You know that feeling when you get a shiny new thing and suddenly everything around it looks drab and dull? That’s exactly what happened to me when our kitchen renovation started coming together. The once-fine powder room right next door suddenly stuck out like a sore thumb – and I knew I had to do something about it! [1]
Painting: The Power of Color
I decided to tackle this powder room refresh on an extremely tight budget – just $50 to work with. The first and most impactful change? Paint, of course! I had some leftover Behr Marquee paint from our bedroom that I absolutely loved, so I decided to use that for the walls. [2] A few dollars for a sample pot of Behr Premium Plus Ultra Clear Pond PPU13-15 transformed the vanity from its dated powder blue to a fresh, modern aqua.
Now, I know what you’re thinking – a dark color in a tiny powder room? Isn’t that going to make it feel like a cave? Not at all! In fact, dark, moody colors can actually make small spaces feel more cozy and elegant. The key is balancing it with plenty of light, both natural and artificial. [3] I made sure to use bright, reflective finishes on the mirror and hardware to bounce the light around, and I swapped out the old fluorescent overhead fixture for a more modern, warm-toned sconce. The result? A jewel-box of a powder room that feels so much larger than its actual footprint.
Decorating on a Dime
With the big-ticket items taken care of, I turned my attention to the fun stuff – accessorizing! I raided my craft stash and scoured the house for free decor items I could repurpose. An old shelf I had lying around, painted in my favorite Behr Marquee Cameo White, became the perfect perch for a curated display. Vintage books, a watercolor-inspired photo print, and some lush greenery from my yard came together to create a lovely little vignette. [2]
I also got resourceful with my framing. Instead of spending a fortune on art, I framed things like wrapping paper, gift bags, and fabric scraps – anything with a pretty pattern that caught my eye. And don’t forget about family heirlooms! That old black and white photo of my grandma is a cherished memento that adds a personal touch.
Bringing the Wow with Small Swaps
Sometimes the biggest impact comes from the smallest changes. In this case, swapping out the old towel bar for a sleek towel ring made a huge difference, as did simply updating the light bulbs to brighter, whiter ones. [2] I even gave the existing light fixture a mini-makeover by painting the base and swapping the globes – a fraction of the cost of a brand new fixture.
At the end of the day, I came in at $46.55 – just a hair under my $50 budget! Not too shabby for such a dramatic transformation. And the best part? I didn’t have to compromise on style or quality to stay within my means. A little creativity, a dash of resourcefulness, and the right paint color can work wonders, even in the tiniest of spaces.
The key takeaways here? Don’t be afraid to go bold and moody, lean on what you already have, and focus on the little details. With a powder room, less is often more – so just a few strategic swaps can make a huge impact. Who needs a big renovation budget when you’ve got Behr paint and a bit of DIY magic on your side?
References
[1] Just a Girl and Her Blog. “How to Decorate a Powder Room for Less Than $50.” https://justagirlandherblog.com/how-to-decorate-a-powder-room-for-less-than-50/
[2] Debbee’s Buzz. “Monkey Decor Adds Impact to Small Powder Room.” https://debbeesbuzz.com/monkey-decor-adds-impact-to-small-powder-room/
[3] Laurel Bern Interiors. “Dark Bathrooms: Here’s What You Need to Know.” https://laurelberninteriors.com/dark-bathrooms-heres-what-you-need-to-know/