Dear forum community,
Originally, we planned to renovate our main bathroom (6.72 m2 (72 sq ft), built in 2006), meaning a complete overhaul including new tiles. The main motivation was to increase the value of the house and, to a lesser extent, that I am only about 70% satisfied with the bathroom’s appearance. Friends experienced with home ownership strongly advised against the bathroom renovation. Their reasons included that, due to the current skilled labor shortage, it is unwise to depend on tradespeople without urgent need, their own negative experiences with non-essential bathroom renovations, and the belief that, because of increasing housing scarcity, the property’s value will naturally appreciate.
We will probably step back from our somewhat naïve plan. Still, I would like to achieve a visual change in the bathroom. It currently has glossy white tiles with a tone-on-tone, subtle aquarium pattern (a variegated look, matte motif on glossy tiles) and a few (4) decorative tiles featuring a colored aquarium design. I would like matte cream-colored tiles and sanitary fixtures (sink, faucets, shower enclosure) in a country or farmhouse style. We have a tradesperson whose work we know well and a lead time of 10 months. What bothers me the most is the aquarium motif.
Among other things, I am considering changing the tile color, but I worry that this might be neither here nor there, could seal in spores or germs, or might peel unattractively after a short time.
Is my wish—to transform the bathroom from a “children’s bathroom” to a “neutral bathroom,” or ideally to a “country-style bathroom” with a high-quality, matte tile finish (and new fixtures, new shower enclosure, and a new pedestal sink)—realistically achievable? Or should I rather leave the bathroom as it is, so as not to “make it worse while trying to improve it”?
Thanks in advance for your expertise regarding tile painting and my secondary questions!
Originally, we planned to renovate our main bathroom (6.72 m2 (72 sq ft), built in 2006), meaning a complete overhaul including new tiles. The main motivation was to increase the value of the house and, to a lesser extent, that I am only about 70% satisfied with the bathroom’s appearance. Friends experienced with home ownership strongly advised against the bathroom renovation. Their reasons included that, due to the current skilled labor shortage, it is unwise to depend on tradespeople without urgent need, their own negative experiences with non-essential bathroom renovations, and the belief that, because of increasing housing scarcity, the property’s value will naturally appreciate.
We will probably step back from our somewhat naïve plan. Still, I would like to achieve a visual change in the bathroom. It currently has glossy white tiles with a tone-on-tone, subtle aquarium pattern (a variegated look, matte motif on glossy tiles) and a few (4) decorative tiles featuring a colored aquarium design. I would like matte cream-colored tiles and sanitary fixtures (sink, faucets, shower enclosure) in a country or farmhouse style. We have a tradesperson whose work we know well and a lead time of 10 months. What bothers me the most is the aquarium motif.
Among other things, I am considering changing the tile color, but I worry that this might be neither here nor there, could seal in spores or germs, or might peel unattractively after a short time.
Is my wish—to transform the bathroom from a “children’s bathroom” to a “neutral bathroom,” or ideally to a “country-style bathroom” with a high-quality, matte tile finish (and new fixtures, new shower enclosure, and a new pedestal sink)—realistically achievable? Or should I rather leave the bathroom as it is, so as not to “make it worse while trying to improve it”?
Thanks in advance for your expertise regarding tile painting and my secondary questions!
K
Kensington15 Nov 2021 21:35@ Driver,
The only reason I held back from tearing everything out was because I was strongly advised not to rely on tradespeople during these times unless absolutely necessary. But basically, you’re right!
Thanks for all your creative suggestions! The idea of using plastic sheeting on individual tiles is great—I didn’t even know that was possible. I also feel a bit sorry that the floor is making you all feel a bit queasy...
@ Elefant: I know! But it did lead me to some really silly ideas 😎 🙂
The only reason I held back from tearing everything out was because I was strongly advised not to rely on tradespeople during these times unless absolutely necessary. But basically, you’re right!
Thanks for all your creative suggestions! The idea of using plastic sheeting on individual tiles is great—I didn’t even know that was possible. I also feel a bit sorry that the floor is making you all feel a bit queasy...
@ Elefant: I know! But it did lead me to some really silly ideas 😎 🙂
H
hampshire15 Nov 2021 23:39Saw the picture and understood the challenge. I would replace the floor and remove the ceramic tiles from the wall, as well as take down a few rows of tiles on the left wall – the room must be terrible acoustically. A country style is hard to imagine working well in such a small space. A metro style could be a better fit.
If it were my bathroom, I would replace the toilet and swap the washbasin for one with a cabinet underneath. Remove the mirror cabinet and cover the tiled area above the shelf completely with a mirror, with suitable wow lighting above. Replace the bathtub faucet, maybe choose faucets in black or brass.
Cover the floor with vinyl flooring.
Change the wall color slightly, not white everywhere.
Cover the floor with vinyl flooring.
Change the wall color slightly, not white everywhere.
K
Kensington16 Nov 2021 10:29Thanks for your input!
It’s true that the country house style works better in larger rooms. Do you call it Hampshire because you also like the “Hamptons” style of living? (By the way, I chose that name because London is my dream city.)
Large mirrors for small rooms—I’ve read that often but haven’t tried it myself yet. Due to space limitations, I wanted to use a mirrored cabinet. A big mirror is better, but a wall cabinet with a mirror above the sink would be so practical. I really dislike it when things are left out in the open.
I need to check out the Metro style first, I’m not familiar with it yet!
Great how much thought you’re putting into this, thanks again!
It’s true that the country house style works better in larger rooms. Do you call it Hampshire because you also like the “Hamptons” style of living? (By the way, I chose that name because London is my dream city.)
Large mirrors for small rooms—I’ve read that often but haven’t tried it myself yet. Due to space limitations, I wanted to use a mirrored cabinet. A big mirror is better, but a wall cabinet with a mirror above the sink would be so practical. I really dislike it when things are left out in the open.
I need to check out the Metro style first, I’m not familiar with it yet!
Great how much thought you’re putting into this, thanks again!
H
hampshire16 Nov 2021 10:38The Metro Style is currently very popular, especially in England, and is characterized by contoured rectangular tiles that are often used in bold, glossy colors. This type of tile can be found in some older subway stations, hence the name. Even though it’s called "Metro," the style is associated with London, so it should suit your preference.
A very large mirror visually enlarges the space. If you place it above the tile edge, that’s a good spot for it. Pay attention to what you see in the mirror besides your own reflection. Therefore, I would not tile the opposite wall all the way up but only in the splash zone near the bathtub. The wall can then have a nice color or—very British—a quirky wallpaper. This idea tends to unsettle most Germans, raising questions about mold, durability, and so on. If you understand that this is not meant to be “forever” or “maximally efficient,” but rather made for the heart, you can approach it more openly.
My username is hampshire because I find my wife’s home region beautiful and greatly appreciate the cultivated calmness of the people there.
A very large mirror visually enlarges the space. If you place it above the tile edge, that’s a good spot for it. Pay attention to what you see in the mirror besides your own reflection. Therefore, I would not tile the opposite wall all the way up but only in the splash zone near the bathtub. The wall can then have a nice color or—very British—a quirky wallpaper. This idea tends to unsettle most Germans, raising questions about mold, durability, and so on. If you understand that this is not meant to be “forever” or “maximally efficient,” but rather made for the heart, you can approach it more openly.
My username is hampshire because I find my wife’s home region beautiful and greatly appreciate the cultivated calmness of the people there.
K
Kensington16 Nov 2021 20:48Ok, thanks for the information. I can imagine something based on that.
Having a close connection to the UK is quite appealing.
Best regards!
Having a close connection to the UK is quite appealing.
Best regards!
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