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Bathroom Ideas on a Budget: Creamy White Painted Tile

In this post: If you’re searching for bathroom ideas on a budget, look no further than spray painted porcelain tile for a complete bathroom transformation.

Bathroom Ideas on a Budget | Creamy White Painted Tile - designthusiasm.com

When we moved into our home many years ago, much of the house was in its original condition. We had bought it from the initial owner, a builder who had it constructed in 1948. Given its dire need for an update, we set about renovating over the ensuing years, until we got to the point where almost every nook and cranny had been reworked. All, that is, except for a secondary upstairs bath. The room was a decent size with both bath and shower, but with black and blue tile that screamed “1948” and fixtures and details that were even worse, it was finally time to give this room some well deserved attention.

The one complication was that we were beginning to think about moving, so we weren’t sure just how involved we wanted to get with this renovation. After much thought and compromise, we came up with a “bandaid” solution that we could live with if we stayed, but that cost far less than what we would have spent had we been 100% committed to the project. I wish I had better “before” pictures to share, so I could better illustrate just how transformative the change was.

Bathroom Ideas on a Budget | Creamy White Painted Tile - designthusiasm.com

Here’s an old shot of the room that can at least give an idea of the tiling. We replaced the dark hollow doors years ago and had prettied the room up as best we could with floral curtains and such. But still the tile and ancient detailing remained. What follows are some of our bathroom ideas on a budget.

Bathroom Ideas on a Budget | Creamy White Painted Tile - designthusiasm.com

The most significant but simple change was realized through the tile. We knew we wanted to lighten it up, but gutting the room and putting in new marble would have been quite costly, so we settled on having the walls, tub and shower porcelain sprayed. 

Bathroom Ideas on a Budget | Creamy White Painted Tile - designthusiasm.com

The floor we replaced, as well as vanity and commode and added all new brushed nickel fixtures, as well.

Bathroom Ideas on a Budget | Creamy White Painted Tile - designthusiasm.com

I wanted the room to be a fresh white base with crystal and a mix of metals to add a bit of glimmer. I spent some time finding antique accessories that would dress the room up, while serving a practical purpose, here holding Q-tips, cotton balls and guest soaps.

Bathroom Ideas on a Budget | Creamy White Painted Tile - designthusiasm.com

The focal point of the room became a large vintage mirror hung over the bath, with crystal lighting reflecting in the gilt framed glass. I really wanted the chandy hung over the tub, but the electrician advised that that wasn’t up to code.

Bathroom Ideas on a Budget | Creamy White Painted Tile - designthusiasm.com

The vanity offers open shelves with neatly presented crisp white towels. A vintage bathroom tissue holder rounds out the picture while providing a practical function.

Bathroom Ideas on a Budget | Creamy White Painted Tile - designthusiasm.com

Rance soaps in a silver dish add flourish to the vanity while an antique perfume bottle sits nearby. Sculpted white hand towels mirror the pattern in the soaps.

Bathroom Ideas on a Budget | Creamy White Painted Tile - designthusiasm.com

I have these tall candlesticks all over the house, so I ordered five more to frame the bath.

Bathroom Ideas on a Budget | Creamy White Painted Tile - designthusiasm.com

A silver sugar bowl with pink peonies lends a delicate warm touch to the bright room.

Bathroom Ideas on a Budget | Creamy White Painted Tile - designthusiasm.com

We still haven’t decided whether to stay or go, but I enjoy the room now when I pass it in the hall.

Bathroom Ideas on a Budget | Creamy White Painted Tile - designthusiasm.com

Bathroom Ideas on a Budget Source List – Click on the items below for direct links to the products. Where actual items were no longer available, I’ve provided similar options. (This post contains some affiliate links for your convenience. Click here to read my full disclosure policy.)

Get the Look

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Comments

    • Thanks, Lee. Actually, we didn’t remove any tile. The old tile on the walls and in the shower was just sprayed by a company that specializes in porcelain spray. Not sure how long it will last, but it’s a guest bath that doesn’t get much use. The floor tile is new, but it was laid right on top of the old tile. That’s what kept the price down.

      Reply

  3. Porcelain sprayed? I have never heard of that! I just went on Google to look it up, and it sounds like a way to get what you want without quite so much expense. Hmmmm….thinking about our kitchen and the changes I’d like to make in there!

    I must tell you that the transformation of this bathroom space is nothing short of phenomenal!!! It is so pretty now! I love a white bathroom, and a chandelier is ALWAYS, ALWAYS, ALWAYS right at home in a bathroom in my opinion! (Glad you mentioned what the electrician said about putting the chandelier over the tub. I wanted to do that, but if it could present problems, no point in thinking about that anymore!) I adore that wash basin, and I’m just over the moon with the fabulous pieces you found to carry out utilitarian jobs in a fashionable way!!! My pinning finger will most likely fall off before I’m done here! 🙂

    The mirror over the tub is FAH-bulous!!! What a beautiful way to set it! You really have made a wonderful statement with this bathroom!

    Reply

    • Thank you so much Alycia!! Yes, the spray was a huge epiphany and money saver. I’d seen it done successfully before, so I knew it was worth a shot. I’d be careful about using it in a well used room though, because it probably chips pretty easily. Ours has held up perfectly in the months since we did it, but when we were first renovating, we had the shower door replaced and the installation caused some chipping. Fortunately the spray company takes this into account and you are entitled to a touch up once your renovation is complete… 🙂 And yes, I much more enjoyed the accessory shopping to picking out faucets!

      Reply

    • Thanks Christine! There actually is a separate stall shower on the right side of the room, so right now that’s just a tub. But it used to have a shower head in it, as well. That’s right – when we bought the house there were two showers in this room!

      Reply

  7. This looks great, Lory! Beautiful transformation! My hubby sprayed the blue shower tiles in the master bath of a 50’s home, we recently renovated for our girls. It really makes a world of difference! Your bathroom is stunning!

    Reply

    • Thanks Becky! Yes, we sealed it but actually the grout is not new. It was just sprayed over when they sprayed the tile. Since we were putting in a new floor, the our tile guy did all the sealing. Also, I need to underscore that this is a guest bath, so doesn’t get a whole lot of showering use. But so far in 6 months it has held up perfectly.

      Reply

  18. Absolutely stunning! Can you tell me where you purchased the floor tiles? Brand? Pattern Style Number? Manufacturer Color Name? Thank you so much!

    Reply

  19. How much does that porcelain spraying run? I love that idea! Were trying to do as little as possible to get our house ready to sell
    This sounds like a great idea. Ours looks kinda like yours did!
    Thank you
    Wendy

    Reply

  20. I have been thinking about this as a solution now that I have seen how great your bathroom looks! Can you tell me how bad the toxic fumes were, and how long they lasted?

    Thanks. It looks lovely.

    Reply

  21. Ok, you are the first I have seen use the porcelain spraying….how was the process?? how long did it take? Will it last do you think?? I have old tile and tub also, 1959. I’ve been thinking about it, so what company did you use??
    Oh it looks fabulous!
    Nancy
    wildoakdesigns.blogspot.com

    Reply

    • Thanks, Nancy! Here’s the deal on the spraying. Process was easy to deal with. Hired a local company – they came in and did it in one day (took a couple of hours). Had to keep the windows open for a day or so, so I wouldn’t do it in the winter. Then, they told me to have all my other work done in the room, and then they would come back at the end and do a final touch up. The only place I needed that was when I had the shower door installed, the installer chipped the spray (as well as my wall!) The touch up was included in the initial price and worked fine. It still looks great today and we did it at least a year ago. BUT that said, I would not do this in a bathroom you use frequently. This is a bath that used to be my kids’ and now is a guest bath. It is rarely used except for when then kids come in and even then, they still prefer to use my shower. So I would say it’s a great option for either a room that’s not often used, or as a temporary solution to hold off a more complete renovation. I doubt it would hold up well with prolonged use. It does look really great though. It was SO ugly before!

      Reply

  22. Hey Lory, We are currently working on our upstairs bathroom reno. We ended up having to mostly gut ours because of plumbing problems. We kept the old sink and tub and they’re being refinished. I love how your remodel turned out. It has a light fresh look with a touch of drama from the beautiful chandelier and mirror. And those pink peonies have me dreaming of summer.
    xo Sally

    Reply

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