Skip to main content

This dated (and ugly) pink bathroom is instantly refreshed with one simple wallpaper change

We love how this pink bathroom is completely transformed

There is not much you won’t get an answer to on Reddit. There are subreddit pages for just about everything under the sun, and home decorating inspiration is one that always delivers. If you are considering a change to your home, building a new home, or just love all things home decor, the r/HomeDecorating page is for you. One Redditor posted an update to her pink bathroom, and it is stunning.

“Giving our 1961 pink tile half-bath a refresh with some new wallpaper! Still a work in progress,” u/GroovyGerbers wrote. Just a simple wallpaper change completely transformed the space, breathing new life into a dated bathroom. Here is why we love it and how you can do it in any space.

Look for people who’ve tried it before

The internet is full of people sharing their real-life experiences in home redecorating, so why not take advantage of people who have tried and succeeded? There’s an entire movement called Save the Pink Bathrooms that is all things renovation and restoration of that era, which I personally love because my grandma’s Ohio home still has the original pink and light grey decor, complete with pink toilet, sink, and bathtub. The original Redditor of this post actually thanked her for giving her inspiration for her own pink bathroom.

Recommended Videos

Start small

I love how this Redditor started small with just a change to the wallpaper and paint on the window. It can be easy to take on an entire bathroom, but sometimes little changes pack the biggest punch. Whether that’s painting a cabinet, adding a feature wall, or swapping wallpaper, sometimes just getting started is all you need to see a bigger path in front of you.

Listen to the hype

Social media can sometimes give you immediate feedback, and in the case of decorating, it can help spur on other ideas or validate your choices. “Such a bold choice and so perfect. It really makes the 60s pink tile look fresh and modern,” one Redditor wrote after seeing the bathroom transformation.

Another added in another possible recommendation: “Love it — I did the same with my 1949 aqua bathroom. I personally love the tile in the houses from this era, and the quality would cost a fortune to replicate now. 75 [year-old] house and not a crack in any tile or grout… I also swapped out the toilet seat for a black one, and it pulled the room together even more. And then small details like [changing] the TP holder to a chrome instead of white plastic — like a $3 update, so why not.”

One of the best parts of buying an older home is the architecture, character, and vintage-inspired decor that comes with it. Why not lean into the history while bringing it a modern vibe? The choice of wallpaper for this bathroom is just one of many ideas you can implement today in a dated room. It’s time to get started.

Julie Scagell
Former Digital Trends Contributor
I am a freelance writer based in Minneapolis, MN. My passions include my dogs, talking about my dogs, and taking pictures of…
These are the best shower plants for your bathroom (and why you really need one)
These plants have design and health benefits for your shower
Woman in a tub next to a plant

Keeping indoor plants has been popular in interior design for years, but this nature-inspired decor has gone to a whole new level in recent years. From green paint being a top color choice to design styles adopting a "friluftsliv" appeal, designers and homeowners alike are finding new and interesting ways to incorporate nature into the modern home. What's one of our favorite green design trends right now? The shower plant.

Whether you have a bathroom with a green palette or a super luxurious, modern bathroom design, keeping a plant inside your shower is a unique and fun design approach. Did you know that it's also incredibly beneficial for your health? These are the benefits of a shower plant — and the best ones you can get.
What are the benefits of shower plants?

Read more
An expert’s guide to refreshing your dated midcentury modern living room
Here are the best tips to give your space a fresh look
Living room with midcentury modern wallpaper

A midcentury modern living room has remained a popular design choice for many long after it first appeared. The slim, clean lines and symmetry bring order to any room, and the color palette is neutral and inviting. The classic look never goes out of style; however, if you are looking to breathe new life into it, there are a few things you can do to keep it updated but true to the original timelessness of the design.

We asked the experts how to keep things feeling fresh in a midcentury modern home while still holding true to the shapes, colors, textures, and lines that make the style unique. Anna Franklin, interior designer and founder of Stone House Collective, gave us some easy and fun ideas to keep it feeling fresh.
How to keep a midcentury modern living room feeling less orchestrated

Read more
This unique wall design will make you rethink wallpaper
Wallpaper frames? An interesting concept to consider for your home
Geometric wallpaper with a console table

Wallpaper is becoming trendier in today’s home design, but some people aren’t ready to take the leap and wallpaper an entire room. This DIY project shows how you can add more visual appeal to a room using wallpaper ideas like creating individual "frames."
How to create this framed wallpaper look
@olivebranchcottage on Instagram shared a neat DIY wallpaper idea that she calls "wallpaper rectangles." This fun twist on adding traditional wallpaper to a room helps add visual appeal without being overwhelming. Here’s how she did it.

Pick your wallpaper
First, @olivebranchcottage suggests picking your wallpaper. In the nursery she designed, she opted for a black-and-white pattern depicting nature scenes.
Choose your trim
To create the "rectangles" on the wall, you’ll want to choose some wood trim. The creator chose some from The Home Depot.
Paint the trim the same color as the wall
Next, you’ll want to paint the trim the same color as the wall tone. This creates a greater sense of flow once you add the wallpaper.
Use painter’s tape to outline your design
@olivebranchcottage used painter’s tape to outline the design. This makes it easy to move pieces as needed and readjust until you find what is right for you. Also, she notes that the size and spacing of your rectangles are entirely up to personal preference. For the nursery, @olivebranchcottage placed the tape 5 inches from the ceiling and 5 inches from the baseboards.
Add your wallpaper
The creator suggests using a laser level to keep things even and straight as you place your wallpaper.
Cut your trim pieces
To cut your trim pieces, measure them to the same length as the painter’s tape you used for outlining. The Instagram creator says a 45-degree angle is best.
Use a nail gun to attach your trim pieces to the wall
Using a nail gun, attach your trim pieces to the wall. You should do this after you’ve laid your wallpaper. It’s OK if the wallpaper goes beyond the painter’s tape outline you created.
Cut the excess wallpaper
Once you attach your trim pieces to the wall, you can use an X-Acto knife to cut off the excess wallpaper. After you cut all the edges, you’ll have a stunning wallpaper design.
How to style framed wallpaper in a room
Styling the framed wallpaper is up to personal preference.

Read more