Sometimes when you are limited to what you can make improvements on, I try to see what can be made improved. Could you cover the old fan with a faux box - maybe fronted with some beadboard paneling framed in? How about your light fixtures over the sink? Lowes has inexpensive seeded glass shades that you could change out, and when you leave your apartment, change them out to what the landlord left you. Also - for minimal $$, you can get a pretty beachy piece of fabric, and make a fabric shade (for your window that you could also take with you. Good luck!

Sometimes when you are limited to what you can make improvements on, I try to see what can be made improved. Could you cover the old fan with a faux box - maybe fronted with some beadboard paneling framed in? How about your light fixtures over the sink? Lowes has inexpensive seeded glass shades that you could change out, and when you leave your apartment, change them out to what the landlord left you. Also - for minimal $$, you can get a pretty beachy piece of fabric, and make a fabric shade (for your window that you could also take with you. Good luck!

You've done a very nice job. I agree that the first instinct is to paint above the tile. But if that's not an option, why not add color with a simple shower curtain, solid not print, translucent if you can find it in a light-medium blue or green?