The $300 Makeover of This “Very Neutral” Bathroom Uses Paint, Peel-and-Stick, and More

Written by

Sarah EverettAssistant Editor of Home Projects at Apartment Therapy
Sarah EverettAssistant Editor of Home Projects at Apartment Therapy
I organize the Before & After series and cover DIY and design. I joined AT in October 2020 as a production assistant. I have an MA in Journalism from the University of Missouri and a BA in Journalism from Belmont University. Past editorial stops include HGTV Magazine, Nashville Arts Magazine, and local magazines in my hometown, Columbia, Missouri.
published Jul 22, 2024
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Whether it’s a kids’ bathroom or a primary bathroom, there’s nothing like packing in some color to really rejuvenate you in the morning. Paint, patterns, and bold shapes can immediately bring a punch of energy, like in this yellow bathroom, this orange one, and this bright green one

When Cass Danson (@our.home.le.fleur) was redoing her primary bathroom, she “wanted the space to feel more vibrant and enjoyable to be in,” she says, “especially since we spend every morning getting ready in here.”

What she was working with before “was very neutral,” she says. “Lots of white tiles and brown cabinetry.” A $300 bathroom makeover gave it a whole new look. 

First came picking the right paint. 

“The first part of the process was painting the bathroom wall a warmer color,” Cass explains. She chose “a warm nude”: Clay Pipe Half from Dulux

While the wall color was one of the first decisions Cass made, the scalloped painted detail behind the mirrors was one of the last details she added. She did the DIY using a coffee mug as her stencil, then filled in the scalloped shape by hand with teal paint. You can read more about the project here.

Pink peel-and-stick tiles were a budget-friendly solution. 

Cass says she debated whether to add real tile with grout or go with peel-and-stick for her primary bathroom. “We went with the stick-on tiles for two reasons: One, that I’ll probably change my mind eventually, and two, budget,” she says. “The stick-on tiles were the most tricky part of the process — trying to make sure everything was cut to size and still looked like real tiles.” 

Cass’s oblong pink beauties are from StickonTiles.com. And in the latest iteration of her bathroom (as of eight days ago) she added more stick-on whimsy with doodle-style wall decals above the sink, too.

Brass details add glam.

Lastly, Cass says the brass hardware (which she swapped with the chrome from before) really pops in the space. She added new faucets, a sconce between the two mirrors, and sleek cabinetry handles. 

Cass also added colorful rugs and towels and enjoys swapping her linens out for even more pops of color. “I love how much fun this bathroom feels now!” she says. “All the pink and green brings so much joy, especially to start the day.”