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

Boy’s Bathroom Before & After

Last year I started a small facelift for my son’s bathroom, and now it’s finished. It wasn’t a major remodel—just a few focused updates spread over several days. We didn’t rip anything out; the room was in decent shape to begin with, but it felt a little bland and not very playful for kids.

Because my daughters also use the bathroom when they visit, we wanted a look that would suit all our children and guests. Our goal was quirky and fun, kept to a modest budget and completed without a huge time commitment.

The first simple change we made was swapping the drawer pulls. The vanity is natural wood, and although I briefly considered painting it, I decided against more painting after refreshing the walls. New hardware made a noticeable difference and saved time and money.

I chose a cheerful teal-turquoise (Lagoon by Martha Stewart) for the main wall, intentionally breaking from my usual neutral palette. To keep the color from overwhelming the space, I painted the shower and the small potty room the same gray as the hallway (Studio Taupe, Behr All In One), which balanced the brightness and made the room feel welcoming.

We added a simple white board and batten feature on one wall for texture and interest. It was an easy project overall and we painted the trim and doors in White Dove (Benjamin Moore) to keep a crisp, clean contrast against the Lagoon walls.

On the sink side, we avoided an extensive makeover. Rather than replacing counters or doing complicated tile work, we addressed the dated Formica backsplash with an affordable, quick solution: faux tin ceiling tiles found at Home Depot. They were easy to cut and install, durable, and gave the vanity area a fresh, distinctive look without a messy renovation.

The faux tin backsplash is reversible, so swapping counters or doing a more permanent update later will be straightforward if we decide to. I considered framing the mirror but left it unframed to keep the design from feeling too busy.

To tie everything together, we used metal and brown frames—many of which we already had—and arranged quirky animal artwork on the opposite wall. Some pieces were made at home and others came from small shops. The whimsical animal prints reflect our family’s sense of humor and add a playful touch to the room.

One of the pictures intentionally overlaps the board and batten and a hook sits lower than the others. I like subtle surprises and asymmetry to keep the space from being too predictable. It’s an element of personality, not a design mistake.

Hooks are essential—practical and characterful. I used several chunky metal hooks we already owned and added numbered hooks so each child can keep track of their towels. There’s even a quirky zebra hook for a bit of whimsy.

The small shower and toilet room benefits from a skylight that floods it with natural light. Painting that area Studio Taupe helped tone down the turquoise and keeps the space feeling crisp with white trim and a textured white shower curtain.

Finally, I swapped the vanity lights for industrial-style fixtures that add personality. They were an affordable find and make a strong visual impact without breaking the bank.

And that’s the kids’ bathroom facelift—simple, colorful, and functional. It’s not a final redesign, but it’s a finished phase that feels fresh and cheerful for now.

Paint colors used: Lagoon (Martha Stewart), White Dove (Benjamin Moore), Studio Taupe (Behr All In One).