We did rehang the shower curtain at ceiling height right after we moved in, but besides that this bathroom has been largely untouched. All three of our bathrooms are pretty much blank slates when it comes to updates, and we decided to begin with the one we use most. It’s also the quirkiest: there’s no sink (that’s in our bedroom), so the space is very small—about 5′ x 6′ including a standard tub. The door nearly hits the toilet, and John can stand in the center and touch all four walls. In short, it’s tiny.
Right now the room is a beige box: beige floor tile with gray veining, the same tile in the shower, tile on the walls around the toilet and doorway, an accent row of tiles with gray tree motifs, beige paint, off-white trim and even a beige, curved toilet. The overall effect is monochromatic and dated, and it doesn’t feel like the rest of the house.
There’s also a glass shelf and towel bar mounted right beside the toilet—features we’ve never used functionally. Hanging a towel within inches of someone using the toilet felt odd, so we use hooks on the back of the door instead. The glass shelf currently holds a few wood printing blocks while we decide on art for that wall, but in such a small room the shelf and towel bar felt intrusive.
We jokingly call it the Travertine Palace, even though it’s not travertine and it’s hardly palatial in size. Some guests have even said the room doesn’t need anything, which always makes us laugh because it feels the least “us.” We prefer crisp white trim, a white toilet, a wall color that isn’t beige, and variety between floor, wall and shower tiles. Mostly we want contrast — something to break up the sea of beige. After adding a white, high-hung shower curtain, it became clear the room could benefit from a few key changes.
- Paint the cream trim bright white
- Paint the walls a contrasting color
- Replace the beige toilet with a classic white model
- Replace the dated ceiling light fixture
- Hang bathroom-appropriate artwork
- Add privacy to the window without blocking natural light
- Consider replacing the decorative border tile (maybe in a second phase)
- Replace the floor tile eventually to create more visual separation
- The space has plenty of room for improvement
Here’s the rough plan and mood behind our changes. We know things will evolve as we go, but these are the ideas we’re starting with:
1. Color palette: Since the existing tile is beige with gray veining, we want richer gray tones for contrast and to complement the veins. We also plan to introduce soft blues to echo the blue wall color in the adjoining bedroom and add a calming, cohesive feel.
2. Lighting: We’ve had our eye on an updated pendant-style fixture that would be a big improvement over the current flush, dated fixture. We’re still deciding on placement so it looks balanced with the window and the rest of the room.
3. Flooring and tile accents: We love small-format hex tile for texture and visual interest. While replacing the floor is a longer-term project, we’re dreaming about a hex pattern someday to break up the uniformity. In the nearer term we’d like to swap the tiled tree border for a light gray glass subway tile or another subtle accent to modernize the space without going overboard.
4. Artwork: I painted a large piece some time ago that I keep picturing above the tub. Oversized art in a small bathroom, paired with a dramatic, high-hung shower curtain, could create a fresh, intentional look.
5. Glass accent tile: A frosted or muted glass subway tile in a pale gray or soft aqua would add an elegant, modern touch. Whether this becomes a phase-one or phase-two change depends on how difficult it is to remove the existing tree border tiles without damaging surrounding tile.
6. White toilet: We plan to replace the beige toilet with a simple white American Standard model—reliable, affordable, and visually cleaner. The existing beige fixture will be listed locally for anyone who wants it.
7. Shower curtain: We’ll keep our current extra-long white waffle shower curtain to add crisp, soft texture that counters the tile-heavy surfaces. The long curtain helps make the ceiling feel taller and keeps the space feeling light.
8. Existing tile: The current tile is beige with gray veins, which we’ll use as a starting point for color decisions so everything ties together naturally.
9. Window privacy: We’re considering a frosted window film to preserve daylight while adding privacy. Frosted film is a simple, non-permanent solution that still lets in natural light—perfect for a small bathroom.
Action-wise, we’ve already removed the awkward shelf and towel bar, spackled and sanded the holes, and applied the first of two coats of paint in a rich putty tone. With semi-gloss paint in bathrooms, the first coat often looks uneven, so we’re looking forward to the smoother second coat. We’re also painting the ceiling, which in small rooms helps avoid a chopped-up appearance and makes the space feel less busy.
Once the second coat dries we’ll rehang the shower curtain and share finished photos. For now we’re excited about the direction—introducing contrast, cleaner whites, and a few modern accents should make this tiny bathroom feel brighter, fresher and more like the rest of the house. Have you tackled any bathroom updates recently? Do any of your living spaces feel nearly done while the bathrooms remain untouched? Small bathrooms can be intimidating, but a few focused changes can make a big difference.