Girls Bathroom Decor Shop the Look

The Ultimate Guide to a Girly & Classic Kids’ Bathroom Renovation: Paint Colors, Decor Sources & DIY Details

Transforming a children’s bathroom into a space that is both functional and aesthetically pleasing can be a delightful, yet intricate, endeavor. Our recent renovation of the kids’ bathroom was so extensive and filled with thoughtful details that a single post simply couldn’t capture it all. This comprehensive guide dives deeper into the specific choices, inspirations, and practical applications that brought this “girly, classic” vision to life. If you caught the initial big reveal, you already know the stunning transformation this space underwent. Now, let’s peel back the layers and explore the exquisite design elements, from the foundational choices like tile and paint to the charming decorative accents and ingenious DIY projects that give this bathroom its truly unique personality and undeniable charm.

For me, the magic truly resides in the smaller, often overlooked details. It’s the final 5% of a room’s design that imbues it with character, soul, and a sense of completeness. And let me tell you, this bathroom is brimming with spunk, blending timeless elegance with playful feminine touches that are perfectly suited for growing girls. Every decision, from the choice of vanity to the selection of art, was made with both present enjoyment and future longevity in mind, creating a space that feels both personal and enduring.

(Affiliate links are provided in this post. Full disclosure here.)

Custom Vanity Transformation: A Console Table Revolution

One of the most talked-about elements of this renovation is undoubtedly our decision to opt for a custom vanity made from a console table rather than traditional bathroom cabinets. Many questioned this unconventional choice, but I can confidently say it was 100% the right decision for this space. The goal was to create an open, airy feel in what is a relatively narrow bathroom, and bulky cabinetry simply wouldn’t have achieved that. This innovative approach not only maximized the visual space but also infused the room with a bespoke, designer touch that traditional vanities often lack.

Our DIY approach involved adapting a beautiful console table. This wasn’t a minor undertaking; it required precision cutting into the backs of the drawers to accommodate plumbing and carefully crafting holes in the top to perfectly fit our elegant vessel sinks. To introduce warmth and counteract the cool black and white palette, we integrated a super-sealed, stained butcher block countertop. This not only adds a rich textural element but also provides a durable and beautiful surface for daily use. While this vanity offers less hidden storage than conventional cabinets, the spacious linen closet conveniently located within the bathroom compensates abundantly, providing ample space for all our essentials. Moreover, the drawers of the console table remain fully functional, perfect for stashing smaller items, and the open space beneath is ideal for tucking away the adorable, personalized step stools I painted for the girls, making accessibility a breeze for little ones. This clever conversion truly transformed the room, making it feel expansive and effortlessly stylish.

Selecting the Perfect Bathroom Tile: A Blend of Classic, Retro & Feminine

Choosing the right tile for this bathroom was a decision I pondered over for quite some time, guided by three core criteria:

1. **Classic Appeal:** The tile needed to possess a timeless quality that wouldn’t quickly go out of style, ensuring the bathroom’s design longevity for years to come.
2. **Subtle Retro Vibe:** Our home, built in 1960, inherently carries a charming mid-century character, and I wanted the tile to subtly nod to this architectural heritage without being overtly themed or dated.
3. **Touch of Femininity:** Given this is the girls’ bathroom, a delicate, feminine touch was essential, adding softness, warmth, and a playful charm to the overall aesthetic without being overly saccharine.

After much deliberation and narrowing down my options to three strong contenders, my daughter Olivia, with her impeccable taste, ultimately chose this delightful hexagon flower floor tile. It’s absolutely perfect! The intricate pattern brings a playful yet sophisticated retro feel, instantly becoming a captivating focal point in the room. This choice beautifully fulfills all three criteria, anchoring the space with a foundation that is both historically resonant and utterly charming for its young occupants. Its distinctive design adds an element of surprise and delight underfoot.

For the walls, I stumbled upon this handmade-look wavy subway tile, and I’m utterly enamored with the effect it creates. Unlike perfectly smooth, modern subway tiles, its subtle undulations and artisanal finish catch the light in a unique way, making the entire room sparkle with a soft, inviting glow. This intentional texture adds incredible depth and visual interest, contributing to a more vintage and organic feel that perfectly complements the retro floor tile. The interplay of light on its surface ensures the bathroom feels bright and alive, adding a layer of sophisticated charm that might have been missed with a flatter, more conventional choice. It’s these thoughtful material selections that truly elevate the overall design, creating a sense of timeless craftsmanship.

Whimsical & Meaningful Art Choices for a Personal Touch

Art holds a special place in our home, and selecting pieces for the girls’ bathroom was an opportunity to inject personality and meaning. Our family has a profound fondness for the movie The Greatest Showman – so much so that it inspired last year’s Halloween costumes! So, when I discovered this exquisite pink tutu tightrope walker art print, I was beyond thrilled. It perfectly encapsulated the whimsical yet sophisticated vibe I was aiming for, boasting a color palette that harmonized beautifully with the room’s blush accents. More than just its aesthetic appeal, there’s an underlying message of bravery and daring that resonates deeply with me. It’s a subtle encouragement for the girls as they grow, and that, for me, is the true essence of meaningful art that speaks to the soul.

Beyond the larger statement piece, we wanted something special to adorn the space beside their individual sinks. My husband, Robert, had the brilliant idea to find prints that honored the girls’ beloved stuffed animal “lovies.” Olivia cherishes her stuffed tiger, Hobbsie, while Regan adores her stuffed elephant, Babar. The moment I found these charming prints featuring a tiger and an elephant blowing bubbles, I knew they were absolutely perfect. This delightful discovery inadvertently introduced a subtle circus theme to the bathroom, a happy accident that truly works! To ensure these whimsical pieces blended seamlessly with the light wall color, I chose to frame them in these sleek white float frames, allowing the art itself to be the focus without heavy visual interruption. These personal touches make the bathroom uniquely theirs, fostering a sense of comfort and individuality.

Elegant Lighting: Traditional Shaded Sconces

Lighting plays a crucial role in both functionality and ambiance, especially in a bathroom where task lighting is essential. I discovered these beautiful sconces on Amazon, a truly affordable find that didn’t compromise on style. The traditional shaded design of these fixtures immediately caught my eye, adding a touch of classic elegance that perfectly complemented the overall “girly, classic” theme. What’s more, their strategic placement – three sconces thoughtfully surrounding the mirrors – ensures excellent light distribution. This eliminates harsh shadows, providing bright, even illumination for the girls as they get ready, whether brushing teeth or styling hair. They contribute significantly to the sophisticated yet welcoming atmosphere of the bathroom, proving that stunning design doesn’t always come with a hefty price tag, but rather thoughtful selection.

Beaded Mirrors: The Perfect Dainty Detail

Finding the right mirrors for this space presented a unique challenge. I envisioned something that resembled delicate beaded necklaces – slender, elegant, and perfectly sized to fit the somewhat tight vertical space above the vessel sinks. After an extensive search, these particular mirrors proved to be the ideal discovery. Their brushed nickel finish and intricate beaded detailing added that perfect dainty touch, mirroring the subtle texture found in other elements like the shower curtain and even the floral floor tile. They effortlessly combine functionality with sophisticated aesthetic, enhancing the perceived height of the room and reflecting light beautifully, all while perfectly complementing the traditional sconces. These mirrors are not just reflective surfaces; they are delicate pieces of jewelry for the bathroom, tying the entire look together with their refined charm.

Smart Storage Solutions for a Tidy & Functional Bathroom

Effective storage is paramount in any family bathroom, especially one catering to children. Thankfully, our existing linen closet was already incredibly efficient, requiring no changes to its smart organization system. We simply returned everything to its designated spot, proving that a well-designed storage plan stands the test of time and adapts perfectly to a busy household’s needs. This closet is a testament to how practical organization can significantly enhance daily life and maintain a clutter-free environment, making it a true workhorse in our home.

Within this impeccably organized linen closet, every item has its place, ensuring both accessibility and neatness. The rolling hamper offers easy access and portability, making laundry collection and transport a breeze for even the smallest helpers. On the top shelf, lidded baskets neatly house our various sheet sets, keeping them dust-free and out of sight. A larger basket beside the hamper is dedicated to extra quilts, ensuring they are always within reach for chilly nights or impromptu fort-building. Practical wire baskets are utilized for essentials like extra toilet paper rolls and neatly rolled washcloths, sitting alongside a dedicated bin for bath toys, keeping bath time fun organized and splash-free. Our cleaning supplies are kept perfectly in order within this handy caddy, making chores more efficient and supplies easy to grab. Smaller lidded canisters are ideal for hair clips and ponytail holders, preventing them from scattering across surfaces. Finally, charming hocking jars elegantly display extra soaps and colorful bath bombs, adding a decorative yet functional touch. We consistently use plain white bath towels throughout our home for simplicity, allowing for easy bleaching and consistent cleanliness, eliminating the hassle of matching colors or patterns across different bathrooms. Maintaining a visually appealing and organized closet space significantly increases the likelihood that it will stay tidy and functional for everyone.

Despite the open vanity design, we still have ample countertop space, which we’ve accessorized with both style and practicality in mind. I couldn’t resist snagging this delicate blush toothbrush holder, a sophisticated marble soap dispenser, and a charming lotus soap dish. Yes, even the toothbrushes and soap are pink – a whimsical detail that fully embraces the girly theme and brings a smile to my face, perfectly aligning with the playful elegance of the space. I have a strong feeling this countertop will soon be the stage for many Barbie pool parties, a testament to its inviting and playful design for the girls. For quick access to clean towels, this decorative basket tucked neatly underneath the open vanity provides a stylish and convenient solution, keeping essentials within easy reach without compromising the airy feel.

The Perfect Window Shade: Functionality Meets Style

Investing in the right window treatment was a non-negotiable for this bathroom, demanding a balance of safety, privacy, and aesthetic contribution. I specifically chose this custom woven wood shade in Capri Maple for several compelling reasons, each contributing to both the safety and aesthetic integrity of the space. Firstly, its cordless design was a critical safety feature, especially with little Regan around, eliminating any dangling cords that could pose a hazard. Secondly, the integrated privacy liner was essential for a bathroom, offering complete peace of mind and discretion. Aesthetically, the shade’s subtle black edging beautifully ties into the retro flower floor tile, creating a cohesive visual link throughout the room. Conversely, its delicate white stripe stitching harmonizes with the dominant white elements, providing a sense of balance and brightness. Finally, the rich, warm wood tone of the shade perfectly complements and balances the butcher block vanity countertop, preventing the room from feeling too stark or cold by introducing a natural, organic texture. This thoughtful choice was absolutely worth every penny, and I have zero regrets – it’s a testament to how functional elements can be utterly beautiful and integral to a well-rounded design.

Hand Towels & Hooks: Practicality for Little Hands

While I prefer a uniform approach with plain white bath towels for their practicality, allowing for easy laundering and timeless appeal, hand towels offer a wonderful opportunity to introduce color and pattern without long-term commitment. For this bathroom, I chose a lovely patterned hand towel to complement the blush tones and add visual interest, acting as a small, changeable decor element. A crucial decision for a kids’ bathroom was opting for towel hooks instead of traditional towel rings. This seemingly small detail is rooted in pure practicality: hooks are significantly easier for little hands to use, increasing the likelihood that towels will actually be hung up and dry properly, rather than ending up on the floor. It’s a small design tweak that makes a big difference in maintaining tidiness and promoting good habits among the younger residents, banking on the simple probability that ease of use equals more compliance!

The Perfect Shower Curtain: A Pop of Soft Color

I deliberately aimed for a restrained color palette in this bathroom, favoring neutrals and subtle accents to create a serene and enduring atmosphere. However, a touch of gentle color was needed to prevent the space from feeling sterile or overly formal. This beautiful blush shower curtain provided the ideal solution, delivering a perfect punch of soft, feminine hue without overwhelming the serene atmosphere. Its raised polka dots add a delightful texture, subtly echoing the beaded mirrors and the playful pattern of the floor tile, creating a cohesive design narrative that adds depth without busyness. One of the most strategic considerations behind this choice was its flexibility: if, in a few years, the girls decide they’ve outgrown blush pink, swapping out a shower curtain and a few hand towels is a far simpler and more cost-effective fix than undertaking a major tile or wall paint overhaul. It’s all about designing for both present joy and future adaptability, ensuring the room can evolve with its occupants.

Paint Colors: Foundations of a Calm & Classic Space

The paint colors chosen for this bathroom were pivotal in establishing its desired atmosphere: calm, neutral, and timeless, forming the perfect backdrop for our “girly, classic” vision. For the walls, we selected Benjamin Moore Stonington Gray. This sophisticated, medium gray is the epitome of a perfect neutral, expertly balancing the starkness of the black and white elements throughout the room without introducing a competing color. It provides a serene backdrop that allows the other design details to shine and is versatile enough to grow with the girls as their tastes evolve from childhood to adolescence. We’ve used this same elegant shade before, notably on Regan’s nursery doors last year, attesting to its enduring appeal and adaptability across different spaces in our home.

The doors in this bathroom feature the same striking Benjamin Moore Wrought Iron that we’ve applied throughout the rest of our home. I remain an ardent fan of this deep, rich hue, as it instantly elevates and adds a touch of class to every room it graces, creating a cohesive flow. Beyond its undeniable aesthetic appeal, it serves a highly practical purpose in a home with young children: its dark shade is exceptionally forgiving, masterfully concealing dirty smudges and fingerprints from little hands, making daily maintenance significantly easier and keeping the space looking fresh. The trim and ceiling throughout the bathroom are painted in Benjamin Moore Simply White, providing a crisp, clean contrast that brightens the space and ensures a fresh, polished finish, completing the classic foundation. This combination of colors forms the classic, inviting foundation upon which all the “girly” details are layered, creating a truly harmonious and functional design that is both beautiful and resilient.

That concludes the detailed breakdown of our “girly, classic” bathroom renovation! We’ve covered everything from the major structural changes to the smallest decorative nuances, revealing the thought and care behind each choice.

For your convenience, here’s a full list of all paint colors, decorating sources, and home improvement details mentioned:

• Wall color: Benjamin Moore Stonington Gray
• Door color: Benjamin Moore Wrought Iron
• Trim/ceiling color: Benjamin Moore Simply White
• Floor tile
• Wall tile
• Shower walls
• Tub
• Vessel sinks
• Toilet
• Sink faucets
• Shower/tub faucet trim kit
• Shower shelves
• Vanity table (tutorial for converting from a console table here)
• Mirrors
• Sconces
• Hand towel hooks
• Under sink basket
• Step stools (tutorial for personalization here)
• Hand towels
• Bath towels
• Toothbrush holder
• Marble soap dispenser
• Flower soap dish
• Tiger art print
• Elephant art print
• White float frames
• Tightrope walker art print
• Large white frame
• Window shade (in Capri Maple)
• Shower curtain
• Aloe plant
• Toilet paper holder
• Marble look shower hooks
• Curved shower curtain rod
• Lidded baskets
• Large bedding basket
• Rolling wire hamper
• Lidded hocking jars
• Wire baskets
• Storage caddy

Whew! That truly covers every last detail. Now, for the obligatory silly mirror selfie to mark the completion of this extensive project. 😉

While this wasn’t our first rodeo with a bathroom makeover, tackling this particular renovation while also juggling the demands of a baby certainly made it one of the toughest. Yet, I can wholeheartedly say it was completely worth every moment of effort and planning. We now officially have a kids’ bathroom that is 100% complete – a beautiful, functional, and enduring space designed with love and forethought. Seriously, mark my words: we are not touching this bathroom again until the girls are off to college, whether they like it or not! Perhaps a new shower curtain in about ten years, and that’s it. Haha!

With this significant project behind us, only one more bathroom remains for a full renovation (our master bath, which will be a story for another day), and then our entire home will be fully updated on the bathroom front. Woot woot! I’ll certainly need a long series of luxurious bubble baths to recover from this particular endeavor before embarking on the next one. Until then, we’ll simply enjoy the beauty and practicality of this charming new space.