Who’s ready for the big bathroom reveal?
As mentioned in Monday’s post, most room makeovers follow three main phases: planning and prepping, larger upgrades, and the finishing touches. Some projects take ages, while others happen in a fast, focused burst—this bathroom blitz was definitely the latter.
- Prep and planning: brainstorming, choosing a palette, shopping, priming, sanding, and spackling.
- Bigger upgrades: painting walls, refinishing or painting cabinets, laying new flooring, and the like.
- Finishing touches: curtains, hardware, art, and accessories that personalize the space.
Day Three was all about those finishing touches. I sketched out ideas on the back of a paper plate with a calligraphy marker (you use what you’ve got) and set to work adding charm and personality to Granny’s tiny bathroom.
Ta-daaa! In about an hour I made simple custom curtains for Granny’s window using discounted designer fabric and no-sew hem tape. I measured the window and cut two rectangles of fabric 29″ long (to allow for hemming) and 31″ wide so they would hang full and drapey. After hemming they measured 27″ x 29″, which was perfect. A basic curtain rod and ring-clips finished the installation.
Once hemmed and hung, the fabric brought a cheerful, classic look that seemed to suit Granny perfectly. It set the tone for the rest of the room: lively but familiar.
We touched up one more seam with caulk where the vent met the new flooring to create a cleaner, more finished look. Caulk is a DIY MVP—cutting out old caulk and reapplying a crisp bead instantly sharpens edges and hides imperfections.
Next came accessorizing. We pulled colors from the curtains—emerald, navy, and violet—and incorporated items Granny already owned. Fresh grocery-store flowers in a beloved vase, a small wooden tulip Papa made years ago, and a now-navy toilet paper holder added personality and warmth. Little details like these make a room feel lived-in and special.
We also updated cabinet hardware with navy knobs and considered a subtle faux drawer to balance the look—something to try next time. For meaningful art, we printed a favorite photo of Granny and Papa at 5 x 7 and framed it in a new purple frame. A scrap of the curtain fabric in a frame makes an inexpensive, flexible piece of wall art that can be swapped for photos whenever Granny wants.
Granny already owned a lovely silver tray and a sweet green vase, which fit right into the refreshed space. We added a small basket of extra hand towels, more flowers, and a few curated accessories to finish the vignette. In a tiny room, bold color placements—like stacked green and blue books on the toilet tank—felt just right; they added cheer without clutter.
The simple additions were some of Granny’s favorites: the colorful books and that little wooden flower made by her husband years ago. Even the small blue knob we added to her medicine cabinet caught her eye. Those tiny, thoughtful updates are often the most meaningful.
Before and after shots of the sink area show how a little caulk and fresh paint can transform a dingy corner. We cut out old caulk, re-caulked, and painted the wall behind the sink. Simple fixes like that go a long way in making a space feel clean and cared for.
By the end of the project, we’d crossed off everything on our to-do list:
- Brainstorm colors and shop for accessories
- Spackle, sand, and caulk to prep for paint
- Rebalance cabinets and make minor repairs
- Prime and paint cabinets for an updated look
- Paint the entire room, including the ceiling
- Address problem areas like a rusted duct and a dingy corner
- Replace old sheet flooring with new vinyl tiles
- Refresh hardware and accessories with new finishes
- Make and hang curtains to add charm
- Bring in meaningful art and personal items
- Add functional and decorative accessories to finish the room
- Reveal the refreshed bathroom to Granny
All told, this three-day makeover on a modest budget left the room feeling fresh, personal, and bright. We even joked about bringing an air mattress to sleep in the tiny, cozy room next visit—true admiration for a small space.
Budget breakdown:
- 2 quarts of paint (Hint of Violet): $40
- Primer and cabinet paint: $0 (already owned)
- 30 vinyl stick tiles: $30
- 1 yard of curtain fabric: $15
- Curtain rod and ring hooks: $18
- Wood, outlets, and covers for cabinet repairs: $10
- Spray paint for hardware touch-ups: $4
- Trash can, towel bar, soap pump, frames, basket, and hand towels: $45
- Blue knob for medicine cabinet: $1.50
- Flowers: $6
- Books, wooden flower, green vase, toilet paper holder, tray, and jar: $0 (already Granny’s)
- Spackle, caulk, paint supplies, and hem tape: $0 (already owned)
- Total: $169.50
For under $200 we updated the floor, refreshed cabinets, painted walls, added curtains and hardware, and removed rust and peeling caulk. Best of all was Granny’s reaction—she loved the room. We captured the reveal on video and treasured the moment when she saw the finished space.
We left with smiles, happy that a few days of focused work made a meaningful difference for one of the sweetest people we know. Have you ever helped someone refresh their space? Did they want to be surprised, or were they part of the process? In this case, Granny gave us free rein and avoided the hallway so the reveal would be a real surprise, and we’re glad she adored the result.