Yay!!! It’s time for another $100 Room Challenge! We had a bit of a break because I did the One Room Challenge (still with a $100 budget) that finished up on November 8th. Now that we’ve entered into December, we’re ready to start again. As you may see on your calendar, December has a total of 5 Wednesdays. While my original plan was to do these challenges in 4 weeks’ time, I’m thinking I’ll take advantage of that extra Wednesday this month and stretch the challenge over 5 weeks… because it’s Christmas, and I’m gifting myself one extra week 🙂
So far I have tackled the mudroom/pantry and the laundry room with a $100 budget, and now I’m taking on my children’s bathroom. Here’s the scoop on this room… my youngest is now 5… and a half (which is very important at that age), so while we could go with the monkey and frog theme another year, my 9 and 10 year old were probably over the cutesy animals, like, years ago. Did I mention this is also used as our guest bathroom when people come to visit? Embarrassing. Remember, the before shots never involve cleaning or tidying. This is real life… toothpaste in the sink and all. Here’s a look at the space: (Once again, no natural light. You’d think our house had no windows…)
Plans for the Space
Once again, Pinterest has become my best friend as I look for ways to transform this space into something more mature. (If you’d like to see my Kids’ Bathroom Inspiration board, please have a look.) Now, I have high hopes for this space, but unless Santa is dropping off primer, paint, and paintbrushes for me, my budget may not actually be able to accomplish everything I’m hoping for… We shall see.
- Paint the Walls- I don’t like the paint color in this bathroom at all. I never have. So this is a priority for me. I’d like to do a light gray. Gray. Not bluish gray. Just gray. Anyone have a good light gray color they can recommend? I’m all ears! … And while I appreciate all ideas given, I may wind up going to the Environmental Center to grab some free paint if they have a good color… ’cause free is perfect for my budget.
- Replace the shower curtain, soap dispenser, and toothbrush holder (which are all splattered with monkeys and frogs).
- Organize- While the medicine cabinet has maintained its organized state, the area under the sink and on the sink could sure use a little help.
- Towel Hooks- We have three children and 2 towel hooks on the back of the door. Drives me crazy. I keep my youngest’s towel in his room, hanging from his closet door handle. There is a towel rack on the wall that never gets used, so I want to replace the rack with some DIY fun towel hook thing (Yes. That’s what I’m calling it for now.)
- Add some artwork.
- Replace the white plastic wastebasket.
- Replace the boring cream rug (which you actually can’t see in any of the pictures, but trust me, it’s there)? This is a “wish list item”, certainly not a necessity.
- Paint the vanity… and medicine cabinet??? This is not only where I think I’m running out of money, but also where I question what to do. If this were a “more than $100” room challenge, I’d paint the vanity, take down the medicine cabinet and replace it with a different storage unit that’s not so bulky. While replacing the medicine cabinet certainly will NOT fit in the budget, I may see about painting the vanity… which leads me to wonder what to do with the medicine cabinet. Do I paint both the same color? I’m confused. Thoughts?
Alrighty. That’s the room. Remember, if you are a design genius, or just have good ideas, please help me out… good light gray paint, and what do I do about the vanity/medicine cabinet situation…
I’m SO excited to get started!
Week 1 // Week 2 // Week 3 // Week 4 // Week 5
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I like several of the suggestions already made. Have you checked to see if you have something like a Facebook site called Free in Mesquite? That’s where I live. People list things they want to get ride of for free and you make contact to arrange pickup. There certainly if a part for ISO OR INO–In Earch Of, or In Need Of. You list what you are looking for, or find what somebody else has. You can arrange to meet at a grocery store or something, but I have not had any trouble. In fact, I have made four local friends this way, and several good contacts for future needs.
One other suggestion: Have you kids make the artwork. Turn a n old painting or thin canvas over and use that surface, or some od you.r wood pieces, or even copy paper. Tell the kids which colors or themes to follow, or just let them go to town with whatever craft paints or markers
You just got me hooked on a new little addiction! I hadn’t thought of the Facebook groups and just joined 3 yesterday. There is some amazing stuff. Although I haven’t found exactly what I’m looking for (I did post an ISO), people have made great suggestions on local places I could go look to see if I can find what I need. Thank you SO much for that suggestion. I’m fairly confident I will be using those Facebook groups a lot!!! I love your idea for the artwork, I do have an idea that involves cute kids… I guess we’ll keep that one a secret until later (cuz I’m not sure it’s going to turn out like I hope 🙂 )
You made my day! I’m sorry about all the errors. My Facebook has been doing something weird with the keyboard where I can’t see what I am typing and doesn’t let me edit. I’m embarrassed.
What about a pallet shelf in place of the medicine cabinet? If you don’t replace it it would paint it the same color as the vanity.
Your comment had me rushing over to Pinterest for pallet cabinet ideas. I LOVE that idea. We actually have a bunch of barn wood out in our garage… maybe I could convince my hubby to make something with it. Great thought! Thanks so much!!!
You are welcome. I’m glad it inspired you. I love my pallet shelves and it didn’t cost me anything because the pallet was free and i had the stain and finish. i have also used wooden crates above my toilets, but those would probably cost you money and i don’t know if you have that in your $100 budge.
I would recommend a dark gel stain on the vanity and cabinet. Not very expensive and easy to use. One can goes a long way.
Great idea Beka! I had thought of painting the cabinet and vanity, but a dark stain would look great (and, like you said, might be a whole lot more cost effective). Thanks for your thoughts!
What about replacing the medicine cabinet with floating shelves? If that is not an option then I would paint it the same color as the vanity. I’ve got nothing to recommend for grey paint 🙁 So excited to see how this room comes together!
I LOVE floating shelves, and may do that in our Master Bathroom. The concern I have in this one is that our medicine cabinet actually does hold all our medicine and bandaids, etc., so all the sitting on floating shelf might look cluttered. Although… I could move the medicine to our linen closet in the hall… something to think about! Thanks for the input… now you’ve got me thinking, and I love that!
I’ve always heard that keeping medicine in the bathroom isn’t good because of the humidity even though I still keep ours in the bathroom…I’m so excited to see what you decide!