We are one week closer to the final reveal of this $100 Room Challenge full bathroom makeover! Woohoo! It’s taken a little time, but I’ve made all the decisions on the direction of this bathroom makeover and now it’s “git ‘er done” time.
{Before Post} {Week One} {Week Two}
This past week was all about adding more practical touches to the room. Because, really…it is a bathroom. My goal is that it works/functions well for my family of 5. Everything to have it’s place and hopefully find that place on a regular basis. I also want to work with the natural vintage vibe of the room and not detract from it. So basically, add some pretty function to it.
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Let’s take a peek at what we were up to this week:
After deciding that building a new storage unit would not be in the budget, I had to figure out a new spot to hang those last 2 towel hooks. I settled on the most convenient place: right next to the shower. And now the kids are jealous that mom and dad’s hooks are close to the shower. Sorry, kiddos, but someday you’ll be paying a mortgage and can have the hooks by the shower. {I mean that in the most loving…and truthful way…ha!}
On the large wall above the toilet, we decided to hang some floating shelves. I felt like the room needed a wood tone to add some warmth to the space. The wood for the shelf was a long board that we cut and I used some stain and wax that I already had on hand. To keep the cost down, I opted for L brackets from the construction aisle instead of shelf brackets. I gave them a quick spray paint and we used screws that were already on hand.
There is only one light fixture in this full bathroom and I was hoping to change it out completely. But seeing how my budget is quickly dwindling, that is no longer an option. If the weather cooperates for a day, I may take this one down and spray paint the base. My compromise for right now is replacing the boring light bulbs with some 60 watt Edison bulbs. I love the warm glow that they add to the room.
Are you ready for a little thinking outside the box? I’ve talked about wanting to add a little more privacy to the bathroom, but I don’t have the budget to add the bamboo Roman shades that I love. Time to get creative. My solution to wanting some texture above the window and privacy? Well, I was searching my scraps of fabric and vintage cloth and this is what I came up with:
A vintage table runner that my mom passed on to me a few years ago. I’m pretending it’s a curtain. Shhh…don’t tell anyone, please. Let’s keep it between just you and me.
It’s caused a little controversy at home, but guess what? I don’t really care. I kinda {really} like it.
Wondering how I hung it up? Well, I didn’t want to use any budget for a curtain rod, so I searched the basement and came up with this solution: a slightly fancy nail from a picture framing kit. I’ve left it exposed a bit at the top because…well, I like it sticking up a tad.
I plan to hang a {cheap} vinyl roller shade behind my “curtain” and call it a day.
It feels like this full bathroom makeover is finally coming together now. Between the shelf, hooks, lighting, and curtain, the room feels a little more cozy. Is that an awkward thing to say about a bathroom? Maybe. But I’m sticking with it.
So what does the budget look like now? Let’s break it down and figure out what I’m doing with one week left.
2 towel hooks: $0 (leftover from a previous project)
Floating shelves (wood and L brackets): $31.64
Spray paint and screws: $0
Curtain: $0
Light bulbs: $4.95
Vinyl roller shade: $7.97
That leaves the weekly totals at:
Week Three: $44.56
Amount left: $49.48
I am really looking forward to this coming week. It’s taken some time and creative energy, but I believe that I have solved the “great shower curtain dilemma” and I cannot wait to show you! I also have some fun decor to add…and some storage solutions as well.
Let me know what your thoughts are on the “curtain” and the floating shelves!
xo,
Leigh
It looks great!! Love the progress.
Leigh,
I had to laugh when I saw your image in the link-up and when you see mine you’ll know why. Great minds think alike. I do love your vintage cloth above the window. So clever to use a fancy nail. I’ve never seen one like it but I love it. I think your bathroom, (partly because it’s so fantastic to begin with) is going to be my favorite makeover.
i really love how it’s all coming together.
the floating shelves offer that hint of industrial
vibe that really works well, in my humble opinion.
** i have 2 lacy dresser runners that i use as scarves.
true story. wink. ♥
My dear, little mother used a similar hand-crocheted long dresser scarf that my grandmother made as the topper on her bathroom window. It was always a conversation started when she had guests. I love the way your bathroom is coming together. I can’t wait to see how you add the stuff that makes it pop.
~Adrienne~
I like the white and grey in the room, and how cute is that table runner you have used in a different way?! Good thinking on using L brackets for your shelves! Can’t wait to see the finished space!
Leigh,
I think the table runner is perfect for your bathroom, just as a suggestion – if you wanted to hang it differently, you could always just turn over the long edge and put it onto a white curtain wire, with hooks and eyes and gather it slightly into a little pelmet, I think your house has some age to it so it would be in keeping, with the house and the gathers would hide the vinyl roller blind sitting behind it and make it into a window feature.
It is perfect for the room and you should go with what makes you happy
Best wishes from the UK
Sandra xx
I think the white runner adds texture and beauty. It doesn’t detract from your vintage bathroom. Loving it!
I love how you repurposed something special into your window treatment. I’m looking forward to your reveal.
I love the add on’s. I love the runner as a curtain and actually screenshot another window to keep as an idea for mine when I begin our bathroom redo. You could always get a tension rod at a dollar store for a curtain rod. I’ve had to do that in the past as my bathroom window is TINY. Nice work!
Love your frugal updates! Great use of that runner, i’m all about using unique items as window treatments, I have used bed sheets, table cloths, cloth napkins, and greenery garland, even fabric covered cardboard to make a faux cornice board. Another idea for an update later would be a simple cafe rod and inexpensive drapery clips on the runner, letting the extra hang down on each side like you did. Would allow it to give your window a little more coverage. Looking forward to seeing your shower curtain!
Love the shelves! They look great!
This is really shaping up nicely I love the innovative curtain and those rough cut shelves such a beautiful space.
You are so right. The shelves gave your bathroom warmth and the curtain added charm. Am looking forward to seeing the shower curtain solution but what I am most looking forward to is how you organize everything. Is my delimma and there’s just 2 of us!
Love the natural look of those shelves! Awesome work!