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Lighting and storage dilemma - Bathroom for tall partner

last year
last modified: last year

I've got an odd bathroom that is right off my kitchen that is heavily used by the 6'6" partner. I'm looking for the best way to add storage and function for his needs and style for my needs. This also serves as a guest bathroom and is heavily used. Photos are attached.


1. New Light - I'm struggling to find a light that will cover the electrical box and be centered over the vanity. The current electrical box most left measurement from the wall is 26 1/4" from the right side of the wall. I'm fine with a slight (approximately 1" to the left of vanity edge) overhang to the left. This is also the only light in the bathroom so the lumens output must be high (preferably dimmable, but I would give on this for the right light). This bathroom has no window.


2. Storage drawers/towels - To the left of the vanity, I'm looking for a storage piece that is higher than the current one (I've just replaced the vanity top/sink and it's taken away a lot of real estate around the sink). And then removing the current/useless towel bar and maybe putting a blanket/towel ladder there? I'm looking for taller people friendly ideas so everything isn't a big bend and is functional to hold clean clothes, etc. to change into. The ceiling height is only 82”. The area to the left of the vanity is 37” wide.


3. Hand towel placement - Also, would prefer not to hang hand towel to the right of the vanity on the wall again. Any smart ideas of where to place hand towel?


4. Vanity is staying - the mirror, light fixture, shelf to left of vanity, and the towel bar are being removed.


5. Above the toilet, I currently have a piece of art, but thinking that could be replaced with a cabinet for more storage.


6. Considerations - I've just painted the vanity BM Essex Green (which is a repeating pattern from an accent wall in the living room that receives a ton of natural light from the west). The walls will get painted agreeable gray. I'm swapping out all hardware to gold. The trim and door has been recently painted white. The tub is a chocolate brown and the surround is a larger format "cararra marble tile look".

This flows right off the kitchen which is SW Pure White shaker doors with gold hardware. The hardwood floors flow thru the entire main floor.










Comments (12)

  • last year

    Floor plan with dimensions, picture's, some sort of context to help us help you?

  • last year

    Getting them loaded now.

  • last year

    The ceiling height is only 82”. The area to the left of the vanity is 37” wide.

  • last year

    The end of the electrical box is 26 1/4” to left of the right wall. Moving the box is not an option.

  • PRO
    last year
    last modified: last year

    Please post more pictures, I cannot see where the electrical box is from your description nor pictures. Take a picture of each wall. Are you planning on replacing the vanity? the mirror? the light? we need more information to help you with suggestions. A floor plan with all dimensions would also help especially if you plan on changing the vanity.

    JESSICA B thanked lisedv
  • last year
    last modified: last year

    I have never done it, but popcorn ceiling CAN be patched - there is a product you can apply to make the texture. and J boxes can be moved or some lights have an integrated J box. So I would say don't limit yourself to the existing light placement. (Do you need to test your ceiling for asbestos before making new holes?)

    Towel hooks instead of bar or ladder, could be placed at high and low positions.

    For your linen cabinet, I'd go with white or perhaps you can find a wood stain that is nice with your floor. Since the essex green is so dark I would not use it on a tall item here.

    IKEA Tannforsen? https://www.ikea.com/us/en/p/taennforsen-high-cabinet-with-doors-white-10535426/

  • PRO
    last year

    How does he even shower in there at all with only 6" above his head really not functional at all. The toilet is not placed to code the vanity squished into the corner why??? Waht can he possibly need to store in this pretty useless space ?

  • last year

    Thank you so much Lisedv!!!!

  • last year

    Patricia, yes you have stated my conundrum in the most simple terms. Tearing down the house is not an option. There is no other way to get more ceiling height and to date, there are zero complaints about showering problems. He’s not doing yoga stretches in the shower.
    Yes, I could move the vanity over about 9” to the left. Yes, I could buy a brand new vanity that’s a bit bigger. Yes, I could pay to move the electrical and patch the ceiling.

    I chose to buy a house that was solidly built with some charm and in a community and with that sometimes you have design challenges working in the footprint.

    I chose not to buy a black and white trendy house with orange wood accents and zero landscaping in a development that looks like every other house and has zero design but 1000 trends pulled from magazines.

  • last year

    The vanity is too small. The best way to add storage is to get a bigger vanity. i would also wet and scrape the popcorn off the ceiling. its messy but DIYable is thats even a word.

  • 12 months ago
    last modified: 12 months ago

    Sure the place is small. Nothing wrong with a small room or small home.

    The partner is probably well used to places being a little tight for him!

    When my spouse and I were last home shopping, we tried to rank what we call the Weirdness Quotient of each place. Trust me this bath is FAR from the weirdest or least convenient bathrooms in this world of ours.

    OP i appreciate problem solving, ans making aomethi g that works for you. it's not always about "tear it out and start over".