Yes, definitely change the lightbulbs. Then add a shower curtain in a really sunny, happy color or print. The yellow tiles look a little pale in these pictures so I would just ignore them and go for whatever makes you happy. Then hang a picture or print or something else that is also bright and cheerful. With all of that going on, you won't notice the blahness anymore.

although rather reminiscent of a circa 1968 jr. high boys restroom in a middle school somewhere in central Indiana, your bathroom is not without hope. I totally agree with the editor in that changing the light fixture or the type/temperature of bulb could do wonders. Also a good deep, tooth brush to the grout cleaning will help. Then go out and get yourself the best damn shower curtain you can find, a little scatter rug to coordinate and a few sharp things to hang on the wall.

And if that doesn't do the trick, just keep telling yourself it's only a rental and hang a calendar on the wall and start crossing off the days until your lease runs out.

Maybe you should go with it? Can you paint? If you painted the walls a nice grey, got big fluffy yellow towels, a range of yellow and grey accents, it might be quite nice.

just make sure you take a little grout scraper and scrape off enough grout and regrout, if grey is the color of the grout and not because it is dirty then just clorox the heck out of it and paint the walls a light grey and add brown or even black accents, it will look really nice. the mold you do have to get rid of. wish i would be moving too. good luck , and enjoy!!

Actually, I think it's kind of nice, or will be once it's sparkling. It looks efficient. (I sound like my mother ...) I like the sink! I'd go the opposite direction from all-white or all-off-white, and paint the little bit of walls either dark, velvety blue, or bunt/rust orange and use one or two deep blue or blue & white accessories (the lidded pot here? Or this gorgeous shower curtain? And of course great thick fluffy white towels, as soft and cuddly as you can get. Because no matter how great (or otherwise) the walls, tile, etc. looks, the towels'll be touching your skin every day.

I agree with antonietta that you should re-grout. Along with a good cleaning, that will really freshen up the space.

Good luck and have fun with it!!

We recaulked around the bathtub in our rental and it made a world of difference. No more disgusting mold looking at me while I shower!

A bleach pen will also work wonders on ugly old grout.

Are you allowed to paint? I'd paint the wall black if possible. If not, add a black shower curtain. Darkening the room will tone down the yellow.

I quite like that clotted cream colour - I'd tidy up the grout, and (as suggested!) paint the walls a charcoal grey, and go with dark grey towels too. If you're on a budget, the Toftbo shower curtain at Ikea (in the grey/multi version) would go quite nicely.

If you're not, well, lots of textile choices!

A Mr Clean Magic Eraser does wonders for tile grout. I turned the dirty dark grey grout in my apartment back to white using them.

After you clean, I would add a mirror on the wall 90 degrees from the current one. It will add even more brightness. I would go with dark blue accesories. I would worry that yellow or grey would accentuate the beige.

Well, let's look on the bright side. At least everything matches and you aren't stuck with pepto-bismal pink, or Avocado green tiles!

I think this is a case of don't fight it, work with it. However, unlike the AT editor's comments, I wouldn't keep everything white. I would keep the wall paint white, but how about adding a patterned shower curtain with a lot of mid-range to deep gray blues in it? If you add similar colored and toned solid blue and gray towels (treat yourself and buy new ones) and a blue bath rug it will really balance out all the yellow, combine a bit with the gray grout, and draw the eye to the blue, not the tiles.

If you have the budget I would also change out the soap and toothbrush holders for something nicer and shiny stainless steel, and maybe add something under the sink and above the toilet for storage. A bright shiny stainless steel box or cubes under the sink that could hold more towels, or a shiny stainless steel medicine cabinet on the wall above the toilet to be used for cosmetics or something.

Keep us posted! I'd love to see what you come u with!

DO NOT paint the walls black in this bathroom. It will make it look too creepy.

chang the light fixture, this will make a ton of difference in the look of the room.

Purchase a sink with a vanity because, i don't like seeing the underneath pipes of a sink (I did that in my rental).

Scrub all surfaces with bleach cleaner. It will make a world of difference.

White cotton or subtle print shower curtain, white towels and mat.

I've lived with some pretty bad bathrooms in my rental life, and buying a good-quality showerhead (that I remove and take with me to each new place) has made a HUGE difference in making the bathroom feel like my own. The bathroom may not look like a spa...but at least your shower can make it feel like one!

How about linoleum, cork or Flor tiles for the floor?

i highly recommend the bleach pen! it works wonders!!!

Buy this stuff (at HD, Lowe's, Ace): http://www.custombuildingproducts.com/ProductCatalog/Grout/PolyblendRenew.aspx?user=arc&lang=en

Add a good cleaning, a new caulk job around the tub and toilet, and some cute accessories and it'll be a nice little bathroom.

My first act after signing the new lease is to get a new toilet seat. Always. Yes, recaulking will do wonders; bleach and a scrub brush will take care of the rest of the muck, and then get something that will shine the tile and the fixtures. Once it's at its' best, you can more easily decide on colors. When I've lived in dark northern climes I've always found a bright, cheerful bathroom to be vital, but that's just me. Good luck and please update us!

we had the same problem in our apartment last year. we used that sticky wallpaper, i don't know how they are called actually. i can't tell the name either. i found them on a construction market or whatever.

it's hard to stick properly behind/with the sink, tap etc. but it's easy to remove so you can fail and undo the job. we tried cutting, but maybe you can remove the tap for example, if you're handy enough..

we had chosen on one wall 2 colored stripped wallpaper, while the other was with small flowers.

and also you can remove it at the end, if the owner doesn't like it. there will be nothing left. ours loved it and i think it stays like that..

good luck.

Can't begin to tell you how depressingly awful most Swiss bathrooms are...

At least this bathroom isn't under the eaves, like ours is. The ceiling plunges down over our bathtub and shower (the tub is super-narrow) to about 3 feet at the drain end... claustrophobic.

This isn't so bad. Maybe put Tord Boontje's tyvex curtain (Until Dawn) in white over the windows (actually affix it to the glass),
http://www.unicahome.com/catalog/item.asp?id=14687&PartnerID=FR

add a spa towel shower curtain (in a soft waffle weave cotton with liner), some teak shelves and a teak mat, maybe some orchids over the tub (you've got the window), and it will feel spa-like.

p.s. you have exactly the same fixtures we do... same sink (with towel spike), toilet, tub...

bleach the shit out of it and it'll look better instantly :)

i bet that once it is clean, it won't feel so hopeless

I would go with gray and yellow accessories. The new shower head idea is also a really great one. Don't despair, I've seen worse!

I'd do a fun black white and yellow color scheme. The contrast will make it interesting. Hang some wall art if you can, pick out some fun black or charcoal linens and find a fun and funky shower curtain. It'll be cute. Just roll with it :)

Definitely recaulk. It's cheap, easy, and makes a huge difference in how clean the bathroom looks. Can you replace the medicine cabinet with just a mirror or at least something a little narrower? It feels like it's looming over the sink.

It's never going to be a designer bathroom. But it looks pretty functional. In your shoes, I probably wouldn't put a lot of energy into design. I'd focus on making sure it looks super clean and then just live with it.

I would skirt the sink (velcro fabric to the sink) to hide the pipes and add some hidden storage beneath. Use a canvas or burlap fabric for a rich texture. Maybe repeat this fabric in your shower curtain. Add some baskets for additional texture and load them with some fresh towels. The yellow does not seem too bad in the photos. Get some dark blue and light blue towels. Add some prints of the ocean or other blue things. Keep everything else white and change the light fixture, as others have suggested.

Eddie Ross did a simple skirted sink with flour sack towels, if you are interested in a more modern, pleated look. http://www.eddieross.com/eddie_ross/2009/04/before-and-after-dollar-store-skirted-sink.html

Can you convince the landlord to reglaze the tub? Or have it reglazed yourself and have the cost deducted from your rent?

In addition to regrouting, I would consider putting a new floor down with the click-tiles that come in faux tiles, hardwood, stone, or slate. They're not waterproof, but they are water resistant (Layla from the Lettered Cottage used them in her kitchen), so with a rug by the tub, you should be ok.

Ditto on replacing the light, shower faucet, and perhaps even that medicine cabinet.

Steam clean first. Then make changes ....

It's the filth that's grossing you out. Once it's clean, you'll feel much better about it. It really isn't a bad bathroom, from what I can see. Shower curtain, towels, rug . . . in colors you like or in white/neutral. You'll be fine with it. AND it's only a rental. I have kind of cream-yellow colored tile and white sink and toilet in my bathroom. It was disgustingly filthy when I got custody of it. After a deep-clean/grout painting/re-caulking, I painted the walls a nice soft very blue green (behr southern breeze). I have a shower curtain that's the same tone as the walls and It looks really nice in there now.

It's really not bad, and it seems much better than most American rental bathrooms. It's probably not totally clean, and the photos show it in the worst possible light but all in all not that bad.

As some others have said, black or white is the way to go! Grey would work as well. I had a bathroom with similar colored tiles floor to ceiling, and a little black and white went a long way.

The bathroom could really be worse! I'd suggest adding color with a unique shower curtain, maybe hanging some windchimes or pendants or stained glass near the window, color-complimenting floor mats and toilet seat cover, maybe a hanging plant, and definately lighting. Oh, and framed pictures (maybe framed old, yellowing newspaper pages?) along the walls, or little fancy framed mirrors or something. Good luck!

Oh! And, if your landlord allows you to, you should look into getting different faucet and shower fixtures. Character is all in the details!

I agree with adding a skirt to the sink (changing the vanity is much too much work) and painting. Black may have design appeal, but stay away from very dark colors because they'll suck the light right out. A warm color would be flattering, if you plan on putting on makeup or doing your hair in the bathroom. I also think a light blue-green would look great with the yellow and tan tiles.

I suggest a clear shower curtain to make the space appear larger and allow more light in from the window. If you're sharing with a roommate or are otherwise concerned for modesty, I've recently seen some shower curtains with a clear portion at the top and an opaque portion at the bottom, or there are some that are textured.

I have a similar bathroom. I added a bright white shower curtain (waffle weave), fluffy white towels & a bathmat, painted the walls and ceiling a deep eggplant color, added a nice light fixture, and hung some light colored artwork. It worked wonders and makes my similar pinkish-tan tile seem like a nicely contrasting neutral. To me it feels somewhat spa-like. I also considered dark chocolate browns, but in the end liked the eggplant better. Here's a picture:
http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/tvABidXHwCeVOH2Q8UPnFQ?feat=directlink

I think simplicity and cohesion will be the way to go in this tiny space. I agree that a good cleaning and fresh paint job will do wonders. I think a nice soft grey for the walls like Stone Harbor from Benjamin Moore, with contrasting crisp white towels and textiles would improve the overall feel. I would add hits of colour only in artwork by framing some lovely screen prints or photographs in all-white frames to pull focus from those tiles. I would hang a pure cotton waffle weave shower curtain and I would buy a second shower curtain with which to make a tailored sink skirt. Here's a great how-to http://think--pink.com/2009/06/30/almost-free-bathroom-makeover-part-one-junkhiding-sink-skirt.aspx

Good luck and post the after pix!

I agree with the grey comments. Charcoal would be too dark, just go for a kind of stone color. Here are samples:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/8230585@N06/3352738662/

I love F&B's Pigeon (top right) and Horizon Grey (bottom).

The idea of bright yellow accessories is a great idea. But for the shower curtain, you could do something geometric.

This Joseph Abboud shower curtain is in that direction.

http://www.bednbathgallery.com/ProductInfo.aspx?id=10224542

I agree, clean and scrub.

Replacing the medicine cabinet with a flat mirror and placing some shelves on the wall above the toilet should make the space look larger and bring toiletries closer when you shower. For more basic comfort, I would bring the toilet paper closer to the toilet if that is possible.

A transparent shower curtain would make the place look larger thanks to the light from the window. As for paint colour, stick with white and experiment with colourful accessories that you like and can take with you when you leave.

Magic Erasers are not available in the EU as they contain cancer causing elements.

But baking powder is available and far less toxic. Lots of paste recipes on-line. When you get your grout lines clean, I suggest covering them with clear acrylic polymer to keep them staying fresh longer. Apply with a fine artist brush.

About under-sink storage -- our sinks (like yours) have simple white cupboards underneath. They can be bought at the usual Swiss home reno sources. Just cut through them for the pipes. Many people here have that as a solution.

Hi again, I suggested white paint for the walls. But there are lots of different whites and I'd test a few paint chips to see how they look with the yellow tiles. Some whites can blend in while others will make them stand out more.

On the photos, the colour of the tiles remind me of straw so maybe a few straw accessories, like baskets or a floormat would be nice.

I think that a nice ocean blue paintjob on the walls would be a great offset to the yellow tiles - giving it a sort of "Provencale" color pallete...
...you could play it up even more with a toile or provencale fabric as shower curtain.

Re-grouting and recaulking, by the way, is really easy :) Find a good tutorial on youtube and you'll have it done in an afternoon. I've done it a couple of times in my own bathroom

Most people will hate this idea, but if the floor is really bad, look for a cut-to-fit bathroom rug. I can't find them here any longer, maybe you'll see them in Switz. It is a rubber backed bath room about 5x6' that you cut to fit your floor for a wall to wall rug. It changed my bathroom completely! Just throw it in the wash once a week.

You REALLY need to discuss any changes with your landlord. In Switzerland, renovations (even minor) are typically done by landlords. In situations where a tenant is changing something, there is usually a contract involved that reflects the changes in the rent.

Also, I don't know if you're new to Switzerland, but forget IKEA and go take a look at Interio. There is one near the Hauptbahnhof on on the Rennweg. And, hurry...sales are on for another week!

Hi everyone, it's Chia here! Thanks so much for all the great feedback and encouragement! I'm much more optimistic now, and I'm looking forward to turning my bathroom into a place that i would like to spend some time in.

You guys are right..It probably is just the dirt and mold now that is making me go ewww. I'm looking into renting a steam cleaner, or getting someone to come in to really scrub out the corners. I think that would help me get in the mood to get in there and do the rest!

Regarding the grout, I have tried baking soda (costs a tonne in this country.. they don't know it's great for cleaning and look at me funny when I request for 2kgs of it at the pharmacy!), and it has not removed any greyness. Also, the grout turns black when wet.. is it grey grout or dirt? That Polyblend Renew stuff sounds great! I asked some friends and was told that I *can* get grout cleaners here, but I'm not sure if they can compare to Polyblend Renew (which I think was used by another AT reader to spruce up her kitchen tiles, featured yesterday!). I'll give it a shot for sure!

I love the idea of grey, wood and the yellow. Van Gogh's Sunflowers crossed my mind :D Like postcard prints of them, framed on the wall! At the beginning, I felt that blue and yellow just wouldn't go. However, bepsf's Provencale suggestion (periwinkle blue!) would also work really well with the yellow tiles! I'm spoilt for choice now!

The sink and toilet is actually really solid ceramic - just needs cleaning. The toilet seat too is solid, but I was thinking of replacing it with something like the Ikea Öresund wooden seat (problem with wood: too many different shades!!). The only light source for the bathroom is the one that is attached to the medicine cabinet :( If I remove the cabinet, the light will also have to be taken out, i think. it's an awful cheap plastic medicine cabinet. So i'm not sure if I can change it but I'd love to. Definitely going to replace those taps too - what an ugly brown :(

Oh and i love orchids!!! how did you know, mschatelaine! I definitely will be putting a shelf up at the end of the bathtub, with space to hang a towel and for an orchid. That would cheer me up instantly :D

In the theme of wood, I thought of putting 1 or 2 Ikea Molger deck tiles right next to the tub. The rest of the floor can be covered by a bath rug! Would hate to clean under the deck thing though... so I'm still thinking about it. I tried a white bath rug but it does not go well with the yellow floor tiles - everything looks washed out.

Thanks again for all your help! Sorry this was a bit of a long post but I wanted to cover all the points mentioned. :)

this room can work. good cleaning/recaulking, new toilet seat, updated lighting, lux showerhead tips above! other ideas:
1. keep the walls light & neutral; contrast will make the room look smaller/chopped up. paint colours in baths are challenging. a lot of skin is exposed, not so flattered by many greens & yellows. might do a mildew-retardant primer, too.
2. do not put a vanity under the sink or skirt it; the storage is not worth feeling less spaciousness.
3. keep the cabinet over the sink, then put a full-length mirror on the front of the bath door, swing the two so you can see the back of your outfit/hair & it will seem to expand the space in the rest of the apartment, too. this works.
4. hang shelves/cabinet over the toilet, 3 or 4 at least. hang hooks /o skinny shelves behind the door for added uses.
5. cannot see the ceiling; maybe one long narrow shelf can be over med cabinet, close to ceiling & above heads, the whole length of bath for open storage? consider claustrophobia of a lower ceiling/chopped-up feeling v. new storage before deciding.
6. there is a window in the shower that needs a piece of shower curtain over it (or watch the wood rot); translucent will let in the most light. yes, there is potential for mildew if not monitored.
7. the big shower curtain is an inexpensive way to define your style; have fun with that (art deco? newyorkistan? mattress ticking? storage pockets in the curtain itself? plastic fish? spa white?), then accessorize. the accessory/towel colours have less effect on skintone than the paint.
8. the bath mat(s) & shower curtain need to be washable, really.

i think it has a TON of potential. clean, get better lighting.
if you can, i'd paint the upper walls, a pale gray & then invest in the most lux shower curtain you can manage.

here are a few that would look cool.

http://www.anthropologie.com/anthro/catalog/productdetail.jsp?subCategoryId=HOME-BATH-SHOWERCURTAINS&id=993123&catId=HOME-BATH&pushId=HOME-BATH&popId=HOME&sortProperties=&navCount=505&navAction=top&fromCategoryPage=true&selectedProductSize=&selectedProductSize1=&color=012&colorName=CREAM&isProduct=true&isBigImage=&templateType=

http://www.anthropologie.com/anthro/catalog/productdetail.jsp?subCategoryId=HOME-BATH-SHOWERCURTAINS&id=993292&catId=HOME-BATH&pushId=HOME-BATH&popId=HOME&sortProperties=&navCount=505&navAction=top&fromCategoryPage=true&selectedProductSize=&selectedProductSize1=&color=012&colorName=CREAM&isProduct=true&isBigImage=&templateType=

http://www.anthropologie.com/anthro/catalog/productdetail.jsp?id=890115&parentid=BAYNOTE

Mariegael, The Samanid shower curtain is very cute! I like the 60's vibe with the tile, which isn't so horrible. There are suites at the Chateau Marmont with that old tiling and the push pull bath stoppers. A good cleaning will go a long way.

Hey Crazylady, guess you're from around here :) I've been here 3 years and I know Interio and love their stuff! But, they're a tad too expensive for my grad school budget (biologists get lousy PhD salaries at ETH). I may look for bathroom accessories there but got my bed, kitchenware and bathroom shelf at Ikea today :) I also got the most expensive shower curtain available at ikea (http://www.ikea.com/ch/de/catalog/products/40137732). It's white, and it's MUCH better than what is in place now - ironically, the cheapest shower curtain in ikea!!!! (the guy before was also a PhD student... heh). If I find a nicer one at Interio I'll go for it (or get my sister to bring me something from London!).
Will post my bathroom improvement shots as soon as I start on it!!!

Ps: About renovations, the landlord here is the sort that doesnt really care about making it nice. He wanted someone who would take it as is, and not ask for renovations prior to moving in. So much for that! I'm hoping he'll allow me to make the changes, and if he's nice he might reduce my rental? There are a few paragraphs in the contract about renovations but it's too much german for me! Will get my colleague to translate for me on monday :)

That bathroom looks absolutely great, I am a big fan of efficient, yet comfortable and well lit spaces. You have all that, no excess space, a bathtub and nice big window to let the sun come in.

I would definetly go for dark wood in this one, even leaving the tiles yellow as they are. Thin wooden boards set horizontally on that front giving face of the bathtub would give the room warmth and as a darker shade, make the yellow tiles look brighter. With dark wood I would go for blue towels and accessories, which compliment the brown tones and make those tiles stand out.

For the grout I suggest a special paint, which is sold just to paint grout. Make it white and it should brighten up. I would also play with the lighting a little, maybe have a powerful bulb that gives bright white color for everyday quick wash and toilet visits. I would also add a much dimmer yellowish lighting for those relaxing times in that little bathtub - maybe even go for candles!

http://tiny.cc/rerVK

This is the floating floor I was talking about.

Also, they make medicine cabinets with lights, so even if you have to replace the whole unit, I would look into it.

@Chia: Zurich IS incredibly expensive, so you just have to find your way around. I've lived here for years and years, so I have a few tricks of my sleeves!

A really great resource to try is eBay America. Do a search for things like West Elm bathroom accessories, etc, and you might be able to find something cheap (even with shipping). I remember I was once able to get a pair of silk drapes (i think Pottery Barn?) for something like $20, including shipping. And, if you go to the Interio this week, there are some pretty good deals to be had. Have you tried looking in the back at their "Fundgrabe?"

Good luck with everything. And especially good luck at the ETH. You are one smart cookie to be studying there!

For cleaning - the best thing I've found is good old fashioned vinegar and baking soda. Let it sizzle for awhile, and use a scouring pad to remove tough spots. Works like a charm! Then let the yellow work for you! I'd add touches of charcoal gray and plum purple. Paint some thrift store frames gray for photos on the wall, get a plum shower curtain. For added storage, buy some fabric and use velcro to attach it around the sink. That way you can hide your bathroom stuff under the sink, and add some color as well.

No wood, no new tiles, no sink skirts. Keep it as open and clean as possible with as few places for clutter to accumulate or mold to grow. Just get some chrome baskets for under the sink, like a cheap little caddy. PS Landlords never reduce the rent for cosmetic repairs or renovations. Only if there is some disturbance for the tenant or reimbursement for damages.

will definitely make it a point to run over to interio this week :D i already have some grey stone bathroom accessories, so i'll try to complete the set ;)
thanks for the tip with ebay. i have used it to buy stuff i can't find here, but never thought about home accessories! i guess i assumed shipping would cost a lot (i just bought sound absorption sheets from the US and shipping was 150USD).

yesterday bought the molger wall rack and bath tub thing (for shampoo) at ikea, but in birch wood, not dark. I would have preferred their darker walnut colour but they were not available and most of their things are birch! (like the toilet seat) perhaps i can stain what i have, but i dont know if the colour would run when wet?

i've been using the baking soda vinegar combo the past week, and have not used bleach yet (am trying the eco friendly method first). don't you just love the sizzling? makes it seem like it's really working!

i don't really like the sight of the pipes, although adding a cabinet there might make the place look smaller and be an additional item to clean. i'll shop around!

again, with the lighting, unless i replace the whole cabinet, i can't change the lights either. there is no other light or electrical point source. i'm a bit wary about changing the cabinet since there is electrical stuff too.

replaced the toilet seat with ikea's wooden one. am keeping the old one in the cellar in case the landlord wants it back :p (it's nice but you're right, feels way more comfortable if it's new!). plus, i got to clean some more when the seat was off (gross!) so it also feels cleaner now. have not found a company to deep clean the toilet yet - most want a whole apartment job. crazylady - any recommendations for a company?

Ih there!

I had the same problem. I know i'm no expert in decoration, but if you want to, you may check some ideas i used in my renthouse bathroom.

http://casapim.wordpress.com/2010/01/22/toilette/

good luck!

Your bath has remembered mine in some way, but with the difference that mine was owned (but no budget to make major changes).
I suggest you to clean a lot, make the joint tiles white and go for color with accessories and/or art.
If you want to see an exemple: http://ministryofdeco.blogspot.com/

Can you paint the wall? I would also use a transparent plastic shower courtain instead of the white one and some beautiful bottles all looking the same with the bathing products inside.

It depends on your own style. Have a look at this one...

The one from carapinzinha is also quite good.

http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/dc/open-threads/open-thread-11-washington-dc-077851

You can also use reds, white and black
Or
orange and wood
or
natural colours and objects