But before we get to the rest of the bathroom update: an armadillo in the bathroom. It sounds odd, but hear me out — it’s a small, whimsical detail that changed the whole vibe of the space.

Decorating rules are flexible and personal, yet some touches feel universally right. For me, a bathroom just seems more complete with a little quirky piece, and the golden armadillo print we recently framed has become that perfect, unexpected accent.

This print came from a local craft fair and was created by an artist whose work I adore. I finally framed it and hung it above a framed Instagram photo of Clara holding a doll — a playful pairing that felt especially fitting for a bathroom. The frame I used has a textured, burlap-like look that complements the print and ties in with the other neutral elements in the room.

The linen-like fabric behind the Instagram photo pairs nicely with the textured frame above, and I have a small design strategy behind choosing those cream and straw tones. Once I noticed the warm gold tones in our soap containers and even a loofah sitting on the toilet tank, it clicked: those colors help the unusual cream sink feel intentional rather than out of place.

Don’t get me wrong — the sink’s shape is still quirky and won’t be permanent — but when I group it with elements that share a similar palette (like the soap pumps, the art, the loofah, and the frames), it all reads as a cohesive design choice instead of a mismatch. There’s a simple lesson here: sometimes amplifying a color that feels like an outlier can make the room feel more layered and thoughtfully composed. That approach works great for phase-one decorating or when you’re putting together a space in stages.

While the armadillo is the main eye-catcher, we also updated the lighting. We scored an inexpensive light fixture at our local Habitat for Humanity ReStore for under ten dollars. It had a chrome finish originally, but with a few coats of oil-rubbed bronze spray paint and some careful masking of the bulb sockets, the fixture now fits the room’s warmer, more crafted look.

To complete the update we added two simple frosted bulb covers, which softened the light and gave the fixture a finished, gentle glow. The transformation was quick and affordable, but it made the whole bathroom feel crisp and modern while still cozy.

We’re planning a more extensive remodel down the line — maybe a tiled accent wall or grasscloth wallpaper — but until then, small secondhand finds and a few smart updates give us the charm we want without a big investment. Little changes like frames, a print, cohesive accessories, and a refreshed light fixture add personality and polish as you save up for larger projects.

P.S. In some photos you might notice a pop of red flowers on the sink. I added those after shooting these pictures because a small burst of color felt right. Imagine them there — they really finish the vignette.

One practical update worth mentioning: we’ve switched our home lighting to energy-efficient LED bulbs. They last much longer, use far less energy, and reduce the need for frequent bulb changes. Choosing warm-toned LEDs maintains a natural, inviting glow that works especially well in smaller spaces like bathrooms.

In the end, designing a small bathroom doesn’t require a single cohesive rulebook. A mix of thrifted finds, intentional color repeats, textured frames, and the occasional whimsical piece — like a golden armadillo — can make the space feel curated and complete. It’s about layering small choices so the room reads as intentional, even when it’s updated in phases.