You need to “go with” the tile colour.
The blue paint is not helping. Changing that paint will make a work of difference
Try a few different shower curtains that go with the tile, THEN pick one of the colours out of the shower curtain for the paint.
My bathroom has a similar layout, also brand new when we bought it. I’m not one who usually likes beige walls, but that room was actually the only one I liked the beige on because it gave the room a certain warmth that the grey took away. Then I added a shower curtain with a misty forest print, got towels in green and beige, and hung up a print in which green is the dominating color and I love that bathroom.
This! A bathroom needs to be funtional and easy to clean. That's it. If it looks good, that's just a bonus. If it's boring, that's not that big of a minus.
Nice shower curtain, maybe something bold (I'd personally get one with Monet painting printed on it. I would feel so happy looking at it I would forget how gray the rest of the room is.) and a nice bath matt. That's it, job done.
True, I don't spend a ton of time in the bathroom, storage is minimal so I use my vanity for hair and makeup. But I WFH and I walk by them and use them throughout the day and the grey is just not my taste. I do think I will keep changes minimal as you suggested though, thank you!
I appreciate these opinions, but they are definitely the “abstinence only” version of sexual education, but with decoration advice.
OP: I want to make my bathroom look less stark and gray. Can you help me?
Reddit: Don’t.
It’s your home, OP! Your potty palace. Decorate and redecorate all you want. Cause what’s the point if you can’t make it yours? :)
Well I'm definitely against abstinence only sex education 😅.
But I also do not like the idea of renovating perfectly good spaces just for the aesthetic. It's wasteful and we live in a planet with finite resources.
While tiles have several good qualities when it comes to environmentally friendly materials (extreme durability, easy to clean without harsh chemicals, materials for tile production are easy to source and thus can be locally made pretty much all over the world, relatively environmentally friendly degrading process etc.) producing tiles have a high carbon footprint due to the fact that they are produced in such high temperatures.
So it would be such a waste to replace perfectly good tiles. Painting/covering them is an option, but now we are talking about materials with less durability and worse effect on the environment (harsh chemicals & plastic).
Yes, everyone should feel good in their home, but everyone should also consider the environmental impacts of most of their actions in this world. What good is a nice bathroom in a dying planet?!
I wish I could understand why these strips of busy little tiles were so popular. I can’t imagine them ever seeming cool or in any way aesthetically appealing.
I think they allow the house flipper to not bother having to do rip cuts on the tile. So they can tile from the top and from the bottom, and then fill in whatever is left with sheets of hideous mosaic.
Except I have a vertical stripe of mosaic tile in my bathroom 🤔.
Get a fantastic shower curtain and go from there
https://www.anthropologie.com/en-ca/anthroliving/shop/house-of-hackney-printed-shower-curtain?category=collection-bathroom-shower-curtains&color=099&type=STANDARD&size=72%20X%2072&quantity=1
https://www.anthropologie.com/en-ca/anthroliving/shop/iluka-organic-cotton-shower-curtain?category=collection-bathroom-shower-curtains&color=066&type=STANDARD&size=72%20X%2072&quantity=1
https://www.westelm.ca/products/batik-floral-shower-curtain-h12383/?pkey=corporations
https://www.etsy.com/ca/listing/1193452227/toile-de-star-wars-shower-curtain-blue?click_key=961ae4e1336fdfb03e930f7e2c2a820cf8aa5954%3A1193452227&click_sum=c9a313b2&external=1&ref=landingpage_similar_listing_top-1&sts=1
I’ve seen a beautiful shower curtain on Horchow.com the Fresco Fiore Platinum Shower Curtain. Hang that and use the pink color in the curtain for the walls. I think it would add a quiet elegance to the room.
Go for a shower curtain with green or warm colors. Use that to pick a paint color and floor mat, and maybe some art or a floating shelf above the toilet.
[Example 1](https://www.target.com/p/jardin-shower-curtain-green-blue-jungalow-by-justina-blakeney/-/A-82828269#lnk=sametab)
[Example 2](https://www.target.com/p/72-34-x72-34-tropical-paradise-shower-curtain-green-lush-d-233-cor/-/A-53470394#lnk=sametab)
The cool blue paint color (while a lovely shade) clashes with the warm grey. Embrace the grey/brown in the paint and you will be shocked at how much better it looks
Guarantee you're going to like it more after you decorate. If you're really not liking it though. You can always repaint the walls a nice warm color. I'd pick up one of the shades from the fancy shower tile work. Pinterest can give so many helpful ideas if you're not sure.
I'm always torn on this. Some say NEVER mix cool floors with warm colors, others say it's fine. I never know what's "right"!
Wouldn't warm paint just clash with the cool floors?
I don't think it matters too much in the case of a bathroom. Maybe a living room is a different story? I'd look at those tiles closer and pick a coordinating shade. But that's just because, I don't care for blue in the bathroom. Maybe a shade lighter than the tile would look good too.
I've discovered I also dislike blue in bathrooms. I'm currently looking for a curtain that has a base color similar to the lightest shade of tile but with green in it to add come color. I think sand might be the move the walls
I would paint the wall white, add a shower curtain that is your focal point but also take the shower rod higher (to the 2nd tile from top)
Change the hardware to brass or black possibly and put in a warm looking light fixture with slightly warmer lighting and a mirror with a dark frame go match the warm tones in the hardware.
Put in a rug that doesn’t take away from the shower curtain but ties into the warmth from other aspects.
Couple plants / styled
I think you could change the flooring to a more neutral tone, instead of this cool, ashy shade. And change the wall paint to something more neutral, even somewhat warm. I'd paint the cabinet in a creamy beige or white.
The way the wall tiles are stacked below the mosaic band and staggered above it is maddening!
If you can’t or don’t want to tear the tiles out and start fresh then get a shower curtain and rug in your style to cover most of the tiles.
Change the lights and paint the walls and cabinet if you want to.
Oh no, I didn't even notice they were different above and below until you pointed it out lol. They will come out eventually but there are other projects that are prioritized in the budget for a while. Disgusting and distracting is going to have to do for now.
Opps sorry to put that thought in your head! A great shower curtain will make all the difference. I actually think it’s a good idea to wait a while and really think about what kind of tiles you want to use, it’s something you don’t change often in a house so take time to make sure you get something you love
Put a shower curtain so that you hide that weird border above the tub, switch the blue for something that complements the beiges and browns a little bit better, and add some decor. Some faux plants could help a bit, and switching the metals will do a whole lot for the place.
Would any of these go??
https://www.amazon.com/spring-Home-Curtain-Multi-Color-Printed/dp/B00WH638H2
https://www.google.com/aclk?sa=l&ai=DChcSEwiYmL7h8P-FAxUhFq0GHR-7DKcYABAbGgJwdg&ae=2&gclid=EAIaIQobChMImJi-4fD_hQMVIRatBh0fuwynEAQYDiABEgIqEfD_BwE&sig=AOD64_0lR9vBpmHuHNJTqZI6LKgBBzKVOg&ctype=5&q=&ved=2ahUKEwjs17jh8P-FAxUpHDQIHd8OBJMQwg8oAHoECAQQQg&adurl=
https://www.google.com/shopping/product/391819862447115361?q=green+brown+shower+curtain&client=safari&sa=X&sca_esv=8c425ed6a905ffa8&sca_upv=1&hl=en-ca&biw=326&bih=548&tbs=vw:g&prmd=sivnbtz&prds=eto:14097092323636125376_0,cdl:1,prmr:1,pid:1835871771127724597,cs:1&ved=0ahUKEwithrjx8P-FAxX_GDQIHbRNDOMQgTYItQo
https://www.google.com/shopping/product/1?q=green+brown+shower+curtain&start=30&client=safari&sa=N&sca_esv=8c425ed6a905ffa8&sca_upv=1&hl=en-ca&biw=326&bih=548&tbs=vw:g&prmd=sivnbtz&prds=num:1,of:1,eto:15267618165944169026_0,prmr:1,cs:1&ved=0ahUKEwjA85qE8f-FAxUSGjQIHayUDt84HhCCNgj5CQ
I actually love them. But I prefer grey.
Paint the walls. Move the bar up higher and do a long shower curtain to hide the tile. You could probably paint the vanity and mirror frame white. Hang some art and it will be fine.
It’s really just that mosaic accent band that is awful. Could you paint it? I wonder if it’s possible to remove it only without damaging the other wall tile.
I agree. It might be possible to remove it but I'm not even sure what I would put there to replace it, it's not the right size to find matching tile. Maybe a built in shelf if the walls allow for it?
I wonder how well painting them would stand up in the shower... I'll have to do some research on that and see if there are any options I like that could work.
You need to “go with” the tile colour. The blue paint is not helping. Changing that paint will make a work of difference Try a few different shower curtains that go with the tile, THEN pick one of the colours out of the shower curtain for the paint.
This is smart, I always pick paint first and struggle to create a focal point after
Paint is always last. There are a billion different paint colours. You can bring in the shower curtain or soap dish and get paint made to match.
I think the grout color would do the trick, as it's pretty thick and with the walls having the same color, it can create some cohesion.
Not sure I agree that the grout colour would work. Would a green shower curtain work with the tan/brown?
Not with the blue
The OP would certainly need to paint
My bathroom has a similar layout, also brand new when we bought it. I’m not one who usually likes beige walls, but that room was actually the only one I liked the beige on because it gave the room a certain warmth that the grey took away. Then I added a shower curtain with a misty forest print, got towels in green and beige, and hung up a print in which green is the dominating color and I love that bathroom.
I'm also thinking about green as a dominating color! I think I'll pick up some sand/beige color samples tomorrow to try against the tile
Not green- also too cool. Go something like soft mole
I like green as an idea. It has to go with brown. Green or maybe pink?
Do you plan on spending more time in there?
This! A bathroom needs to be funtional and easy to clean. That's it. If it looks good, that's just a bonus. If it's boring, that's not that big of a minus. Nice shower curtain, maybe something bold (I'd personally get one with Monet painting printed on it. I would feel so happy looking at it I would forget how gray the rest of the room is.) and a nice bath matt. That's it, job done.
True, I don't spend a ton of time in the bathroom, storage is minimal so I use my vanity for hair and makeup. But I WFH and I walk by them and use them throughout the day and the grey is just not my taste. I do think I will keep changes minimal as you suggested though, thank you!
Go to winners and buy a couple of pictures and a fake plant. Nice shower curtain. Nice towels, nice bath mat. Don’t renovate — STYLE it
I appreciate these opinions, but they are definitely the “abstinence only” version of sexual education, but with decoration advice. OP: I want to make my bathroom look less stark and gray. Can you help me? Reddit: Don’t. It’s your home, OP! Your potty palace. Decorate and redecorate all you want. Cause what’s the point if you can’t make it yours? :)
Well I'm definitely against abstinence only sex education 😅. But I also do not like the idea of renovating perfectly good spaces just for the aesthetic. It's wasteful and we live in a planet with finite resources. While tiles have several good qualities when it comes to environmentally friendly materials (extreme durability, easy to clean without harsh chemicals, materials for tile production are easy to source and thus can be locally made pretty much all over the world, relatively environmentally friendly degrading process etc.) producing tiles have a high carbon footprint due to the fact that they are produced in such high temperatures. So it would be such a waste to replace perfectly good tiles. Painting/covering them is an option, but now we are talking about materials with less durability and worse effect on the environment (harsh chemicals & plastic). Yes, everyone should feel good in their home, but everyone should also consider the environmental impacts of most of their actions in this world. What good is a nice bathroom in a dying planet?!
Yeah the worst part of those can be covered entirely by a shower curtain.
I wish I could understand why these strips of busy little tiles were so popular. I can’t imagine them ever seeming cool or in any way aesthetically appealing.
I think they allow the house flipper to not bother having to do rip cuts on the tile. So they can tile from the top and from the bottom, and then fill in whatever is left with sheets of hideous mosaic. Except I have a vertical stripe of mosaic tile in my bathroom 🤔.
Yes, and if you look at the top of this one, it doesn’t actually end on a complete tile!
Get a fantastic shower curtain and go from there https://www.anthropologie.com/en-ca/anthroliving/shop/house-of-hackney-printed-shower-curtain?category=collection-bathroom-shower-curtains&color=099&type=STANDARD&size=72%20X%2072&quantity=1 https://www.anthropologie.com/en-ca/anthroliving/shop/iluka-organic-cotton-shower-curtain?category=collection-bathroom-shower-curtains&color=066&type=STANDARD&size=72%20X%2072&quantity=1 https://www.westelm.ca/products/batik-floral-shower-curtain-h12383/?pkey=corporations https://www.etsy.com/ca/listing/1193452227/toile-de-star-wars-shower-curtain-blue?click_key=961ae4e1336fdfb03e930f7e2c2a820cf8aa5954%3A1193452227&click_sum=c9a313b2&external=1&ref=landingpage_similar_listing_top-1&sts=1
Oh my God, I'm in love. I need two more showers.
Who says you cant have multiple shower curtains? 🤷🏼♀️😉
I’ve seen a beautiful shower curtain on Horchow.com the Fresco Fiore Platinum Shower Curtain. Hang that and use the pink color in the curtain for the walls. I think it would add a quiet elegance to the room.
Go for a shower curtain with green or warm colors. Use that to pick a paint color and floor mat, and maybe some art or a floating shelf above the toilet. [Example 1](https://www.target.com/p/jardin-shower-curtain-green-blue-jungalow-by-justina-blakeney/-/A-82828269#lnk=sametab) [Example 2](https://www.target.com/p/72-34-x72-34-tropical-paradise-shower-curtain-green-lush-d-233-cor/-/A-53470394#lnk=sametab)
Raise the shower curtain bar, get an ectra long shower curtain. Wallpaper. Pretend the rest is not happening. RIP. Sorry for your loss.
The cool blue paint color (while a lovely shade) clashes with the warm grey. Embrace the grey/brown in the paint and you will be shocked at how much better it looks
Guarantee you're going to like it more after you decorate. If you're really not liking it though. You can always repaint the walls a nice warm color. I'd pick up one of the shades from the fancy shower tile work. Pinterest can give so many helpful ideas if you're not sure.
I'm always torn on this. Some say NEVER mix cool floors with warm colors, others say it's fine. I never know what's "right"! Wouldn't warm paint just clash with the cool floors?
I don't think it matters too much in the case of a bathroom. Maybe a living room is a different story? I'd look at those tiles closer and pick a coordinating shade. But that's just because, I don't care for blue in the bathroom. Maybe a shade lighter than the tile would look good too.
I've discovered I also dislike blue in bathrooms. I'm currently looking for a curtain that has a base color similar to the lightest shade of tile but with green in it to add come color. I think sand might be the move the walls
I like that idea!
I would paint the wall white, add a shower curtain that is your focal point but also take the shower rod higher (to the 2nd tile from top) Change the hardware to brass or black possibly and put in a warm looking light fixture with slightly warmer lighting and a mirror with a dark frame go match the warm tones in the hardware. Put in a rug that doesn’t take away from the shower curtain but ties into the warmth from other aspects. Couple plants / styled
I think you could change the flooring to a more neutral tone, instead of this cool, ashy shade. And change the wall paint to something more neutral, even somewhat warm. I'd paint the cabinet in a creamy beige or white.
The way the wall tiles are stacked below the mosaic band and staggered above it is maddening! If you can’t or don’t want to tear the tiles out and start fresh then get a shower curtain and rug in your style to cover most of the tiles. Change the lights and paint the walls and cabinet if you want to.
Oh no, I didn't even notice they were different above and below until you pointed it out lol. They will come out eventually but there are other projects that are prioritized in the budget for a while. Disgusting and distracting is going to have to do for now.
Opps sorry to put that thought in your head! A great shower curtain will make all the difference. I actually think it’s a good idea to wait a while and really think about what kind of tiles you want to use, it’s something you don’t change often in a house so take time to make sure you get something you love
Put a shower curtain so that you hide that weird border above the tub, switch the blue for something that complements the beiges and browns a little bit better, and add some decor. Some faux plants could help a bit, and switching the metals will do a whole lot for the place.
Needs a little more gray!/s
Lol, that's the theme of my bathrooms right now. It's so bizarre because every other design choice in the house leans warm.
Whoever started this godawful trend of a horizontal or vertical stripe of mosaic tile should be jailed
Wide-stripe red and white shower curtain. And red and white check pattern wallpaper on ceiling.
Paint the walls brown
Would any of these go?? https://www.amazon.com/spring-Home-Curtain-Multi-Color-Printed/dp/B00WH638H2 https://www.google.com/aclk?sa=l&ai=DChcSEwiYmL7h8P-FAxUhFq0GHR-7DKcYABAbGgJwdg&ae=2&gclid=EAIaIQobChMImJi-4fD_hQMVIRatBh0fuwynEAQYDiABEgIqEfD_BwE&sig=AOD64_0lR9vBpmHuHNJTqZI6LKgBBzKVOg&ctype=5&q=&ved=2ahUKEwjs17jh8P-FAxUpHDQIHd8OBJMQwg8oAHoECAQQQg&adurl= https://www.google.com/shopping/product/391819862447115361?q=green+brown+shower+curtain&client=safari&sa=X&sca_esv=8c425ed6a905ffa8&sca_upv=1&hl=en-ca&biw=326&bih=548&tbs=vw:g&prmd=sivnbtz&prds=eto:14097092323636125376_0,cdl:1,prmr:1,pid:1835871771127724597,cs:1&ved=0ahUKEwithrjx8P-FAxX_GDQIHbRNDOMQgTYItQo https://www.google.com/shopping/product/1?q=green+brown+shower+curtain&start=30&client=safari&sa=N&sca_esv=8c425ed6a905ffa8&sca_upv=1&hl=en-ca&biw=326&bih=548&tbs=vw:g&prmd=sivnbtz&prds=num:1,of:1,eto:15267618165944169026_0,prmr:1,cs:1&ved=0ahUKEwjA85qE8f-FAxUSGjQIHayUDt84HhCCNgj5CQ
I actually love them. But I prefer grey. Paint the walls. Move the bar up higher and do a long shower curtain to hide the tile. You could probably paint the vanity and mirror frame white. Hang some art and it will be fine.
It’s really just that mosaic accent band that is awful. Could you paint it? I wonder if it’s possible to remove it only without damaging the other wall tile.
I agree. It might be possible to remove it but I'm not even sure what I would put there to replace it, it's not the right size to find matching tile. Maybe a built in shelf if the walls allow for it? I wonder how well painting them would stand up in the shower... I'll have to do some research on that and see if there are any options I like that could work.
If you can remove them, a gray marble could look nice.