About three years ago we began a few small decorating projects around the house. Progress has been slow—family life, limited time and tight budgets are familiar obstacles. Our tiny powder room was the first room to get painted and declared “finished,” though it’s seen a couple of refreshes since then.
These weren’t full-scale renovations with marble counters or new tile. Both makeovers were simple and affordable—mainly paint, a few inexpensive wall accents, one new cabinet knob and a small rug. That’s it.
Oh, the swine walls. The bane of my existence.
For the first makeover we even used a leftover paint sample we already had—a truly budget-friendly update. The color was called Martha Stewart Snail, a touch more olive than I would have chosen, but it was a huge improvement over the previous color. We painted the vanity too, which helped pull the whole room together.
And then came the classic trigger: the toilet paper holder fell off.
When a simple fixture comes loose you suddenly justify a bigger project. First it’s patching holes, then you think about wainscoting to hide the repairs, which leads to wallpaper, and before you know it you’re considering replacing the vanity and adding new tile. I’ve watched that slippery slope before and vowed to resist it.
First the toilet paper roll falls off.
Then you plan to fix the holes and decide a little wainscoting will save the day. But the walls have awkward angles and the project becomes more complex than expected.
Wallpaper would hide flaws but our walls aren’t perfectly smooth. Suddenly you’re rationalizing bigger changes—pedestal sinks, hexagon tile floors—all because of one broken dispenser.
I wasn’t going to let that happen again. We had just finished a year of intense remodeling and I needed a break. Still, I wanted the powder room to feel finished—quickly.
Then one day we ran low on primer and a small paint mishap happened. The awkward patch stayed that way for longer than I wanted, and seeing it every day was maddening.
Finally it was time for makeover number two. This time I chose a blue-green shade—Glidden’s Slate Green—which refreshed the room and replaced the olive tone. I skipped testing a sample and took a chance; it paid off. The new color feels clean, cool and unexpectedly soothing.
I didn’t have a precise plan for the walls, but a trip to a local flea market turned up a few lovely vintage frames. Mixing those with frames I already owned created a charming gallery wall that complements the slate green beautifully.
The colors are rich and calming. Two frames came from the flea market; the rest were from my collection. I gathered a few brass accessories and blue glass bottles from around the house and placed them on the shelf to add warmth and continuity. It’s a small detail, but brass has a way of elevating a space.
I used a gift certificate to order a new indoor/outdoor Ikat rug that added pattern and durability. Indoor/outdoor rugs are practical in small spaces and give instant personality.
Because the room has no windows, I photographed it with the lights on, so colors may appear slightly different than in natural light.
To add a small finishing touch I swapped the cabinet hardware for a delicate filigree knob from Anthropologie. It was an inexpensive statement piece that instantly refined the vanity. I try to pick hardware that feels a little unique—something not everyone else has.
The vanity, sink and faucet remained the same for this refresh; those changes will wait for a possible future update. I replaced the builder mirror with a round metallic mirror I found at HomeGoods, which helps soften the space and coordinate with the new accents.
With a few fresh accessories, some tulips and a view out to the hallway plank walls, the powder room finally feels complete and calm again.
The trim throughout is the same Dove White formula from Benjamin Moore, even if it looks slightly different in some photos due to lighting. Simple, budget-friendly makeovers can be surprisingly effective—sometimes all a room needs is fresh paint, a few curated accessories and a thoughtful layout.
Aren’t simple makeovers fun?
Walls are painted in Glidden Slate Green.