Before and After: A Paint-Free, One-Weekend Makeover Peps up a Builder-Grade Bathroom

If you’re looking for paint project inspiration, there’s plenty to choose from — everything from white-on-white Scandi-style redos to dark and dramatic paint makeovers. It’s no secret that a can of paint and a paintbrush can go a long way in transforming a space. But sometimes you can make a big impact without picking up a can of paint at all.

Take this bathroom redo from homeowner Lindsey Mitlyng, which she pulled off without a single drop of paint. While there was nothing offensive about Lindsey’s formerly builder-grade primary bathroom, it was the perfect blank canvas for a DIY décor moment. “We wanted to make a change to our master bathroom because we didn’t love the look, so we decided to make a big change,” Lindsey says.

That said, the bones of this bathroom were already good — the Shaker-style cabinets were classic-yet-modern, and the creamy white countertop was a nice neutral. The bathroom just needed a bit of a shake-up.

Lindsey took on the challenge over a weekend, pulling down the old oversized frameless mirror to make way for something with more personality. On the wall, she installed terrazzo-print wallpaper (you can buy a similar version on Etsy) before hanging a matching set of mirrors. Having two smaller mirrors instead of one big one makes the space feel more custom — and the black frames tie in perfectly with the existing hardware on the cabinets.

Next, Lindsey kicked the old polished nickel faucets and towel ring to the curb. She opted instead for black faucets with a modern high neck (similar to these from Wayfair) and a simple towel ring in matching matte black.

Even though there’s no new paint in this space, the new additions make the existing hues pop: The vanity looks brighter, and the walls look like a higher-contrast gray. In terms of big impact from only a little time invested, this weekend-long makeover takes the cake. And now, the white-on-white space brings a little something extra.

“I love how fun it is!” Lindsey says of the finished space. And if you can say that of a bathroom? Well, that’s a job well done.

Inspired? Submit your own project here.