Dated tiles can instantly ruin the aesthetic of a bathroom. Not to fret, today I am sharing 4 DIY hacks for covering up this eyesore- no messy demo required!
While I tend to prefer the music and cinema of past generations over the new sh*t (yep..I am a self-proclaimed old soul), much to my dismay, I simply can not say the same for most of the tile prevalent in bathrooms designed in earlier decades.
I realize my preferences are quite ironically unfortunate as bathroom renovations involving tile are a whole hell of a lot more expensive than the simple consumption of music and movies from former eras.
From 1980s almond to turn-of-the-millennium builder-grade blandness, all out of sheer desperation and a seriously tight budget, I’ve had to get creative with some clever DIY hacks to cover up such tragic tile disasters.
If you too share my sentiment, then this post is for you! No need for a sledgehammer or gut renovation, today I am sharing 4 affordable ways to cover up existing bathroom tile…
1. Floating Luxury Vinyl-
*For your shopping convenience, I have included affiliate links. As an Amazon and RewardStyle Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. *
While not every vinyl flooring product is created equally, some floating LVP and LVT products can be installed directly over existing tile. Back at my 1980’s fixer upper, I never had to demo any of the nasty ceramic tile floors as I was simply able to install this product (the Moroccan design is currently out of stock, but they have other options) on top of the dated mess that was my bathroom flooring situation- saving me time and money.
Tip: To avoid the telegraphing effect where the old grout lines surface on the new flooring layer, it is vital to read the specs of the product before making your selections! The luxury vinyl tile or plank manufacturer needs to explicitly list in the application details that it is suitable for installation over tile subfloors! For step-by-step installation details and product information, read my separate post Luxury Vinyl Tile Installation The Easy Way.
2. Peel and Stick Tiles-
Whether your bathroom could use a new tile backsplash or new flooring, no need to destroy your house ripping the old tile out!
Many types of peel-and-stick products can be applied over existing tiles as long as the original surface is in good shape- even wall tile! Proper prep is key to the success and longevity of your results.
As with the luxury vinyl products I previously mentioned, it is important that the manufacturer explicitly lists that their peel-and-stick product is ok to apply over existing ceramic or porcelain tiles.
To see the step-by-step instructions for applying these peel-and-stick floor tiles, be sure to check out My Family Thyme’s tutorial linked in the photo caption.
3. PVC Wall Treatment-
Can you believe these bathroom walls were once covered in Pepto pink backsplash tiles?
Well..they still technically are, but Made By Carli cleverly concealed them with PVC-constructed shiplap to avoid demolition debris and ultimately the cost to haul off said debris. To see her full bathroom transformation and to learn more about this material, be sure to click her link in the photo caption!
4. Epoxy Paint-
When all else fails and you don’t have a ton of dough to invest in any of the aforementioned methods, you can always paint your dated shower tiles like Amber Oliver did here. While not all products are suitable for high-moisture areas such as showers, using a combination of waterborne bonding primer and white epoxy paint, miracles can happen in the dampest of conditions.
For step-by-step details on painting tiles, be sure to click on Amber’s tutorial link in the caption!
Whether you have now decided to give your dated bathroom a facelift with a splash of epoxy paint or a fabulous new tile overlay like peel-and-stick or LVT, just remember: you don’t need a sledgehammer or a sh*t load of money to achieve your aesthetic goals!
Thank you so much for stopping by and spending some time with me this week! If you found this post helpful, it would mean so much to me and this small business if you could share it with a friend or on social media!
Now get out there and design some good vibes along with a fabulous life!