We love our house. But like many homeowners, there are things we’d like to change or modify, and add our own touch to our home. Those projects go on a wish/someday list. What’s on our list? At the top is our main bathroom.
- This is how the bathroom looked the day we moved into the house. Lots of tan everywhere.
There are some original aspects of the 1958 bathroom, but most are gone or covered up by previous remodels. A big frame has been added to the large mirror. New(er) tile now graces the vanity and shower. I suspect there is original tile behind the beadboard wainscoting, and the tub has been painted over. It is far from Mid-Century.
But what happens when a remodel isn’t in sight – at least right now? Here are some easy tips and tricks I used to make the bathroom a bit more bearable.
Mix up the color
- The bathroom after the refresh is much warmer and more relaxing of a space.
There was way too much brown and beige happening in the bathroom. So I painted the walls Aqua-Shere from Sherwin William. The color had to compliment the tile since that wasn’t going anywhere. Remember, base your color selection on permanent parts of the room.
Ditch the shower door
- The shower curtain has a gold geometric design that helps lighten up the room.
Unless there’s a full walk-in shower, I don’t believe glass doors belong in bathrooms. They are so hard to clean, and are not easy to climb in and out of when you’re 6+ feet tall. I ripped out the door, cleaned off the grim and caulk around the opening, and added a curtain. This one from Target’s Project 62 doesn’t darken the room. Plus, the gold and geometric pattern is a nice nod to the Mid-Century Modern style.
Add some artwork
- The print of the succulents ties in the colors of the room, while the framed cards picks up more of the gold accents.
Artwork can be very cheap, but yet add so much to a room. We bought some prints from artist Robin McCoy while on our honeymoon. I love the succulents, which really ties in all the colors in the room. The smaller gold prints are actually cards. I just cut off the back of the card, added some paper as a matte, and framed them. CHEAP!
Don’t forget the small touches
- Small items help pull the whole look of the room together.
To break up the expansive tile countertop, I added some small items to bring some warmth to the room. Some are practical, like the canister for cotton swabs. Other items are simply for aesthetics. A candle and some fresh flowers can go a long way in adding a personal touch.
Overall, I spent about $150 on the refresh. That’s much cheaper than an entire bathroom remodel. But that project will happen. Someday.
Mid Mod Suburban 