With a nice clean space like that you can go a lot of different ways. I would start by looking at shower curtains, because they can become the focal point. When you find one or two (or more) that you like, you can play off of the colors in the curtain to find the color towels, bath mat, and even wall color. Some ideas: You could go classic black and white, with a touch of something bright if you want for an accent (like the fuscia in the photo) Or something "spa-like," in acqua and cream. Or you could go bright, with teal and lime green. Another classic look: tan walls, white and/or tan towels and bathmat, simple white accessories. Good luck!

On the dresser I have like this, I painted it crisp white. The top middle drawer was removed and the interior painted an accent color. Of course, some great new hardware. Also, you can alternate (the full sized drawers) in a different color from the base color or paint all the drawers the same color but slightly different from the base color.

Thanks :) Yeah decided to go with tile. So sand cement is ok over existing tiles if I prep them first? Only problem is, the new pad can only be about 30mm at it's thickest (leaving up to 15mm for tiles) otherwise it'll end up being higher than the hallway floor. So I either need to make the fall shallower or not bother with the waste and make it all level. If I made it level, could I use levelling compound at that thickness or would deck mud/sand cement be the best option? Also, should I be putting in mesh for strength? (I know I should (and will) ask the local hardware what they suggest, but it's great to have suggestions from the Houzz community also)

Thanks for the replies! My wife suggested we talk to a local real estate agent, so i think that is a good idea... just that Im not sure how helpful they are likely to be if we arent selling yet :) As for saving for our dream house, I dont disagree, however if doing this up nicely over the next ~5 years or so while we live here nets us some extra in the eventual sale, then that of course will help us as well. Interesting thing happened today actually. I got a knock on the door and one of the older neighbours asked if he could take some lemons from the tree. I of course said yes. Anyway he was telling me he had lived in the street for 40 years. I asked him if the house had always looked like this, and he said no that ~30 years ago the old old owner did a massive renovation and pulled off the timber and put up the bricks and gutted the inside of the house. Interesting stuff!