My 1990s Bathroom Makeover Is Almost Too Fancy for a Basement (but I Love It!)

Heather Bien

March 3, 2025 at 10:00 p.m.·4 min read

Blank wall in bathroom before renovation. — My basement bathroom was a fantastic example of a late-1990s builder-grade renovation, and time hadn’t been kind to it. Credit: Heather Bien Credit: Heather Bien

Subway tiles wainscoting in bathroom after renovation. — I gave it a makeover with tile, paint, vintage artwork, and more. Credit: Heather Bien Credit: Heather Bien

Subway tile wainscoting in newly renovated bathroom. — I used large-scale marble lookalike tile that was left over from my kitchen on the floors, and I opted to set it on the diagonal, which actually makes the floor look larger. Credit: Heather Bien Credit: Heather Bien

Mirror above bathroom vanity after renovation. — My 1970s mirror was a Facebook Marketplace find, and the artwork is actually a menu I snagged from a dinner I had at The Greenbrier hotel. Credit: Heather Bien Credit: Heather Bien

Bathroom vanity after renovation. — One of my favorite details in the “after” is the new chair rail marble tiles. Credit: Heather Bien Credit: Heather Bien

ABOUT THIS BEFORE & AFTER

HOME TYPE: Townhouse

PROJECT TYPE: Bathroom

SKILL LEVEL: DIY

RENTAL FRIENDLY: No

When it comes to plumbing in historic homes, you celebrate small (functional) victories.

The bathroom in the basement (or shall we call it a pied-à-terre?) of my rowhouse wasn’t the worst bathroom in our house. It fully functioned; that was already infinitely better than two of the others. But it also left something — a lot — to be desired. It was a fantastic example of a late-1990s builder-grade renovation, and time hadn’t been kind to it. It was literally rotting around the edges, and the 4-foot-long mirror opposite the shower was a little too up close and personal each time our friends and family pulled back the curtain.

Suffice it to say, I was delighted (as were my visitors) when it finally came time to renovate this tiny 4’x7′ space. I balanced saving and splurging while creating a look that is classic, slightly playful, and just a tad bit overdressed — in the best way — for its diminutive size.

I recycled leftover tile from my kitchen.

This space is small — just 28 square feet — and I was tempted to go with a black and white mosaic tile to play up the classic vibe, but, given that I’m 18 months into a major renovation, I’m also trying to save money where I can. That meant looking for something that I could either get inexpensively or, better yet, using my stockpile of extra tile from previous projects. (Typically, you can return extra tile, but it may be prohibitively expensive if purchased from an online-only retailer.)

I had this 12’x12’ marble-look tile left over from my kitchen renovation, and I was optimistic that such a large-scale tile could work in such a small bathroom and that it would add an unexpected element. I theorized that, if set on the diagonal, the tile could actually make the floor look larger, as if it’s running away into space. Thankfully, that theory was right. I chose a simple off-white subway tile with just a bit of textured detail for the walls as a nice complement.

One of my favorite details is the chair rail.

Because I saved on the flooring and I was dealing with such a tiny space (read: minimal linear footage), I decided to splurge on a marble chair rail and marble baseboard to give the bathroom a classic, elegant touch. And I quickly learned that dealing with real stone means rearranging each piece until you get exactly the right arrangement … so maybe it’s a blessing I only had a few pieces to worry about?

I saved money by choosing paint instead of wallpaper.

I’m easily seduced by wallpaper in a bathroom but, because I did a statement-making wallpaper in the bedroom directly adjacent to this room, I didn’t want to overwhelm the small space with pattern. Instead, I chose a pretty pink, Farrow & Ball Tailor Tack, which felt perfectly nostalgic with the black and white checkerboard tile. It’s “retro hotel” meets “playful ice cream parlor” chic.

Brass towel holder in newly renovated bathroom. — Credit: Heather Bien Credit: Heather Bien

Vintage details add personality.

Speaking of a retro hotel aesthetic, I visited The Greenbrier in West Virginia shortly before finishing this bathroom. This hotel is a must-see inspo source for any design-lover. Dorothy Draper went to town with florals, vivid colors, and big, bold patterns throughout the hotel, and her work has been lovingly maintained for generations. During my stay, I snagged the menu from an event I attended because I knew the light pinks and reds would make a great art piece in this bathroom. Paired with an inexpensive gilded frame, this vintage reproduction poster adds a quirky touch.

I also spent months — literally, months — hunting down just the right mirror. Because I was so limited by square footage, I had to find something that would fill the space completely without looking too big. I found this 1970s gilt mirror on Facebook Marketplace for $40, and it’s like Cinderella’s glass slipper.

To see more of my home makeovers thus far, check out my kitchen renovation, my entryway revamp, and a second bathroom transformation.

Inspired? Submit your own project here.

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