Before and After: An Empty Space Turned Stylish Bathroom for Just $1000

Small spaces can sometimes pack an even bigger punch than generously sized ones, and this utility room-turned-bathroom from Christine Gummersall of Honey Built Home is proof. As a utility room, this space was a blank canvas; “with its small size, I wanted to make the space bold and impactful,” Christine says. The space wasn’t being put to much use as it was: Originally a storage room by the water heater and furnace, it provided the perfect place to slide in a much-needed extra bathroom so that guests wouldn’t have to crowd into the bathroom shared by Christine’s three kids.

Christine took on the redo as part of the One Room Challenge, so she was on a six-week timetable to finish. She did most of the work herself, with an assist from her dad when it came to installing the shower faucets and the toilet.

Christine started by leveling the concrete floor before installing new matte black hex tile underfoot. “Grouting and tiling definitely took WAY longer than I had anticipated. Two straight days of grouting, I thought my fingers were going to fall off,” Christine says. She also tiled the bathroom’s standing shower.

On the walls, Christine installed horizontal wainscoting painted a mossy green color; above, she added brush stroke-printed wallpaper from Livette’s Wallpaper in a custom color to perfectly match.

“I love the wallpaper matching the paint color exactly,” Christine says. “So many spaces have colored wallpaper with a white wainscoting, but taking a modern moody spin to have the wallpaper and paint match makes the space so unique.”

Above is a better look at the color of the wainscoting and paper—because the room’s an interior space, photos don’t always portray the color accurately.

For a natural touch, Christine added a wood vanity; the white top keeps it feeling fresh and modern. Final touch? Some open shelves above the newly installed toilet, with room for bathroom essentials and a little artwork, too.

The total cost to bring this space from glorified closet to functional bathroom was just $1,000—a steal! Now, guests have a bathroom to use that feels modern, inviting, and very grown up.

Inspired? Submit your own project here.