How’s that for a title? We’re about 20% finished with this bathroom, but we wanted to share photos to show the honest, work-in-progress reality of our new house. A fresh coat of paint (we’re torn between a soft gray and a warm mocha) should pull everything together and better integrate elements like the shower curtain, bathmat, and the charming vintage yellow tile. Adding better artwork, playful window treatments (a bright roman shade is on the list), swapping the light fixture, and making small tweaks over time should help move this room from “meh” to “wow.”
The practical news is it’s fully functional and spotless. You can brush your teeth, shower, and use the toilet without any problems. The previous owners left the place immaculately clean, so there’s no mildew or grime to battle. Now, on to the photos and details:
Yes, I folded the toilet paper into a little triangle like they do at hotels. Small touches like that make the space feel cared for.
This room is tiny — you can stand at the sink and touch all four walls. That limits the number of sweeping, wide-angle photos, but it also makes efficient small-space solutions essential. To the left of the toilet we added a small acrylic trash can (you can spot it in the top photo). In the shower we used a suction-cup caddy to hold sample-size shampoo and conditioner bottles and body wash. A mini tube of toothpaste sits in a cup above the sink so guests don’t need to hunt for anything basic.
We provide both bar soap and liquid hand soap to accommodate different preferences, and we hung some temporary art above the toilet — three framed food photographs (cupcakes, grapes, and lemons) we already had on hand. They break up the bare wall without worrying us about moisture damage: these are inexpensive reprints, so if they get a little damp or faded over time we can replace them easily. Eventually we’d love to find or make art that ties into the printed shower curtain and the deep teal of the adjoining bedroom for a livelier, coordinated look.
Counter space is limited, so we intentionally left the top of the toilet tank clear for guests to set toiletry bags or other small items. The sink has almost no lip, so that empty tank lid becomes a practical surface. We finished the space with plush white bath towels, hand towels, and washcloths to make it feel welcoming and guest-ready. It’s not 100% finished, but it’s comfortable and “grandparent ready,” which feels like a good milestone.
One small improvement we appreciate: a non-reflective door facing the toilet. No awkward full-body reflections while you’re seated — a small victory in bathroom privacy. And yes, I’m aware “John” can mean both the toilet and my husband; the double entendre made me chuckle.