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The Simplest Bathroom Makeover

August 23, 2025

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Whenever I get bored with my bathroom decor, the first thing I do, is change the shower curtain.

It's a quick and inexpensive way to shake things up and bring the room back to life.

And without fail, it always works.

Floral shower curtain in a white bathroom

Except.

Except this time, when I hung up that brand new, fabulously floral shower curtain, it fell flat.

And I couldn't figure out why.

It wasn't the curtain. It was gorgeous.

Then I thought, maybe it was the stenciled wall that needed changing...but nope. I still really liked it.

Stenciled Bathroom Accent Wall in a white bathroom

So I sat and pondered for a bit, but when I couldn't figure it out, I walked away hoping inspiration would hit.

Luckily, it did, while brushing my teeth in my bedroom bathroom. In that room, everything is so white and crisp, all the other color in the room pops.

Suddenly I knew what had to be done. The vanity, which received a total makeover years ago, needed to be white. 

I craved contrast and that one element was muddying the design waters.
    
Cream colored bathroom vanity in need of a makeover

Plus, once I really looked at the vanity, I realized how faded and icky the paint looked.

It had taken a real beating, exposed to the girls' hairspray and makeup covered hands over the course of several years.

Dirty painted vanity drawers

Even the hardware was looking worse for wear.

It was time.

Once I decided on a plan, I was on a mission.

Unfortunately, that meant I had no time to order or wait for paint to be delivered and I was out of my favorites - Dixie Belle Chalk Mineral Paint and Fusion Mineral Paint.

Instead, I went with a FolkArt Chalk Paint to cover the old acrylic paint.

FolkArt White Chalk Paint

I like these paints because there's no need to prime, there's no VOCs and they clean up with soap and water. 

Chalk Paint Bathroom Vanity Makeover


To start, I very carefully removed the antique hardware I'd put on during the first vanity makeover.

Removing old vanity hardware to prep for paint

Next, I gently sanded any areas that were not smooth. Chalk paint doesn't require sanding, but I did want to remove the old paint that was caked up around the hardware.

Then I wiped the entire piece down to remove any dust and debris that might get caught in the paint.

Now, since I was painting the vanity in place, I needed to protect the floor tiles and walls with blue painter's tape.

Blue Painters Tape For Painting Around Tile

Lots and lot of blue painter's tape...and paper to cover my precious wooden countertop.

I also protected the floor with paper rather than plastic drop cloths.

Taping a vanity and tile floor before painting it in a bathroom

I find that paint smears more on the plastic if any drops. Paper seems to absorb it and it's less slick when I walk on it.

I painted the body of the vanity first, using a brush.

Then I moved onto the drawers and the doors, careful not to get it on the pretty contact paper inside. If the paint felt too thick, I used my water sprayer to make it workable again.

Since I didn't have enough paper to cover the kitchen floor, I had to use a dollar store tablecloth and be very careful with my footsteps.

Painted drawers and cabinet doors on a plastic tarp

I let everything dry about 2 hours before adding a second coat. In the meantime, I painted the hardware like I did on my closet doors.

When the 2nd coat was dry, after another two hours, I added the sealer.

I used two coats of Dixie Belle Satin Clear Coat to protect the finish.

Dixie Belle Satin Sealer
Dixie Belle Clear Coat

This room doesn't get as much use as it used to, so I feel confident with my finish. The satin sealer is water resistant.

However, if it was a heavy use room, with lots of wet hands, I would use Dixie Belle's Gator Hide which is truly a water repellent top coat.

When I was done, I peeled all that tape and paper away to reveal a beautifully refinished bathroom vanity.

White painted bathroom vanity with a wooden countertop

Light, bright and sharp white.

It was truly stunning and when I say that paint made a huge difference in the room, I'm not kidding.

Suddenly that shower curtain looked gorgeous.

White Painted Bathroom Vanity in white bathroom with a floral shower curtains
Floral Shower Curtain

It was a tiny change, but a dramatic one.

The entire room looked brand new.

As an added bonus that vanity tied in with the hallway so much better.

View of cottage Style Bathroom from a hallway

Super charming.

And I'm definitely not bored with the bathroom anymore.

☺️

Ok, so ordinarily this would be the end of my story, but...I loved that shower curtain so much (and since it was all on sale), I bought the reversible quilt, as well. 

The shower curtain isn't hanging in my bedroom bathroom, so they're far enough away that it won't be pattern overload.

Margeaux Floral Reversible Quilt Pottery Barn on a king size bed in a green cottage bedroom
Floral Quilt// Shams

And in an unbelievable coincidence, this week, while at HomeGoods, I found this print, which couldn't be a more perfect match.

Framed Floral Print and Shower Curtain

I haven't had a chance to hang it up yet, but I mean come on...meant to be, or what?

No need to make my own art.

I think it's the universe's way of telling me, I was right.

A new shower curtain will always do the trick.

😉

Happy Decorating, Friends!


Kim Signature


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  1. That's crazy that one simple change made such a big difference. I didn't think it would that dramatic. By the way, we're going to be twins, I just bought the curtain!! 🤩

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    1. I was stunned, too, trust me! And oh yay!! I hope you love it as much as I do. It really is beautiful. Have a great weekend!!

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  2. As always, it looks fabulous! I'm working up the courage to paint my powder room, including the cabinet and hopefully add some peel and stick wallpaper. I noticed you have some Fenton milk glass too. I love it! I've been collecting it for a few years now and probably have enough now. I love the ruffles, pleats and dots or whatever you call them. Thanks for sharing.

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  3. Wow, that's an incredible change! I love the shower curtain and the quilt too. The print was made to go with it all.

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  4. I love that shower curtain so much. If I didn't already love the one I have, I'd rush out and buy it!

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  5. Kim,
    Amazing!! I always say that it is truly something with what a little can of paint can do for you!!!
    It definitely is the great transformer!! I hope you are enjoying your weekend, my friend!!
    Hugs,
    Deb
    Debbie-Dabble Blog

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  6. That turned out GREAT! White really made the curtain pop. Great choice, Kim.
    That is my next project -to paint the bathroom cabinet in the master bedroom white. They put a grey one in before we moved in (just as Covid was hitting) and I never liked it. However, John did but his walker did a job on it and it is gouged and the paint has worn off it. I just need to be 'well enough' to do it. Then, onto the interior of the kitchen cabinets which were never painted. Well, maybe when the place was built in the 70s. It' not dirty but it is tired looking (kinda like me). xo Diana

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