apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

How about:
http://www.potterybarn.com/products/p11355/index.cfm?pkey=cshower-curtains

too much?
http://www.potterybarn.com/products/p12327/index.cfm?pkey=cshower-curtains

They have a few others right now with your colors.

Good luck.

ScorpioJ that first shower curtain is gorgeous! I may get that for myself- good recommendation!

get a patterned shower curtain. Something with a smaller pattern, like a ditsy print or narrow variegated stripes. you need color and a focal point. It will not be overwhelming. right now the blah factor is overwhelming. get a curtain in fabric, not plastic. buy an extra one and make a matching curtain for the window.
Pick up the colors from the curtain (I'm thinking shades of rusts and maybe some olive or cornflower blue with a lot of cream & griege) and accessorize with a light floor mat and dark towels.

even though it's tiny, you have a very cute and classy bathroom. good call on repainting the woodwork. i think the yellow could work... just keep everything else simple. cover the red floor in FLOR tiles. The site has a bunch of options for a bathroom:

http://www.flor.com/service/flor/shop/rooms/bathroom.html

once the red is gone, stick to a light and airy palette. bright white and light blue would look nice with the yellow.

since it's a rental, i would just keep the tub silver.

good luck and send pictures when it's done!

While I think that a simple white spa waffle-weave shower curtain would look great, I also think this one (in butter) from Restoration Hardware would look very nice:

http://www.restorationhardware.com/rh/catalog/product/product.jsp?productId=prod1233141&navAction=jump&navCount=3

It would be best on the metal ball-bearing curtain rings.

The outside of the tub can be easily painted with metal paint; black would be the cleanest.

As for the flour, that is tough. Something beyond a bath mat is needed, like a patterned rug. However, your bathroom is small, and it would likely become wet often, so, not sure what exact product to suggest... Something complex, incorporating the brick colour into a more attractive whole.

The most glaring thing for me are the sink taps; you could easily and relatively cheaply replace them with something more attractive and more in keeping, historically speaking, with the tub (although the pedestal sink itself is obviously not vintage).

I would also suggest painting the post with paint that can withstand the humidity, and getting a nice white lace curtain to go across the whole window area, covering up at least half of the wood frame.

And I know it is expensive, but a white VIP trashcan would bring a lot of solidity to the room.

You may be able to install a tall narrow cupboard on the post between the toilet and tub, depending on what is in there... That will help control the clutter, and maximize the minimal storage opportunities you have.

Close your toilet before photographing the bathroom (and keep it closed when not in use). Other than that, your bathroom isn't so bad, especially for a rental. Keep it simple; don't over-pattern or over-accessorize. It is rather cluttery as is; I'd try and eliminate some of what you've got in there already, especially on the shelf over the sink. With minimal effort, your room should look pretty good.

get a patterned shower curtain, a solid and lidded trash can, and keep the accessories a solid color

It is what it is - Let it be and save your money for your other spaces and take a nice vacation.

I think your bathroom would look larger and less busy if you painted the woodwork the same color as the tile.

At the very least, painting the big post the same pale yellow as the tile would make it recede into the background.

Will your new mirrored medicine cabinet hold some of the stuff that's on the bamboo shelf right now? If so, I would get rid of the shelf. It's just another element in a crowded space.

If you can't get rid of the shelf altogether, I would use a clear glass shelf instead, so it will appear less "there".

Can you move that bucket-o-stuff to the other side of the toilet, so it's less visible? In the same vein, I'd get rid of whatever is on the window ledge.

Can you put all of the extraneous bottles of this and that in a covered basket and hide it behind the tub?

I think decluttering and painting the woodwork to match the tile will go a long way toward improving the serenity of the room.

One of the biggest problems is a lack of storage and as a result, the room looks cluttered. You mentioned a new mirror-is this a larger medicine cabinet with storage or just a mirror? Since you are renting, your only storage option will be a very narrow and tall storage cabinet; it should run to the ceiling with one long door that opens. It should be very shallow. Since you can't replace the sink and you don't have any other storage, I don't think you have any other options.

Next, the window. I'd choose a bamboo blind that is the entire width of the window and the moldings. It will visually widen the space and not make it look so narrow. If you are keeping the bamboo shelf, that will tie in nicely.

Remove the clutter from the window sill. On the top of the toilet tank, put a wide white ceramic container of sorts, maybe with some green grass in it. We are trying to give the bath a more zen feel and widen the space since what we have is a tall, narrow space. You want something tall enough-it should fill 3/4 of the height between the toilet top and the bottom of the window sill. You could do two white pots but I don't like the clay pot hanging out of the top of the white pot. IKEA has these ceramic white pots with horizontal lines in them for less than $5 I think and that would be nice.

I think the shower curtain suggestions are nice, although I'd prefer a larger pattern to a smaller one. I like the colors in the Pottery Barn one but I also like the Restoration Hardware one. More importantly, I'd like to see the shower curtain bar raised up to the ceiling, otherwise the yellow tiles show through and it just looks busy.

Move the trash can away from that wall. I'd get a white mesh trash can and place it under the right side of the pedestal sink, so it's not the first thing you see when you come in.

As for the tub, I'd paint it white. Fewer colors are better in such a small space.

I can't tell by the picture if your lighting is overhead or what is going on. I might be inclined to put a small pretty hanging chandelier over the sink, to direct your eye. It doesn't have to be installed since it's a rental, but may be pretty and add a classic look. You just attach the top piece to the ceiling. I really can't tell with only one picture of the room though.

Good luck. Small bathrooms are just terrible.

I think part of the problem is that your room is very bland looking. I think you need to introduce a strong accent colour to draw the eye, and I think black would work very well. Paint the bottom of the bath black, and if possible paint the window frame black - this will actually make the window look wider too. If that's not possible (since you're renting) then maybe you could put in a black blind.

Replace the wooden shelf above the sink with a black one, because it is diagonally across from the window that will also make the room feel wider.

If you're replacing the mirror cabinet with a bigger one the try to store as much stuff in there as possible, and keep the surfaces uncluttered as this will make a huge difference. However if you do have any toothbrush cups etc on display try to have them in either black or white so you're not introducing too many new colours that will again make it look cluttered.

Add a black hand-towel and keep the white shower curtain, but try to have it look a bit neater (not caught up like that, and pulled back a bit further. Oh and that bin thing has to go (you can replace with black or chrome).

I too have a tiny bathroom, so I know whereof I speak :)

these FLOR tiles would look great with that Restoration Hardware shower curtain in celery:

http://www.flor.com/service/flor/shop/item/Between-the-Lines/1371602500-7746.html

paint out the window and that column btw the toilet/tub in a bright accent color (turquoise, green); get a clear patterned shower curtain. why should a pattern be too much? just pull the curtain back when not in the tub.

declutter. that will make it feel more spacious. put all that stuff away.

I would keep it simple and light.
-A container or two to conceal all of your toiletries.
-A long, white fabric shower curtain to drape around the tub.
-A cheap, white trashcan.
-A white window covering.

I loved those first two shower curtain ideas! And then go very neutral/white with all other decor and accessories. I'd remove any unnecessary items and clutter, like in the windowsill.

Use some window film to frost that window. Since the room is small, keep it simple.

Thanks for everyone's feedback! Yes, the lack of storage is clearly an issue, but unfortunately there is definitely not enough room for a tall cabinet. The people before us went a little DIY-storage-crazy, and we ended up ripping everything out that they had built. Take a look at these before shots:
one, two, and three.

The mirror I planned to hang is not a cabinet, but obviously I need to rethink that as it's my only closed storage at the moment. I was contemplating finding some vintage train cases instead of cabinet storage. Is that a bad idea in the bathroom?

I LOVE the Flor carpet idea, and will definitely look into that. Some of the shower curtain suggestions are wonderful and beautiful as well! And thanks everyone for the reminder that clutter is the #1 problem in my house. Keep your suggestions coming!

Holy crap, that first photo of the storage tower with the notch taken out for the tub was hilarious! I would have ripped it all out, too.

I'll be the voice of dissent and advocate using clear shower curtain liners instead of opaque shower curtains in small bathrooms. They make the space feel bigger (as long as you're not too concerned about privacy, natch).

I think you should go ahead and paint the tub. Research a bit on the technicalities of sanding. A soft yellow or a green could be nice. If it has been painted over and over, its likely that the landlord is ok with painting it. Am I correct in observing that this is a basement? If so, don't put anything in the window if you dont need it. If you do need it, get a privacy film or plant something outside to give you privacy.

Hi Nolann,
I'm sure the landlord wouldn't remember what color it was when we moved in - you can tell that the tub has been white, yellow, pale blue, lavender, and silver!! It will definitely need some heavy sanding if I repaint. (He did approve any and all painting, by the way; I wouldn't just do it without asking.)

I have a yellow and white bathroom and had to work with the yellow.
I would just keep it simple, its a small bathroom and I think clean white and yellow works best.

I agree with a few here on a couple of items-

Paint all the trim, ceiling, column a clean white semi gloss- I would go bright clean white, no yellow white.

Get a nice white long shower curtain,

I think white sheers for the window or a white blind that covers the entire window.

White trash can.

Maybe a fun bath matt-
http://www.bedbathstore.com/yepo10cobaru.html

Paint the tub white, take off all the clutter, get a large simple medicine cabinet, paint that shelf white.

Maybe a storage caddy like this but you would need to keep it tidy. http://www.westelm.com/online/store/ProductDisplay?partNumber=WE-PRODb393&cmsrc=rel&storeId=17001&langId=-1&catalogId=17002&viewSetCode=E
because this would be all you would see, get yourself some clear bottles to pour your shampoo, soaps, etc. You could put a small plastic baskets or containers to hold other shower sundries, just keep it neat.
I think if you went with the all white philosophy accessories, soap holder, white soap for everything it would look so much better

Or would it be possible to get this wall shelf and attach it to the column, not sure the width? and paint it white, this would give you more storage, but again keeping it organized would be important. You could roll some white towels, get white baskets for loose small sundries-
http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/70103716

I use these-
http://www.containerstore.com/browse/Product.jhtml?CATID=71223&PRODID=10024260

http://www.containerstore.com/browse/Product.jhtml?CATID=72512&PRODID=60104

I pour everything into bottles, I refill them with shampoo and soap, lotion at my co op. I do buy conditioner that comes in a tube but everything else goes into white bottles. Save endless plastic by reusing the same bottles, looks better in the bathroom.

Go sydney--the toilet police!

I haven't clicked on all of the links, but we used to live in the world's largest house with the world's smallest bathrooms, so I don't know if these have been suggested. Here's what I think, but it's your bathroom!!

Navy blue...navy, yellow and white are sooo fabulous looking, IMHO. I think someone had suggested black. A lot of people don't think dark in small spaces, but it's great. Our guest bath is dark red. I'd keep the trim in white, get a navy/white/yellow shower curtain, and depending on the size of your floor, either use the FLOR carpet tiles or just get a couple of good sized bath rugs in yellow.

I would remove shelf and not replace it. Is there a door on the bathroom? We used a shoe bag that held 18 pairs of shoes, and put all our stuff in it...hair spray, mouthwash, lotions, potions, blowdryer, brushes, cotton balls, etc. No linen closet and no place to store extra tp and stuff....under the bed.

We also used a shower curtain liner that has pockets in it to hold extra stuff and stuff that you use in the bath. The old bathtub is nice, because you can hang that on the back rod and it becomes extra storage. You can even hang it behind the shower curtain to hold extra stuff as your "linen" closet.

We used to live in Manhattan when we were first married. Our apartment, including the kitchen and bathroom was....475 square feet!! If you don't think that we found ways to hide, store, unclutter, etc, boy, were we creative. And it has continued to this day.

HTH.
If I knew where you were, I'd come help. I LOVE this kind of stuff!!!

Just some additions to my earlier post --

Get a VIPP 13 trash can (white is probably best).

http://www.allmodern.com/asp/show_detail.asp?sku=VIP1002&PiID=2736819&refid=FR81-VIP1002_2736819

I know it seems expensive, but it will really bring a more solid, elegant spa-like feel to your bathroom. It's a 1-shot purchase -- you will have it for the rest of your life. (sorry, but that plastic red and yellow mouse garbage can lined with shopping bags has got to go!). And get the plastic liners for the VIPP 13 too!

One of your key problems is clutter, and here are some ideas on how to control it:

I'm not usually a fan of decanting, but I think in your case it makes sense. Here is some great inspiration from Martha on how to do it:

http://www.marthastewart.com/article/medicine-cabinet-organizer?autonomy_kw=medicine%20cabinet&rsc=image_3

As for a medicine cabinet (and definitely a cabinet, not just a plain mirror, as you need the storage), Restoration Hardware has the Beach one on sale, but this one will provide you with more mirror:

http://www.restorationhardware.com/rh/catalog/product/product.jsp?productId=prod170170&navCount=9

Or you can go with a Zaca, which has either 26" or 36" models available, with a surface mount option.

http://www.zaca-inc.com/models/index.html

Here are some great wall-mount items to keep your bathroom uncluttered. I know they are a bit expensive, but I think these sorts of things, even if they screw into the wall, you can take with you. Like the trash can, they are one-time purchases:

http://www.designerplumbing.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=VOLA41&Category_Code=Vola_Accessories&Store_Code=1

http://www.designerplumbing.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=1&Product_Code=VOLA42

Decanting soap and shampoo into wall-mounted containers will also help tremendously. Since the Vola ones are terribly expensive (even I have my limits), here are some other options:

A soap dispenser (don't think the nozzle would work for shampoo):

http://www.amazon.com/Soap-Dispenser-Mounted-Brushed-Stainless/dp/B000QDXVQ6

For shampoo and conditioner:
http://www.homebits.co.uk/acatalog/SABON_STAINLESS_STEEL_WALL_MOUNTED_BATHROOM_SOAP_DISPENSER.html

Pulling the bathroom together will mean getting matching white towels. Spa quality waffle-weave towels dry quickly (bonus in a small bathroom) and look classy. There are many on the market, but I really like the ones made by th Purists (the robes would look great hanging on the back of the bathroom door too):

http://www.jreneeonline.com/pd-jumble-waffle-weave-towels-robes-by-the-purists.cfm

And this bath mat will pull double duty -- when it gets wet, it releases a gorgeous fragrance, as it is made of vetiver:

http://www.gaiam.com/product/eco-home-outdoor/bathroom/accessories/vetiver bath mat.do

Good luck -- I think it can look really great!

(p.s. love the suggestion of a bamboo blind for the window, to cover off part of the overly large frame! It'll fit right in with the spa feel).

Oops! forgot the taps -

Chicago Faucet company makes really great solid, well-designed taps. They are not retro, but will fit with your pedestal sink and the more solid feel in your bathroom. Plus, they are very reasonably priced, so even if your landlord won't go for them, you can get them yourself:

either these:

http://www.chicagofaucetshoppe.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=802%2DVCP

or these

http://www.chicagofaucetshoppe.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=802%2DE34%2D317CP

(it is about $20 more for a pop up drain -- check the site)

Thinking outside of the box, would you consider a rolling trellis with moveable "boxes"?

http://www.improvementscatalog.com/product/eucalyptus-rolling-garden-trellis-plant-shelves.do

Or a planter box with a trellis onto which you could attach, thinking outside the box, some sort of boxes to store your "stuff"? The stuff you don't put into the planter box (where I would put towels and/or laundry bag and/or trash can) ...

http://www.improvementscatalog.com/product/eucalyptus-planter-boxes-with-trellis.do

Either of them would not require any construction, could be found in vinyl if you preferred it for the moisture aspect of a bathroom and could go with you when you move! They might even have plants in them in your next home, eh?

PS: dimensions of your little challenge??

More thinking outside of the box info.

Vinyl:
http://www.plowhearth.com/product.asp?section_id=2008&department=3004&search_type=category&search_value=1204&cm_val=&cm_pos=&cur_index=&cm_type=&pcode=4810

Cedar:
http://www.lovemypatio.com/-strse-167/Cedar-Wood-Planter-with/Detail.bok

White wood:
http://www.backyardcity.com/garden/arbors/LCT-Wood-White-Rectangular-Planter-Box-Trellis.htm

Thanks to everyone for all of the suggestions - everyone had great ideas, and some of them were spot on! I will let you all know about my progress.

and justjude, i really love your idea. i love out of the box and unusual stuff...but the bathroom is just too small, even if the trellis is moveable. great idea though!