or decorations that would work in this multi-colored, nautical little space. We collect light houses from any we’ve visited and this shelf was the perfect display spot. Then I moved a small painting that we got in Hawaii and hung it above the shelf. Sometimes just moving things around gives them new life. I had a colorful beach painting that worked well above the nail polishes. Then I had painted wooded starfish that I leaned against the window sill.
I had these 2 whale’s tail hooks that I bought forever-ago from Grandin Road and these were the perfect solution for hanging bathing suits. I hung them low, under the window so hopefully the kids will hang their suits up themselves!
A wooden tray from our basement was brought in to add a natural element to this colorful space and coral all the pails of toiletries. And a unused wicker basket now holds all their towels.
That’s about it for the bathroom refresh. It didn’t take long to do – most of my time was spent searching our home for things to add. This is a great trick when you’re looking to redecorate. Sometimes a trip to the store isn’t necessary and just moving things from one room to the next might be the best solution. Someday I’ll take the wall paper down and paint and replace the big mirror for nice framed smaller ones. And maybe even abandon the nautical theme. But for now, this was an quick fix that worked for our schedule and our budget.
What fun stuff have you done to refresh your home?
I'd love to hear your comments!