Half Bathroom Videos

Half Bath Progress — A Slow But Solid Start

Last Updated on October 25, 2019 by Kristi Linauer

I didn’t get a whole lot crossed off of my to do list yesterday, because I spent quite a bit of time going over the to do list, making another list of materials and supplies I need to get everything done, and heading to Home Depot. That always takes longer than expected, but I did still manage to get some work done when I got home.

You can see my progress here…

Having trouble with that video? You can watch it here on YouTube.

I finally have a ceiling light installed. For that light, I opted for a large, round, simple LED light that kind of looks like a solar tube. I also saw a vanity light that I really liked, so I swapped that out.

I got the mirror hardware painted and installed the mirror, but I don’t think I like it. It just looks small and skimpy, and I really prefer the more substantial look of the mirror in the hallway bathroom…

colorful small bathroom makeover - 10

So I might wait a couple more days and see if this oval mirror grows on me, or you might see a post from me tomorrow showing a new mirror. šŸ™‚

I got the vanity raised using 1 1/2-inch dowels, but I can’t cross that off of my list just yet because I still need to do some caulking or wood filling, and then paint them to match the legs.

half bathroom progress 9-23-19 - 2

And look! An outlet! It still doesn’t work because I need to install one more outlet before I can hook up this circuit, but at least this one is installed.

half bathroom progress 9-23-19 - 4

And that gap between the vanity countertop and the bottom of the tile is gone. As soon as I get those two missing tiles attached to the right of the outlet, I can get this part of the tile grouted.

And finally, I had a window fail. I tried to put window film on the bottom half of the window, but I accidentally tore the corner while trying to trim it and had to pull it off. That left these areas of sticky adhesive behind, so now I have to get some Goo Gone or something like that and get the sticky stuff off before I can try again. Ugh. Two steps forward, one step back.

half bathroom progress 9-23-19 - 3

So it was slow going on Day 1. My list looks like this…

  • Raise vanity 1/2 inch (in progress, but still needs paint)
  • Install HVAC air duct vent
  • Install ceiling light Done!
  • Install crown molding
  • Put a clear coat protective finish on the upper walls (just on the ā€œwallpaperā€ design)
  • Install wall trim ā€” chair rail, picture frame molding, baseboards
  • Finish installing the tile and then grout
  • Wood fill, sand, caulk prime and paint all of the trim
  • Paint the bathroom door and install the pull
  • Hang the mirror Done! But unsure if I like it.
  • Install two outlets and outlet/switch covers (in progress!)
  • Finish the wall design and remove all of the tape
  • Install the toilet
  • Print and frame photo print for wall
  • Find a privacy solution for the window (tried and failed…I’ll try again today)

Now that I have all of my materials and supplies, I should be able to spend more time today actually working and making progress. I hope to have more to show you tomorrow!

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35 Comments

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  • Reply To This Comment ā†“
    BeckyJ
    September 24, 2019 at 10:19 am

    I like the mirror! I think it more in keeping with a powder room than a giant wall mirror. AND it lets more of the beautiful painted wall design show.

    • Reply To This Comment ā†“
      Betty
      September 24, 2019 at 11:18 am

      I agree! It would be a shame to cover up any more of that wall !

    • Reply To This Comment ā†“
      Adele
      September 24, 2019 at 11:51 am

      I agree, too. The “barely there” mirror let’s you see more of the wall design.

    • Reply To This Comment ā†“
      jan
      September 24, 2019 at 12:17 pm

      I like the mirror, too! I think it lets you see more of the wall design and fits the size of the room. I do not like the big mirrors that are so everywhere these days. But that is just my taste, I guess.

    • Reply To This Comment ā†“
      Martha
      September 24, 2019 at 1:12 pm

      Agree… itā€™s big enough to check your face and hair, but allows the walls to be the boss.

    • Reply To This Comment ā†“
      carswell
      September 24, 2019 at 1:22 pm

      Another vote for the mirror – I really like it.

  • Reply To This Comment ā†“
    Judy
    September 24, 2019 at 10:50 am

    Haha your “slow going” is my exceptionally fast mode! It’s coming along beautifully!

  • Reply To This Comment ā†“
    Theresa P
    September 24, 2019 at 10:52 am

    I think I just generally have a more minimalist style. For me, I would have EVERYTHING be white or stainless or a blond wood tone, except for the awesome wall design. BUT, that’s just me. So, go forth and do what makes your heart sing! Bigger mirror – do it! Artwork on the walls – do it! Don’t hold back or question yourself, go with what makes you happy!

  • Reply To This Comment ā†“
    Susan D
    September 24, 2019 at 11:16 am

    Everything is lovely, you never fail to amaze! I’d double check, but I was told and have read that spraying the glass with windex before attaching the film allows you to position it. I watched someone do that with solid stickers (not see through) and couldn’t believe my eyes. They ended up just as stuck on as if there had been no liquid behind them. I hope you are having fun seeing each thing become finished. xo

  • Reply To This Comment ā†“
    florence fixx
    September 24, 2019 at 11:22 am

    hats off to you ā€¦. I love the new light over the green one , it does not distract at all from the wall itself , I really like the mirror and its size ā€¦. I like your first pick of this ā€¦ YOU GO GIRL , šŸ‘šŸ‘

  • Reply To This Comment ā†“
    Carla from Kansas
    September 24, 2019 at 11:25 am

    You won’t really need a larger mirror in that 1/2 bath. i think it looks good and i like the light fixture you switched to.

  • Reply To This Comment ā†“
    CoCo
    September 24, 2019 at 11:33 am

    Looks great.

  • Reply To This Comment ā†“
    Teckla Buller
    September 24, 2019 at 11:33 am

    Yes, love the progress! But I agree that the mirror needs to be bigger. If you like a round or oval mirror, why not get a larger oval one and install it horizontally? Especially, if you could create some type of decorative/accent frame for it? Anyway, it’s your special space; do whatever makes YOU happy.

  • Reply To This Comment ā†“
    Justin
    September 24, 2019 at 11:39 am

    I’m curious why you’re bothering with the window film? For one, it faces the backyard and is obscured by the carport. But more to the point, the window is well “above the waist” (and out of line of the toilet and it’s not really the kind of bathroom where you’re going to strip naked, since you have no shower.

    I guess, I see no need for the added privacy, unless you’re planning to strip naked after playing in the mud or sawdust and then streak through the house to get to the other bathroom to shower. šŸ™‚

    Same applies to the mirror. You probably aren’t going to be in here brushing your teeth or fixing your hair. This is more of a, “pop in, do your business, wash your hands and leave,” bathroom. Functionally, you don’t need a large mirror for that. If you want it just for looks, though, that makes sense.

    • Reply To This Comment ā†“
      Rebecca Neustel
      September 26, 2019 at 11:28 pm

      I agree, but maybe Iā€™m just used to being out in the country where thereā€™s no one looking in the windows! lol

  • Reply To This Comment ā†“
    Alta Craig
    September 24, 2019 at 11:40 am

    I agree with you about the mirror, it doesn’t compliment the vanity and walls. It needs a wider frame, perhaps. Progress is progress, and you did make some yesterday. Step by step it’s coming together. Why not get the basics completed and then do the decorative things?

  • Reply To This Comment ā†“
    Trish Brinkhaus
    September 24, 2019 at 11:54 am

    Skip the Goo Gone. Try white vinegar diluted with some water. That’s usually very good at removing most glues (and it’s great for wallpaper removal too!). Glad to see you’re making progress. Getting back at it is sometimes the most difficult part.

  • Reply To This Comment ā†“
    Dottie
    September 24, 2019 at 12:11 pm

    Iā€™m not any kind of expert on decorating, but I do a lot of ā€œsketchbook-as-artā€ work. This often involves placement and sizing of multiple ā€œframesā€ on a page and relating them (size, distance), like the oval of the mirror and the rectangle of the vanity. The proportions of the mirror to vanity donā€™t strike me as quite right (Iā€™m an eye baller, not a measurer or strict rule followerā€”so this is just to my particular eye). Most people would quickly get used to the entire beautiful room as is, though. I do think, IMHO, that a bigger (taller and wider) mirror might be better. What about cutting out, from kraft paper or what-have-you, an oval of the same proportions but several inches wider on its edgesā€”tape it in place and see what you think?

  • Reply To This Comment ā†“
    Jennie
    September 24, 2019 at 12:16 pm

    Love both the new lights. What great progress you made. Seriously! You made a list, got supplies and still did all of that. Bravo, Super Woman!

  • Reply To This Comment ā†“
    Carol
    September 24, 2019 at 12:20 pm

    For me, the rounded shape of the mirror hits a note of discord with all the angles of the paint design. I wouldn’t worry about covering up the design, since the mirror reflects it, so there isn’t a big hole of missing design, but maybe a shape that works with the design, rather than fight it.

  • Reply To This Comment ā†“
    Amy
    September 24, 2019 at 12:39 pm

    I agree about the mirror being on the small side. It appears to be a little out of scale. I’m thinking a nice larger round mirror would look good. Target has some great clean lined ones, even some with thin black frames.
    As for the unnecessary need for privacy film another commenter mentioned, I wouldn’t feel comfortable using the facilities with a big open window like that. And from what I gather in the future, this bathroom will be used by visitors to your “shop”, and it goes without saying that privacy will be needed.

  • Reply To This Comment ā†“
    Tracey
    September 24, 2019 at 12:40 pm

    Hey Kristi! Try using WD40 to remove the residue. It works great!

  • Reply To This Comment ā†“
    Heidi
    September 24, 2019 at 12:50 pm

    Rubbing alcohol should also work to get the stickiness off the mirror. I think that if this was a main bathroom, I would definitely go for a bigger mirror, but I think that size will work in this bathroom. I do think there is something naked about it, though. I think a nice wide white or black frame around it would make it look more finished or less naked, haha. Not sure how youā€™d do that with an oval shaped mirror that didnā€™t come with a frame, though.

  • Reply To This Comment ā†“
    Christine Czarnecki
    September 24, 2019 at 12:53 pm

    At first I thought, “now why does she like that gorgeous oval mirror?” And then I looked back at your photo. I think I know why.

    The shape, and maybe the smaller size.

    This beautiful powder room is full of repeating square and rectangular shapes. The oval shape of the mirror is the odd man out.

    How about something like it, but rectangular in shape? Pottery Barn has one, in two sizes and with different frame finishes.

    https://www.potterybarn.com/products/vintage-pivot-mirror/?cm_src=AutoSchNullRel

    The new lights look great, by the way.

  • Reply To This Comment ā†“
    Christine Czarnecki
    September 24, 2019 at 12:55 pm

    Oops! “Why does she NOT like the oval mirror?”

  • Reply To This Comment ā†“
    Molly
    September 24, 2019 at 1:20 pm

    My initial feeling when I saw the mirror, before I saw your comment about it, was the same as yours. I think it has something to do with the size of the mirror relative to the size of the vanity. For a smaller vanity, that mirror would be perfect.

  • Reply To This Comment ā†“
    Barbara H.
    September 24, 2019 at 1:34 pm

    Window privacy – I would put up a cafe or curtain on the lower half and call it good. Easy to do, easy to change if tired of the fabric, and still gives you light from the upper half. You made a lot of progress.

  • Reply To This Comment ā†“
    Laura H.
    September 24, 2019 at 2:42 pm

    Try hand sanitizer to remove the film from the window. It’s amazing how well it works for a lot of things such as easier removal of paint and stain from skin, sticky residue, softening up old caulk, etc… I try it first for a lot of things now before trying anything else.

    You sure have gotten a lot done in such a short time. Everything looks great but I can see a slightly larger mirror with a frame for that bathroom. I’m surprised by the ceiling light fixture. It isn’t the type of style I would have thought you would install in there. There’s nothing wrong with it, though, I’m just used to you using different types of fixtures than that. Keep up with this momentum and that room will quickly be finished.

    • Reply To This Comment ā†“
      Pamela E Myers
      September 24, 2019 at 6:03 pm

      That is what I was going to recommend to use! We used it to remove all kinds of sticky off walls, stainless and glass in the restaurant. It also is fabulous to remove build up grease. Sometimes it works even better if you put on a glob and let it sit and work for a moment or two.
      Hand sanitizer does not leave a greasy residue like WD40.
      Peanut butter works well at breaking down sticky glues too.

  • Reply To This Comment ā†“
    Sue
    September 24, 2019 at 2:56 pm

    I like the mirror! Remember this is a powder/clean up bathroom , not meant for grooming. I love your paint scheme in this bathroom and would hate to see more of it covered up than necessary. Just my 2 cents worth…

  • Reply To This Comment ā†“
    Diane
    September 24, 2019 at 3:03 pm

    Getting the “risers” put on the bottom of the vanity was a BIG job DONE in my book.
    I REALLY like the new vanity lights. What a great update. As far as the mirror… I think because of the large sink and the large graphic wall design you do need a larger mirror. If not for those two elements I think it would be fine. However… getting the right proportion with the new vanity lights, also, will be tricky. Can you do a square mirror turned on its point? That might duplicate the graphic design in a fun way AND expand the real estate without a truly significantly larger mirror?

    You’re on your way!!

  • Reply To This Comment ā†“
    Sandra Stone
    September 24, 2019 at 6:13 pm

    There’s a type of window film that sticks without adhesive…you just spray the glass lightly with water and then position the film, using a squeegie to squeeze out any excess moisture. I’ve used it with great results.

  • Reply To This Comment ā†“
    Dolores J
    September 24, 2019 at 7:11 pm

    Why not try the mirror oblong? you may like it!

  • Reply To This Comment ā†“
    Jenny Hartfelder
    September 24, 2019 at 7:36 pm

    Just my two cents … many years ago we used frosted glass spray paint for our basement windows (so that people couldn’t see in). It was super simple and gave privacy while still allowing light to shine through.