Uncovering the Pink Bathroom Nightmare
When my husband and I purchased our 1941 home a few years ago, I knew it was going to need a little TLC. The character was there – wood floors, crown molding, and tons of built-ins – but with that charm often comes outdated finishes that need some love. A fresh coat of paint solved a lot of my design dilemmas, but there was one space that I assumed was a lost cause: the main floor bathroom.
That’s right, pink. More of a peachy pink, really. Wall-to-wall pink tile on the floor, the walls, and in the shower. Not to mention the gold fixtures (not the pretty kind), the original sink, and zero storage. We did a quick update when we moved in with a new vanity, toilet, lighting, and medicine cabinet, but the pink tile just kept staring at me every single day. At some point, someone had even replaced the original floor tile with…new pink tile! My updates just couldn’t neutralize that peach hue, and I knew I had to change it.
As I discovered in my research, Rust-Oleum had a line of products that would allow me to not only paint the wall tile, but also refinish the shower tile and tub, and even paint the floors. And it was easier than I ever could have imagined.
A Weekend Transformation
The entire project took me a total of 3 days, but that’s only because I had my little helpers (aka my kids) interrupting me every 5 minutes for snacks. This is truly the most budget-friendly way to update your bathroom and create a space you’ll love and be proud of – because you can do it yourself!
Let’s dive into the step-by-step process, shall we?
Prepping the Space
First, I removed any old caulking and cleaned the tile and tub with Rust-Oleum Krud Kutter, a non-toxic cleaner that removed all the residue to give me a clean work surface. I taped around the shower fixtures (or removed them) to prevent any drips.
Refinishing the Tile and Tub
For the tile walls and tub, I used the Rust-Oleum Tub and Tile Refinishing Kit. I mixed the two parts together, stirred with a paint stick, and got to work using a paint roller specifically for tile and smooth surfaces. I made sure to roll in various directions to get the best coverage, and it was totally fine to go over the grout – the paint adhered beautifully. I did two coats, waiting an hour in between.
After 3 days of curing, I was able to reapply new caulk around the tub and start using the bathroom again. The difference was remarkable – my tub looked brand new, and the tiles went from that dreaded peachy pink to a clean, bright white.
Painting the Floors
For the floors, I followed a similar process. First, I cleaned the surface with the Krud Kutter and made sure it was completely dry before painting. I applied the Rust-Oleum HOME Floor Coating with a roller, using the Ultra White as my base coat and waiting at least 6 hours before the second coat.
Once the base coat was set, I used a stencil from Amazon and the Rust-Oleum HOME Oyster Shell color to add a subtle splash of contrast. I applied a light adhesive to keep the stencil flat, then used a mini foam roller to paint the design. After carefully removing the stencil, I topped it all off with the Rust-Oleum HOME Top Coat, waiting 24 hours before walking on my beautiful new floors.
Painting the Walls
My entire house has gray or white walls, so I really wanted to add a bold color in the bathroom. Rust-Oleum made the decision easy with their line of pre-mixed, ready-to-use wall paints. I chose the Rust-Oleum HOME Interior Wall Paint in North Shore, the most perfect shade of blue.
I started by removing any pictures, switch plates, and nails, then patching any areas that needed repair. I taped off the areas I didn’t want to accidentally get paint on, like the newly painted tile. Using a high-quality edging brush, I painted the areas around the fixtures, windows, doors, and corners, ensuring a smooth transition. Then, I used a paint roller to apply the paint to the walls in a “W” pattern, overlapping each stroke for even coverage. I needed two coats due to the deep color of the paint.
The Reveal: A Complete Bathroom Transformation
The end result is a bathroom that I’m truly proud of and excited to use. What was once a peach-colored nightmare is now a bright, refreshed space with beautiful white tile, a stunning blue accent wall, and a fun geometric floor design. And the best part? I did it all myself over the course of a single weekend.
This project just goes to show that you don’t need to break the bank or hire a professional to give your home a much-needed facelift. With the right tools and a little elbow grease, you can transform any space in your home – even on a tight budget. So what are you waiting for? Get out there and start refreshing those walls and floors!
