Warm & Feminine Apartment Bathroom Makeover

Sometimes I feel like completing a room makeover is like waiting for a Kardashian to fall into a black hole of anonymity. As much as you want it to happen, it doesn’t look like it will anytime soon.

But hot damn, this bathroom makeover is finally done! Read along to find out what challenges I overcame during this makeover and how I transformed my boring apartment bathroom into a warm, soft space.

Before I decorate/make over a room, I create a moodboard (check it out here). The goal for this bathroom makeover was to create a nature-inspired, zen room. However, I ran into my first challenge not long after I started—myself.

The original vision was a neutral, romantic bathroom with touches of Asian & vintage decor. As much as I like the look of all-neutral rooms, though, I came to realize they’re just not for me.

I LOVE color, always have, and need it in my life! So this is what I instead came up with, a mostly neutral space with a bit of warm color. This was a perfect compromise by using some bright color but not too much that it overpowers this small room. It’s sweet, but not too sweet… much like myself.

The current shower curtain is actually the second curtain I sewed for the bathroom. (The first one is shown below, in the middle). I adored the cherry-blossom inspired pattern of the first shower curtain, but it just felt so bland in the room. I also wasn’t feeling the length, although it’s standard shower curtain length.

For the new one, I used a batik I’d used in my bedroom makeover months last year. Sewing the new shower curtain into two floor-length panels gives the bathroom a more tailored, chic feel. Symmetry for the win! I also added wood window curtain rings to infuse some natural energy into the room.

The second challenge? Having a funky apartment bathroom with an even funkier, mismatched vanity. My solution: utilize a palette that complements the beige walls and disguise the vanity with a faux linen (Osnaburg) sink skirt.

To attach the skirt, I applied adhesive velcro onto the vanity and sewed the remaining velcro onto the fabric. This way, I can easily remove the skirt to wash it, and then easily reapply it. I removed the vanity doors for easy access.

 

 

The final challenge in this makeover was my budget. It’s always my MO to decorate on a modest budget, but this time around I had to spend less usual. I prioritized my shopping, spending more money on the items that mattered most (textiles). I also repurposed some things into bath decor/accessories and “shopped my home” with items from other rooms.

For instance, this soap dish is actually a piece of dinnerware. I replaced the standard towel rack with a vintage kitchen towel rack I borrowed kept from an old apartment. Using mostly glass and translucent accessories keeps the room feeling light and uncluttered.

I repurposed these windchimes (scored on clearance) into wall art above the toilet. The candle tray was created by gluing bamboo reeds into a ceramic serving platter. (They’re also sealed with Mod Podge for protection from the humidity.)

The bathroom came with two mismatched bath towel bars, hung in different spots. I decided not to buy new ones and mounted them side by side in a “his and hers” fashion. (You hardly notice they don’t match.)

Above the towels, I brought in a mirror from another room. This was a thrift store score  that I’d previously painted a pearly shade and glued shell beads onto.

Sources:

Fabric (shower curtains and sink skirt): Joann Fabrics

Wind chimes, Buddha tealight holder, bathmat, and “soap dish:” World Market

Serving tray: Home Goods

Wood curtain rings and toilet paper stand: Home Depot

Floating wall shelves, pink soap dispenser and tumbler: Target

Towels: IKEA

For as long as the makeover took, I’m very pleased with the outcome. I was able to transform this bathroom into a feel-good place, not a boring place I couldn’t stand to look at. It may have taken more time to be creative with the decor, but my bank account can testify it was well worth the wait. And we all know when the bank account is happy, everyone’s happy.

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Filed under: Bathroom, DIY, Rental Decorating, Repurposing, Reveals + Makeovers