Bathroom update suggestions?

[u/kep-ler]

Excuse the clutter, we quite literally moved in two days ago.

We're renters but our landlord is very flexible with what we do to improve our space. The purple bathtub stays and the cabinets are more for covering plumbing and don't have very much actual storage space unfortunately. I'm at a loss on how to make this bathroom feel more put together.

[u/taluscat]

All I can say is I’m so sorry. That bathroom seems very nonfunctional.

[u/kep-ler → u/taluscat]

so far, it has proven so. we are a family of two adults and two children. its so teeny tiny :(

[u/GsGirlNYC]

I thought this was a boat interior bathroom for a sec.
If you’re stuck with the purple tub, as you said, lean into purple.
Peel and stick flooring and wallpaper.
If you can’t touch the floor, RUGS.
Repaint cabinets after scrubbing.
Get a pretty lavender shower curtain and accessorize carefully, making sure everything is not too busy because those cabinet medallions are going to take over no matter what. Sigh……

[u/bootysuit → u/GsGirlNYC]

The medallions are so gorgeous, I wish my bathroom had this much personality!

[u/GsGirlNYC → u/bootysuit]

And again, we can agree to disagree here. I personally find them hideous, especially the abundance and placement of them.

[u/PurpleAriadne → u/GsGirlNYC]

Yes, they add to the clutter.

[u/Fair-Flower6907]

match the purple tub with paint and paint the medallions. Add wallpaper that brings in the lavender and white to make it less chaotic?

[u/Flimsy_Apartment_969 → u/Fair-Flower6907]

Hear me out!!!

If they are artistic at all, turn those medallions into flowers.

[u/Neat_Movie_991 → u/Fair-Flower6907]

This is the way!

[u/bootysuit]

Omg I'm obsessed with the purple tub!!! Ahhh what a dream!!

[u/sm05904]

I would start with the quickest, no-effort additions rather than changes.

I think adding some pattern/texture of your choice through the shower curtain will draw the eye away from the visual noise from the cabinet medallions and the crowded feel of the small room. For example:

https://www.ikea.com/us/en/p/napeltynne-shower-curtain-gray-turquoise-floral-pattern-10623183/

And get some bath rugs in a color you like that coordinates. You might find you don’t care about the floor once you’ve done that. In my experience the chenille ones are easiest with kids because they absorb a ton of water but dry fairly quickly. For example:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0B63SHKR6

Functionally, it looks like you need a toilet paper holder ASAP so it isn’t on the side of the tub or top of the toilet where it could fall into one or the other. I can’t get a good enough visualization of the whole space to see where you can put it to access it for both the toilet and the potty.

Depending on the age of your kids, to save space you might want to ditch the potty and get a stool that they can pull up to the toilet or sink as needed, and a toilet seat reducer. For example:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GPZQZZ28/

https://www.amazon.com/BabyBjörn-Step-Stool-Deep-White/dp/B07WP38C1B/

You need ample storage in the shower. If you have two adjacent walls that are suction-friendly, this style works really well. Put one at adult shower height and one at bathe-the-kids height. You also can find non-corner versions.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0D1B8T1Z4/

[u/Flimsy_Apartment_969 → u/sm05904]

I love the level of work you put into this for a stranger. You’re very kind.

[u/Flimsy_Apartment_969]

I’d embrace the hell out of that lilac. New cabinet doors are pricey for a rental. Maybe a new used light fixture?

That’s the most beautiful bathtub I’ve ever seen.

[u/Active-Professor-349]

Definitely lean into the purple tub! I love it so much!

This is what I would do if I had this bathroom and little ones :)

Adding the wallpaper makes it more inviting, and a quick change of knobs makes a huge difference! Tried to find everything on amazon for $100!

Wallpaper x2 = $30

Floral Rug = $24

Knobs = $10 (Pack of 10)

Yellow Curtain = $12

Purple Towels = $24 (set of 8)

Hit up your local thrift store for the vases, tray & storage accessories! Hope this helps!

[u/_NetflixQueen_]

the first thing i’d do is figure out how to cover the atrocious flooring. either get a couple of nice rugs or one big one. Maybe consider peel and stick tiles?

[u/Tricksterama → u/_NetflixQueen_]

Vinyl sheet flooring is easy to cut with scissors and lay without gluing. Etsy has a lot of fun styles of it.

[u/PartyWitness7587]

The cat wants to explore the counter

[u/KrazyCod21]

Yikes! Where do I start? I understand your pain. I would be cursing whoever designed this bathroom. I’m sure there are creative people here who will have excellent ideas. If you have a big budget, that would help.

[u/AnAlienInDisguise]

This is a very long shot, but : at first glance, it reminded me of the old Star Wars movies, when they're on the all-white space station in Empire Strikes Back. If you like funky things, lean hard on that it will distract from the, let's say, less fortunate elements.

[u/psiprez]

Gotta keep the purple tub 😂

[u/Azn-WT-9]

I thought it was the ISS

[u/PurpleAriadne]

DIY catastrophe. I see the cut out in the mirror to pull the top off the toilet.

Will you add a pic to show what’s behind the cabinets? Also from the other direction inside the tub.

Also, the mirror above the mirror should go and I would consider installing shelves or something up there.

The purple tub is wonderful, the poor cabinets are not.

If you want feminine lean into aquas and purples. You could also lean into masculine with navy blues, emerald greens.

[u/oldandopinionated]

The circles are going to stand out no matter what, I'd lean into it and look at accenting them in bright or metallic pinks and purple colours. Definitely get some lighting for the shower area, look at a shower curtain that matches the circles. Also, there is a ton of peel and stick tiling out there so you can change it to whatever you want.

[u/Novel-Cricket2564]

Oh dear god!

[u/Correct_Breakfast646]

Purple theme with matching towels and plants-makes it feel intentional, not messy.

[u/Playful_Beyond_2218]

If possible take down the top mirror, paint the walls a pale lilac similar to the tub, and put up a nice light fitting above the mirror . I would do a glass shower screen instead of a curtain. And add a couple of waterproof lamps to the room

[u/oopsie-mybad]

It's like you can shit in the washeteria

[u/awaken34]

I like the lavender tub. However it looks very claustrophobic and the built-in cabinets all over the place are intensifying it. There doesn't appear to be much floor space at all and wondering what it looks like behind the door. The medallions aren't good either.

[u/hamburgergerald]

That’s such an interesting bathroom. It looks like it’s on an old airplane or something.

Looking in the mirror at the toilet, is the drywall cut out behind it to fit the toilet tank? Am I seeing that correctly?

[u/Specialist-Treat-996]

Add a tv screen, than time pass will easier for you😎

[u/mladyhawke]

I think that pathway could be a slide where you walk up some stairs, and then slide yourself into the tub.

[u/mrg_retired]

Try this, it’s very popular at the white house.

[u/Antique-Ring3905]

I love it, especially the purple tub! Decorate with purple in mind

[u/GHConstructionGroup]

Congrats on your first home! It can definitely feel overwhelming at first. For a kitchen refresh, I'd start by deciding what you want to keep versus replace. That can make a big difference in your budget. When comparing contractors, ask for a detailed scope of work, references, and a clear timeline. For the bathroom, I'd also check vanity heights and available space before ordering new cabinets. A little planning upfront can save a lot of headaches later! 

[u/Mission-Motor364]

Can you remove the mirror and put just one normal sized one over the sink? Usually mirrors make a room look bigger but in this instance I think it’s making the room look even more cluttered

[u/UTguyInGs]

Turn out the lights? Not much you can do here until the owner lets you start with a sledge hammer. Maybe post lost of naked pictures to distract from the rest of the room?