Updated 11/24/2021

This post explores a DIY – Small Bathroom Makeover — The Reveal.

“Prettify the Privy” is ready for her close up! Finally, the DIY – Small Bathroom Makeover — The Reveal day is here. The powder room is “back in business”, pun intended.

We love a good room makeover and have completed several. You may like: Elegant White Kitchen Makeover Chinoiserie Master Bedroom Makeover

Thank you so very much to the One Room Challenge team and the sponsors at Better Homes and Gardens . There’s nothing like coming against a hard deadline to help complete a makeover.

While I’m thanking folks, I would not have been able to complete the DIY – Small Bathroom Makeover — The Reveal without my dream team, Tom the Great and TtG, Jr. They were my electricians and the extra hands for installing the ceiling tile (and the crown molding that is still to come).

This post contains affiliate links. You can read our full disclosure policy HERE.

Before we see the reveal, let’s take a look back! I Just Can’t Resist a Couple of Before Pictures.

• 

• 

• 

I’d say it’s time for a nap, but we have a kitchen update to complete and the “Most Wonderful Time of the Year” upon us. So we press on.

DIY – Small Bathroom Makeover on a Budget

You may recall, the initial budget for “Prettify the Privy” was $250. The first extention was to $300, and the final number, $320 breaks out as follows:

• wall paint $50
• lacquer paint $20
• ceiling tile and glue $130
• light fixture $30
• art $50
• rug $25
• flowers $15 – will be used in more than one photograph
• other accessories – shopped my home

The Design Elements of the DIY – Small Bathroom Makeover on a Budget

• Wall Paint Color
• Vanity
• Ceiling Tile
• Wall Art
• Light Fixture
• Accessories

The Wall Paint for the Small Bathroom Makeover

I surprised everyone with the wall color. The plan was to give the vanity and ceiling center stage on this makeover, so the wall color is subdued and works as a great backdrop. The color is custom matched to the trim on the main floor of my home.

The Vanity

I’m loving the co-star in this small bathroom makeover. You can check out how I came to the decision of keeping this vanity and see before photos in the WEEK TWO post.

A side by side for you!

• 

• 

The Ceiling Tile

The curve ball that was installing the ceiling tile gave way to the “Homerun” of the room makeover. You can read a little about the challenges in WEEK FIVE post, but I plan on devoting an entire post to the process. Once we worked out a couple of issues with installation, it was a fairly simple process. Along with the ethereal green of the vanity, I chose a vibrant cobalt blue for the ceiling paint. We all love it, perhaps because of the challenge it presented in the beginning.

This most patient handsome young man, aka T.J., helped hang the stubborn first piece of tile

Wall Art

Always one of the most enjoyable, while exasperating, decisions for a space is choosing the art. I’ve done polls on Instagram, spray painted shelves, and ruminated on the art more than any other design element in this space. The large canvas art I used is one I painted a couple of years ago. I was inspired by a very expensive piece sold by Anthropologie, that broke the “art rule” of not having an outline.

At the last minute, I decided to move it from atop the storage piece in the living room (somewhat hidden away), into the privy. It continues to break rules, as the scale is incredibly large for the space. What can I say? You already know I’m a rule breaker in the design world. When it works, it works.

The second piece was the first purchase I made as I was considering this makeover. She is “tots fierce” (I realilze those terms are not longer hip (perhaps “hip” isn’t either), but isn’t she)!

Light Fixture

The most “Southern Nellish” feature of the space is the antique light fixture I rescued, read more here: WEEK FOUR. I had the brilliant idea to spray paint the white glass with a matte black. It is so beautiful with the black marble and cabinet pulls. However, to say it creates a moody space is an understatement. I will most certainly be googling how to remove the paint, or shopping for new (old) globes. We will call this snafu, beautiful as it may be with photography lighting, “True confessions of a DIY/Home Décor professional”.

Fun Rug

The entire room is fun-spirited, but the animal print rug places the space securely in the fanciful category. There is a slight chance that the door (inside only), will get a treatment to match the rug. Truthfully, I was too tired to add another element to the space at this point.

Tap Below to Shop

The Accessories

I shopped my home for the accessories. The vanity pieces, vintage candlestick and finger tip towel holder, support the lighting choice, representing the Southern Nellish aspect of the room.

Ginger jars are a favorite of mine, and at least one can be found in every room of the main floor. Blame sweet Mama, who made (upon request), my first one in her ceramics class over 30 years ago. It has traveled with me from coast to coast through the years.

Favorite Ginger Jars and Acrylic Boxes

“Prettify the Privy” has been such a blast, so very happy to cross home plate, even if it’s a dust-stirring belly-flopping slide proclaimed “SAFE”! One Room Challenge and Better Homes and Garden made the process super easy to follow. I hope you check out all the inspiration and hard work created by home décor bloggers!

Sharing is caring my friends! I’d love if you’d pin one of the following photos (any you love for that matter).

Shop “Prettify The Privy”

Thank you all so much for following the process. I hope you’ve enjoyed it as much as I have. Plans for Christmas Decorating are well underway, with a blog post coming this weekend that will help you plan your Christmas Tree decorating like a pro. I plan to show how to use the items you already have and update the look with just a few new things year to year. Just wait until you see what I use for a CONTAINER!

Enjoy Today!
Love y’all,

Lori Nell

Follow along on Pinterest and Instagram for daily inspiration!