Before and After: 4 Refined Bathrooms in 120 to 170 Square Feet
See how designers reimagined these well-sized bathrooms with smarter layouts, better comfort and elevated style
Bathrooms measuring between 120 and 170 square feet strike an ideal balance of comfort and possibility. With room for separate showers and tubs, double vanities and thoughtful extras like makeup stations or water closets, these generously sized spaces invite both function and personalization. Below, see how designers elevated these bathrooms into inviting retreats with distinctive style and a refined feel.
Before Photo
After: Hartley removed the vanity, linen closet, shower, tub and water closet walls to open up the space. Swapping the alcove tub for a softly curved freestanding model and eliminating the water closet allowed her to expand the walk-in shower along the back wall. The larger low-curb shower with a custom glass enclosure now sits next to a new toilet niche, creating a more open and airier layout.
The shower walls are lined with 10-by-30-inch neutral ceramic tiles with greige grout, while penny-round mosaic tiles in soft neutrals cover the shower floor and back wall of the double niche, adding texture and traction. Wall paneling and trim, painted in Sunbleached by Sherwin-Williams — a soft neutral with greige undertones — enhance the room’s calming vibe. Upper walls painted in White Snow by Sherwin-Williams and a ceiling painted in Benjamin Moore’s Waterborne in an ultraflat finish complete the serene palette, which is punctuated by pops of gold and black.
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The shower walls are lined with 10-by-30-inch neutral ceramic tiles with greige grout, while penny-round mosaic tiles in soft neutrals cover the shower floor and back wall of the double niche, adding texture and traction. Wall paneling and trim, painted in Sunbleached by Sherwin-Williams — a soft neutral with greige undertones — enhance the room’s calming vibe. Upper walls painted in White Snow by Sherwin-Williams and a ceiling painted in Benjamin Moore’s Waterborne in an ultraflat finish complete the serene palette, which is punctuated by pops of gold and black.
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With the old linen closet removed, Hartley designed a spacious light wood Shaker-style double vanity with a custom stain and tall linen towers. The towers provide easy access to hair and body products, while built-in electrical outlets let the couple plug in hair dryers, electronic toothbrushes and other essentials. Brushed-brass towel rings mounted on the sides of the towers add a subtle touch of luxe.
The double vanity’s undermount porcelain sinks are paired with modern widespread faucets in a champagne-bronze finish. A durable marble-look quartz countertop with soft dove-gray veining adds refined elegance. Frameless mirrors with minimalist lines and brass accents hang above, flanked by a pair of three-light, 24-inch brass fixtures with LED bulbs and vintage-style globes. Gnarled black bar pulls in varying sizes create a striking contrast against the lighter wood. A new pocket door connecting to the primary bedroom maximizes space in this now-soothing 120-square-foot bathroom.
Read more about this bathroom makeover
The double vanity’s undermount porcelain sinks are paired with modern widespread faucets in a champagne-bronze finish. A durable marble-look quartz countertop with soft dove-gray veining adds refined elegance. Frameless mirrors with minimalist lines and brass accents hang above, flanked by a pair of three-light, 24-inch brass fixtures with LED bulbs and vintage-style globes. Gnarled black bar pulls in varying sizes create a striking contrast against the lighter wood. A new pocket door connecting to the primary bedroom maximizes space in this now-soothing 120-square-foot bathroom.
Read more about this bathroom makeover
“After” photos by James Meyer Photography
2. Spacious En Suite
Bathroom at a Glance
Who lives here: A couple
Location: River Hills, Wisconsin
Size: 170 square feet (16 square meters)
Designer-builder: Cor Improvements
Before: This River Hills, Wisconsin, couple felt that the 70-square-foot second-floor primary bathroom in their 1960s Colonial-style home no longer met their long-term needs. To create the spa-like primary bath and suite they wanted, they were willing to give up one of their guest bedrooms.
The photo shows the former primary bedroom after all the furniture had been removed in preparation for the remodel. Moss-green walls, hardwood floors and ample natural light defined the space, while a door to the right of the far-right window led to the small original bathroom. To bring their vision to life, they turned to Cor Improvements and design director Jim Pitzen, who reimagined the layout by converting the bedroom into a spacious, modern en suite.
2. Spacious En Suite
Bathroom at a Glance
Who lives here: A couple
Location: River Hills, Wisconsin
Size: 170 square feet (16 square meters)
Designer-builder: Cor Improvements
Before: This River Hills, Wisconsin, couple felt that the 70-square-foot second-floor primary bathroom in their 1960s Colonial-style home no longer met their long-term needs. To create the spa-like primary bath and suite they wanted, they were willing to give up one of their guest bedrooms.
The photo shows the former primary bedroom after all the furniture had been removed in preparation for the remodel. Moss-green walls, hardwood floors and ample natural light defined the space, while a door to the right of the far-right window led to the small original bathroom. To bring their vision to life, they turned to Cor Improvements and design director Jim Pitzen, who reimagined the layout by converting the bedroom into a spacious, modern en suite.
After: This photograph, taken from a similar angle as the previous image, reveals just how dramatically the space has changed. While the windows remained in their original locations, Pitzen reimagined the former primary bedroom as a bright and spacious 170-square-foot bathroom. A nearby guest room now serves as the new primary bedroom, with a short entry hall and a large walk-in closet — created within the footprint of the original bathroom — connecting the two spaces.
The expanded layout made room for semicustom blue vanities on two walls. Each features full-overlay cabinet fronts, soft-close doors and hinges, tapered glass knobs in an oil-rubbed-bronze finish and furniture-style feet. The vanities echo the velvety blue eggshell paint on the upper walls (Smoky Blue by Sherwin-Williams), while beadboard wainscoting and trim in a warm off-white (Alabaster by Sherwin-Williams) provide light contrast. The beadboard detailing also nods to the home’s Colonial roots.
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The expanded layout made room for semicustom blue vanities on two walls. Each features full-overlay cabinet fronts, soft-close doors and hinges, tapered glass knobs in an oil-rubbed-bronze finish and furniture-style feet. The vanities echo the velvety blue eggshell paint on the upper walls (Smoky Blue by Sherwin-Williams), while beadboard wainscoting and trim in a warm off-white (Alabaster by Sherwin-Williams) provide light contrast. The beadboard detailing also nods to the home’s Colonial roots.
10 Bathroom Storage Ideas From Best of Houzz 2026 Award Winners
The spacious low-curb shower at right occupies part of the former bedroom closet. It features a frameless tempered-glass enclosure with an easy-to-clean protective coating, a swing door and oil-rubbed-bronze hardware that ties in with other details throughout the room. The shower face and half wall are painted a warm beige-gray (Alpaca by Sherwin-Williams), providing visual definition, while the curb is topped with the same marble-look quartz used on the vanity countertops.
Opposite the shower, a 72-inch white cast-iron claw-foot tub makes a striking statement with oil-rubbed-bronze feet and a coordinating tub filler with an elephant spout and a hand shower. Underfoot, 8-by-8-inch porcelain tiles feature a white marble-look background accented by swirling gray travertine-style floral and leaf motifs.
At the far left, a doorway leads to the new walk-in primary closet, located where the original bathroom once stood; it’s connected to the new primary bedroom. To the right of the closet entrance, a paneled door opens to the new entry hall, which also connects to the bedroom. Pocket doors in the hallway lead to the second-floor stair landing; when closed, they give the couple added privacy when moving between the bedroom and this now-spacious, stylish bathroom.
Read more about this bathroom makeover
Opposite the shower, a 72-inch white cast-iron claw-foot tub makes a striking statement with oil-rubbed-bronze feet and a coordinating tub filler with an elephant spout and a hand shower. Underfoot, 8-by-8-inch porcelain tiles feature a white marble-look background accented by swirling gray travertine-style floral and leaf motifs.
At the far left, a doorway leads to the new walk-in primary closet, located where the original bathroom once stood; it’s connected to the new primary bedroom. To the right of the closet entrance, a paneled door opens to the new entry hall, which also connects to the bedroom. Pocket doors in the hallway lead to the second-floor stair landing; when closed, they give the couple added privacy when moving between the bedroom and this now-spacious, stylish bathroom.
Read more about this bathroom makeover
Before Photo
“After” photos by Stephanie Studer of LifeCreated
3. A European Feeling
Bathroom at a Glance
Who lives here: A Minnesota couple
Location: Scottsdale, Arizona
Size: 150 square feet (14 square meters)
Designer: Maya Axt Interiors
Before: This Minnesota couple dreamed of an escape from harsh winters and purchased a second home in Scottsdale, Arizona. While the house had great bones, the existing primary bathroom felt weighed down by expansive travertine surfaces, a glass-block shower, two vanities set on opposite walls, an oversize tub surround and a linen closet the homeowners didn’t care for.
Eager to move away from the home’s heavy, 1990s Tuscan-inspired look and try something different from their traditional Minnesota residence, the couple envisioned an airy, spa-like bathroom with ample storage. They turned to interior designer Maya Axt, who worked on the entire home, to help create a calm, relaxing retreat. Axt used Houzz Pro throughout the project for tasks such as creating proposals and room boards and tracking purchase orders and invoices.
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3. A European Feeling
Bathroom at a Glance
Who lives here: A Minnesota couple
Location: Scottsdale, Arizona
Size: 150 square feet (14 square meters)
Designer: Maya Axt Interiors
Before: This Minnesota couple dreamed of an escape from harsh winters and purchased a second home in Scottsdale, Arizona. While the house had great bones, the existing primary bathroom felt weighed down by expansive travertine surfaces, a glass-block shower, two vanities set on opposite walls, an oversize tub surround and a linen closet the homeowners didn’t care for.
Eager to move away from the home’s heavy, 1990s Tuscan-inspired look and try something different from their traditional Minnesota residence, the couple envisioned an airy, spa-like bathroom with ample storage. They turned to interior designer Maya Axt, who worked on the entire home, to help create a calm, relaxing retreat. Axt used Houzz Pro throughout the project for tasks such as creating proposals and room boards and tracking purchase orders and invoices.
New to home remodeling? Learn the basics
After: Eliminating the bulky tub surround dramatically opened up the 150-square-foot space, creating welcome breathing room around a new freestanding tub. The husband’s one request was a TV, and a Samsung Frame TV now hides in plain sight on the wall at the end of the tub. A faceted brass-and-opaque-glass pendant draws the eye upward, its generous scale well-suited to the room’s high ceiling. For privacy, a motorized woven wood shade with white accents and a linear pattern opens and closes via remote control.
Large-format 12-by-24-inch porcelain tiles on the floor feature subtle marble-like veining, while the wall tile behind the tub has a handmade zellige look that picks up tones from the floor. Together, the materials enhance the bathroom’s European feel. An intricate Turkish rug adds another layer of warmth and pattern, filling the generous space between the tub and the new double vanity.
Large-format 12-by-24-inch porcelain tiles on the floor feature subtle marble-like veining, while the wall tile behind the tub has a handmade zellige look that picks up tones from the floor. Together, the materials enhance the bathroom’s European feel. An intricate Turkish rug adds another layer of warmth and pattern, filling the generous space between the tub and the new double vanity.
Removing the linen closet the couple disliked made room for a long double vanity that delivers the same amount of storage as the original two separate vanities. White oak introduces a warm, natural tone, while the quartz countertop and backsplash add another marble-look layer to the material palette. Furniture-inspired details such as graceful feet and a rounded backsplash corner soften the vanity’s look. Clean-lined mirrors and elongated hexagonal sconces bring in modern contrast, their tall proportions balancing the high ceiling and echoing the geometric pendant above the tub.
Eliminating the glass block opened the door to a larger shower with dual shower heads, a built-in bench and a clear glass enclosure. Together, these changes reinforce the bathroom’s inviting feel and soothing palette of warm neutrals.
Read more about this bathroom makeover
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Eliminating the glass block opened the door to a larger shower with dual shower heads, a built-in bench and a clear glass enclosure. Together, these changes reinforce the bathroom’s inviting feel and soothing palette of warm neutrals.
Read more about this bathroom makeover
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“After” photos by Spacecrafting
4. Bold Botanicals
Bathroom at a Glance
Who lives here: A couple
Location: Plymouth, Minnesota
Size: 152 square feet (14 square meters)
Designers: Katie Slick (interiors) and Amy Jants (space planning) of McDonald Remodeling
Before: In Plymouth, Minnesota, these married homeowners wanted a primary bathroom with more function, better storage and a touch of personality — especially for the wife, who uses the space most. Two single-sink vanities with aging honey oak cabinetry flanked the room, but the doors and drawers didn’t work well for her, and she also wanted a dedicated makeup area. Accessing a built-in double linen cabinet meant having to close the primary bedroom’s door. A beige ceramic tile floor and tired walls contributed to an overall dreary feel. Armed with a collection of Houzz photos for inspiration, the homeowner turned to designers Katie Slick and Amy Jants.
4. Bold Botanicals
Bathroom at a Glance
Who lives here: A couple
Location: Plymouth, Minnesota
Size: 152 square feet (14 square meters)
Designers: Katie Slick (interiors) and Amy Jants (space planning) of McDonald Remodeling
Before: In Plymouth, Minnesota, these married homeowners wanted a primary bathroom with more function, better storage and a touch of personality — especially for the wife, who uses the space most. Two single-sink vanities with aging honey oak cabinetry flanked the room, but the doors and drawers didn’t work well for her, and she also wanted a dedicated makeup area. Accessing a built-in double linen cabinet meant having to close the primary bedroom’s door. A beige ceramic tile floor and tired walls contributed to an overall dreary feel. Armed with a collection of Houzz photos for inspiration, the homeowner turned to designers Katie Slick and Amy Jants.
After: The remodeling team stripped the 152-square-foot bathroom down to the studs, removing the vanities, shower, toilet, tub and flooring. Bold botanical wallpaper — featuring a rich gold metallic background, exotic leaves, birds and bird-of-paradise flowers — injects color and personality into the updated space.
A custom rift-sawn white oak floating double vanity on the left, paired with a coordinating makeup station on the right, features full-overlay flat-panel doors and drawers with a pickled finish. The floating design adds a modern touch and makes the bathroom feel light and airy. Oversize matte blush hexagonal porcelain tiles cover the floor, their subtle color variation and organic texture perfectly suited to the room’s scale.
Wallpaper: Reverie in gold, Albany Arcadia collection, Wallpaper Direct; flooring: Makoto in Momoiro Blush, Bedrosians Tile and Stone
A custom rift-sawn white oak floating double vanity on the left, paired with a coordinating makeup station on the right, features full-overlay flat-panel doors and drawers with a pickled finish. The floating design adds a modern touch and makes the bathroom feel light and airy. Oversize matte blush hexagonal porcelain tiles cover the floor, their subtle color variation and organic texture perfectly suited to the room’s scale.
Wallpaper: Reverie in gold, Albany Arcadia collection, Wallpaper Direct; flooring: Makoto in Momoiro Blush, Bedrosians Tile and Stone
The floating double vanity features a white rectangular undermount limestone-composite trough sink paired with modern wall-mounted luxe gold faucets. Full-extension drawers add significant function, while the vanity and makeup station tops, along with the backsplashes, are durable quartz with a crisp white background and sweeping aubergine veining that accentuates the length of the vanity.
A custom matte-black channel-frame 72-by-42-inch mirror is flanked by teardrop pendant lights in aged brass with glossy opal-glass shades. A standout ceiling light, reflected in the mirror, showcases a soft brass finish and cream-tinted cast-glass flowers. Glamorous lighting, large pullouts at the makeup station, a spacious low-curb open shower, a freestanding jetted acrylic tub and a new awning window all contribute to this joyful, tropical-inspired escape from Minnesota’s cold, dark winters.
Read more about this bathroom makeover
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A custom matte-black channel-frame 72-by-42-inch mirror is flanked by teardrop pendant lights in aged brass with glossy opal-glass shades. A standout ceiling light, reflected in the mirror, showcases a soft brass finish and cream-tinted cast-glass flowers. Glamorous lighting, large pullouts at the makeup station, a spacious low-curb open shower, a freestanding jetted acrylic tub and a new awning window all contribute to this joyful, tropical-inspired escape from Minnesota’s cold, dark winters.
Read more about this bathroom makeover
More on Houzz
Read more stories
Browse photos for ideas
Find home professionals
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1. Soothing Sanctuary
Bathroom at a Glance
Who lives here: A couple with two kids younger than 5
Location: Walpole, Massachusetts
Size: 120 square feet (11 square meters)
Designer: Sierra M. Hartley of Laurel Wreath Homes
Before: This Walpole, Massachusetts, en suite primary bathroom had a dark brown double vanity, a cramped stall shower, an alcove tub and a maze of doors and walls — including a water closet and a linen closet — that made the space feel closed off and uninviting. The homeowners, a busy couple with two young children, wanted a more calming retreat.
Hoping to create a lighter, more open, spa-like atmosphere, they turned to designer Sierra M. Hartley, who uses Houzz Pro software, to reimagine the layout and finishes.
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