Bathroom Mini-Remodel: Scraping Popcorn Ceiling, Painting and Refreshing Decor

This post contains affiliate links – I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links.  ❤

Our 1970’s ranch has popcorn ceiling all over the house. When we remodeled the hall bathroom this summer, we paid the painter to scrape that ceiling and paint it while he was doing the rest of the room.

I was home while he did this project, so after observing his process and reading a few tutorials online I decided that Paul and I could handle this process in our tiny master bath.

It really needed it. The popcorn was cracked, peeling, and hanging down over the shower. Yuck.

I bought a big package of plastic drop cloths and covered/sealed every surface and fixture in the room. I should have covered the floor – big mistake. Paul scraped the ceiling in about an hour. He didn’t get every single piece of popcorn ceiling, but he did the best he could.

The next weekend (on my 38th birthday, actually) I took to the task of cleaning up the massive amounts of dust and debris. The first day I just cleaned the mess from the demo and painted the ceiling with a paint/primer mix.

The second day I prepped and painted the bathroom. It’s tiny so it really didn’t take too long to do all of this. I did 2 coats, and while it probably needed 3, I was happy with the outcome.

I used a can of Sherwin Williams Extra White paint that I had left over from painting my home office this summer. I used Extra White on all the trim in our house and on the top half of the hall bathroom. It’s saved me a lot of money to stick with two colors house-wide (Extra White and Ice Cube).

We painted this bathroom 5 years ago, so it was due to be repainted. Confession: I never really loved the bright color I had in the bathrooms. It was always so bright and ended up looking dated. I am so glad I went with white this time!

Here’s the finished project:

---

---

---

What did I purchase for this bathroom upgrade?

• Supplies for popcorn ceiling removal: $120 (drop cloths, scraper, ceiling paint and primer, paint tray inserts)
• Shower Curtain from Marshalls: $18
• Curtain Rod from Amazon: $6

I shopped my house for the blue and white accents, including the curtains which are cloth napkins. I had the curtain ring clips on hand but you can find them at Lowes or on Amazon. Everything else is the same from our first project in this room 5 years ago – fixtures, mirror and shelving. Total spent: less than $145!

Thelma Lou was annoyed that I was taking pictures instead of turning the water on for her to get a drink. 🙂

It cost just under $145 (and some sweat and tears) for this before and after. Not too bad!

Paul and I hate doing these projects and we aren’t very good at it. As I always say, anyone who says “oh just slap some paint on those walls” has never painted with me. I always reach a point when I wonder what I have gotten myself into and if it will actually look any better when I’m done. Ha!

It needed to be done and we didn’t have the extra cash to pay someone to do it. After it was all said and done, we’re so glad we did! Hopefully my story of woe and suffering will encourage you to tackle a project like this in your home. 🙂

“In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me. And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4

Everything we have is made possible because of Jesus – and He is always enough!

See the rest of our home projects and upgrades in my full home tour page here: Tour My Home