Before and After: 4 Fresh Bathrooms in 100 to 140 Square Feet
See how designers worked with this common size to create highly functional spaces with serious storage and style
With the right design and planning, bathrooms ranging in size from 100 to 150 square feet can be comfortable spaces for relaxation and rejuvenation. To get an idea of what’s possible, check out these before-and-after photos of four bathrooms updated with storage, style and personality.
Before Photo
After: Littlejohn removed the former components, eliminated the little-used tub and rejiggered the layout. A spacious new low-curb shower stands where the water closet was. Fluted 12-by-24-inch white architectural wall tiles paired with soft gray grout cover the back wall and extend into the shower and wrap around the side wall. The tiles also cover the pony wall and curb. The main bathroom flooring and the shower flooring are 3-by-3-inch creamy white porcelain tiles that create a nonslip surface.
Custom vanity: Jory Workshop; tile: Fluted Journey in white, 12 by 24 inches (walls) and Journey in white, 3 by 3 inches (floors), Z Collection
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Custom vanity: Jory Workshop; tile: Fluted Journey in white, 12 by 24 inches (walls) and Journey in white, 3 by 3 inches (floors), Z Collection
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The updated bathroom’s warm contemporary style combines various off-white tiles, matte black fixtures and a natural knotty alder vanity cabinet with a concrete-look countertop. An open toilet area across from the vanity has plenty of elbow room. A custom tempered glass shower enclosure and a new reeded glass door connecting the bathroom to the bedroom allow natural light to be shared between the spaces. An enhanced lighting scheme creates a safe, well-lit environment with ceiling lights, a backlit LED mirror, undercabinet lighting and a ceiling fixture (not shown).
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Before Photo
“After” photos by Mark Verschelden
2. Sunny and Bright
Bathroom at a Glance
Who lives here: A family of five
Location: Modesto, California
Size: 120 square feet (11 square meters)
Designers: Wendy Glaister and Stephanie Poulsen of Wendy Glaister Interiors
Before: Even with a skylight, this Modesto, California, en suite primary bathroom felt dark and depressing. The giant tub with a shower wand was impractical. A tight double vanity had two vessel sinks that hogged counter space. Interior designers Wendy Glaister and Stephanie Poulsen set out to create a more playful and happy bathroom using a color palette of sunny yellow, white and gray.
2. Sunny and Bright
Bathroom at a Glance
Who lives here: A family of five
Location: Modesto, California
Size: 120 square feet (11 square meters)
Designers: Wendy Glaister and Stephanie Poulsen of Wendy Glaister Interiors
Before: Even with a skylight, this Modesto, California, en suite primary bathroom felt dark and depressing. The giant tub with a shower wand was impractical. A tight double vanity had two vessel sinks that hogged counter space. Interior designers Wendy Glaister and Stephanie Poulsen set out to create a more playful and happy bathroom using a color palette of sunny yellow, white and gray.
After: A larger shower replaced the tub. Warm yellow, white and gray accent tiles and a yellow vanity perk up the space. The side walls in the shower are 24-by-36-inch white tiles that create fewer grout lines, making the shower easier to clean. These tiles also help bounce light from the skylight around the room. A shaving ledge, large niche and two sets of shower heads enhance function in the shower. Terrazzo flooring adds vibrancy and movement.
11 Ways to Age-Proof Your Bathroom
11 Ways to Age-Proof Your Bathroom
The bright new custom vanity stretches from wall to wall. A centered sink with two faucets gives the homeowners adequate counter space, as well as two sets of drawers. Mirrored medicine cabinets with integrated lights help maximize storage. The designers matched the vanity paint to the sunny yellow in the shower tile. Hexagonal cabinet pulls play off the tile shape. A water closet to the right of the vanity has more storage.
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10 Smart Bathroom Storage Solutions
Read more about this bathroom makeover
10 Smart Bathroom Storage Solutions
Photos by Spacecrafting
3. Transitional and Timeless
Bathroom at a Glance
Who lives here: An empty-nest couple
Location: Inver Grove Heights, Minnesota
Size: 105 square feet (9.8 square meters)
Designer: Stefanie Cohoe of Che Bella Interiors Design + Remodeling
Before: After one of the homeowners underwent an amputation below the knee, the primary bathroom she shared with her husband in the Twin Cities metro area was no longer serving her needs. The doors to the bathroom and bedroom were too narrow for her wheelchair, so she had to use a walker. The existing setup wasn’t safe, and the couple, who were also tired of the room’s dark and dated feel, turned to interior designer Stefanie Cohoe of Che Bella Interiors Design + Remodeling for help.
3. Transitional and Timeless
Bathroom at a Glance
Who lives here: An empty-nest couple
Location: Inver Grove Heights, Minnesota
Size: 105 square feet (9.8 square meters)
Designer: Stefanie Cohoe of Che Bella Interiors Design + Remodeling
Before: After one of the homeowners underwent an amputation below the knee, the primary bathroom she shared with her husband in the Twin Cities metro area was no longer serving her needs. The doors to the bathroom and bedroom were too narrow for her wheelchair, so she had to use a walker. The existing setup wasn’t safe, and the couple, who were also tired of the room’s dark and dated feel, turned to interior designer Stefanie Cohoe of Che Bella Interiors Design + Remodeling for help.
After: The design-build firm widened the door openings throughout the primary suite to 36 inches. It also replaced the swing bathroom door with a pocket door. The double vanity has a lower sink area on the right with ample space for a wheelchair. Pivot mirrors can accommodate a seated position. The lower portion of the linen cabinet has rollout shelves so the wife can easily access items. The top of the cabinet is the husband’s storage space.
Standard Dimensions and Measurements for a Primary Bath
Standard Dimensions and Measurements for a Primary Bath
The flooring is ceramic tile in a warm greige color that has a mottled polished-concrete-like pattern. The designer continued this tile on the shower walls and baseboards. The shower has a curbless entry and wide door for easy access. The shower floor is composed of 2-by-2-inch mosaic square tiles that create a nonslip surface. Cohoe placed two grab bars next to the toilet in the back left corner — a vertical bar for when the wife lowers herself down and a horizontal bar that gives her something to grab onto when she stands up.
Paint colors: Gossamer Veil (walls) and Pure White (cabinets), Sherwin-Williams
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Paint colors: Gossamer Veil (walls) and Pure White (cabinets), Sherwin-Williams
Read more about this bathroom makeover
See why you should hire a professional who uses Houzz Pro software
Before Photo
“After” photo by Margaret Rajic; photo styling by Brandi Evers
4. Elegant and Soothing
Bathroom at a Glance
Who lives here: A family of four
Location: Glen Ellyn, Illinois
Size: 140 square feet (13 square meters)
Designer: Susan Klimala of TKS Design Group
Before: The owners of this Chicago-area primary bathroom were looking for a change. The room felt like everything was jammed in. The homeowners never used the space-hogging bathtub in the corner and wanted to get rid of it. The existing shower was very small. The ceiling had a lot of odd angles and soffits that made the room feel chaotic. The homeowners hired interior designer Susan Klimala to make major changes to the dated space.
4. Elegant and Soothing
Bathroom at a Glance
Who lives here: A family of four
Location: Glen Ellyn, Illinois
Size: 140 square feet (13 square meters)
Designer: Susan Klimala of TKS Design Group
Before: The owners of this Chicago-area primary bathroom were looking for a change. The room felt like everything was jammed in. The homeowners never used the space-hogging bathtub in the corner and wanted to get rid of it. The existing shower was very small. The ceiling had a lot of odd angles and soffits that made the room feel chaotic. The homeowners hired interior designer Susan Klimala to make major changes to the dated space.
After: Klimala ditched the tub and flattened out as much of the ceiling as possible for a calmer look. She created a soothing new palette with light gray on the vanities, marble-look quartz for the countertops and backsplashes, and polished nickel on the plumbing and light fixtures. The cabinets have crystal pulls. This vanity has a drawer with a built-in outlet and room for hair appliances. It also has a trash pullout.
New to home remodeling? Learn the basics
New to home remodeling? Learn the basics
With the tub gone, Klimala had room to install a 4-by-5-foot steam shower. A bench is slightly visible on the inside right. Transoms at the top of the glass enclosure tilt open to let the steam out after a shower. A circular window coordinates with marble mosaic tile in a circular pattern on the shower floor. Large-format tile on the walls in and around the shower minimize grout lines, making it easier to keep clean. The bathroom floor is a porcelain tile in a herringbone pattern. A vintage rug adds color and warmth.
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1. Warm and Contemporary
Bathroom at a Glance
Who lives here: An older man
Location: Oregon
Size: 132 square feet (12 square meters)
Designer: Molly J Littlejohn Design
Contractor: Kraft Custom Construction
Before: This decades-old Oregon en suite bathroom had a corner fiberglass shower stall that lacked room for the homeowner, a tall older gentleman, to maneuver in. A rarely used jetted tub sat across from the shower and, next to that, a dark water closet. A lack of windows and adequate lighting made the space unsafe to use. The homeowner wanted to update the bathroom to help with aging in place and with design details that would deliver a wow factor. He tapped designer Molly Littlejohn and Kraft Custom Construction to spearhead the makeover.