Updated with after pics Bathroom update help

[kanga1]

I want to do some updates to this bathroom. The cabinets are in decent shape but I hate the dark brown. Do you think they'd look good painted? And if so how do I do that? Just take the doors off and paint everything? Do I need to sand them first? I really have no clue what I'm doing but it seems like it shouldn't be that hard. I was thinking of painting the walls, doing something to the cabinets and updating the sink and lighting. The trim around the windows is newer and lighter and I wouldn't mind that for a cabinet color but I feel like painting might be easier than lightening the wood. I'm really not much of a DIY type of person. Attached are current pics plus my inspiration pic. I like either that green or a navy for the paint color

[thejackpot]

First paint, then maybe try new hardwar. remove the cabinet above the sink and replace with a mirror. I don't hate your wood and would avoid painting if you are not really handy. Painted cabinets need to be done right to look nice imo.

[icedcoffee]

We painted our cabinet in out half bath navy blue and it looks amazing. We had it professionally done though. They removed the doors and sprayed them. It looks awesome and was worth the cost. Then we replaced the sink/counter with a 1 piece drop in from HD which worked well. New hardware, tp holder, towel holder and lights and the bathroom looks nice. This is the sink we got:

www.homedepot.com/p/Avanity-49-in-Vitreous-China-Vanity-Top-with-Rectangular-Bowl-in-White-CUT49WT/202831384

ETA: I’d hire out the painting. I think it would be worth it. It’s harder to DIY it than you’d think and it a bathroom you don’t want the paint chipping and stuff.

[simpsongal]

I kind of like the wood - I think new hardware and a new mirror would go a long way towards updating it. Could you put a cabinet over the toilet for storage and a more decorative mirror? Maybe change the counter & sink? I think that would give you the biggest change.

[Susie]

I painted the vanity and mirror frame navy blue in our bathroom, and updated the hardware as a temporary measure a few years before we did the full gut reno.  I liked it, but I do think it's important to manage expectations as far as what's possible for the transformation.  The door styles of the cabinet in your inspo pic are very different from the ones in your actual bathroom, and it looks like you have a medicine cabinet that will be really difficult to transform into anything resembling the look of the inspo pic, even if you paint the frame.  Doesn't mean it's not worth doing, just something to keep in mind.

This was what we did:

Old light:


New light, old vanity/hardware:


New look:


The mirror frame was also navy blue, and the medicine cabinet got chrome pulls.

I guess I felt like it was still dated (there was no helping it with the floor and a few other features), but now it was more "my" dated. We kept it that way from 2010 until we completely gutted it in 2018.

ETA:  If you opt to paint, yes, you need to sand it all down first.  Prep is more important than the actual painting, and deserves more time/attention.  Then primer, then paint.  Go to a paint store (I use Sherwin Williams), explain the project, and take their recs on primer and paint products for the job.  Don't just try to figure it out yourself off a HD or Lowe's shelf.  I was skeptical about painting cabinets because of the dreaded chipping, but my bathroom went 8 years, and my kitchen is still going at 10 or 12 years, and it has gone pretty well.  It is laborious and time consuming though.  Be prepared for that!

[kanga1]

Thanks for the feedback. I think I will try thejackpot,idea first. Paint, get new hardware, replace the countertop and sink and then go from there. Then probably hire the painting done if I still want gray cabinets.

[bridge5]

What's your budget? I wouldn't get a new top for that vanity (at four or five hundred) and certainly wouldn't pay to have it professionally painted when you can replace the entire thing (vanity with top) for around $1000. Since they're flat doors, painting them isn't going to translate to update the same way it would on a framed door panel. I think it also depends on your long-term plans, if any. Do you want to change floors too, at some point? I agree to start with paint and hardware and see if that scratches the itch. Maybe even try spray painting the hardware you already have. If that doesn't do it, I'd personally try to update more/all of it in one fell swoop.

[winecat]

This FB group has a lot of good info: www.facebook.com/groups/PaintingKitchenCabinetsforProfit

There's a lot of non-professionals in the group.

[kanga1]

Dec 2, 2020 21:05:10 GMT -5 bridge5 said:

What's your budget? I wouldn't get a new top for that vanity (at four or five hundred) and certainly wouldn't pay to have it professionally painted when you can replace the entire thing (vanity with top) for around $1000. Since they're flat doors, painting them isn't going to translate to update the same way it would on a framed door panel. I think it also depends on your long-term plans, if any. Do you want to change floors too, at some point? I agree to start with paint and hardware and see if that scratches the itch. Maybe even try spray painting the hardware you already have. If that doesn't do it, I'd personally try to update more/all of it in one fell swoop.

I was thinking under $2000. I would be fine with buying a complete new vanity but then I struggle with the dark brown big cabinets across from the vanity. I feel like they should match the vanity but maybe I'm overthinking it? 

[juliachild]

I like the big wood cabinets. I would want the vanity and cabinet to match, so I would leave them. I agree that painting the walls and changing the hardware would help a lot. With $2k you could get a new vanity top, sink, and hardware too.

Here's a picture showing updated fixtures, blue walls, and a dark wood vanity.

[thejackpot]

I also like the big wood cabinet- they don't look dated but if you changed the vanity (another vote for a wood one, not a colored one) and changed the hardware on the big cabinets to match it would look fresh and new,

[fryjack2]

I painted out super dark mater bath cabinet from a dark walnut to a white over the summer. I used Jolie paint because you don't have to sand and prime. I did take the doors off to paint them. It was easier than I thought it would be and they look great. I also changed the hardware and those changes transformed out bathroom.

I actually like the color of your cabinets- mid centuryish I like your shower curtain as well, but I would change the wall color and the hardware of the cabinets.

[dancelnow]

Painting will be easier than lightening the wood. Get an orbital sander from Harbor Freight for $30. Take off the doors. Pick your new hardware and if it doesn’t match the existing holes, fill them in before you sand/paint then drill new after.

Sand the doors and the fronts of the frames to the point there is no loose paint and wipe down well. Use a paint specifically designed for cabinets and pay attention to what it says for how long between coats and to cure after. It will be longer than wall paint.

To me painting is totally worth the effort.

[Deleted]

I personally like the wood, so would probably leave it.

What I would do, listed in priority order based on your budget:

paint the walls (I'd embrace the toilet and shower color and paint a greige)
replace the medicine cabinet with a mirror
new hardware on the vanity and cabinets
new vanity top with updated faucet

[kanga1]

So after much thought my finished bathroom looks nothing like my inspiration picture. I'm very happy with how it turned out though. We did a new vanity/sink/faucet, a different mirror, added the cabinet above the toilet, new cabinet hardware, new light fixtures, paint, shower curtain and rug and a new toilet. Thanks for everyone's input

[mrsukyankee]

I love the update. Well done!

[thejackpot]

Oh my goodness! It looks great!I am so glad you didn't paint the cabinet- you made it work and look new.

[mrspez07]

It looks great! Way to rescue the existing stuff for a fresh look.

[Deleted]

I love it. It really looks great.

[simpsongal]

Such a difference- I’m glad you kept the vanity