A Greige Bathroom Remodel: Subway Tile & More…
When it comes to buying a home, I like to put my stamp on things, and from the minute we bought this one, the bathroom was on the TOP of the chopping block (really, what wasn’t on the chopping block…).
However, because bathrooms can be total pork chops on the budget, I had to bide my time until we were ready to do it right. And even then, I was hesitant to get the ball rolling until Moen sent me an email and said, ‘Heyyyyyy girl, you doing any renovating? We’d love to supply you with some products!’ SAY NO MORE! The ball was OFFICIALLY rolling.
Now, that doesn’t mean that I wanted to blow the bank – I still wanted it to be budget-friendly, so I decided on the following:
- I would keep the vanity. Because it’s built in between two walls, I couldn’t just go to a big box store and get a pre-fab unit that I could drop in – it HAD to be a custom size. So, I decided to get it painted and freshened up with new hardware.
- I would keep the footprint as everything is pretty functional where it is, other than the dead space behind the door (but I figured out something for that too).
- I would keep the tub. Our home is only 10 years old, and because that shower rarely gets used, the fiberglass tub is in awesome shape.
- I would use and abuse subway tiles. This would keep most of my tile square footage aligned with my budget.
Are you ready, Betty?
Let’s start in the hallway…like most hallways, it’s visually stimulating and an architectural wonder…
Well, it might still be a basic hallway, but NOW it has some personality via a wicked accent wall and is a great lead-up to the main bathroom!
The Best Hallway Paint Colours
I chose Benjamin Moore Gray for the accent wall, alongside Sherwin Williams Creamy on the main walls. We also installed new flooring (sue-prize, sue-prize). The original carpet was showing its age, so it was time for an update! (and no, the madness never ends)
NOW, on to the good stuff – WINE. Just joking…the loo!
THE BATHROOM AREA
Before, the maple vanity and dark surfaces made this bathroom feel heavy and moody (like me once a month) and didn’t make ANY sense with the shockingly white 4×4 tile in the shower.
And after…go GREIGE or go home! Maybe I’ll do both, seeing as I now LOVE our bathroom…
I chose Benjamin Moore Classic Gray for the walls as I wanted a soft, subtle look that didn’t compete with any tilework or countertop. And notice it’s the SAME VANITY, just updated with a fresh coat of paint and hardware!
The Light Fixture, Countertop & Vanity
The old light fixture always made me think of those metal fish you see on the back of cars that say ‘JESUS’ in the middle. Once I saw it, I couldn’t unsee it. And y’all know how religious I am…
I chose Caesarstone Bianco Drift, which is a quartz countertop with warm gray, greige, white, and brown tones (you’ll see this same countertop HERE)…
And LOOK at the shower reflected in the mirror!
From the beginning, I knew I wanted to make the wall behind the vanity a feature. I tossed in between subway tile, wallpaper, a wine rack, or jazzy accent tile. I went with Subway tile because it was affordable, and apparently, wine racks in bathrooms are taboo (pshaw).
To save money, I had Delea of Details Painting spray the maple vanity in Benjamin Moore Metropolis. Her work was SEAMless and saved me a whack load of money!
Laminate Countertops – High-End Ideas, Low-End Prices
The flooring is a gorgeous 12×24 porcelain tile from City Tile. It has a subtle texture and a mix of white, greige and beige tones. I also used it instead of a traditional baseboard.
THE FAUCET
I wanted a two-handle widespread faucet rather than a lever style, so I chose the Glyde Collection from Moen. Because the vanity is six feet long, I feel like this style better suits the length, and I like its graceful lines. From there, I coordinated the light fixture to have the same finish and the same smooth, slightly curved lines.
4 Subway Tile Ideas for your Kitchen and Backsplash
THE TUB & SHOWER AREA
The tub and shower…why would I EVER want to change it? The funny thing is, 4×4 white tile is coming back in style, however, I ain’t hoppin’ on THAT bandwagon. I either wanted a large 12×24 tile or some type of subway tile.
And the winner was subway tile! After exhausting all of the possibilities (you have NO idea how much I agonize over my own home – there is no wine bottle large enough to settle me), I landed on this awesome 4×10 tile from Lowe’s. MAAAAD love. It’s greige, soft, and subtle as I wanted the bathroom to feel fresh and clean, but not ‘stark’.
Seriously, the hexagon accent tile just about did me in when I first saw it; I started drooling on-site and almost biffed it in my own puddle. I’d looked HIGH and low for just the right accent tile and THIS was it!
I found it at Cornerstone Tile in Nanaimo. The warm, greige tones were a nice break from the traditional white/gray/black marble I usually work with in my Online Consulting.
I made a 10″ high wall-to-wall niche for a simple look with some function. I didn’t want it to POP, but I wanted it to be a classy statement.
Notice how the subway tile continues right to the end, where it meets the alcove seamlessly.
I also chose the Glyde Collection for the tub/shower, for a coordinated look. I’m not really into the huge rain heads and like the simple, low-key look of the Glyde unit.
AWKARD NOOK BEHIND THE DOOR
As for the awkward area behind the door/shower area, I found this linen tower on clearance at Lowes, and it filled up the space perfectly. Along with my Glyde robe/towel hooks, this area is now functional and pretty darned purdy!
And look at how soft and subtle Classic Gray looks. I darkened it by 25% to give it a willy wink more depth, and it still offers just the right gentle touch for this space.
And who gets MAD props on this project? Brett Edwards, that’s who! Brett of BE Tile did an awesome job from start to finish. He humored me (as most people do) when I couldn’t make up my mind and went above and beyond to make sure that everything turned out JUST how I was hoping. The only negative was that he didn’t bring his baby Maxwell over enough so I could get my baby fixed!
Want to know if painted maple cabinets lasted?
Our Maple Painted Cabinets – 2 Years Later
READ MORE
4 Tile & Shiplap Ideas for a Small Bathroom
3 Ideas to Add PERSONALITY to Your Small Bathroom or Powder Room
The 6 Best Paint Colours for a Bathroom Vanity
The 12 Best Whole Home Gray & Greige Paint Colours
Want some personalized ideas for your own home? Check out my Online Color Consulting!
Originally written in 2017, awesomely updated in 2025 for you!
Looks amazing Kylie!
I LOVE IT!! Every darn tootin’ detail lol. I’m a gray greige neutral loving kinda girl. Fantabulous job. I now have tile envy lol. Has to be a total pleasure walking into that door. I have had classic gray on my list for some time now but worried it would be too light. After seeing yours darkened by 25%, and it still looks light and fresh, I’m sold! Thanks so much. Great job.
What a transformation Kylie! It is just beautiful! I would love walking into that bathroom every morning. I love Jesus but I’m glad you got rid of the light, lol! You are so talented.
OMG, so purdy! And I’m not even a griege fan but love how soft & light it all is & decision to frame mirror w wall vs keeping full wall mirror–I don’t know that that would ever have occurred to me!
Ok, big question about cabinet painting, which you’ve posted on before: my niece claims that you can paint cabinets with chalkboard (or maybe just chalk?) paint instead of sanding before painting your chosen color. But I run this by the hardware store guy who says just to wipe it down w deglosser. What’s the best lazy-girl way to prep bathroom cabinets?
Where did u purchase light fixture?
That was from Lowe’s! Thanks for asking 🙂
Love, love, love the light fixture. Can you provide the manufacturer and model information. Thank you!
Hi Tami! It was a few years ago now, but we actually got it from Lowes!
BEAUTIFUL! You mentioned the tile was from Lowes, but I am unable to find it. Will you please share the brand and color?
Hi Michelle, it is a colour called Pearl by Allen and Roth 🙂
Love your greige bathroom exactly what we want to do with our three bathroom renos same maple cabinets!! and 4×4 tile shower…… just wondering we have a city tile in burnaby was wondering if you have a product name for the porcelain floor tile I love it!!!! Thank you Patti
Hi Patti! I’m pretty sure the floor tile was the Bellagio line – there’s a few of them, and it was the lightest one of the 3. I hope that helps!
Kylie, I love your remodel and would really like to know the brand of the light fixture. I’ve looked extensively at Lowe’s online and can’t seem to find it.
Thank you so much!
Hi Aleta! Here’s the link here – it’s from the Canadian Lowes. I see that it has TERRIBLE reviews, but that being said we haven’t had a single issue with it ourselves, but i would probably be nervous about the reviews! https://www.lowes.ca/bathroom-vanity-lighting/ashley-harbour-4-light-polished-chrome-bathroom-vanity-light_g1371059.html
~Kylie
Nice job. What’s the color of cabinet?
Thanks.
Thank you John! That was Benjamin Moore Metropolis 🙂
~Kylie
Hi Kylie, your bathroom looks amazing! and the full width recess niche is a really nice touch – was it a lot of work in terms of framing? I assume parts of the studs behind the wall had to be removed and a header needs to be added?
Thank you!
Hi Tian, thank you! Yes, they had to cut into the studs and reframe a bit with a header, but it was WELLLL worth it – it turned out pretty darned cool and in the ‘carpentry’ world it was pretty straightforward stuff!
~Kylie
Hi Kylie,
I am new to this remodel thing. I get anxiety picking a color! Your videos really helped me with understanding undertones. In your hallway is the baseboard painted the same color (creamy) as the walls? I was trying to go with a gray/griege color in my hallway but I have three storybook windows down a very long hallway that are north facing and it is pretty dark. Any of the cooler grays I pick (Big chill, crushed ice) when painted on the wall look Blue! I tried repose gray and it looks green! I’m stuck! I want it light and bright. Any other colors you could suggest?
Thanks,
Tammy
Hi Tammy! In that hallway, the baseboard is BM Cloud White and the walls are Creamy – it’s amazing how natural light can shift things! Now I try to give as much complimentary advice on my blog posts and if that doesn’t work, sometimes it’s time for a closer look with my e-design, this way I can take a look at your room/questionnaire and come up with some ideas that can work, rather than just guessing! It is affordable (particularly for a hallway) and it’s fun! If you’re interested, the link is here… https://www.kylieminteriors.ca/product-category/interior-paint-colors/
Chat soon!
~Kylie
Wow!! Amazing transformation. I love the colours you’ve chosen. It’s so bright and fresh and clean looking! Very up to date too! Hard to believe the vanity is just painted with new hardware! Oh my goodness! I just love love love the final outcome! Awesome!
Thank you Judi! 6 months later I STILL love it, which is rare for me as I get tired of things really fast (it’s an expensive hobby….). And it IS amazing what a lick of paint can do! I’ll be doing a blog post on our Office Bathroom shortly, it’s pretty awesome, I can’t wait to show you!
~Kylie
I LOVE they grey subway! We are using the same line for our remodel. Did you use a white grout? It looks like it might be a smidge darker than white but I can’t be sure. Trying to use a grout that won’t be as high maintenance as white. 🙂 thank you!
Hi Sarah, it was definitely a lighter gray colour – Silver I think???? I’m REALLY glad I didn’t do white grout!
Have you mentioned where you purchased your pulls for the cabinets?
thanks so much for your post- beautiful post and I am very much inspired!
🙂
Nicole
Hi Nicole, those were actually good old Home Depot!
~Kylie
What’s your countertop made of? Color? Thanks!
Hi Laurie, it’s quartz! Caesarstone Bianco Drift:)
Can yoou provide the information about the sink?
Hi Shar, it’s the Pearl brand and was supplied by the countertop company – Colonial Countertops, so it’s not a Home Depot/Lowe’s type of thing, more of a speciality thing (but not priced that way, just special in that they carry that specific brand).
Did you use tile on the top and bottom parts of the shelf in the shower?
We did the hexagon on the back only and the top/bottom are subway tile 🙂
Your tile and cabinet look great. Why the boring mirror?
Haha! Yes, it is a boring mirror and that’s for a few reasons!
#1 – the lights didn’t allow for a mirror with a deeper frame
#2 – with a feature tile back wall and more detailed light, a decorative mirror would have been TOO much competition – over the top!
Trust me, thought goes into every choice I make!
~Kylie
Have you ever used BM Classic Gray darkened by 50%? I used it in a bedroom darkened by 25%. It looks great on 3 of the walls but one wall looks washed out by the natural light in the room.
Hi Debby, good question! I get a bit nervous at 50% because I’ve found that 25% tweaks a colour, but doesn’t really alter its undertones. Whereas 50% can sometimes be a bit more unpredictable. The only other thing is that in the evening when the sun is down and ‘all is equal’ there will be a more noticeable shift, that being said, there is a shift on every wall due to shadows anyway!
Hi Kylie,
I love the colour of your bathroom cabinetry. Is it the same colour that you used for the cabinetry in your bar area?
Many thanks ????
Oooo look at you – paying attention! You know what they are SUPER DUPER similar. The bar area is actually a ‘manufacturers colour’ that is SUPER close to the vanity 🙂