bathroom decorating help please!

9 years ago

ok so, as you can see, the wallpaper accidently fell off and now I need to decorate our bathroom ;) however, I would like soke ideas of what I can do. The bathroom suite is cream/beige and I haven't the funds to replace it yet. Nor have I the funds to get rid of the crappy storage cupboard the sink is sat in that really doesnt hold much at all due to the pipes, as that would mean replacing the pipes. This is the only room of the house we haven't touched until now since we bought it. I know it needs a new floor and I'm thinking vinyl to keep the costs down. Does anybody have any suggestions please? I would like to replace the radiator with a towel radiator and have seen some cheap ones but they are either white which won't go (just look at the mistake I made with the toilet seat!) or chrome which I'm unsure will go. Has anybody got any ideas or suggestions please?

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cazie6
Original Author

9 years ago

Finally finished apart from a couple more accessories and new wall lights and the floor which if you look closely you can see the sample on the floor. I still hate the stupid big cabinet, but it looks a lot better than it did! I'm really proud I did this all by myself (apart from the picture hanging) and I know you can see some seams in the wallpaper and it's not perfectly straight, but this is my first time and I'm happy with the result! Thanks for the tip about the towel rail (husband is already on a strict warning not to use the new towel!) and the pictures. I wanted them all in a line but husband insisted they would look better going up the wall and fit them before I had chance to say no!! All in all though, I'm really happy with the overall look. What do you think?

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Comments (34)

Kate
9 years ago
Hi there, I have the same problem with an old coloured suite ( still works though!) My solution was to neutralise it by painting the walls the same colour. Used Wilko's bathroom paint which cost a tenner. You could consider painting your cabinet with appropriate cabinet paint. There will be others more qualified to advise on prepping the walls prior to painting or repapering. Good luck with whatever you decide!
cazie6
Original Author
9 years ago
thank you, that's a good idea but I would prefer some colour on the walls. Do you think this would work if I painted the dado rails and everything below in this blue? would you also paint the cupboard and bath panels blue too, or would it be too much do you think?
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Definitely painting the walls in bold colour would make a big difference. If you found a bath panel in a colour like graphite grey i think that would go really well and possibly change the vanity unit to add some storage. A nice large mirror would look lovely too. I found some options from Roper Rhodes that could work. http://www.roperrhodes.co.uk/product/hampton-1700mm-front-bath-panel-3/#.W_WRvzj7SUk http://www.roperrhodes.co.uk/product/hampton-550mm-countertop-unit-3/#.W_WRzjj7SUk I really don't think you need to do anything to drastic the bathroom looks fresh and clean anyway you just want to add your own touch to it.
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Kate
9 years ago
Hello again, I like your plan. The blue would look very nice with your cream suite. If you paint the unit and panels the same blue colour, they would blend in with the wall. I have done this kind of thing in another room and think it gives a calming effect. As for vinyl flooring, it's warm underfoot and easily scrubbed!
cazie6
Original Author
9 years ago
Great thank you. I've seen some bathroom paint from Wilko's that has great reviews and is only £12 so I'm going to go with that. Wish me luck!!
PRO
Make My Blinds
9 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Like the post above, a splash of colour from the towels or toilet seat will help give the room some character. We have a range of bolder and bright coloured blinds that could then compliment the colour you go for. All of these are suitable for a bathroom and will help give you some privacy and colour at the same time.

http://makemyblinds.co.uk/roller-blinds.html?sutible_moist=91
PRO
Feature Radiators
9 years ago
You no longer have to settle for a white or chrome towel radiator, however "stock" finishes do the keep the cost down so we now offer radiators from stock in other finishes such as our Etna towel rail which is available in "Beige Quartz" http://www.featureradiators.co.uk/Prices/TowelRails/2016%2001%2001%20-%20Etna%20.pdf
cazie6
Original Author
9 years ago
thank you for your comments, I'll check out the blinds and radiators. This is it so far but still a long way to go!!
Jen Osborne
9 years ago
This is looking so good already! I would probably paint the countertop light beige or white for a little contrast.
cazie6
Original Author
9 years ago
ah, too late now, however I have done my radiator and the door in the cream that's going on the top of the walls to break up the blue. Just taking a break from putting the lining paper up, I think I have more paste on me!!
Mike BB
9 years ago
May be this site: https://houseofenki.com/baths.html can help you)
cazie6
Original Author
9 years ago
Well its taken me most of the day and lots of watching youtube how to wallpaper videos (my first time) but I've finished papering apart from this section of the wall as I've run out of bloody paper. I could cry! Do you think it would odd if I just painted it? Out of all the walls, this is the section that's actually ok!
PRO
Cotterell & Co
9 years ago
Looks really good. Painting that bit of the wall will be great. It will help everything come together. If you add in some grey and dark blue accessories. ( A vase or canvases and kids paint are great and affordable options. Even large colours candels) . Don't be afraid to mix neutral colours together (grey cream black ) you cant got wrong. It helps separate the cream walls and add extra to look at.
cazie6
Original Author
9 years ago
thank you, that's a really good idea. the top is going to be cream and the bottom blue. My bathroom suite is a cream/beige colour. What other colour do you think will go with that? I'm thinking along the lines of pictures/canvas on the wall?
cazie6
Original Author
9 years ago
sorry, just re-read and noticed you said grey or dark blue. I'll have a look for something.
Kate
9 years ago
Hello there, looks like it's progressing nicely. Lots of hard work, I'll bet. As for art etc, I've used wallpaper samples in a frame to help me see what colours work in my rooms. There are loads of DIY art ideas online if you want an original and budget solution!
cazie6
Original Author
9 years ago
Yes, I've been hard at it since Monday with steaming off the old lots, filling, sanding, priming, varnishing and now putting the paper on and the painting that tomorrow. I can't wait to go back to work next week ha ha! That's a really good shout about the samples, I'll try that and also look online (my search history these past few days is all about decorating)!! Thank you. I'll post a photo up tomorrow once the painting is done
lostinreno
9 years ago
Great progress !

It's not too late to paint the top of vanity white! It would look a lot better if you did.

I would also paint the radiator blue to make it disappear, radiators are rarely a feature you want to attract attention to !

Out of curiosity, why did you wallpapered your wall instead of paint? How does the wallpaper stay up with all the steam ?

Anyway, fantastic improvement !
cazie6
Original Author
9 years ago
Hi, white won't go on the counter top and I've now used polyvine dead flat matt varnish so I'm not sure I can paint over it without sanding it all back down but I agree it probably would look better a different colour. My original plan was to paint the radiator blue, however I then thought it would be too much blue as the cabinet is very imposing, the bath panels and all the lower wall will be blue too. I'll have a think about the counter top although the cream on the walls is a a lighter shade than the sink is and I'm not certain the same shade will go with it being right next to the sink?
cazie6
Original Author
9 years ago
Ps I hung lining paper up to paint as my walls aren't in a very good condition and when I took the past lot off a lot of the plaster came off with it! I wish I knew which plasterers the previous owners used so I know not to use them! the paper will be fine as it's thick lining paper (1400gsm) with solvite extra strong and then I'm going to use bathroom paint over it and seal the seams and edges with polyvine decorators varnish as it's waterproof.
lostinreno
9 years ago
Thanks for the detailed reply cazie.

Don't you wish there was a tribunal where you could take the previous owner of your home for crimes of bad tastes and shoddy DIY?!

Your hard work is paying off, can't wait to see it finished !

Good thinking about the radiator,another thing that might help breaking up the blue vanity is to have a towel holder on the side, with a white towel noone is allowed to use!
lostinreno
9 years ago
cazie6
Original Author
9 years ago
Hi, now that is an excellent idea, I'll definitely buy one of those as it'll look great, thank you! Oh and yes, if anybody uses the towel they will die!!
Kate
9 years ago
Hello, I think you've done a fab job. I'll bet you'll enjoy a long soak admiring your handiwork!
cazie6
Original Author
9 years ago
thanks and yes once the wall lights are on, I can light some candles and sit back and relax in a hot bath with a good book. Can't wait!
Jen Osborne
9 years ago

This look great! 200% improvement!
cazie6
Original Author
9 years ago
Thanks, I think so too and the room actually feels a bit bigger now x
PRO
Wallsauce
9 years ago
Hi,

Great job, it looks wonderful!

Paula
lostinreno
9 years ago
Your hard work played off, it looks so good !
Angie
9 years ago
Well done, what a transformation. The blue really works well and I think the pictures look good as they are. Have you thought about changing the toilet seat for a blue wooden one? Assuming there's a close enough match for colour that is.
Angie
cazie6
Original Author
9 years ago
Hi, thanks for your comment. The toilet seat does need changing but I can't find a blue one to match, or a cream one either that matches the decor or bathroom suite. Do you think a light coloured wood one would go?
donnaw3337
9 years ago
Just came across this thread - I too have a cream suite and don't want the hassle of replacing it. Your bathroom looks great and has inspired me to do something similar
cazie6
Original Author
9 years ago
thanks and good luck with yours!
Angie
9 years ago
I'd be tempted to go for a dark wooden seat to contrast with the pale decor and suite. The main thing is to make sure the seat is a perfect fit to the toilet pan so it looks really good. That could be easier said than done but an online search may help you find just what you're looking for.
Argos has some brightly coloured seats in their "Colour Match" range but I'm not sure they are the right shape for your toilet. Might be worth a look though. Maybe you could accessorise towels etc to match!
Angie