One of the first makeovers we completed in this house was our son’s bathroom, which also doubles as the girls’ and guest bathroom. For that initial update we avoided big, messy projects like replacing countertops or repainting cabinets. Instead we added a wall of DIY board and batten, chose a cheerful paint color, installed a faux tin tile backsplash that has held up beautifully, mounted two outdoor-style lanterns from a home improvement store, swapped the cabinet hardware, and hung some art. Everything else was left untouched.
The goal was to give a builder-grade bathroom some charm and personality without spending a lot. You can see before-and-after photos from that first makeover, though keep in mind the original photos don’t do the color justice because the lighting was challenging.
Fast forward: my son is almost 14 now, and after working on his recent bedroom refresh, we decided it was the perfect time to freshen the bathroom as well.
This time we did even less — we only changed the paint. It was a simple weekend project we’d been postponing, but finally completed. There are still things I daydream about, like new counters, a different mirror, or updated flooring, but priorities and tolerance for disruption matter. Big projects can stall momentum, so focusing on a single, manageable improvement helped us make progress without the mess or expense. With no patience for a major overhaul, a fresh coat of paint was the right choice.
I can’t believe how much more we enjoy the space now, even though the only change was the wall color.
The updated color makes the room feel calm and peaceful while keeping a quirky, playful vibe — exactly what works for our family. At this point there’s no hurry to change anything else.
We kept the quirky animal gallery wall because it still makes us smile. The pieces are a mix of Etsy finds, a couple of drawings of our old dog Winston, and a photocopy or two of beloved childhood storybook pages like Frog & Toad are Friends. Those small, meaningful touches keep the room personal and nostalgic for our family.
One of my favorite practical changes from the original update remains: the hooks. You can never have too many hooks — they make the room more functional for kids and guests alike.
Amen?
What weekend refresh have you been postponing?
Maybe now is the time to do it.
Color: Polished Grey by Glidden (ask for it at the Glidden paint counter; it’s several shades lighter than WoodSmoke in the Glidden color book).
Towels: blue and white from Target; grey and white from World Market.
Round rug: Anthropologie.
DIY faux tin backsplash instructions were used for the backsplash.