Before and After: A Pink Carpeted (!) Bathroom Is Totally Transformed for $2,325

updated Sep 3, 2020
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Credit: Lauren Avalos

Of all possible design faux pas, bathroom carpet is probably the worst (and grossest). It’s also what Lauren Avalos (@takemehomecedarroad) and her husband had to deal with, plus even more outdated design choices, in their main floor powder room.

Credit: Lauren Avalos

“When we moved in, the space consisted of blush carpeting, a golden oak vanity, an outdated brass light fixture, blush tile backsplash, and of course a wallpaper border,” Lauren says. “We knew that we would have to remove everything in the room and start over.”

The couple began the four-week reno by removing the wallpaper border and popcorn ceilings (yes, the powder room had those, too), and tearing out the vanity, toilet, backsplash, wall mirror, trim, and that blush carpet.

Credit: Lauren Avalos

Then, Lauren painted the walls in a bright, more modern white (Sherwin-Williams’ Alabaster) before a contractor came in to install standard subway tile in a crosshatch pattern on the wall and intricately patterned but still neutral floor tile. (So. Much. Better.)

“I absolutely love the tile choices that we made,” Lauren says. “The flooring is classic, yet it adds visual interest with the pattern. The crosshatch subway tile backsplash that runs all to the ceiling is a unique feature that I have not seen in many other homes.”

Credit: Lauren Avalos

The contractor also installed a new toilet and rich wood vanity. “Our vanity was a closeout deal and one of my all-time favorite finds, and by switching out the standard knobs with acrylic and brass pulls, it became a custom-looking piece,” Lauren says.

After the contractor completed the work, Lauren and her husband installed a new door and trim themselves, plus a framed mirror and sleek black details, including a black-toned faucet and Edison bulb light fixture.

Credit: Lauren Avalos

All together, the reno cost roughly $2,325. “Our goal was to do the entire thing under $2,500, so we were very happy to stay on budget,” Lauren says.

If you’re about to embark on your own major reno, she recommends hiring pros to handle anything you don’t feel comfortable doing, and starting off with some serious research. “A full renovation can seem intimidating and expensive, but it can be done on a budget,” she says. “We searched for each item extensively until we found something that was the price point we wanted.”

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