Update: here’s what this bathroom looks like now (above), after a later refresh. Below is the first makeover.

Boy’s Bathroom Before & After

Last year I started a quick facelift for my son’s bathroom. It didn’t take a full year — we only worked a few days — but life got busy and I delayed finishing photos. This was a small, budget-friendly refresh, not a major remodel. The house is new, so the bathroom wasn’t awful; it was just a little dull and lacking personality. Since my daughters and guests also use the room, we aimed for a playful, family-friendly update.

We kept the existing vanity rather than replacing it. After repainting the walls I wasn’t ready to refinish the cabinet, so changing the drawer pulls made a big difference and saved time and money. It’s an easy swap that refreshed the look without overhauling the entire space.

I chose a bright teal-turquoise (Lagoon by Martha Stewart) for the main wall to add a pop of color. Initially I worried it might be too bold, but painting the shower/potty room the gray used in the hall (Studio Taupe, Behr All In One) balanced the intensity and made the turquoise feel cheerful instead of overwhelming. The contrast between the gray hall and the vibrant bathroom is a fun surprise.

On one wall we installed a simple white board-and-batten treatment to bring texture and contrast. That detail, along with trim and doors painted White Dove (Benjamin Moore), keeps the room feeling crisp against the turquoise walls.

Rather than tackle a full countertop replacement or tile backsplash, I chose an easy, affordable solution: faux tin ceiling tiles from a big-box store. They were simple to cut and install and gave the vanity area a bit of shine and interest without a messy tiling project. This is a durable, reversible update that ties in nicely with the metal accents used elsewhere.

I left the mirror unframed to avoid cluttering the space; with the board-and-batten, bright walls and patterned backsplash, a framed mirror would have felt like too much. Instead, I focused on tying elements together using metal frames and brown tones for artwork and accents.

We filled the walls with whimsical animal artwork — a mix of pieces we already owned and a few purchased from small shops — because our family loves animals and humor. The playful prints fit the fun, youthful vibe we wanted and make the room smile-inducing each time we enter.

One picture intentionally overlaps the board-and-batten and a hook sits lower than the others on purpose. I like a bit of unpredictability — it adds personality and prevents the room from feeling too rigid.

Hooks are incredibly practical and give the room character. I used chunky metal hooks we already had; they coordinate with the backsplash and frames while providing functional storage for towels and robes. We also added a few numbered hooks so each child has their own spot.

This peek into the shower/potty room shows the skylight that brings in generous natural light. Painting that small room Studio Taupe tones down the turquoise and keeps the overall feel balanced and bright with crisp white trim and a textured waffle-pattern shower curtain.

Finally, I updated the vanity lighting. The previous lights were fine, but I love fixtures that add personality. I chose industrial-style metal shades that were affordable and made a strong design statement, giving the space a little edge that complements the metal accents elsewhere.

This refresh is complete enough for now. It brightened the space, added personality, and used simple, affordable updates that can be changed again in the future. Small projects — new hardware, paint, a faux-tin backsplash, playful art, hooks and updated lighting — made a big difference without a full renovation.

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