Bath Makeovers Under $2,000

A tired 1964 bathroom gets a bright look and stays on budget with an all-white palette. Simple construction and pine boards were used to create the new double vanity. A wall of horizontal car siding (found at home centers) covers the wall adjacent to the sink and adds interest.

A hand-painted herringbone pattern creates the look of a high-end wallpaper accent wall. Simple glass floating shelves add storage without taking attention away from the pretty wall treatment. Chrome accents give the room a polished look.

The DIY pine vanity looks chic with a rich stain made by diluting a midtone gray-brown shade of latex paint with water, and then brushing it on. A slab of remnant marble tops the vanity and elevates the look.

Doors were removed from a standard closet to allow easy access to shelving. The color-block paint treatment adds soothing blues and greens to the white bathroom. Simple fabric bins corral supplies and toiletries.

A plain white shower curtain gets a DIY twist with a freehand floral design (sketched with a permanent marker), and watered-down fabric paint for pops of color. The imperfections make it beautiful.

While the majority of the shower is subway tile, this niche gets special treatment with glass mosaic tile. One sheet of tile can make a big impact in an all-white space.

For less than $600, this 4x4-foot powder room was transformed into a chic little bath. A classic white pedestal sink took the place of an oak vanity and made the compact room feel airier.

A pair of shelves and brackets from IKEA are less than $50, adding storage and display to the tiny room.

For $54, the walls were embellished with peel-and-stick decals that mimic the look of wallpaper.

The sleek satin-nickel base and white shades contribute stylish, tailored lines. The mirror pivots to accommodate guests of varying heights.

In just two weeks and for less than $1,600, this master bath in a 165-year-old upstate New York home went from dark and drab to sunny and inviting.

White marble replaced black-and-white tile on the tub deck. At $375, the marble tile was the biggest budget item for the master bath makeover.

A new sink -- a home center find for $150 -- left room in the budget for a $200 vintage-style faucet.

Crown molding draws attention to the bath's 9-foot ceiling. The vintage farm ladder, which came from a barn, was painted black to match the chandelier above the tub.

Pine beaded board on the cabinetry and wainscoting was painted white to brighten the space and give it a more traditional appearance. Jars on the shelves hold bath salts and soaps.

A new white shower curtain continues the pristine theme. Blue accents add touches of fresh color.

Framing the mirror and topping it with crown molding integrates it with the new white vanity cabinet. The prefinished cherry floor adds warmth and natural color without adding a lot -- just $300 -- to the budget.

Vivid shapes and vintage colors erased the utilitarian-grim vibe of this guest bath. A maple vanity was refreshed with sky blue paint. A tall wainscoting was created with simple lengths of wood.

A modern chevron pattern on the shower curtain and shade adds a graphic element, contrasting the organic wall design.

A permanent marker with a fine tip was used to create this freehand bird sanctuary on the walls. The birds were painted with acrylic paint. This homeowner used a projector to help lead the pattern.

The room's carefree natural vibe carries into other winged creates: This sweet owl hook is a fun place to hang a towel.

Vintage needle art in matching frames is an inexpensive way to carry the bird theme through the room. Simple gold frames are easily found at thrift stores or garage sales for a bargain.