Hello friends — I hope your week is off to a great start. I spent the weekend refreshing my guest bathroom: painting the walls and cabinets, swapping the hardware, and adding a few colorful touches to give the space personality. Big thanks to my mom for helping with the kids and taking down my Christmas decor — otherwise it might still be up!
I teamed up with Ace Hardware for this weekend project. My goals were simple: replace the builder-grade finishes, refresh the paint palette, and install sturdier, more attractive hardware. I previously updated the wall color — you can see my post about painting the walls — which already helped remove the orange-y beige that made the room feel dated.
Before this refresh, the bathroom hadn’t been touched since we moved in — aside from a functional shower curtain. The walls were a neutral beige and the cabinets were honey oak. The fixtures were inexpensive and lightweight; they worked, but they didn’t complement the classic look I wanted. I replaced the towel ring, towel bar, toilet paper holder, and faucet with more substantial pieces to elevate the overall feel.
Because this room is compact and lacks natural light, it’s hard to photograph every change at once. You’ll see the updates in sections. If any colors look slightly off in photos, it’s due to lighting and editing — the paint matches the look in person.
The transformation began with paint. I used Clark+Kensington Oyster Pearl on the walls and chose Ominous Cloud for the cabinets — a muted gray-blue that pairs beautifully with warm accents. Both colors instantly modernized the space and created a calm, inviting backdrop.
For the cabinetry I used Ace Hardware’s Cabinet and Trim paint. The self-leveling formula gives a factory-smooth finish that looks professional. A practical tip: apply thin coats and be prepared to do more than one; I applied three thin coats for the best result. The finish now looks like new cabinetry from the factory.
I kept the existing knobs on the cabinet doors but swapped the drawer pulls for bin pulls — I’ve wanted that look for a while and they finish the design nicely. The new hardware feels more substantial and coordinates with the new faucet and accessories for a cohesive, classic look.
My inspiration and color anchor came from a pair of Norman Rockwell prints I inherited from my great-grandmother. They’d been tucked away for years, but their classic Americana feel guided the room’s style. The muted gray-blue cabinets, touches of red, and vintage-inspired art create what I’d call a Traditional Americana look for the guest bathroom.
I also brought in red towels I’ve had since my wedding. I’d nearly donated them, but they now complement the palette perfectly. The red accents feel intentional rather than overpowering when combined with the soft gray-blue walls and the vintage prints.
Small decorative touches helped pull the look together: a simple framed printable, a mercury glass candle, and a wooden tray add texture and personality without cluttering the space. These accents reinforce the intentional, lived-in feel I wanted the room to have.
I particularly love the new hardware — even the toilet paper holder feels like an upgrade. The heavier, quality finishes make a small but meaningful difference in how the room reads. Overall, the combination of updated paint, better finishes, and thoughtfully chosen accents turned a bland, functional bathroom into a warm and welcoming guest space.
Thanks for taking the tour. I’m thrilled to have given our guest and kid bathroom a refreshed, purposeful style that feels true to the home.
Sources:
“Live Your Life on Purpose” printable: On Sutton Place
Moen Banbury Two Handle Bathroom Faucet in Brushed Nickel
Moen Sage Toilet Paper Holder
Moen 24in Inspirations Towel Bar
Moen Sage Towel Ring
Spectrum® Small Locker Basket
Ace Cabinet, Door & Trim Semi-Gloss Alkyd Enamel Paint
Red and Blue Bowl
Bin Pulls
Mercury Glass Candle
Wooden Tray
More Posts You Will Love:
- How to Frame a Builder-Grade Mirror
- How to Create Big Style in a Small Bathroom
- Blue & Green Traditional Powder Room Reveal