Why the 1/2 bath matters.
Why is the 1/2 bath always the step child? This is the one bathroom, even though it’s probably the smallest, that your guests will actually visit! When we downsized into our townhouse, it had just been built. That means it’s move-in ready, right? Not for us! It was time for the home improvement projects to begin and one of the first ones on the list was the 1/2 bath.
It all starts with inspiration.
When I see something that I like, I take a picture of it. I’m not always sure where it will turn up, but I know that I want to incorporate somewhere. Shopping at Pottery Barn, I came across this table. I didn’t really love it as a table but I loved the way the wood crisscrossed and fit together like a puzzle.
Pedestal sink (before)
Not sure exactly why, but my husband has an aversion to pedestal sinks. At the same time, the size of this bathroom really didn’t lend itself to having a full cabinet. We started the project by finding an inexpensive top mount sink at Ikea.
(After)
From there, Garret incorporated the Pottery Barn inspiration into a faux sink cabinet built to the dimensions of the sink. The backsplash (to protect the wall) is just a simple piece of aluminum flashing from Lowes.
The Details & the theme
Pulling it all together
You will find that most of our projects have a theme. That makes it easy to pull together the accessories for a room. Inspired by an eyechart canvas I found on Canvas Prints, this theme became an “optometrist” theme (random, I know). I started with the paint. The shade is iron mountain Behr paint from Home Depot. To add interest to the space behind the toilet, I found a shelf at Hobby Lobby and filled it with my “go to” green plants. Hobby Lobby also had a towel ring which Garret mounted on a piece of wood and a wood mirror to pull it all together. The metal glasses were something I spotted standing in the never ending line at Homegoods along with the bizarre eyelash mirror and the look was complete! My final touch was adding some texture with a jute rug which pulled all the browns and grays together.
The shelf
This simple shelf adds interest and color to the wall above the toilet. One of my favorite finds were the metal glasses!
the canvas
The inspiration of the room theme. Not a lot of wall space so every piece counts.
The mirror
A frame adds interest to a bathroom mirror. The towel hook mounted on a piece of wood pulls back in the metal and wood on the shelf.
the eye
Sometimes you just need a conversation piece. Something I would never buy on its own but fun to fill the space above the door.
So in conclusion, the 1/2 bath can be just as fun to decorate as any other room in the house! Although it is small, it can make a big impression on your guests!
Final Product
