Navy Blue and Beadboard: A One-Year Anniversary of a DIY Powder Room Makeover

Last year, Lilly and her husband Markus spent their Independence Day weekend transforming the tiny powder room that connects to their bedroom. To mark the one-year anniversary of that bathroom makeover, we’re celebrating their thoughtful, hands-on renovation and sharing Lilly’s entertaining account of the project.

After living in our 1952 house for three years, I was thrilled to finally tackle the renovation of a small but much-loved powder room off our bedroom. We did every step ourselves—demolition, painting, tiling, plumbing, installing beadboard, and finishing trim—and the whole project felt like a concentrated, satisfying long weekend.

Removing old wallpaper was oddly cathartic. It had been adhered very well—similar to our prior bathroom update—but after borrowing a neighbor’s steamer, the paper started to peel off quickly and cleanly. Once the surface was prepped, we could move on to the structural work and design choices.

Tiling the floor took a full day of mixing mortar and carefully setting tile. We bought a wet saw from Home Depot for about $90 to trim tiles to size and fit the edges and corners. We had one mishap when a second batch of mortar was mixed too thin and some tiles didn’t adhere properly—an event that tested our patience and partnership—but we corrected it and finished the tiled floor.

Grouting turned out to be my favorite stage—it feels like the moment everything comes together. It’s forgiving, almost intuitive, and gives your arms a workout. I selected a grey grout to contrast with the white tile while keeping the palette neutral and appealing for future homeowners. After investing so much work into this space, selling the house anytime soon seems unlikely; the bathroom feels like a personal keepsake now.

For the look, I aimed for a midcentury, prep-inspired aesthetic with subtle nautical notes—without making the room feel like a themed set. A rope-framed mirror, polished chrome hardware, and deep navy walls delivered the vibe I wanted: classic and coastal without being kitschy.

One meaningful detail is a piece of wall art originally given to my grandfather. He hung it proudly in his home until he passed away, and having it in our powder room keeps a bit of that family history present in our house. While tastes and furnishings change over time, keeping that artwork nearby connects the past home to our current family life.

Another small but special feature is the original built-in magazine rack, which we salvaged, repainted to match the beadboard and trim, and reinstalled. It’s a charming architectural detail and serves as a cozy spot to tuck away a few guilty-pleasure magazines I always seem to keep.

We’re grateful to Lilly for sharing her renovation story and photos. Her thoughtful reuse of family art and the restoration of the original magazine rack are highlights that make this small powder room feel personal and well-crafted. If you’d like to see the full story and a complete list of materials she used, visit Lilly’s blog for more details. Wishing everyone a happy Fourth of July weekend and inspiration for your next DIY bathroom renovation!