See How I Transformed Our Outdated Master Bathroom into a Modern Traditional Space
An in-progress update on turning a dated, mid‑1990s master bathroom into a fresh, modern traditional retreat. This update focuses on new lighting, mirrors, hardware, accessories, and other finishing touches that have brought this half‑finished room to life.
This post and photos may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I may earn from qualifying purchases. If you purchase through a link, I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. All opinions are my own.
Nearly six years after the major renovation in our bathroom, it felt like the right time to finish the job. We tackled most of the big structural and tile work years ago, but the vanity area remained only partially completed. I wanted the space to be bright, functional, and reflect a modern traditional style that feels timeless and welcoming every morning.
Here’s a look back at how the vanity area appeared when we first toured the house.
After the initial renovation we took a pragmatic approach: do what’s necessary for function and postpone the cosmetic finishing until we had time and budget. The result was a usable bathroom that still felt incomplete. Over the last few months I focused on the smaller elements—lighting, mirrors, countertops, hardware, art, and rugs—to finally make the room feel finished.
One of the most helpful tools in planning this refresh was a design board I created to guide choices and maintain a cohesive palette. A mood board helped me visualize finishes, textiles, and accent pieces before pulling the trigger.
THE VANITIES
We debated replacing the 25‑year‑old vanities more than once. Although they’re dated, they’re structurally sound and match the modern traditional aesthetic I gravitate toward. Ultimately we decided to keep the existing cabinetry, raise them to a more comfortable height by building new bases, and update the countertops and faucets for a refreshed look.
There’s still some trim work to do to finish the skirt at the base of the cabinets, but I have a plan for that detail. Update: after further consideration we decided the vanities should be replaced, so I’m now searching for two new, slightly more contemporary units that will maintain the classic feel of the room.
THE LIGHTING
I started with a budget‑minded plan—paint and refresh the existing fixtures—but closer inspection revealed loose sockets and irreversible finish damage. I opted for new fixtures that are budget friendly yet elevated in style. I balanced form and function by choosing sconces with upright shades that are open at the bottom, which prevents debris accumulation and makes them easier to maintain in a bathroom setting.
Replacing the fixtures made a surprising difference in the overall feel of the vanity area—better light, cleaner lines, and a more cohesive look that supports the modern traditional vibe.
THE MIRRORS
We removed the original oversized plate glass mirrors and replaced the temporary options with pared‑down round mirrors. The new round shapes add visual interest and soften the many right angles in the room, while the simple frames read updated and elegant. Changing mirrors alone made the space feel more intentional and styled.
THE WALLS
Wall space in this bathroom is awkward. There’s no good spot for towel bars, and the two sides of the room are asymmetrical, so matching art didn’t make sense. To solve that, I purchased a set of coordinating botanical prints and split them between the two sides. Two prints hang near the shower on my husband’s side, and the third hangs above a lowered 9″ towel bar on my side, where it brings balance and interest to the wall.
These small art decisions help the space feel curated rather than empty, and they complement the calm palette we chose for the room.
THE FLOORS
For floor coverings I went with practical, machine‑washable bath mats that read like small area rugs. Originally I purchased more turquoise tones, but my aesthetic shifted toward chambray blue with gray undertones during a recent bedroom refresh. I wanted rugs with a rubber backing I could toss in the washer, but that still looked like a bona fide area rug rather than a typical foam‑backed bath mat.
Finding a set that matched the palette and came in the sizes I needed (two runner‑style mats for the vanities and a small mat for the shower) felt like a win. The new rugs tie the whole vanity area together and reinforce the calm, modern traditional color story.
This completes the updates on this side of the room for now. It’s surprising how much impact a few well‑chosen pieces—lighting, mirrors, hardware, art, and rugs—can have on a space that felt half finished for years.
Next up: finish the remaining trim work, finalize the vanity decision, and add the smaller styling details that make a bathroom feel truly finished.
Current to‑do list:
-
change mirrors above the vanitiesadd a new light fixture above each mirror and add sconces to each side of the mirrorschange the hardware on each vanity- re‑do the skirting around the base of the vanities
- caulk where the new baseboards were added after the floor was re‑tiled
build a new cabinet to go above the makeup table- wallpaper the back of the new cabinet and style the interior
- repaint the vanity table
- replace or refresh the lamps on the makeup table
- swap the current chair at the makeup table for something more interesting
replace the bath mats- spruce up the toilet room
- make window treatments
- accessorize and finalize styling