Two weeks ago on this home staging blog I asked for your best home staging recommendations for the ugly bathroom you see pictured here.
Anyone with an eye for décor will quickly tell you that while this space is simply too ugly for a potential buyer to fall in love with, it won’t take a huge investment to give it a total makeover.
Thank you for all of the great comments and ideas that were left on the original ugly bathroom post.
As you’ll see from my advice, most of the solutions were mentioned by readers.
That’s proof that when you have a natural flair for decorating this stuff just comes easy!
Things to Know About This Ugly Bathroom
Now for a bit of background about this particular ugly bathroom.
It was in the attic of a home that had been converted into a living space for a teenager. The additional 2-piece bathroom in the attic was a great selling feature for the home overall, because it made the attic living space much more functional.
Clearly it was a nice bonus to have on a listing sheet, but it in its current state it was just plain scary once a potential home buyer would actually get to see it.
The following are my home staging recommendations and advice for transforming this space.
As usual, you’ll see I’ve tried to work with what is already in the space since that will be the least costly approach for the client. And in turn, the ones that they’re most likely to be on board with implementing. There are always trade offs!
Color recommendations
Clearly, the green and turquoise flowers have got to go.
Normally, I’d recommend applying primer and painting right over the wallpaper (much cheaper and faster than removing the paper and risking getting into lots of plaster work, especially in an old home).
However, in this case the wallpaper is coming off the wall already in so many spots so removing it entirely is the best option.
Since there is a fair amount of natural light in this small space, consider painting colors like these from Benjamin Moore for the walls:
- Waterbury Cream (HC-31)
- Old Salem Gray (HC-94)
- Georgian Green (HC-115)
The ceiling can either be painted the same as the walls or brighten it to several shades lighter.
I wouldn’t go totally white on this ceiling just because of the size of the room, how bright it is and the placement of the window.
My inclination is to paint the ceiling the same as the walls to minimize the number of different elements competing visually in this small space.
Repaint all trim (both what’s currently painted white and what’s currently painted that pinky beige) to Decorators White – except the trim that runs at a diagonal on the wall facing the toilet.
That diagonal trim should be painted the same as the wall so that it won’t be a distraction, breaking up the room even further.
Get rid of distractions
Remove the thing hanging from the ceiling beside the window and the large chrome light fixture to the right of the medicine cabinet.
Remove the toilet paper roll holder because right now it’s the focal point when you’re standing in the doorway
Clean and Depersonalize
My advice always includes a reminder to clients to remove all personal items from around the sink and also to clean out the medicine cabinet.
Extreme cleaning is always important in any bathrooms and kitchens (where the “ick factor” can be high). The less they sparkle, the less these rooms will appeal to buyers.
Flooring
Cover up the old vinyl with a laminate click floor, or peel and stick vinyl “tiles” or sheet vinyl which are inexpensive.
These should be neutral and compliment the wall color selected.
If budget allows, go with ceramic tile.
Regardless of material chosen, I’d consider applying it to the vertical surface of that step leading up to the toilet which will visually hide this more than having it painted trim color.
Ideally, that step would be eliminated, but the fact that it’s there at all suggests it was a necessity when this bathroom was first installed.
Accessories
Accessories make a key difference in any staging project and they will especially work their magic in this ugly bathroom.
Get a new wall sconce to hang to the right of the medicine cabinet. Something contemporary and simple since it has to be squished into a spot that already has so many distractions with the diagonal wall and the medicine cabinet.
Replace the current towel bar and add a matching handle for the medicine cabinet and also a matching wall-mounted toilet paper roll holder (which will hang discretely beside the toilet rather than being out in front).
Find some nice fluffy towels that coordinate and contrast with the new wall color. Remind the homeowners they can pack them up and bring them to their new home after the house sells.
In the ideal world, I’d be tempted to replace the current sink with something more contemporary.
But once you get into a new sink and new taps, the plumber to install it all and the plaster work that would have to be done to the wall once the sink is switched out, it probably isn’t worth it.
If this were a main floor powder room, this would definitely be appropriate. However, given that this is a surprise extra washroom and it’s in the attic, I don’t think changing the sink/taps is necessary.
Some readers suggested adding a fabric skirt to the sink. My initial thought is that it might make things too busy (given the tight space and the uneven floor), but it would be worth considering once the other changes are made.
At that point it might seem like an unneeded extra or on the other hand it might be a welcome addition.
I don’t always have “all” the answers on the first look at a space.
During a home staging consultation I would note the sink skirt as a possible addition to be considered after the other things were done.
I always prioritize my recommendations for my clients so that when time or budget gets in the way of my best-laid plans, the “must-have’s” are done and some of the “nice-to-have’s” fall by the wayside. (I cover how to do this in the Staging Diva Home Staging Checklist with Room by Room Planning Forms.)
Various window treatments have been suggested by other home stagers. Since this is an attic, privacy isn’t an issue. Plus the window is right up against the edge of the ceiling making installation difficult— I would just leave it as is.
Find more home staging advice for bathrooms, attics and every other space in a home in the Staging Diva Ultimate Design Guide: Home Staging Tips, Tricks and Floor Plans. This downloadable guide is helpful to anyone looking for help with design principals and home staging ideas. When you place your order, you’ll receive the book right in your email inbox right away.
Wondering if you have natural home staging talent? Take my FREE QUIZ here.
Home Stagers, Share Your Ideas Below!
Home stagers, what additional recommendations would you have for the attic bathroom in the photo above?
It would be really fun to see an after picture of this space once it’s finished. Will you be doing that?
I would suggest replacing the sink with a new/used pedestal sink which would match the era of the surroundings and wouldn’t require much plumbing change. A lit magnifying mirror on a bracket to the right of the sink would also be an attractive alternative to just a fixture update.
Those are great suggestions Kay, thanks for sharing!
If you want to continue to “play,”, check out this cluttered kitchen. What would you suggest?
I would create a small storage unit where the toilet roll is at, with a slightly bigger width at the bottom, I would two tone the bathroom with wainscoting that is waist high and replace the medicine cabinet with a larger mirror. If not doing wainscoting then I would suggest wood flooring and wood flooring on the ceiling to make it more of a “little gem: Some people are still funny with bathroom windows and you can either place a piece of vinyl cling or add a shutter style covering so the light still comes through. You could get away with keeping the sink if you used an accessory to hold a towel at just below sink level which would help cover the piping when you first walk in.
Fantastic ideas Kelly, thanks for sharing! I’m not sure if you heard about the mini-course I’m teaching tomorrow night by phone, 5 Simple Secrets to a Home Staging Business: How to Make Money Doing What You Love. You can get a FREE pass here. Even if you can’t join live, sign up so you’ll get a copy of the recording afterwards.
Remove if it is wall paper-too busy and paint a light color. Remove toilet paper holder and attach one to the side of toilet on wall. Recover the floors and try to distract step up with flooring or painting trim white. Place new light fixture above medicine cabinet. Clean out cabinet and make sure entire room sanitized. Place decorative towels. Small artwork.
Great inexpensive tips Barbara!
I would also suggest replacing the medicine cabinet.
This ugly bathroom needs ceilings painted white, walls painted light in color but to match other room, molding painted white all clutter removed, scone lighting next to mirror, the sink needs legs with a bottom shelf glass would look nice with wicker baskets for storing rolled towels and toilet paper, which will take the sink pipes away from being focal point. Wall mounted toilet paper holder, small round hanging towel bar on wall or add a towel rod onto sink legs on the side for hanging towel. Nice waste basket, new flooring. Not much else could be used without making this room look cluttered.
Love your ideas Cindy, thanks for sharing. You certainly have the eye of a home stager! I hope you’re out there making a living from your home staging talents!
I thinking refinishing your bathroom can make a world of difference! A clean, well kept bathroom changes the mood of a home. I totally recommend remodeling it if you are considering doing that.
Please let me know if what Im suggesting is too much. First all the wallpaper needs to be removed. Paint the walls a light soft grey and ceiling white. Repaint all trim a bright white. Make the diagonal beam into shelving by adding white painted 2×4. Remove towel rack and add more shelving for storage. Possibly inset the shelving. Maybe more shelving above toilet??? Add inset toilet paper holder beside toilet. Relocate electrical to have a light above the medicine cabinet. Add a small hand towel hanging rack on side of sink. Add ceramic tile to the flooring including replacing the vertical beam on the step up. Add an appropriately cut piece of wood as baseboard painted white on the step up to keep continuity for the baseboard. Add a small spider plant or pothos plant on the shelving. Maybe some pops of color in a glass decorative vase on the shelf. With a matching colored hand towel. Of course full cleaning and sanitization as well.
Those are all great ideas Joanna! That said, for staging purposes it would depend on budget and time available if all those ideas were possible. Things like moving electrical outlets can be costly.
Take the toilet out and move it possibly making that area a standup shower with glassdoors. White subway tile because of size. Maybe cute black and white small cicle tile floor or hardwood . keep it light white and fresh
All great ideas but would get pretty expensive for staging purposes. Generally, you’ll leave fixtures where they are and just make the rest of it look more appealing with cosmetic changes.
Need to take off the wall paper if a new paint can be done it will help,the hanging beside the window needs to go and chrome beside the medicine cabinet looks outdated need to be removed,the toilet holder isn’t on appropriate place a wall holder should be beside the toilet if floor can be changed it will leave good impact and add a towel, cleaning is very much needed and de personalize is also recommended
Depending on time and budget, I sometimes just have them paint right over the wallpaper 🙂
I would definitely remove the wallpaper what were people thinking? Besides with moisture there could be mold since you said some of it was coming off. I would use brush nickel round towel holder with matching toilet paper holder, beside the sink change the light fixture, remove the white basket. Maybe put a hanging plant there since there is a window. But the step up I would paint it to match the trim because if it blends in with the floor to much some people not realize the at its a step up. Could trip. If you don’t want to match trim then possibly use one of the color either in the tile you use or on the wall.
all great ideas!
This bathroom needs a lot..
remove the wall paper and all clutter and tile floor and 1/2 up the wall
paint balance with off whites
Make a half wall wall to isolate and privatize the toilet area
install a ceramic ( hidden) Tissue holder
add a small sink and cabinet ( Lowes has great small cabs)
Is that a shower in there also ?
All great ideas Claudia, but not entirely practical for a home staging project. The more you can stay away from actual construction work, the better.
I would just do a complete remodel of the whole bathroom and start from scratch.
Very tempting indeed when dealing with such ugliness! But not practical for a home that’s about to go on the market, especially since it’s an extra bath off what feels like an attic room already.
Is it possible to buy and attach just the pedestal part to hide the pipework without buying and installing a new sink?
Interesting idea! I honestly have no idea if you can do that but I’m sure Home Depot would know!