Before and After: 4 Stylish Bathrooms in 150 to 190 Square Feet
See how designers infuse spacious bathrooms with ample storage, spa-like features and a welcoming look
Bathrooms that fall between 150 and 190 square feet offer a number of advantages. Spacious floor plans that accommodate double vanities, large soaking tubs and separate shower areas are an appealing feature of this common bathroom size. For ideas on how to make this size work well, check out the before-and-after photos of these four updated bathrooms.
After: Getter stripped the bathroom down to the studs. She ditched the tub (the homeowners have one in another bathroom) and stole space from the closet to create a larger, low-curb shower. She absorbed the former shower stall into the closet to make up for the space used for the shower. These moves also helped eliminate the angled wall, creating a more streamlined look.
Glazed 1-by-6-inch green ceramic tiles with a handcrafted look wrap the upper half of the walls in a vertical stacked pattern that draws the eye up to the half-pitched ceiling. A new custom rift-sawn white oak double vanity and brass details add warmth. The vanity has a clear coat finish, modern slab-style drawers and pulls in satin brass and flat black with knurled detailing. Brushed gold widespread faucets coordinate with the brass mirror frames and sconces. The countertop and backsplash are marble-look white quartz with warm gray veining.
Faucets: Cia in brushed gold, Moen; green tiles: Artcrafted in Aloe, Daltile; wall, ceiling and trim paint: Simply White, Benjamin Moore
Glazed 1-by-6-inch green ceramic tiles with a handcrafted look wrap the upper half of the walls in a vertical stacked pattern that draws the eye up to the half-pitched ceiling. A new custom rift-sawn white oak double vanity and brass details add warmth. The vanity has a clear coat finish, modern slab-style drawers and pulls in satin brass and flat black with knurled detailing. Brushed gold widespread faucets coordinate with the brass mirror frames and sconces. The countertop and backsplash are marble-look white quartz with warm gray veining.
Faucets: Cia in brushed gold, Moen; green tiles: Artcrafted in Aloe, Daltile; wall, ceiling and trim paint: Simply White, Benjamin Moore
The spacious shower has a center drain and custom frameless glass enclosure with brushed satin brass hardware. The door swings open to the left, so the homeowners can turn on the hot water without getting splashed. A modern single-function shower head and single-function hand shower in brushed gold are from the same collection as the sink faucets. Getter bumped out the back shower wall to create a ledge for bath products. The window ledge offers another spot to keep items off the floor.
The lower section of the shower walls, shower floor and main bathroom floor are 24-by-24-inch terrazzo-look porcelain tiles with a slip-resistant finish that have an organic, spa-like feel. The large-format tile means less grout, which makes the room feel more spacious. A vintage Turkish rug adds a touch of color, pattern and softness.
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The lower section of the shower walls, shower floor and main bathroom floor are 24-by-24-inch terrazzo-look porcelain tiles with a slip-resistant finish that have an organic, spa-like feel. The large-format tile means less grout, which makes the room feel more spacious. A vintage Turkish rug adds a touch of color, pattern and softness.
Read more about this bathroom makeover
See why you should hire a professional who uses Houzz Pro software
“After” photos by Meagan Larsen Photography
2. Nice and Neutral Style With Pleasing Symmetry
Bathroom of the Week
Who lives here: A woman
Location: Lake Oswego, Oregon
Size: 188 square feet (17 square meters)
Designer: Amy Pearson
Contractor: Dick Baty
Before: The existing bathroom in this suburban Portland, Oregon, townhome had wall-to-wall carpeting and a garden tub with a large surround in the corner. The homeowner didn’t care about having a tub and wanted a better use of space. She also wanted to address double vanities that wrapped a corner of the room (one partially seen here) with a lower makeup counter between them. An opening to the right of the second vanity leads to the primary closet.
The homeowner wanted to ditch this difficult layout that made the spacious room feel clunky and cramped and create a neutral palette with warm wood tones and white. For help, she hired interior designer Amy Pearson.
2. Nice and Neutral Style With Pleasing Symmetry
Bathroom of the Week
Who lives here: A woman
Location: Lake Oswego, Oregon
Size: 188 square feet (17 square meters)
Designer: Amy Pearson
Contractor: Dick Baty
Before: The existing bathroom in this suburban Portland, Oregon, townhome had wall-to-wall carpeting and a garden tub with a large surround in the corner. The homeowner didn’t care about having a tub and wanted a better use of space. She also wanted to address double vanities that wrapped a corner of the room (one partially seen here) with a lower makeup counter between them. An opening to the right of the second vanity leads to the primary closet.
The homeowner wanted to ditch this difficult layout that made the spacious room feel clunky and cramped and create a neutral palette with warm wood tones and white. For help, she hired interior designer Amy Pearson.
After: Removing the tub and its large surround left room to expand new rift-cut white oak double vanities with a lower makeup counter in the center, filling the space all the way to the corner. The stain on the vanity cabinetry is custom. The countertops are Taj Mahal quartzite, a durable natural stone.
Pearson also brought warmth into the room with the metal finishes, which are a mix of unlacquered brass, aged brass and polished nickel. Three mirrors and four sconces with milk glass shades lend symmetry to the calming space.
Cabinetry: Rockwood Cabinetry
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Pearson also brought warmth into the room with the metal finishes, which are a mix of unlacquered brass, aged brass and polished nickel. Three mirrors and four sconces with milk glass shades lend symmetry to the calming space.
Cabinetry: Rockwood Cabinetry
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With the other old vanity out of the way, Pearson placed the shower in the corner next to the closet entry. This allowed her to create a generous stall that measures a little over 6 by 3½ feet.
Pearson extended the same tile from the shower stall across the vanity wall, which makes the room feel larger. The tiles are porcelain with marble-like veining and measure 13 by 36 inches. One asset the existing bathroom had was a skylight. The designer preserved it during the renovation, and it bathes the room in natural light.
Read more about this bathroom makeover
11 Ways to Age-Proof Your Bathroom
Pearson extended the same tile from the shower stall across the vanity wall, which makes the room feel larger. The tiles are porcelain with marble-like veining and measure 13 by 36 inches. One asset the existing bathroom had was a skylight. The designer preserved it during the renovation, and it bathes the room in natural light.
Read more about this bathroom makeover
11 Ways to Age-Proof Your Bathroom
Before Photo
“After” photos by Jesse Jarrett
3. Traditional Look With Smart Storage Solutions
Bathroom at a Glance
Who lives here: A couple
Location: Allentown, Pennsylvania, area
Size: 189 square feet (18 square meters).
Designers: Jill and Jesse Jarrett of Jarrett Design
Before: This Pennsylvania bathroom had two small vanities on either side of a large tub surround. A linen closet sat to the right of the vanity seen here. The door on the adjacent wall led to the toilet room. The freestanding rack and countertop clutter in this “before” photo highlights the lack of storage.
Looking for a calming feel and a traditional style that would complement the rest of their house, the homeowners, an empty-nest couple, turned to close friend and designer Jill Jarrett, who previously helped them create their dream kitchen.
3. Traditional Look With Smart Storage Solutions
Bathroom at a Glance
Who lives here: A couple
Location: Allentown, Pennsylvania, area
Size: 189 square feet (18 square meters).
Designers: Jill and Jesse Jarrett of Jarrett Design
Before: This Pennsylvania bathroom had two small vanities on either side of a large tub surround. A linen closet sat to the right of the vanity seen here. The door on the adjacent wall led to the toilet room. The freestanding rack and countertop clutter in this “before” photo highlights the lack of storage.
Looking for a calming feel and a traditional style that would complement the rest of their house, the homeowners, an empty-nest couple, turned to close friend and designer Jill Jarrett, who previously helped them create their dream kitchen.
After: Jarrett removed the linen closet and tub surround, which created space for a large double vanity. She made up for the loss of the closet by adding a linen armoire on the other side of the room.
The cabinetry design has a traditional, furniture-like look. The cabinet profiles, the cabinet hardware and the wood mirrors are also traditional. A tower on the vanity has outlets inside. Wall-mounted sink faucets save counter space. The new vanity also has a bank of drawers in the center to maximize storage. Mirrored medicine cabinets add even more storage. A warm, neutral paint color that the couple loved in their bedroom (Grant Beige by Benjamin Moore) was used here for the cabinetry and beadboard wainscoting. The walls are a timeless white paint (Linen White by Benjamin Moore).
The cabinetry design has a traditional, furniture-like look. The cabinet profiles, the cabinet hardware and the wood mirrors are also traditional. A tower on the vanity has outlets inside. Wall-mounted sink faucets save counter space. The new vanity also has a bank of drawers in the center to maximize storage. Mirrored medicine cabinets add even more storage. A warm, neutral paint color that the couple loved in their bedroom (Grant Beige by Benjamin Moore) was used here for the cabinetry and beadboard wainscoting. The walls are a timeless white paint (Linen White by Benjamin Moore).
By replacing the drop-in tub with a freestanding one, Jarrett opened up more floor space for the vanity and shower. The footed tub has a traditional silhouette. By building a pony wall between the new shower and tub, Jarrett created space for one of the two towel/grab bars that serve the tub. She also added a towel hook to the end of the pony wall so it’s easy to reach a towel without stepping out of the shower.
Previously, a small stall shower sat on the other side of the room, near double doors to the primary bedroom. The designer placed the new shower across the bathroom and replaced the double doors with double pocket doors that take up less space. This larger shower measures 5½ by 3½ feet. It includes a regular shower head, a rain shower head and a handheld wand on a slide bar. The 12-by-24-inch tiles on the shower walls are porcelain, digitally printed to look like travertine.
Read more about this bathroom makeover
New to home remodeling? Learn the basics
Previously, a small stall shower sat on the other side of the room, near double doors to the primary bedroom. The designer placed the new shower across the bathroom and replaced the double doors with double pocket doors that take up less space. This larger shower measures 5½ by 3½ feet. It includes a regular shower head, a rain shower head and a handheld wand on a slide bar. The 12-by-24-inch tiles on the shower walls are porcelain, digitally printed to look like travertine.
Read more about this bathroom makeover
New to home remodeling? Learn the basics
“After” photos by LifeCreated
4. Open Layout With Energetic Southwest Style
Bathroom at a Glance
Who lives here: A young couple with three children
Location: Queen Creek, Arizona
Size: 178 square feet (17 square meters)
Designer: Shelbie Plautz of Treasure in the Detail
Builder: The Contractor Guys
Before: The former bathroom in this Arizona home had a spacious footprint but felt a bit dark and crowded with a closed-off shower stall, an arched, walled-off tub area and two separate vanities. Basic beige floor tiles, light gray walls and brown wood cabinets made the space feel generic.
The homeowners, a young couple with three children, were looking for a more upbeat style with personality and an opened-up layout. They turned to designer Shelbie Plautz and remodeling firm The Contractor Guys for help.
4. Open Layout With Energetic Southwest Style
Bathroom at a Glance
Who lives here: A young couple with three children
Location: Queen Creek, Arizona
Size: 178 square feet (17 square meters)
Designer: Shelbie Plautz of Treasure in the Detail
Builder: The Contractor Guys
Before: The former bathroom in this Arizona home had a spacious footprint but felt a bit dark and crowded with a closed-off shower stall, an arched, walled-off tub area and two separate vanities. Basic beige floor tiles, light gray walls and brown wood cabinets made the space feel generic.
The homeowners, a young couple with three children, were looking for a more upbeat style with personality and an opened-up layout. They turned to designer Shelbie Plautz and remodeling firm The Contractor Guys for help.
After: The team stripped the space back and removed the walled areas surrounding the built-in tub and shower. They moved the door to the closet over to fit in a new custom walnut double vanity with a raised geometric profile, chocolate stain and six drawers with black knobs. The new door is a pocket style with a geometric paneled pattern, painted in Pitch Black by Farrow & Ball.
The team also stole space from a closet to enlarge the shower with a custom glass enclosure that lets light in and visually expands the room. A new freestanding tub, the frameless glass shower enclosure and brighter finishes create a light and airy look and feel.
Wall, ceiling and trim paint: Chantilly Lace, Benjamin Moore
The team also stole space from a closet to enlarge the shower with a custom glass enclosure that lets light in and visually expands the room. A new freestanding tub, the frameless glass shower enclosure and brighter finishes create a light and airy look and feel.
Wall, ceiling and trim paint: Chantilly Lace, Benjamin Moore
The wall surround and built-in tub were removed and replaced with a 66-inch matte black solid-surface freestanding tub with an elegant oval shape that creates a light and airy look and feel. The floor-mounted tub filler with built-in diverter and hand shower has a minimalist, modern style and a brushed brass finish that complements the vanity faucets. Painted wall paneling surrounding the tub adds character and dimension. A classic tripod end table with a black iron base and round bluestone top offers a place to set bath products or a drink.
Custom cotton window treatments hang from a rod placed a few inches above the existing window to visually add height to the wall. The flooring is terra-cotta-colored porcelain hexagonal tiles in a matte finish.
End table: Corin, Four Hands; floor tile: Makoto in Umi Terracotta, 10 by 11½ inches, Bedrosians Tile and Stone; tub: Catino in matte black, 66 inches, Signature Hardware; tub filler: Purist, Kohler
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Custom cotton window treatments hang from a rod placed a few inches above the existing window to visually add height to the wall. The flooring is terra-cotta-colored porcelain hexagonal tiles in a matte finish.
End table: Corin, Four Hands; floor tile: Makoto in Umi Terracotta, 10 by 11½ inches, Bedrosians Tile and Stone; tub: Catino in matte black, 66 inches, Signature Hardware; tub filler: Purist, Kohler
Read more about this bathroom makeover
More on Houzz
Read more bathroom stories
Browse bathroom photos
Find a bathroom designer
Shop for your bathroom
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1. Warm and Organic Look With Enlarged Shower
Bathroom at a Glance
Who lives here: A couple with a toddler
Location: Austin, Texas
Size: 150 square feet (14 square meters)
Designer: Cameron Getter Design
Before: This former primary bathroom in Austin, Texas, had an aging white double vanity and beige tile flooring that gave the space a bland look. Black details called attention to outdated lighting and other elements. A large built-in tub sat beneath a frosted glass window, and the super small shower stall, seen in the mirror’s reflection, felt disjointed in the space. The angled door on the left connected to the couple’s primary closet.
The homeowners, parents of a toddler, knew just where to turn. Designer Cameron Getter had already helped them choose furniture for their main living areas and update their guest bathroom, so they tapped her to help them transform their basic primary bathroom into an organic, spa-like space with warmth.