French Country & Cozy: Transforming Our Guest Bathroom on a Budget
Before + After
Out with the g{old} and in with the New
Our guest bathroom renovation turned out to be a delightful project, much simpler than our dining room revamp (you can read all about that transformation here). We’re absolutely thrilled with the results! What was once a dark and dated space has been transformed into a bright, inviting retreat with a French country feel. The space now features light and airy prints, naturally textured elements, and carefully curated antiques that add personal touches throughout. And the best part? We accomplished all of this for under $600! The most expensive piece was the gorgeous mango wood cabinet, so without that, the cost would have been even lower. Read on for all the details and tips of our renovation + sourced links to all the decor!
The Main Characters: Walls & Flooring
This Jack-and-Jill bathroom, nestled between our two guest bedrooms, has no windows, so natural light is limited. I knew from the start that the walls needed to be a warm white to brighten the space as much as possible. I chose Benjamin Moore’s White Dove, a shade that’s perfectly warm without veering into undertones that can be tricky. For those who prefer another option, Sherwin Williams’ Alabaster is another beautiful white we’ve used throughout the rest of our home.
For the flooring, I dreamed of a classic checkerboard tile. I adore the look of black and white, but in this space, it felt a bit too harsh and didn’t flow as well with the guest bedrooms. Given my notorious commitment issues when it comes to something as permanent as tile flooring (LOL), I decided to test the waters with a high-quality matte peel-and-stick vinyl tile in a gray-beige and white diamond pattern. This option cost around $100, and my husband had it installed in under three hours! It’s held up wonderfully over the past 2.5 months, even through water, cleaning, and guests. Eventually, we may go for actual tile, but for now, this has been a fantastic solution.
Tips for Vinyl Tile Flooring:
Ensure the floor underneath is flat and smooth (we had existing tile).
Lay all the tiles down first to get the pattern and feel just right.
Remove and reinstall baseboards after installation for a flush finish.
Use a sharp box cutter to trim the tiles to the correct size.
While I wouldn’t recommend this in high-traffic areas like a kitchen, it’s been perfect for our guest bathroom!
The Vanity Area
We decided to keep things simple here by leaving the existing cabinets and countertops, which already complemented the new walls and floor beautifully. To add a bit of personality, I mixed metals—brass and polished nickel—for a curated, less matchy-matchy feel. To bring harmony to the polished nickel faucets and brass décor, I hung an ornate antique mirror alongside warm silver picture frames showcasing black-and-white photography. The ornate mirror, which I luckily found at an antique store a couple of years ago, fits the space perfectly.
Art is so personal, and it should inspire + reflect the people living in a home. I found these charming photographs of Audrey Hepburn and her husband playing golf in Switzerland during the 1960s, and they felt JUST right for the space—especially since my husband and I love golfing together. Plus, I’ve always adored Audrey and the era of fashion that surrounds the ‘60s.
Given the lack of natural light, we needed ample lighting in this area. We installed two sconces with a total of four soft white 60W bulbs, providing plenty of brightness for getting ready at the vanity.
The Shower Area
This area’s standout features are the cabinet, shower curtain, and a whimsical little brass swan toilet paper holder. After a long search for the perfect cabinet, I found a stunning mango wood piece with brass detailing and metalwork on the glass doors. Its warmth and craftsmanship align perfectly with the collected, French country tone we were aiming for.
I debated wallpapering this bathroom for a while and may still do so in the future, but for now, I chose a vintage tapestry-inspired shower curtain to achieve the same color and pattern additions. It adds depth and a touch of whimsy to the space, and my husband, a hunting enthusiast, appreciated the subtle deer detail in the design.
The Swan: Adding a touch of unexpected charm, the brass swan toilet paper holder has become a conversation starter. I’ve received more messages, compliments, and clicks on this single piece than I ever imagined! She’s the perfect blend of fun and elegance, and if you’re looking to add a little surprise to your own bathroom, I highly recommend her.
When asked to describe my interior design style, I like to think it’s always evolving, just like we are. However, at my core, my love for French country cottage coziness mixed with a grand-millennial Ralph Lauren aesthetic remains constant. Thank you for following along as we continue to transform our country cottage into a cozy French country retreat, little by little.
Where to Find our Bathroom Decor (all items linked):
Swan Toilet Paper Holder: linked here
Disclaimer: I may receive small commission from affiliate links included in this blog post when you purchase an item. However, this blog post is not sponsored by any brands or products mentioned. Thank you