Today I’m excited to share with you our Boho Powder Bath Makeover! This diy project took us most of the summer, as we slowly chipped away at what needed to be done. But we are so happy we were able to achieve the look we had hoped for while staying under a $700 budget- just barely! 😉
This little bathroom was often used by our guests but was in poor shape when we bought our home. The sink was cracked and tilted so the water would run off the top onto the baseboard and floor. Because of this, the baseboard was swollen and stained in areas. There was zero storage space, the toilet was old and the whole thing had never had any TLC. However, we didn’t need to do any major renovations to it. We also weren’t going to replace the flooring, as it connects into a much larger area that we aren’t ready to tackle just yet. Our goal was to give it a clean and updated look while replacing the old and broken features.
More budget design inspiration:
- Budget Bathroom Makeover
- Our homeschool room budget makevoer
- How to make a mood board for free – office makover plan
- Top tips for decorating on a budget
After looking into some design options, I knew I wanted a board and batten half wall. It’s a small enough space to afford the wood for that project right now and would be a fun place to test out the new trim color we had been eyeing. It turns out that we LOVE it! This is my new favorite space upstairs and I can’t wait to share all the details with you on how we used what we had, what we diy’d and what we bought new.
Our boho powder bath makeover BEFORE
To know how far we’ve come it’s always good to remember where we started. So, before I share all the details, let’s first take a look at the before pics. This mocha brown color was everywhere in the house, including every ceiling! With brown walls, brown wood floors and oak cabinets, there was a lot of oppressive brown going on.
Boho Powder Bath Makeover Inspiration
My usual design process is to take note of what I already have that can be used and then jump on Pinterest for some inspiration and ideas that are doable with what I have to work with. A few things I searched for were “neutral powder bath”, “boho powder bath”, “board and batten half wall bathroom”, “mushroom paint colors”, “oval mirror” etc.
My main goals with the bathroom were the following:
- Use what we already had as much as possible
- Half wall board and batten
- New trim and B&B in a warm mushroom color
- Bring in some warm gold toned hardware
- Add a vanity with storage
- Tile backsplash of some sort
- Replace mirror
- Add shelf above the toilet
Here are a few of my main inspiration pics.
Boho Powder Bath Makeover Design Elements
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What we had already
With any makeover we do, I try to use what I already have, as much as possible. Some things we did already own that I knew we could make work with the design plan.
- Oval Mirror bought years ago for $30 at TJ Maxx
- Some black hardware
- Supplies to build a shelf
- Miscellaneous decor
DIY elements
We planned to install or diy the following ourselves:
- Install and paint new trim and baseboard
- Subway tile backsplash
- Install and paint board and batten
- Paint the walls
- Build and paint a decorative shelf
- Install new vanity, faucet and mirror
Board and batten
This was the most costly part of the makeover because of the price of lumber right now. My husband has installed B&B several times before, so I just needed to show him pics of what I had in mind and he knew what to do.
We knew we wanted a warm putty color to paint the trim and B&B. Although it was a small room, it was not a small decision however. We knew we wanted to carry that color into the trim through the rest of the main floor of the house, so we wanted to be sure we reeeeally liked it. After trying a few different options we narrowed in on Sherwin Williams Urban Putty. Then after painting a trial primer coat we realized it was too dark as is. My husband was a pro painter years ago, so he knew exactly what to do and had them reduce the saturation by 50% and subtract 2 golds. (whatever that means!;) )
Board and batten materials:
Wall paint: Sherwin Williams Pure White Interior Satin (already had on hand actually)
Wall board: 1/4″ plywood
Batten pieces: 1×2 mdf
B&B header: 1X4 mdf
Baseboard: 1×4 mdf
Door trim: 1×4 mdf
Door trim header: 1×6 mdf
Primer: Sherwin Williams Extreme bond primer is our favorite
B&B and trim paint : Sherwin Williams Urban Putty- custom mixed to 50% with half the gold
(scroll down for a complete cost breakdown)
My husband followed the same basic instructions as this video shows for installing the board and batten. The exception is that we decided to go with a heavy wider trim piece for the baseboard, as we plan to be continuing with the same throughout the rest of the house.
Our tip for a smooth professional look is be sure to fill in and sand each nail hole. Also caulking along any seams and joints gives a smooth seamless look after painting. We already had a lot of extra caulk around from previous day’s so we didn’t include that in our materials list. I suggest you pick some up and a good caulking gun, as well, if you plan to do this project.
We finished up with one coat of our favorite primer and 2 coats of the Sherwin Williams Urban Putty color we had custom tinted.
Tiled Backsplash
We ended up finding a box of white subway tile at our local Restore for only $10! It was the same kind we used in our last home for our kitchen, and knew we liked the look of.
When we planned the Board and Batten we kept the height to match the tile backsplash. Everything needed to be at the level that would be underneath the light switch and outlet so we wouldn’t have to adjust any wiring. A tile trim piece around the edge and white grout provided a clean finished look. Subway tile is such an affordable way to get a fresh look for less!
New elements
- Vanity
- Faucet
- Knobs & handles
- Frames
- Toilet
- Rug
Vanity: It took us some time to find a vanity that suited our needs. Everything was more than we wanted to spend or more vanity than we needed. It was so difficult to find a simple vanity that would fit the small space that wasn’t ugly and within our budget! But, we finally found one online at Lowes.
Faucet: We decided to give the bathroom a fun feature with a waterfall faucet. It was my husband’s idea, and I was skeptical at first, but he assured me he could adjust the water pressure so it wouldn’t be a mess. Anything turns easily into a play feature for the boys and I saw the mess potential too easily. But he was right! It is a fun element and hasn’t turned out to become the kind of waterfall feature we weren’t looking for! 😉
Dual flush toilet: Although we weren’t planning to replace the toilet right away, my hubby ended up finding an almost brand new toilet on Facebook Marketplace for FREEvright as we started this project. Perfect timing! We did have to replace the guts (inside mechanisms) and sealing ring, but that minimal compared to buying new.
New knobs and handles: I also purchased new hardware for the cabinet because I was able to save by ordering enough to use in our laundry room, as well. I love the warm gold tones (called “champagne bronze”) it brings in. It gives a little vintage vibe with an almost antique element and style. I am planning on using this hardware in other rooms of the house because I love it so much.
Clearance decor: The last things I purchased were some frames, a candle wall sconce on clearance at Hobby Lobby, and a clearance bath mat at World Market. I actually didn’t know the mat was on sale when I grabbed it. The color caught my eye and I knew it would be perfect in there, but it wasn’t until I got to the register that I realized how affordable it was! (See below for the full cost breakdown)
Boho Powder Bath Makeover Sources
Here are some of the sources of what we bought and where as well as the final breakdown on what we spent on this bathroom update. It still costs a bit to do these little renovations, but it’s so worth it and adds a ton of value to your house if you can do the work yourself instead of hiring it out. You’ll save time and invest in resale value by a large margin, as well!
Sources:
Gold toned handles (pack of 10):
Warm gold knobs (pack of 10): only used 2 and will use the rest in the home elsewhere.
Frames (similar) 3 pack:
Final cost breakdown:
- 3 sheets 1/4” plywood: $68.64
- Wall trim: $103.00
- Mdf door jam trim: $19.74
- Mdf door header: $16.17
- Tile adhesive: $16.97
- Tile + trim pieces: $26.94
- Toilet: free but bought new guts and sealing ring $42
- Caulk $7.96
- Vanity: $249
- Faucet: $63
- Paint: $54
- Bath Mat: $11.49
- Vanity hardware: $6
- Frames from Hobby Lobby clearance: $14
Total: $698.91
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I am so grateful to have a presentable and properly functioning bathroom again! I hope you were able to find a little inspiration for starting a project for yourself, or trying a new paint color you’ve been curious about! Go for it! It’s so worth!
Thanks for being here, friend!
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