Bathroom update

10 months ago

Hey all. I don't think our bathroom has been updated since it was built in the 1970s. I'd like to bring it into this century without sacrificing the beautiful wood paneling if i dont have to. Right now it feels very dark and dated. We're akso thinking of changing our kitchen countertops to a lighter color-very dark in there as well. I was wondering if we could reuse the granite and incorporate it into the design. Any ideas to make it more modern?

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Comments (12)

Iluvdark kychns
10 months ago
I hate to say it but it's the paneling that darkens the space (since you say it feels dark.) You can start by changing the light fixture which will brighten up the room. You might consider painting just the mirror side paneling to see if that will be enough to brighten it. I actually like leaving some wood tone (including the ceiling-if it's holding up to the moisture). Would also update the toilet.

You can also update things like the hardware and curtain rod. And you might consider adding a frame around the mirror.
Iluvdark kychns
10 months ago
I'll add that I think your kitchen granite would darken your bathroom space even more. Do you possibly have an outside use for it if you are looking to reuse.
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Kelly Jones
10 months ago
last modified: 10 months ago
I wouldn't change the counters to a darker one. What I would do is get a large portrait format piece of art over the toilet and a bigger trio of pics across from the mirror. Then I would change the light to something brighter & more substantial and also the knobs, keeping with the MCM vibe.

Is this a main bath? Kids?

I asked because this might not work with whomever uses the bathroom. Just an idea to show a larger light colored art piece to brighten the room up a bit more.

You might also want to paint your cabinet white or a lighter color.
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JAN MOYER
10 months ago
last modified: 10 months ago
Describe "update" please. Is this a primary bath? Do you soak in the tub? It's used by everyone?

You would change vanity, tile....add lighting, get new flooring ? Change the tub to white? Have more storage?

I see nothing to cling to here, including the room darkening walls. If you want a modern, brighter bathroom : ) ?

Post some inspo pics of a bath you might love to have.
palimpsest
10 months ago
last modified: 10 months ago
Since this is not an ordinary 1970s tract house with the typical small bath, drywall walls and nothing really specific to the 1970s except colored tile or fixtures, I would encourage you to just embrace it. I don't really like the word "dated" at all. That's like getting on a hamster wheel of trying to keep up with something. This bathroom is dark because it has one small window. The paneling does make it a darker environment as well, but you could paint the entire thing white and it still would not be a "bright" bathroom. A clear glass shower door or screen would be better than a shower curtain in that regard.

The pale blue is a decent shade of blue, it's not avocado or bubblegum pink or one of the yellows that would not look good with this wood.

The blue fixtures are are all intact as a set, and they appear to be in good condition as well as the tile. You could probably find a decent color match for a new toilet seat here:

https://www.toiletseats.com/p/bemis-color_matched-blue-toilet-seats/

If the vanity doors are water damaged, you could refinish them or paint the vanity white or a version of the light blue.

This is not a bathroom that somebody would typically design today, that's understood. But the house appears to probably have a wood beamed ceiling with exposed sheathing and wood paneling throughout, since it is included in the bathroom. In my opinion nothing could look worse than trying to update this bathroom to typical 2020s fashion because it won't fit well in the context of the house. If this were a typical 1970s drywall box it would be a different story, but you've got a lot of character/architecture going on in there.

Frank Lloyd Wright often had wood in his bathroom. Yes I know your house does not have a FLW pedigree, it's not a museum, but he inspired later architects to use more natural materials inside the house. Yes, most of his bathrooms are also dark.
tracefloyd
10 months ago
last modified: 10 months ago
I love this bathroom. The wood looks solid and the gorgeous tile and grout and fixtures, everthing else is pristine.

Paint the wood walls white. Prep them well. Painted panelling is charming.

Leave the beautiul tile and everything else.

Don't paint the ceiling. The vanity is nice in wood to ground the high ceiling...just polish it.

I love the Blue Nude suggested by Kelly.
roarah
10 months ago
I have no advice because i would not touch anything . I love your bathroom!
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Ward 5 Design
10 months ago
I love your bathroom, but I can definitely see some potential for improvements to make it feel a little updated, without having to even rip anything out. If you were to try and remove any of the tile or paneling, you would likely damage other parts that aren't supposed to be touched. The things that I can see that could clearly use a 1-for-1 replacement are the medicine cabinet/mirror, the vanity knobs, the faucet, the vanity light, the wall art, the hardware (towel rod, etc.), and the shower curtain. I think mixing in more metals like brass, nickel, or chrome would draw the eye to the more sparkly elements in the space, and it would make the room feel brighter. Theres an incredible vintage charm about this bathroom that I think is beautiful and shouldn't be sacrificed, it just needs more metallic elements.

Check out our new site for bathroom designs, paint palettes, and exterior designs. www.thespecbinder.com

- Max Hamilton, Designer
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Sabrina Alfin Interiors
10 months ago
last modified: 10 months ago
I'm going to assume the paneling is also throughout the rest of the house. If that's the case, then I don't see why you couldn't gut the bathroom and start over. I'd look for inspiration in country home settings:

Stowe, Vermont Traditional Country Home · More Info

Finely plastered walls in a Hill Country home · More Info

New York Renovation · More Info
palimpsest
10 months ago
last modified: 10 months ago
" I don't see why you couldn't gut the bathroom and start over. "

The homeowner could. But ideally the bathroom still needs to look like it belongs in the the homeowner's house. Not like you are walking into someone else's house when you open the bathroom door.
chinacatpeekin
10 months ago
I love your bathroom! Embrace the wonderful existing style here that is cohesive with the style of your home. I’d replace the shower curtain with a glass panel to let in more light, replace the faucet, vanity pulls, light fixture and mirror, and find a matching blue toilet seat. The blue fixtures are fantastic! I’m not a pro I think a complete remodel, or even painting the wood paneling would equal a remuddle.
ShadyWillowFarm
10 months ago
What is your budget? Does everything in the room work, and is it all in good condition? It looks like you have a mirrored medicine cabinet alongside the mirror? Do you have plenty of storage? If it’s not very functional for you, then you may want to put in all new fixtures and address any needs you have. I don’t like your kitchen granite with the wood unless you want to paint the wood.

Bathroom update

Comments (12)

Iluvdark kychns

Iluvdark kychns

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