If I Bought This House: The $500 Bathroom Glow-Up Plan (No Demo, No Drama)

October 11, 2025

In this post: Learn how to transform an outdated bathroom for under $500 using Giani countertop and cabinet paint, fresh wall color, and affordable Amazon finds. I’m walking through my “If I Bought This House” bathroom glow-up plan- no demo, no stress, just budget-friendly ideas that make a big impact.

This post contains affiliate links. That means I may earn a small commission if you purchase through my links, at no extra cost to you. I only share products I genuinely love and use (or would use if I bought this house).

You ever see a bathroom that looks like it’s been living in 1998 since... well, 1998?
The oak vanity, the shiny brass faucet, that pinkish-beige countertop that definitely wasn’t pink when they installed it?

Yeah. I’ve seen those listings too- and every time I scroll past one, I whisper to myself, “If I bought this house…”

Because I would.
And then I’d give that sad little bathroom the glow-up it deserves- without calling a contractor, ripping out tile, or taking out a second mortgage.

You don’t need demo days or design school to fix an outdated bathroom. You just need the right paint kit, a free weekend, and a little bit of delusional DIY confidence.

So let’s talk about how I’d turn that space into something Pinterest-worthy… for under $500.

What You’ll Need for This Makeover

Before we dive in, here’s everything I’d have ready to pull off this transformation.
All affordable, all beginner-friendly- and yes, there are links below for easy shopping.

Giani Countertop Paint Kit – my go-to for faux marble finishes
Giani Cabinet Paint Kit – covers dated oak vanities in one weekend
Wall Paint + Supplies – semi-gloss for durability
Painter’s Tape & Drop Cloth – trust me, don’t skip it
New Light Fixture – matte black or brushed gold
Mirror + Hardware Set – the jewelry of the space
Rug, Baskets & Decor – the final layer that ties it all together

The Power of Paint

If you’ve been around my projects for a while, you already know: paint fixes almost everything.

The first thing I’d grab? The Giani Countertop Paint Kit.
It’s hands-down the easiest way to fake the look of marble or stone without replacing a single thing. It’s beginner-friendly, affordable, and weirdly satisfying.
You literally roll it on, dab with a sponge, add veining (if you’re feeling fancy), and seal.
Two days later? You’re casually leaning over a “new” countertop like you spent $2,000.

Next up: cabinets.
That orange oak has got to go. The Giani Cabinet Paint Kit (yep, same brand- they know their stuff) completely transforms a vanity without sanding or priming. I’d go with a soft greige or creamy white to warm things up, or something bold like sage green if I wanted a moody spa vibe.

Pro tip: Tape around your sink edges and hardware before painting the countertop. You’ll thank yourself later.

It’s the easiest, most dramatic upgrade- and it sets the stage for everything else to look fresh.

Painting the Walls

This is where the room starts to breathe.

If I bought this house, I’d absolutely paint the walls too. The right wall color can completely change how your bathroom feels- even if you don’t touch anything else.

Here’s how I’d approach it:

If the bathroom’s tiny: go light and airy. Think creamy white, soft greige, or a barely-there sage. However, I will say that sometimes tiny bathrooms look very elegant in darker colors. I mean, it's paint. If you hate it, you can change it!
If the bathroom has zero personality: add contrast. A half-painted wall or faux board-and-batten look (even just with paint) can make it feel custom without the cost.
If the tile’s dated: pull a neutral tone from the tile and paint the walls a few shades lighter. It makes the old tile look intentional instead of “stuck in the 90s.”

My go-to wall paint combos right now:

Sherwin Williams Alabaster (creamy neutral)
Benjamin Moore Revere Pewter (the perfect "greige")
Sherwin Williams Alpaca (warm gray, with a touch of taupe)

Use a satin or semi-gloss finish in bathrooms- it’s easier to wipe and holds up to moisture.

See It to Believe It: My $500 Bathroom Glow-Up Vision

I’m a visual person — and sometimes, you need to see the potential before you can believe it.

Before: builder-basic vanity, outdated hardware, yellow lighting.
After: painted cabinets, new countertop, black hardware, soft wall color, modern lighting, cozy rug.

Even without knocking down a wall or changing the layout, the whole space looks completely different- warm, fresh, and intentional.

Better Lighting Changes Everything

I don’t know who started the trend of those builder-grade light bars that make your bathroom feel like a gas station restroom, but they’ve had their time.

If I bought this house, the light fixture would be the first thing to go.
For under $60 on Amazon, you can find gorgeous vanity lights in matte black, gold, or champagne bronze that instantly change the whole energy of the room.

Pair that with warm LED bulbs- not those icy-blue ones that make you look like you’ve seen a ghost- and suddenly, your morning routine feels like a mini spa moment.

Even better: new lighting makes your paint look more expensive. The right bulbs can make that countertop kit look like real marble.

Mirrors and Hardware: The Jewelry of the Bathroom

Here’s where the personality starts showing up.
Think of mirrors and hardware like the jewelry that finishes the outfit.

If this house had that big, frameless builder mirror glued to the wall? I’d pry it off faster than you can say “HGTV.”
Then I’d hang a round gold-framed mirror- something that softens the space and instantly makes it feel designed.

Next: swap out the hardware.
Brushed gold, matte black, or even champagne bronze- they all look elevated but still affordable.
And please don’t overthink it. It doesn’t have to match every finish in the room; just coordinate so it feels intentional.

You can even spray-paint your old hardware if you’re in a pinch. Instant glow-up.

Texture and Warmth

Now that the big stuff’s done, this is where I’d bring in the cozy factor.
Because no matter how pretty your countertop looks, a bathroom without texture just feels… sterile.

Here’s what I’d add:

A small, patterned rug (bonus points if it hides anything questionable on the floor)
A woven basket for towels
Eucalyptus stems in a vase or faux greenery
A candle or diffuser
Neutral art above the toilet (trust me- it makes the whole space feel styled)

It’s wild how just a few accessories can make a bathroom go from “meh” to magazine-ready.

The $500 Breakdown

If I bought this house and wanted to refresh the bathroom without spending a fortune, here’s exactly how I’d do it:

Item	Product	Cost
Giani Countertop Paint Kit	$79	✅
Giani Cabinet Paint Kit	$79	✅
Wall Paint + Supplies	$60	✅
New Light Fixture	$60	✅
Mirror	$80	✅
Hardware Set	$40	✅
Decor + Accessories	$100	✅
Total	≈ $498	Under $500, baby!

Less than $500, and not a single call to a contractor. My kind of project.

If You Want to Go a Little Bougie...

If you’re already painting, it’s kind of the perfect time to go wild.
Here are a few small splurges that would level this makeover up even more:

Peel-and-stick floor tile
New faucet or showerhead
Faux wainscoting or beadboard paneling
Floating shelves for extra storage
Towel hooks instead of bars (so much prettier)

You don’t need these, but if you want to tiptoe into “custom home” territory, these are worth every penny.

Real Talk: What’s Actually Worth Doing

Not everything needs to be replaced.
Sometimes the best update is just knowing what to leave alone.

That tile you hate? Try regrouting or painting the trim first.
That vanity you’re convinced needs to go? Paint it and change the knobs before you commit to anything.

Here’s what I’ve learned after way too many DIYs:
Paint and lighting always deliver.
Hardware and mirrors- small but mighty.
But replacing major fixtures “just because” rarely feels worth it once the dust settles.

Work smarter, not harder-and focus on the upgrades that give you the biggest “wow” for your time and money.

FAQ: Common Questions I Get About Bathroom Glow-Ups

Can you really paint a bathroom countertop?
Yes! Giani’s kits are made for laminate and hold up surprisingly well if you prep and seal correctly. Mine lasted years without chips.

Will paint hold up in a humid bathroom?
If you use semi-gloss wall paint and seal your countertop, absolutely. Just avoid daily puddles.

What’s the best color for small bathrooms?
Anything light and warm- creamy white, soft greige, or pale sage. Think “spa day,” not “hospital lighting.” Note, from above- I don't disagree with a dark wall color in a small space. I'm a fan of black bathrooms (I have one and it is STUNNING AF).

Do I have to remove my cabinet doors to paint them?
Technically no, but you’ll get a smoother finish if you do. Plus, it’s the perfect excuse to finally clean out the vanity.

The “If I Bought This House” Philosophy

I started this series because I couldn’t stop daydreaming about all the almost-perfect homes sitting on Zillow- the ones everyone scrolls past because of the oak cabinets or outdated tile.

But here’s the thing: those houses are full of potential.
They just need someone who can see it.

That’s what “If I Bought This House” is really about- taking something ordinary and turning it into something beautiful, one small change at a time.

So whether you actually bought the house or you’re just renting your way through life right now- your space still deserves love.
You deserve to walk into your bathroom and think, “Dang, this looks good.”

And if it cost you less than $500? Even better.

Keep Dreaming and Designing- See you in the next listing,

Shannon and Shelbee

Check out our store: spineandspace.store

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