From Bland Beige to Bold Beauty: My Black and White Bathroom Transformation

I know, I know – you’ve probably seen my finished bathroom before. But so many people have loved the before and after renovation posts of all the different rooms in my apartment that I figured I’d have to finish up with the last room that underwent a major overhaul. This may be the tiniest room, but I think it actually had the biggest transformation. When you scroll through the photos, you’ll see what I mean. So I hope you enjoy this journey from a bland beige bathroom to my chic black and white oasis!

When I bought my apartment, most people said the bathroom “wasn’t that bad.” And they were right, it wasn’t terrible – the previous owner had definitely renovated before putting it on the market. But the tile was just awful and so outdated, the vanity was way too large, and I really wanted a deeper tub. Plus, if I was going to renovate essentially every other aspect of my apartment, why wouldn’t I do the bathroom too? I knew that once I moved in, it would be hard to go back and redo the bathroom if I ever decided to, so it just made sense to tackle it before.

So out with the old and in with the new! We literally took everything out – not a single thing from the original bathroom remained. First, we framed down the ceiling over the shower area to make room for my new fan, light, and bluetooth speaker. Then, we installed my deeper tub. Initially, we were going to just reglaze the existing tub, but once we took a closer look, we realized how shallow it was, so I invested in a brand new, much deeper one. Next up, the entire bathroom got sheetrocked – not the most exciting part, but necessary to set the stage for the good stuff.

Laying the Foundation with Tile

The first thing I picked out for my entire apartment was the tile for this bathroom floor. I’ve loved this geometric pattern for years, and I couldn’t wait to see it come to life. I went with white grout to really make the pattern pop. Then for the walls, we went with classic large subway tiles, floor to ceiling. I figured tiling the entire bathroom would make it easier to clean, and boy was I right!

Once the tile was laid, it was time to grout. I stuck with my black and white theme, using white grout for the floor and black grout for the walls. The contrast is just so striking and really sets the tone for the whole space.

Fixtures and Finishes

With the tile done, it was time to start adding in the fixtures and finishes. I knew from the start that I wanted champagne bronze hardware – it’s just such a gorgeous, warm metallic tone. And let me tell you, it matches my antique mirror perfectly. The vanity, sink, and toilet all went in, and suddenly the whole room started to come together.

I have to say, for such a small space, this bathroom certainly packs a punch. The combination of the black and white tile, the champagne bronze fixtures, and all that natural light streaming in really creates such a chic, elevated look. It’s like walking into a fancy hotel bathroom, but it’s all mine!

Putting the Finishing Touches

The final step was all about the little details that really make a space sing. I brought in some soft, fluffy towels in a crisp white to complement the black and white tile. And of course, I had to style up that vanity with some pretty accessories – a vase of fresh flowers, a decorative tray, and a few other little trinkets to add some personality.

Looking back on the before and after, I’m just so thrilled with how this bathroom turned out. It’s funny how a small room can have such a big impact, but this space is proof that sometimes the tiniest transformations can make the biggest difference. Now every time I walk in here, I feel like I’m in my own private oasis – a far cry from that bland beige box I started with. Talk about a chic black and white bathroom inspiration!

Key Takeaways

• Start with a solid tile foundation, using contrasting grout colors to create visual interest
• Invest in high-quality fixtures and finishes that complement your color scheme
• Don’t forget the little details – towels, accessories, and decor can elevate the entire look
• Sometimes the smallest rooms can have the biggest impact when renovated
• A classic black and white palette is always in style and can work with any design aesthetic

So there you have it – my journey from bland to bold in the bathroom. I hope this has inspired you to tackle your own chic black and white bathroom transformation. Happy decorating!

[1] Ashley Knierim, “Black and White Bathroom Inspiration,” The Spruce, accessed [current date], https://www.thespruce.com/bathroom-inspiration-trend-black-and-white-4115519.

[2] “Classic Black-and-White Bathrooms That Look Chic,” Better Homes & Gardens, accessed [current date], https://www.bhg.com/bathroom/color-schemes/colors/black-and-white-bathroom-ideas/.

[3] “Black and White Bathroom Ideas on Pinterest,” Pinterest, accessed [current date], https://www.pinterest.com/dunne10/black-and-white-bathrooms/.

[4] “40+ Gorgeous Black and White Bathroom Design Ideas,” Elle Decor, accessed [current date], https://www.elledecor.com/design-decorate/room-ideas/how-to/g3098/black-and-white-bathroom/.

[5] “Black and White Bathroom Ideas on Pinterest,” Pinterest, accessed [current date], https://www.pinterest.com/squarefrank/black-and-white-bathrooms/.

[6] “13 Black and White Bathrooms,” HGTV, accessed [current date], https://www.hgtv.com/design/rooms/bathrooms/13-black-and-white-bathrooms-pictures.

[7] Arlyn Hernandez, “20 Chic Black and White Bathroom Ideas You Won’t Want to Miss,” MyDomaine, accessed [current date], https://www.mydomaine.com/black-and-white-bathroom-4783454.

[8] Jackie, “Before & After: Black and White Bathroom Renovation,” Living After Midnite, July 13, 2020, https://livingaftermidnite.com/before-after-black-and-white-bathroom-renovation/.