Bathroom Makeovers
Bathroom of the Week
Before and Afters
Bathroom of the Week: New Layout and Clean Look in 52 Square Feet
A couple work with a designer and a builder to give their main bathroom a contemporary update with better function
Cramped doesn’t begin to describe James Roberts and Sue Theberge’s former bathroom. Though the long and lean space was small, just 42 square feet, it wasn’t the size that was the main problem. The poorly laid-out vanity, shower stall and toilet weren’t making good use of the limited space. “I knew we could get what we needed in a small space if it was laid out perfectly,” Theberge says.
They looked to Houzz for design ideas and then turned to designer Desia Graybill and builder Jared Thayer for help. The design and build team stole space from a redundant hallway closet to add 10 square feet to the bathroom, then relocated the main components into a more functional layout. Those moves allowed them to fit in a slim but efficient double-sink vanity and an alcove for the toilet. Meanwhile, white tile walls bounce light around for an airy feel, and alder cabinetry and matte emerald green tile give the space a fresh style that nods to the 1966 ranch home’s origins.
They looked to Houzz for design ideas and then turned to designer Desia Graybill and builder Jared Thayer for help. The design and build team stole space from a redundant hallway closet to add 10 square feet to the bathroom, then relocated the main components into a more functional layout. Those moves allowed them to fit in a slim but efficient double-sink vanity and an alcove for the toilet. Meanwhile, white tile walls bounce light around for an airy feel, and alder cabinetry and matte emerald green tile give the space a fresh style that nods to the 1966 ranch home’s origins.
After: This photo was taken from about the same angle as the previous one. The window, upgraded to a double-hung version with a frosted section for privacy, is in the same spot as the former window above the vanity.
The homeowners stripped the space to the studs themselves. The design and build team’s incorporation of the closet into the new space made room for the alcove for the toilet. (See floor plans below.) It also allowed them to shift the new double vanity down the back wall and place a roomy curbless shower in the spot formerly occupied by the vanity.
A glass partition runs from the vanity countertop to the ceiling, separating it from the shower. A waterfall countertop edge protects the vanity cabinet from water. “It was a great decision,” Theberge says.
There’s also a track along the ceiling that holds a shower curtain that was hung after these photos were taken. (You can see the hooks near the top right corner of the glass partition.)
Paint colors: Westhighland White (walls) and High Reflective White (ceiling), Sherwin-Williams
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The homeowners stripped the space to the studs themselves. The design and build team’s incorporation of the closet into the new space made room for the alcove for the toilet. (See floor plans below.) It also allowed them to shift the new double vanity down the back wall and place a roomy curbless shower in the spot formerly occupied by the vanity.
A glass partition runs from the vanity countertop to the ceiling, separating it from the shower. A waterfall countertop edge protects the vanity cabinet from water. “It was a great decision,” Theberge says.
There’s also a track along the ceiling that holds a shower curtain that was hung after these photos were taken. (You can see the hooks near the top right corner of the glass partition.)
Paint colors: Westhighland White (walls) and High Reflective White (ceiling), Sherwin-Williams
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Theberge read reviews of tiles on Houzz before selecting the 12-by-24-inch matte emerald green porcelain tiles for the shower’s back wall, set in a stacked pattern. “The palette I chose for this bathroom was inspired by the Japanese painter Hiroshige,” she says. “All his paintings have deep, mineral rich hues that I love.”
The green tile and alder vanity also hark back to a palette common to the midcentury vintage of the house.
White glazed ceramic 12-by-24-inch tiles line the shower side walls and form a short backsplash over the vanity. The flooring is 12-by-24-inch porcelain tile in a carbon color with a matte finish. “They’re really durable, easy to clean, and they look great with the wood,” Graybill says.
A multifunction hand shower, geometric-shaped valve trim kit and adjustable slide bar and grab bar feature a matte black finish. A hardwired matte black towel warmer by the shower threshold keeps warm towels within easy reach. “That was one of their must-haves,” Graybill says.
Rear shower wall tile: Forge in Emerald with a matte finish, 12 by 24 inches, Ivy Hill Tile; side wall tile: Choice glazed ceramic, 12 by 24 inches, Emser Tile; shower valve trim kit: Ara, Delta Faucet; floor tile: Evoque by Verde 1999 in Carbon, United Tile
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The green tile and alder vanity also hark back to a palette common to the midcentury vintage of the house.
White glazed ceramic 12-by-24-inch tiles line the shower side walls and form a short backsplash over the vanity. The flooring is 12-by-24-inch porcelain tile in a carbon color with a matte finish. “They’re really durable, easy to clean, and they look great with the wood,” Graybill says.
A multifunction hand shower, geometric-shaped valve trim kit and adjustable slide bar and grab bar feature a matte black finish. A hardwired matte black towel warmer by the shower threshold keeps warm towels within easy reach. “That was one of their must-haves,” Graybill says.
Rear shower wall tile: Forge in Emerald with a matte finish, 12 by 24 inches, Ivy Hill Tile; side wall tile: Choice glazed ceramic, 12 by 24 inches, Emser Tile; shower valve trim kit: Ara, Delta Faucet; floor tile: Evoque by Verde 1999 in Carbon, United Tile
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A tall and slim shower niche with shelves and Schluter edging keeps products off the floor. The niche runs nearly to the floor, where its bottom shelf provides a spot to rest a foot when shaving one’s legs.
Before: This view of the former bathroom shows the doorway and sink on the left and the toilet sticking into the path to the shower. The door swung outward into the couple’s bedroom. “It was kind of an obstruction,” Theberge says. “It would swing out and hit our dresser.”
After: The new vanity sits symmetrically on the rear wall, creating a design that’s nice to look at but also puts whoever is at one of the sinks out of the direct path of someone else who might be entering the bathroom. “And you don’t see the toilet now,” Theberge says.
Exposed alder shelves hold clean towels. “I really wanted something open,” Theberge says. “We didn’t really have storage for towels before, and it seemed like the perfect spot for that.”
Recessed mirrored medicine cabinets provide additional storage. “They’re tall, so they make the ceiling feel higher than it is,” Theberge says.
A contemporary dimmable two-light sconce between the medicine cabinets provides mood lighting and coordinates with the black faucets, cabinet pulls and other details. Three new LED recessed lights (one in the shower and two over the main area of the bathroom) provide additional illumination.
A new pocket door takes up less floor space than the previous hinged version. The wood frame works with the vanity and other wood elements throughout the house.
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Exposed alder shelves hold clean towels. “I really wanted something open,” Theberge says. “We didn’t really have storage for towels before, and it seemed like the perfect spot for that.”
Recessed mirrored medicine cabinets provide additional storage. “They’re tall, so they make the ceiling feel higher than it is,” Theberge says.
A contemporary dimmable two-light sconce between the medicine cabinets provides mood lighting and coordinates with the black faucets, cabinet pulls and other details. Three new LED recessed lights (one in the shower and two over the main area of the bathroom) provide additional illumination.
A new pocket door takes up less floor space than the previous hinged version. The wood frame works with the vanity and other wood elements throughout the house.
Shop for a double bathroom vanity
Before: The former pink-tiled shower was a big source of frustration for the couple. “It felt like a small box you were standing in,” Theberge says. “It was hard to clean, and we always hit our elbows in there.”
The redundant hallway closet sat on the other side of the wall behind the shower. (See “before” floor plan.)
The redundant hallway closet sat on the other side of the wall behind the shower. (See “before” floor plan.)
After: The design and build team stole space from the closet to push the bathroom back a few feet and create room for the new vanity and toilet alcove. “My mom and I came up with that idea a couple years ago,” Theberge says. “We were talking about the size of the bathroom and trying to think of a way to get more space in there. She asked me if we really used that closet, and I realized it was the perfect solution.”
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A large wall mirror with a matte blue-gray frame in the couple’s bedroom creates symmetry with the new pocket door. In its reflection you can see some of the other wood details that coordinate with the door frame and vanity.
Before: The previous bathroom is seen on the left half of this floor plan. A secondary bathroom used by the couple’s daughter takes up the right half; it also was renovated.
On the left, you can see how the entrance (middle left) opened right in front of the sink and vanity (top left). The shower stall (center bottom) stood cramped next to the toilet. On the other side of the rear shower wall was the redundant closet (bottom left).
On the left, you can see how the entrance (middle left) opened right in front of the sink and vanity (top left). The shower stall (center bottom) stood cramped next to the toilet. On the other side of the rear shower wall was the redundant closet (bottom left).
After: Incorporating the closet allowed for the niche for the toilet (bottom left) and for the vanity (center) to be shifted down, creating symmetry in front of the doorway (center left).
“It’s a calming space,” Theberge says. “I enjoy being in there so much more now.”
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“It’s a calming space,” Theberge says. “I enjoy being in there so much more now.”
More on Houzz
Read more bathroom stories
Browse bathroom photos
Find a bathroom designer
Shop for your bathroom
Bathroom at a Glance
Who lives here: James Roberts and Sue Theberge, their daughter Olive and their two dogs
Location: Corvallis, Oregon
Size: 52 square feet (4.8 square meters)
Designer: Desia Graybill of atomic * design
Builder: Jared Thayer of Thayer Construction
Before: In the former bathroom, the aging vanity and sink sat to the left of the doorway, putting anyone at the sink directly in the path of someone trying to enter the space. “My husband and I were always in each other’s way,” Theberge says. A tight shower stall stood opposite the vanity. (See “before” photo below.)
The style had to go too. Peachy pink walls, a pink laminate countertop and pink tile in the shower felt like being stuck in bubble gum.
The aluminum slider window over the vanity overlooks a back deck and garden.