Personalize your Bath on a Budget!

1 > Store grooming aids in a vintage metal cabinet.  Choose one with an aged patina to offset the polish of a new bathroom or the sanitary look of an older onethat has an all-white tile and paint scheme. Salvaged medical, lab, and apothecary cabinets starting at about $70; etsy.com

2 > Swap in a vintage look cabinet latch to give a bath built-in a hit of period style. Restorers Ornamental Cabinet Latch in a weathered bronze finish, $11; Vandyke.com

3 > Dress up a plain vanity with a glue-on wood appliqué that you can paint or stain to match the finish on your cabinet. Similar to shown: Meredith Header, 13 ½ by 2 inches in ¾ inch-thick poplar, $24; vintagewoodworks.com

4 > Tile the wall above your vanity with graphic ceramic squares. Adhere the new backsplash with mortar, grout the joints, and squeeze a bead of caulk where the tiles meet the countertop. Similar to shown: Black Madrid 4-by-4-inch Mexican clay Talavera tile, $1.20 each; finecraftsimports.com

5 > Stencil a cast-iron claw-foot to complete the tub’s vintage. Pick a period-inspired stencil made by artist Lisa Klokforn, starting at about $30; flyonthewalldesign.com. Use a gloss spray paint for metal, such as Krylon Indoor / Outdoor, about $4 per can in 64 colors; check walmart.com for stores in your area.

6 > Recess a Cabinet. Save space with a medicine chest that fits in a wall cavity. Stash grooming supplies in a recessed medicine cabinet (similar to shown: Sonoma Recessed Medicine Cabinet in Espresso finish; potterybarn.com). Unlike with wall-hung ones, you won’t hit your head when you lean over to splash your face on a sleepy morning. And by installing the cabinet yourself, you can avoid the financial headache of hiring a pro. 

Budget: $229 * Key players: Recessed cabinet * DIY savings: Up to $400 to hire a carpenter

1. Mark and make the cutout. Have a helper hold the cabinet level against the wall and trace its outline with a pencil. Use a keyhole saw to cut along the line. Remove the drywall inside your cutline, being careful not to mar the surrounding wall. 
2. Frame the cutout. The new opening will span at least one stud. Use a handsaw to remove it, cutting it flush with the opening at the top and bottom. Brace the cutout on all four sides using 2X4 blocking secured with construction adhesive and screws. 
3. Install the cabinet. Fit the cabinet inside the blocking so that it's flush against the wall. Drive drywall screws through the holes in the side of the cabinet and into the blocking. For the full step-by-step and safety precautions, go to thisoldhouse.com/new-homeowner.