Now that we’re back home and settling into our routine, let’s kick things off with a sneak peek at a deck update. Yes, more holes have been drilled — all in the name of progress — and we’re working toward a passed inspection. (We’ve had our share of inspection drama in the past.) We hope to have news on that early next week, so stay tuned.
But for today, let’s talk about our Reader Redesign. Even though this message starts with a shout-out to my college’s rival, I couldn’t resist sharing a terrific bathroom makeover that delivered a dramatic transformation on a very modest budget. Whether or not you follow college teams, everyone can relate to wanting a bathroom that feels welcoming and functional again. Here’s Melissa’s note about the project:
What’s up John, Sherry, Clara, and Burger? We live just down the road in Blacksburg (go Hokies!) and wanted to share our main bathroom renovation. With five kids, we fit home projects into free moments wherever we can. When we bought the house, the bedroom and attached bath were smaller than we wanted, but the rest of the house was great, so we decided to improve what we had. The “before” felt very dated — a 90’s linoleum, lighthouse/sailboat and honey-oak vibe that didn’t feel fresh at all.
We didn’t want a major addition or a full gut remodel, so we worked with the existing layout and set a modest $1,000 budget for new flooring, a marble countertop, updated fixtures and lighting, shelving, and finishing touches like accessories and hardware.
To open the space, we removed an oak cabinet that sat above the toilet and installed floating shelves with baskets to neatly stow toiletries. We swapped the old mirror for a clearance find and added a wire magazine rack to balance the off-center toilet. The vanity stayed in place but got a fresh coat of paint in Benjamin Moore’s White Dove. We topped it with a new marble countertop and installed a new faucet sourced affordably.
For the floor, we installed water-resistant laminate flooring laid directly over the linoleum. It’s the same affordable, easy-to-install product we’ve used before and it’s held up well in a busy family bathroom.
The shower curtain is a simple waffle-weave style similar to what many people choose for its clean look and texture. The walls were painted in a soft neutral gray to modernize the space. All told, we spent $995 for everything — including towels, a toilet paper holder, and a small trash can — and the result feels fresh and inviting.
Thanks for looking and reading! If you’re ever in town and want to go to a game, we’d love to have Clara come play. — Melissa
Melissa did an amazing job stretching a tiny budget into a huge visual improvement. Repainting the vanity, adding a marble top, installing new flooring, and introducing open shelving and simple accessories made the bathroom feel like a much more valuable and usable room. It’s the kind of update that likely added significant perceived value to the house without the expense of a full remodel. The result looks polished rather than piecemeal, and most visitors would assume it was a much more extensive renovation.
Which element stands out to you? The floating shelves and mirror are eye-catching and practical, while the new flooring and marble countertop give the space a more refined finish. Sherry is particularly taken with the mirror and shelves, and I think the combination of the floor and marble countertop really elevates the vanity into the room’s focal point.
Finally, we picked a winner for this week’s giveaway — if you’re following along, check our site or recent posts to see if you’re the lucky recipient. Thanks to everyone who shared their projects and inspiration; reader makeovers like Melissa’s are reminders that thoughtful choices and a clear budget can produce impressive results.