If you’ve followed The Inspired Room for a while, you might remember the vintage mint green and pink bathroom in our Seattle home. Over the six years we lived there, I only mentioned it occasionally, but many readers asked whether we ever renovated it. Here’s an update on what we ultimately decided to do.
During our time in that house we tackled several major projects — from replacing a sewer line to installing new driveways, patios, decks, and even a full kitchen renovation. We also made numerous small, budget-friendly updates throughout the home (see many of our befores and afters on our blog). Those modest changes, including the refresh to this bathroom, weren’t dramatic by social media makeover standards and sometimes went unnoticed by visitors. Still, they greatly improved the everyday experience of the rooms.
Not every home improvement needs to be an HGTV-style overhaul to be meaningful. Let’s redefine what “home goals” can be.
We considered many options for this bathroom: a complete renovation, or a simpler, cost-effective approach that preserved its vintage charm. There was even the possibility of reworking the bedroom and bathroom layout someday, so we left the space on the back burner until we felt certain about the best direction.
In the end, a large renovation never became a priority. Instead, we focused on keeping the bathroom clean and well cared for.
Does anyone else ever choose “clean and cared for” these days? There’s no shame in that. Sometimes maintaining a space thoughtfully is the best choice for your family and your future plans.
Renovations can boost a home’s value and enjoyment, but they aren’t always necessary. Instagram makeovers can give a skewed sense of urgency, so it helps to consider practical priorities first.
I’m glad we didn’t rush into a costly bathroom remodel that might have been unnecessary. We eventually sold the house at top value, so waiting proved to be the right choice for us.
This bathroom’s vintage character is something buyers could either love or dislike. By not renovating, we left the decision to update to the new owners so they could make changes that matched their tastes and needs.
This photo shows how it looked when we bought the house. As you can see from the image at the top of this post, it looked almost the same when we left: clean, functional, and generally well cared for. Those qualities matter a lot when selling a home — and in day-to-day life.
Over time, some of the previous owner’s fixes began to wear, and we took care of items she hadn’t addressed. Whether a home is old or new, there will always be ongoing maintenance. Keeping a space clean and cared for is a practical and wise investment.
Seven simple updates we made to the mint green and pink bathroom
- Repainted walls and ceiling in a crisp white (Simply White by Benjamin Moore) to brighten and neutralize the space.
- Replaced hardware — added black knobs on the vanity and a coordinating black doorknob to unify the look with the rest of the house.
- Swapped the vanity light fixture. The old fixture was broken and not original, so we chose a replacement that complemented the hallway lighting and worked with existing wiring for an easy install.
- Repaired broken items such as the light, mirror screw covers, and the caulking around the sink.
- Added a black-and-white shower curtain to give contrast and a fresh pattern to the room.
- Placed a small throw rug to soften and warm the tile floors.
- Brought in natural texture and warmth with bamboo blinds, a wood stool, a towel basket, greenery, and a window shutter for privacy and exterior cohesion.
If we had stayed longer, we might have continued with slow, thoughtful updates: swapping faucets, replacing the large mirror, resurfacing or replacing the pink tub, updating the vanity, trying a fun wallpaper, or repairing or replacing worn floor tile. Those are projects we would have tackled gradually.
Slow and steady, clean and cared for — those are admirable home goals, too.
That’s the end of our story with the pink and green bathroom. I don’t regret not doing a full renovation. We made the best decisions for our family at the time, and selling when we did led us to a season of life that feels right for us.
I hope this story encourages you to consider your own home goals. Sometimes less is more. Choosing clean, fresh, and well cared for rather than all-new can be the right decision. Slow, steady updates make progress affordable, manageable, and practical.
Another budget-friendly bathroom makeover in this home and examples of bathroom design inspiration are available on our site for those who enjoy gradual updates and practical solutions.
