The Tiny Bathroom Is Decorated
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This is a tiny bathroom in a patio apartment that was built in the 1960s. I know many of you were not even born yet. There is no window, so there’s little light in here.
I doubt there’s been any improvements to the bathroom since the sixties either. Not that I can tell anyway.
This small bathroom gave me the same kind of headaches the kitchen did. And I nearly pulled my hair out in the kitchen until I got things figured out.
Of course there’s the standard (oh, I hope it’s not standard anymore!) apartment mirror that extends all the way across. And it doesn’t have anything in the way of framing or embellishment. Just the plain mirror held on with clear plastic clips.
All I could think of doing was to try to minimize the look of it the best I could. So how to do that?
I placed curtains on each side so it would resemble a window. However, that didn’t really help the looks of that giant mirror.
I found the black frame half-price. And I thought about hanging it vertically on top of the mirror. I had Hobby Lobby add the hangers to hang it vertically in fact. But that didn’t look right.
So I took the hangers off and screwed them back in horizontally.
I wanted the black frame to give the illusion of a smaller mirror, and thus draw the eye inward.
Tip: Put a votive in a pretty teacup and saucer.
You might not remember the S-E-A letters I got some time ago. I painted them periwinkle blue.
I have had the framed For Sale Here sign for over 35 years.
There was a very crooked towel rod here on the wall that nearly drove me nuts looking at it.
Not only that, but whoever put it up the last time sloppily patched the drywall and it was a complete mess. They didn’t even attempt to smooth it out when they patched it. It was rather hideous.
So I took it down. And when I did, I could see that they’d stuff things in there to hold the screws. Let’s just say that on either side of where the rod was now has 3 x 4 inch holes.
I covered it with stiff white scrapbook paper and tape. I’ll worry about that another day.
This is a tiny vanity. They couldn’t make it any smaller I don’t think. And of course it has an ugly overhead light. I hate overhead light in any room, even the bathroom. So I just never turn them on. I prefer lamp light.
Tip: It makes a bathroom look cozier to have a lamp on a surface. If you have space for a table lamp, it’s a very nice addition to your bathroom.
Just because it’s a bathroom doesn’t mean you can’t have a pretty drinking glass in it. Don’t go with those plastic cups. Use a pretty glass from the kitchen.
I happened to have five of these red glasses. Because when I found them and ordered them from eBay, there were only five to be had.
So it worked out that one would be in the bathroom. I was then left with a nice round number of four glasses in the kitchen.
I don’t have a medicine cabinet, so this blue cupboard is what I use instead. And I found it at the antique mall for $22.
I then painted it and decoupaged scrapbook paper in the middle.
I’m using boxes for storage on this wall. Vintage boxes are so versatile. I’m using them for storage in this bathroom.
And I added a red votive in a blue chicken egg cup for a decorative touch.
TIP: Think outside the box. An egg cup does not necessarily have to only hold eggs.
So that’s my tiny bathroom. The hardest part to figure out was that long mirror.
If you rent and can’t remove something, just find a way to make it work by covering it, etc.
Love it while you rent it, is what I always say. Try your best not to live with something that’s ugly. I’ve always managed to figure out something to either hide the problem or add something to it to change the look.
Tip: Hang vintage boxes on the wall for storage.
What an adorable and cheerful bathroom, Brenda!
Brenda! Thank you so much for linking up at Found & Foraged! PINNED! And thank you so much for your post on blogging tips. You had some great advice to offer! Hope to see you again this Saturday night at 8PM at http://houseofhipsters.com
I love the shower curtain- so cute!! So great to see you at Found & Foraged!
Aw, sweet little bathroom redo! So glad you linked it up at our Found & Foraged linky party. Hope to see you there next week!
It looks so cozy and snug Brenda!! I love the little lamp in the bathroom, I agree it is nice to have one there.
Sherry
So many great ideas in one little room. Nice job.
I agree, the mirror treatment is so original! I have a huge mirror in my bathroom, too, got my wheels turning about how I could do something similar. I have a lace shower curtain, so it shouldn't be too hard to find something to match! Thanks for the inspiration!
Fabulous, Brenda! I would never have thought of the clever ways you've disguised that big mirror. There is so much eye candy in that little space. Love it!
Oh Brenda, there is so much charm packed into this bathroom. I love the red checks, and what a clever idea to use curtains on either side of the mirror and hang a smaller mirror over the big one. There are so many special touches in this bathroom, and I love all of them. laurie
It looks gorgeous! Love the red and white check fabric and the wonderful wall storage boxes. And well done on getting lovely photos in such a small space! Your cosy little bathroom is charming, Brenda!
Helen xox
What a beautiful job you did with your bathroom. Love it, especially the boxes for storage!
Gorgeous! And…gave me many ideas. Fantastic job once again.
Cate <><
You made it look so "you", it's perfect. The way you "downsized" the huge mirror is genius. We can actually see the black bench under your medicine cabinet in the mirror. Now I think I really need a lamp in my bathroom. I'm going to ask the electrician to add a plug…
Very creative using the curtain and frame solutions on the large mirror. It looks like you, Brenda. Very colorful. I have always loved that painting/print of the house on the hillside. Do you remember where you found it?
It's super cute, love everything about it! Buffalo checks especially red pull it all together you did a fantastic job! Lisa@ Sweet Tea N' Salty Air
Love the red check. Haven't been able to find any will keep looking. Thanks for continually encouraging us to do with less. You may not realize that that is what you are doing but at least for me it is. Prayers for your upcoming surgery and for your friend Judy & her husband.
So adorable and colorful. It is you. I love the black mirror. How did you attach that? I want to remove my tacky medicine cabinet and just have a mirror there. Lord, once I get an idea in my head….I also love your boxes for storage.
It isn't a mirror. The black is just a frame.
Brenda
Love love love what you were able to do in your little bathroom. I also have a wall to wall mirror in mine and do not know how to remove it, so it will stay for now. I was curious how you attached the curtain and frame to the mirror. Could you please explain?
The bathroom is just as cozy as the rest of the apartment. You have done an amazing job. Now when are you coming to do my house?
It's adorable Brenda and so very you with lots of color. I love your little blue bird. Ties in perfectly with my post today 🙂
xo
Laura
you did GREAT~! love love that idea about covering up some of the mirror.. you are soooooooooooooo smart and innovative.
the mirror in my bath is 10 feet long.. ugggg I'm seriously considering having a 5 foot cabinet put right in the middle of it. what are these builders thinking~!
holding you in loving and healing light for your surgery tommorrow.
It's adorable! Love the idea of curtains on the mirror and then all of the pretty little touches.
As to the distressed look…haha my kids have done that to anything I owned since they were born
You have created a personal and peaceful space out of something that was very difficult. Way to go! I love what you have done.
Jen
Oh my your bathroom is adorable! I can so relate to small bathroom cause the charmer has really small ones. I love the red/white check curtains, and your bathroom surely reflects you! The lamp is so cute, I have a small lamp in our bathroom too….and adds such charm. I also love that cabinet!!!!!!
Hey there, I found you via the NaBloPoMo blogroll.
I love the eggcup idea. 🙂 I too brought some of my "good" kitchen cups to the bathroom recently. And I love the smell of Yankee Candles! I can finally get these fairly easily in Australia, though they do cost a little more than they did in the US.
As part of NaBloPoMo I try to comment on as many participating blogs as I can, and I add participating blogs to my feed reader.
So I'm just dropping by to let you know I've added your blog to my feedreader, I'm reading you loud and clear, I have a link up going at my place so my readers can find participating blogs which you are more than welcome to add your blog link to.
Looking forward to seeing your posts, and you'll likely see me drop by again during November.
Happy NaBloPoMo to you!
Snoskred
http://www.snoskred.org
Small bathroom here too Brenda..I definitely need to add some color..I like your colorful painting and the old boxes..Thanks for some good ideas!
I think your bathroom is cozy and cute. You did a great job in a small space! Thank you for all the tips.
Hi Brenda! Oh, your bathroom is darling! I love the red/white buffalo check and I ordered some curtains for our den like this. I had looked for a table cloth, thinking it would cost less. I thought your black frame was a smaller mirror – you've very clever! You do such a great job in your decorating. Love the sweet little lamp and that cute lampshade which I'm sure you embellished! 🙂 Thanks for popping in to see me.
Be a sweetie,
Shelia 😉
This is fantastic…it flows perfectly with all of the color and whimsy in the rest of your home. I love the red check…I'm seeing a lot of check and I think it's perfect in here. So many great ideas, Brenda!
Jane xx
I love your idea on how to cover one of those huge big 1950's mirrors in the bathroom, on a budget. I have one big mirror in the main BR and it is square with those little rosettes holding it on the wall. I hate it, but without spending a fortune to redo all the tile around it, and all the walls, you have shown me a cleaver idea!! I am going to follow in your footsteps and get goin on the make over. I would have never thought of curtins. I was thinking about framing it in with wood molding and square corner pieces. Your bathroom in darling.
I'm going to be very interested in all your ideas on tiny home decorating, Brenda. This post will help me a lot as we move into a 600 sq. ft. apt for awhile. Deb
danke für die tollen bilder und inspirationen, eine schöne woche wünscht angie aus deutschland
Wonderful, cheerful update! I love how you made the mirror look smaller. I have the same red glasses. My mom gave them to me a long time ago – I believe they were my grandmother's.
You've created a happy spot to start your day, Brenda! I like your solution for the large mirror! I've been dragging my feet with our small bathroom. There's not much to do except to remove the "sponge painted" look wallpaper, but I know what's underneath….cracked plaster. ugh
Enjoy all your hard work!
Vickie
Another thing… you have a great picture of the cabinet wall…it is reflected in your mirror picture!
Oh, the magic you do! You never disappoint!!!
Your bathroom is just darling!
Brenda- What a fantastic job on a small builder's grade bathroom. You have really made the most of it and I like the idea of the curtains on the mirror and the red/white checks are perfect for in there. You really do have a cohesive color pattern through your whole house. GREAT job. xo Diana
ps LOVE the For Sale Here sign!
So cute, Brenda. You have the best ideas – so creative! A crooked towel bar would drive me crazy too!!
You did a beautiful job, Brenda…made the most of a small space…and I love the feeling a vanity lamp gives off in a room!
It's precious and cozy. Love the red checks Brenda.
Another great decorated space!! Love the checkered curtains!!! I love vintage boxes too,
Enjoy, Janie
Brenda, GREAT job on this bathroom. Both of my bathrooms are small, the hall one being really little. My bathroom off my bedroom is a bit bigger and I've been working on redoing it. I'll be ready to show it soon I hope. Love the boxes hung on the wall…great idea!
hugs,
Linda
I had a feeling your bathroom re-do would be special. It really is a treat. The painting above the yellow shelf really ties everything together. You always seem to get a perfect balance of the colors and textures.
(By the way, you do wonders with yellow, red and blue, but one of these days, I would love for someone to turn you loose in a room with some different colors, like purples, greens, and tans, and see what you come up with. I bet it would be lovely.)
what cute builder basic bathroom!
You have done a wonderful job with it! Making it homey and making it suit you! I love it Brenda!
Looks really nice. You did a great job with the little space that you have. When I rented apartments the bathrooms were always plain and white so I hung colorful towels and shower curtains to offset it, just as you did. Once I got pretty molding at Home Depot and surrounded the huge mirror with it. It was still huge, but at least had framing around it. As to why people don't use a level to hang things, it's just lazyness. I can eyeball a lot of things but a towel rod – is essential to use a level.
Of course the bathroom could only be COZY!! Love the curtains, and I, too, have a dainty teacup filled with lavender infused wax, which I have yet to light – too pretty!
Poppy
I don't think I've ever seen curtains hanging by a huge mirror. What a great idea. As usual, you are a decorating genius! I've pondered getting rid of my sliding shower door and using a shower curtain, but then I wouldn't have a place to hang my bath towels. I have a small bthrm, like you, so wonder what you do with your towels.
You're amazing. I love everything!
Once again, so many great ideas, Brenda! I love your use of color and all your creative touches.
i absolutely adore your bif! and your idea for the construction-grade mirror, the cafe curtains and the frame – fantastic!