A Budget Farmhouse Bathroom Refresh

Read on to see how I gave our ensuite a budget farmhouse bathroom refresh for about $300. Our master bathroom was perfectly functional for the 9 years we had lived in our home and I really didn’t make any effort to decorate it during that time. Part of the issue was that the bathroom was fine- nothing leaked, nothing was broken, nothing looked terribly dated. The other part of the issue was that I had visions of wall-to-wall white marble and expensive fixtures, but that dream bathroom was something I knew wouldn’t become a reality for many years.

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Sometimes I think these grander plans are what hold us back from creating beautiful and inviting spaces! Yes, a budget refresh is not going to be as grand as the spaces we dream of, but they are real and achievable. So, last spring, I decided to move ahead with refreshing our master bathroom.

Planning

The first thing I did for this budget farmhouse bathroom refresh was to come up with a plan for the style and colour scheme. I consulted Pinterest and old magazines for my inspiration. Our master bedroom has a farmhouse feel, and I wanted the bathroom to be consistent with the bedroom since the two spaces are adjoining. I chose to paint the walls in a similar cream colour and I planned to add shiplap behind the vanity to tie in with the bedroom. Click here to see my bedroom shiplap tutorial. The bedroom also has a blue-grey accent wall that I thought I could echo in the vanity colour. In the bathroom, I had to work with the existing beige tile, so I ended up choosing slightly different paint colours than those in the bedroom.

The first step for this budget farmhouse bathroom refresh was to create a focal point because the space didn’t have an interesting vanity, beautiful bathtub, or natural stone. So, I chose to paint the vanity a bold colour and add some unique details. I thought this would draw the eye away from the somewhat boring elements like the tile while adding interest to the space.

The Vanity

First, I added an X-detail on the side of the vanity. To do this I simply made a paper template in the actual size and then cut my pieces from 3.5” wide, 0.5” thick primed MDF that I had left over from my living room board and batten project. I also added a small detail at the front of the cabinet- two small pieces cut to look like legs- a traditional detail I’d seen in decorating magazines. I used my compound mitre saw to make the cuts. Once these pieces were attached (using “No More Nails” and brad nails), I caulked all the seams and allowed everything to dry.

Over the next two days, I primed the cabinet unit and painted it with two coats of paint. To stay on budget, I used leftover primer and paint from my front door refresh. The colour I used was Benjamin Moore Eclipse in a satin finish. It’s held up well over the past 10 months, but if you’re painting cabinets in a high traffic area, I’d recommend using cabinet paint or a specialty paint like Fusion Mineral Paint. I added new hardware from Home Depot in a satin nickel finish and the vanity looked like a custom piece! I constantly get asked where I purchased this vanity, and I’m always happy to tell people that they can create this look with a little wood and paint.

The Walls

Since we moved into our home over 9 years ago I have been trying to eradicate the pinky beige paint that once covered every wall in our home.  Goodbye Brambell Tan!!  Since the vanity was to be the focal point, I wanted a wall colour that was light and bright and that blended nicely with the floor tiles. I chose Benjamin Moore Cloud Cover, which is a creamy white that looks fresh and bright as well as warm and inviting. I also decided to add a shiplap feature on the vanity wall, which I also painted in Cloud Cover. The shiplap wall creates a link to the bedroom and reinforces the vanity as the focal point of the space. I had leftover 6.5” wide boards from the Master bedroom shiplap project and saved a little money on materials this way. 

The Floor

The floor tile was neutral, in good condition, and was carried through to the bathtub area, so I decided not to paint it  (re-tiling was not in the budget). I did break up the tile a little with a cute new bathmat from Target. If your tile is quite dated or just not your style, it is possible to paint it. 

The Light Fixture

Since I decided that the vanity wall is the focal area, I went with a very distinctive light fixture from Home Depot. It’s the Home Decorator’s Collection 4-Light Vanity Fixture and I love how it adds instant farmhouse charm.  The touch of black also grounds the space and adds a slightly masculine touch. It gives off plenty of light and was under $100. All my DIY projects are done on my own, with the exception of the electrical work (thank you hubby!).  If you’re on a budget, wait until you have several light fixtures you want to replace and then have an electrician install them. The price per install will be significantly less if you group the jobs. Update: Unfortunately this light fixture is not currently available from Home Depot.

The Faucet

Replacing the faucet can really update a space. Our old faucet was decidedly “builder chic” and needed to go. It’s my belief that builders buy these up by the thousands and probably only pay about $5 each for them. The faucet was a bit of a splurge as I wanted one that would last and that wouldn’t leak. I chose the Moen Genta in a satin nickel finish and installed it myself after I watched several YouTube videos. I actually find faucet installation to be an easy DIY project, though it is messy and a little gross, but definitely a good place to save money if you’re handy. The faucet is modern and elegant and I love how the water comes out in a flattened sheet.

The Mirror

This is one of my favourite budget bathroom tricks.  Simply use your old mirror and add trim around it to look like a custom mirror. To do this, I used 1 by 2’s for the outer frame and 1 by 3’s for the inner frame. I made the outer frame first to fit exactly around the outer edge of the mirror. The corners were joined with wood glue and brad nails. Then I mitered the 1 by 3’s and fit them just inside the outer frame, connecting everything with wood glue and brad nails. The key was to have the outer frame flush against the wall but to have the inner frame flush against the mirror which stuck out a little from the wall.

I stained the entire frame with Homestead House Stain and Finishing Oil in Driftwood and attached the frame to the mirror using 3M Command Picture Hanging Strips. These are the best for hanging artwork, mirrors, and projects like this. They require no drilling or nailing, don’t damage the surfaces, and can hold a surprising amount of weight. The mirror is now one of my favourite features in the space. I love how it doesn’t look anything like the basic builder mirror, even though that’s what it is, in disguise!

The Bathtub Area

I added some open shelving on one side of the bathtub to create an area to display spa-like supplies. I purchased inexpensive brackets from Ikea and cut and stained pine boards for the shelves.  These shelves measure 7.25” deep by 41” long (3/4” thick) and were stained in Homestead House Stain and Finishing Oil in Driftwood to coordinate with the mirror frame. I added some apothecary jars filled with handmade soaps, bath salts, bath bombs, and cotton balls. The jars were inexpensive and functional finds from Ikea. I also purchased the black frames from Ikea and filled them with free printable art from Cherished Bliss.

The beautiful It’s So Good To Be Home sign from KT Inspired Home adds the perfect touch opposite the shelves.

The Accessories

The final step in this budget farmhouse bathroom refresh was to add a few simple accessories to make the space more inviting. I hung a small shelf from Homesense above the toilet to display some starfish in a terrarium. These were pieces I had in storage in our basement, so I didn’t have to purchase them new. For above the towel rack, I repurposed a framed Ikea print, updating the frame with a coat of fusion paint in Raw Silk and a little distressing. Then I added some Turkish towels in shades of white and slate blue.

I added one of my handmade blanket ladders to display towels and blankets. I thought the space needed something extra, so I placed a galvanized lantern in front of the blanket ladder. It’s my preference to keep accessories on the bathroom countertop simple, so I just added some pretty soap, a candle, and greenery.

Budget Breakdown

I used leftover paint and leftover wood for the walls, shiplap and X detail on the vanity, and most of my accessories were re-purposed.

New Items:

• Faucet $100
• Light fixture $99
• Vanity hardware $49
• Wood for mirror frame $30
• Wood for blanket ladder $22
• Shelf brackets (4 x $5) $20
• Apothecary jars (4 x $5) $20
• Wood for open shelves $12

Total: $352 Canadian, or about $265 USD

This budget farmhouse bathroom refresh was worth every penny because the space feels so much better than just functional.  Now I enjoy getting ready in this space. And I love seeing the view from the bedroom into the master bath because it flows so well now and is harmonious in style and colour.

Tips For Decorating A Bathroom On A Budget:

Paint

My advice is to paint the walls, paint the cabinets, and paint accessories because it’s inexpensive and creates the biggest bang for your dollar. This doesn’t necessarily mean using bright or strong colours.  Rather, it’s about creating a pleasing colour palette and then adding layers of interest.  The colour palette I used was cream, white, and beige with a pop of grey-blue. Consider tying your bathroom colour palette to the adjoining room.

Do It Yourself

For this project, I didn’t replace any major elements like the tiles, shower, tub, toilet, or vanity. If one of these elements is in disrepair or beyond a simple DIY, then you might allocate more of your project dollars to these items. Beyond fixing any trouble elements, think about how you can update your vanity or tub surround with trim and paint, and consider painting your tile if it’s really dated.

One of the easiest changes that has the biggest impact is to replace a builder mirror.  You can frame out your existing mirror as I did, or find a lovely framed wall mirror on sale or at a thrift store and paint the frame to give it an update.

Adding wall shelves you’ve made yourself is a very inexpensive way to add a feature wall that also provides much-needed storage. This was one of the least expensive additions to our master bathroom. If you don’t need extra storage, think of other ways to create a feature wall on a budget.

Add A Little Bling

Things that fall into this category are towel bars, faucets and showerheads, vanity pulls and knobs, and light fixtures.  Don’t underestimate how these little details can update a space and change the look on a budget. If you can install these features yourself, then you’ll be able to save some money. Home Depot is a great source for these items.

Re-use or re-purpose things

Shop your home (other rooms, storage areas, closets) and thrift stores for accessories.  You can find shelves, wall art, and baskets to add layers of interest to your space. 

I hope you enjoyed this Budget Farmhouse Bathroom Refresh. I can honestly say that I haven’t even thought about my dream marble bathroom since completing this project!