Skip the Contractor and Renovate Your Bathroom With These Easy DIY Tips

With my fixtures on the way, my next move was to hire a plumber to handle the install. I know what you’re thinking: “But this is a DIY!” After countless DIY projects, I’ve learned that knowing when to delegate is the most valuable DIY skill to have in your tool belt. In one day, the plumber removed the old vanity and installed our new sink, something that would have taken me weeks to do on my own. If you’re confident replacing plumbing, though, then by all means go for it!

With the plumbing fixtures updated, I turned my attention to the tile. If budget and time were no object, Glen and Louise would have preferred to replace the tiles with a more interesting option. In reality, however, that option was out. On the upside, the tiles were in good shape and relatively inoffensive. To add a little graphic oomph, I used a paint-on grout dye to darken the existing white grout lines.

The process of dyeing grout is really simple: you paint the product on and then wipe away the excess with a paper towel or a rag. Don’t worry; the dye stains only the grout joints. I found that working on small sections of wall works best. If you try to cover too much space at a time, you’ll end up really needing to scrub to get the dye off.

Tip: If black grout is not your thing, the dye also comes in a number of other colors, including gray.

Like the wall tiles, the flooring was in pretty solid shape but far from stylish. So with the help of a gorgeous line of linoleum tiles, I gave the bathroom floor a major upgrade. There are some really huge advantages to working with linoleum. For starters, installing it is supereasy, and you need only a utility knife to cut it and a little contact cement to hold it in place.

I used two kinds of tile, one solid and one patterned. I arranged the tiles so that the patterned ones were in the center and the solid tiles formed a border around the edges. Harvey Maria, the maker of these tiles, has a lot of great information about installation on its website and even a few really helpful video tutorials!

While the previous cabinet below the sink did provide more storage than the new pedestal sink, it still wasn’t enough. I added a glossy blue campaign dresser that more than compensates for the storage we gave up with the cabinet — and it also provides additional counter space! When looking for nontraditional bathroom storage options, scale is everything. This piece is actually a bedside table.

For additional storage, I used a midcentury-inspired planter to store rolled towels. Planters are an unexpected alternative to the average storage basket, and this one is waterproof, so it’s a perfect solution for next to the tub.