“The bathroom had old-fashioned orange tiles that gave it a bold, retro feel,” says the homeowner. Credit: Sage Phillips Credit: Sage Phillips The homeowner wanted to modernize the space. “The overall look felt inconsistent with more contemporary design tastes and lacked a fresh, updated aesthetic,” she says. Credit: Sage Phillips Credit: Sage Phillips Before putting her family’s home on the market, she wanted to redecorate the bathroom. Credit: Sage Phillips Credit: Sage Phillips The homeowner set out to upgrade nearly every surface in the bathroom. “Updating the tiles and installing a new modern toilet made the biggest changes,” she says. Credit: Sage Phillips Credit: Sage Phillips The shiplap wall behind the toilet is the homeowner’s favorite part of this design. “It adds a unique, personal touch to the space and enhances the overall design,” she says. “Small details made a big impact.” Credit: Sage Phillips Credit: Sage Phillips The modern gold finish and light wood vanity make the entire bathroom look refreshed. “It’s a spa-like atmosphere that’s calming and inviting, making it a pleasure to start and end your day in this bathroom,” she says. Credit: Sage Phillips Credit: Sage Phillips
About this before and after
House type: House
Project type: Bathroom
Style: Organic Modern
Skill level: DIY, professional
Rental possible: No
Replacing bathroom fixtures and hardware is a simple upgrade that can make a big difference, but if you want a more dramatic makeover, there’s more to it. Sage Phillips (@sagephillipshome) did just that when she recently renovated her home’s bathroom to give it a more modern feel. “The bathroom had old-fashioned orange tiles that gave it a bold, retro feel,” says Sage.
Before putting her home on the market, Sage wanted to spruce up her bathroom a bit. “The overall look felt inconsistent with more contemporary design tastes and lacked a fresh, updated aesthetic,” she added.
The transformation begins with a new toilet and shower.
“Updating the tile and installing a new modern toilet made the biggest changes,” says Sage. But before installing the new stuff, Sage stripped out the old tiles, toilets and fixtures to give it a clean slate. It was his first time to take out a toilet bowl, but he said it was easy. “Removing the toilet bowl was easier than I expected!”
That aside, moving on to the design side, Sage didn’t have to overspend to get great results. “I found an affordable white textured tile that gives the bathroom a modern, clean look,” she says.
She also updated the shower with gold fixtures to add contrast to the white tiles. Sage took over the bathroom project on her own, but hired professionals to handle other tasks. “For more technical work, such as plumbing or tiling, it’s best to leave it to the professionals to avoid costly mistakes,” she says.
Modern details (and DIY skills) breathe new life into your room.
However, Sage did a considerable job saving the $4,500 project without professional help. “We created a DIY shiplap feature wall that really added character to the space,” she says.
After installing shiplap behind the toilet and painting it with a Sherwin-Williams jogging path, Sage says she’s most proud of the project, especially the room’s “pop of greige.” “It adds a unique, personal touch to the space and enhances the overall design,” she says. “Small details made a big impact.”
Additionally, shiplap perfectly complements white tiles. “White textured tiles give it a clean, timeless look, while greige shiplap adds warmth and character,” says Sage. “It’s the perfect balance between cosiness and modernity.”
Sage also painted the walls in Benjamin Moore’s White Dove and installed a new lightweight wood vanity with black handles and gold faucets. “I quickly found success installing hardware like towel rails and drawer handles, which I found easy to do myself,” says Sage.
The design creates a calm space.
Although the bathroom layout didn’t change significantly, Sage says the updated toilet and fixtures make the room feel “more open and organized” than before. “Everything has a proper place and it’s much easier to keep clean,” she added.
To stay calm during the renovation, Sage planned ahead. “Manage your schedule, materials, and budget in one place,” she says. Sage also didn’t rush the process, saying, “I took my time to make sure the elements I chose were both practical and visually appealing.”
This balance of “style and functionality” helped Sage arrive at the final result. “The new space makes me feel relaxed and refreshed,” Sage says. “It has a spa-like feel that is both calming and welcoming, making this bathroom a fun way to start or end your day.”
She also believes that updating this “important space” will also increase the value of her family home before putting it on the market.
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