Bathroom Redo Project Reveal
Today is the day! I’ve shown the process I went through for my bathroom redo: first painting faux wainscoting, then adding color and reclaimed wood shelving. Now it’s time to reveal the finished project…
The last steps of this project were using wood trim to frame the mirror and add a chair rail to complete the faux wainscoting look. This is where I ran into many unforeseen delays and dilemmas. I almost gave up on the trim aspect of the project! But I’m glad I worked through it because these finishing touches are what really add elegance to the space.
These 45 degree angles were not easy.
Let’s look at some before and afters, shall we?
So, let’s go through what this bathroom cost!
The shelving I made out of reclaimed wood I got for free off Craigslist. The shelving was cut to all different sizes and was already stained, so I did nothing to it except drill holes for the brackets. I had initially planned to paint them white, but there’s already enough white in my design, don’t you think?
The metal brackets my parent’s picked up free with rebate from Menards and gave to me. The hardware to hang the shelves (anchors, washers, screws) cost a total of $9 (rounding up).
The shelves are adorned with sentimental things. The picture frame I got for 50 cents at a garage sale. The glass container is an adorable vintage piece my neighbor gave me. The towels were $8 a piece and the white ones were 75 cents at a garage sale.
The painting is the only artwork in my home I didn’t create myself. This piece was done by my talented sister, Christy. A few of my other sisters have matching paintings that connect as sort of a set. The ombre hand towels were from Target on clearance for $4. The blue glass bottle is an antique shoe polish bottle. I found it in the dirt of my flower garden on the farm I was raised. It’s from the late 1800’s.
This glass bowl is another piece from my neighbor. She was going to get rid of it and I loved it! The blue candle was $3 bought forever ago. The pillar candle was $2 at a garage sale and the ribbon was free. The last thing on my shelves is my silver make-up case which cost me $1 at a garage sale.
Can you tell I went a little picture crazy on the shelves? They turned out just like I envisioned; they are my favorite part of the bathroom redo!
The other major costs were the wood trim. I got three 12 foot slats of trim for $13. I bought liquid nails to put them up and white caulk for the joints which totaled $4.50. I cut them on my $80 table saw but we won’t go there. The paint color I mixed myself for free. The white paint and primer was also free from the HHW exchange facility. The bouquet of fake flowers on my vanity cost $3 at a consignment shop.
I did not replace the shower curtain or towel racks. My total for the room is $56.75. And the total cost for my redo (excluding towel, decor items I already had, etc) is $26.50.
I completely re-imagined and redid my bathroom for $27 dollars and a lot of DIY.
I completely re-imagined and redid my bathroom for $27 dollars and a lot of DIY.
I have redone my bathroom in exactly the same color as you did. I just love the teal also. I have a really large mirror over my vanity. I want to frame it like you did. I have clips holding the mirror at the top, the bottom ones are flat. I was trying to figure out how to change the top clips. I could use a little more information on how you did the washers on your mirror. Did you liquid nail the frame to the mirror? I wait for your post with great anticipation. Thanking you in advance. This is the last piece of my bathroom redo. I bought bead board paneling in 4’x3′ sheets and liquid nailed that to the walls. It turned out great. Thanking you in advance for your help.
I simply put liquid nails on the outer edge of the trim and held it up on the wall. The other half of the trim without glue overlapped the mirror and covered the flat washers. If I did it again, I would use my air compressed brad nailer because it was so hard to hold the trim up on the wall until the liquid nails dried. I used lots and lots of tape. I didn’t have a brad nailer at the time I did this project. Thanks for the comment! Good luck to you!
Do you have to use a air compressor brad nailer, or can a regular nail gun be used?
For this chair rail I actually used liquid nails adhesive because I didn’t have either kind of nail gun yet. Now I do have an air compressor brad nailer. I think you could use a regular nail gun, just be sure to fill in your holes with paintable caulk. If you want to try the liquid nails, you can find them in the aisle right next to caulking at your local home improvement store. Thanks for the great question!
Could I see a side view of mirror and wall? I’m curious if there is a gap between the wood trim and the mirror itself. AND this is my color too, now I just need the motivation! THANKS
There is about a 3mm gap (the width of the washer). I’m not sure how you could get the mirror framed more flush without notching out space in the trim for the mirror clips to rest. If you do it that way, there’s no reason to switch out the clips for washers since you’re cutting into the wood trim anyways. Good luck to you in your bathroom makeover!
You did a beautiful job on your bathroom. I am about to start mine. Can you please share where you got the filigree towel rack and shelf that is black in your “old” bathroom? I need one just like it for my new bathroom. I did not see any information on it when I read your helpful notes. Thank you so much for sharing!
That towel rack I got from a garage sale, so I’m sorry but I don’t know where you could find one. Perhaps Pier 1? Thanks for the compliment Victoria!
What is the name of the color of the paint you use on the upper part of your wall?
Hi Chris! Thanks for the comment, but unfortunately I mixed the color myself so it cannot be replicated. If you’re interested in creating a similar paint color, you could read my post about mixing paint: https://www.welcome-to-the-woods.com/how-to-mix-a-custom-paint-color/
Hope that helps!
Melissa
I especially love the way you hung the shelves from different walls and also stacked the towels different directions…I know, all that work and that’s what I can’t get enough of! It was nice to find you on Hometalk today, I’ll be sure to stop back often!
Aw thank you, the shelves are a focal point for sure. I’m so glad you found me, too.
Melissa
An amazing change! Love the teal and the shelf arrangement! How do you find such wonderful things to put on the shelves? I go to yard sales and thrift stores, but I rarely score such great stuff! Although lately I have had some luck on “Freecycle”!!! Thanks for sharing!
Thank you! Actually, the glass bottle I dug up in my flower garden on my parent’s old farm. The other glass bowl was also a vintage hand-me-down. Garage saling is my go-to for home decor, but finding good ones is like an art.
Hope you come by again and read more of my blog!!
Melissa
Melissa, I was about to ask why you used liquid nails instead of finishing nails, when I read that you didn’t have a nailer yet. I hope you really always love your chair rail, because, you no doubt know, liquid nails can pretty much chew up drywall. Also, just for me, could you paint those shelf supports to match the walls? Please? I have a knee jerk reaction to those big metal supports (anywhere but in a garage) and the white really catches my pathetic judgmental eye. I, too, love that you used two walls for shelves, and the loving descriptions of your treasures. I can tell you put your heart into your home!
I think you did a magnificent job — I too love wainscotting and chair rails to add colour in a room without overwhelming it.
Our small downstairs bathroom has one of those stupid space capsule showers in it (which has been used by a guest once in the 2 years we have owned the house) and I can’t get hubby to let me take it out. The sink is builder’s grade (lowest end) and there isn’t a lot of room to get creative. Is it possible to post a photo to you and have you make suggestions? I have gone over dozens of magazines as well as Pinterest and found nothing like this mess.
Hi Michelle!
I would absolutely love to see a picture and help you out with your bathroom design. I have the perfect place to help with that. Join Welcome to the Woods group on Facebook where my readers share their projects, ask for DIY advice, and see exclusive content from me! https://www.facebook.com/groups/135624800568114/ I look forward to seeing your photos on there 🙂
Melissa