Update: here’s what the bathroom looks like now (above), after another refresh a few years later. Below is the original makeover.

Boy’s Bathroom Before & After

Last year I planned a small facelift for my son’s bathroom. It wasn’t a major renovation—just a few quick updates taken over several short sessions. Life got busy, so the project stretched out, but the actual work only took a few days.

This house is fairly new, so the bathroom wasn’t outdated or in need of a full remodel. I didn’t want to replace perfectly good fixtures just for the sake of change. Instead, I focused on simple, budget-friendly updates to make the room more fun and youthful.

Although it’s primarily my son’s bathroom, my daughters and guests use it too, so the design needed to appeal to everyone. We aimed for a quirky, cheerful look that would brighten the hallway as well as the bathroom—without a big cost or long timeline.

The first change was swapping out the drawer pulls. The vanity was natural wood and, after painting the walls, I didn’t want to paint the cabinet too. New hardware made a big impact and saved time and money.

I chose a bold teal-turquoise wall color (Lagoon by Martha Stewart) to create a happy pop as you come down the hall. The hallway remains a more serious gray (Studio Taupe, Behr), so painting the small shower/potty room the same gray balanced the brightness and kept it from feeling overwhelming.

On one wall we added a simple white board and batten treatment. It was straightforward—mostly careful measuring and a few adjustments to find the right white. We used White Dove from Benjamin Moore for the trim and doors, and Lagoon by Martha Stewart for the main walls.

At the sink, we opted not to extend the board and batten to avoid complex cutting around the counter. I didn’t like the Formica backsplash, but replacing counters or tiling felt like too much work at the time. Instead, I found faux tin ceiling tiles at Home Depot and used them as a backsplash. They were easy to cut and install, durable, and gave a stylish, low-mess finish.

The faux tin tile treatment is removable and makes any future countertop updates simpler. I considered framing the mirror but decided that the room already had enough detail, so I left it unframed for a cleaner look.

To tie everything together, we used metal and brown frames and filled the wall with quirky animal artwork. Some pieces were ones we already had; others came from small shops. The playful animal images reflect our family’s sense of humor—animals in swimsuits or sweaters always make us smile.

One picture intentionally overlaps the board and batten and a hook sits a bit lower than the others—an intentional, slightly rebellious touch to keep the display unexpected and fun.

Hooks are incredibly practical, so we installed several around the room. I used a mix of chunky metal hooks and numbered hooks for the kids to mark their own spots. There’s even a little zebra hook for a quirky accent.

This peek into the shower/potty room shows a skylight that brings generous natural light. Painting that small space Studio Taupe helped soften the bold turquoise in the main area. The white waffle-texture shower curtain and crisp white trim keep the space feeling fresh.

Finally, I changed the vanity lighting. The previous lights were fine, but I love fixtures that add personality. These industrial-style shades were affordable and made a strong visual statement, adding to the room’s playful vibe.

That’s the kids’ bathroom facelift. It’s not the final version—rooms evolve—but it’s finished enough for now, bright, functional, and full of personality.

Paint colors used:
Turquoise: Lagoon by Martha Stewart
White: White Dove, Benjamin Moore
Gray: Studio Taupe, Behr All In One