Wet-Room Layout Unlocks Space in a Primary Bathroom

Photos by Jean Bai

Bathroom at a Glance
Who lives here: An empty-nest couple
Location: Palo Alto, California
Size: 127 square feet (12 square meters)
Design-build firm: Harrell Design + Build

Before: The existing bathroom included a separate tub and shower and a double vanity, but both the shower stall and vanity were compact. A chimney from the living room fireplace intruded into the space, further limiting the layout. As part of the larger home remodel, the chimney was removed. Key members of the Harrell Design + Build team included designer Lisa Mellberg, who reconfigured the layout and guided finish selections, and project manager Scott Marshall, who oversaw construction.

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After: The area where the toilet once sat, at the corner where the tub now meets the wall, became part of the new wet room. Removing the chimney also freed up space for a larger vanity along another wall.

“Another aspect that was very important to the homeowners was to have a nice shower stall,” says Lisa Sten, chief executive of Harrell Design + Build. Mellberg determined that a wet-room approach would maximize floor space and allow for the largest possible shower. Combining the shower and bathtub behind a glass enclosure also creates a sense of separation from the vanity and toilet areas.

The shower features a zero-threshold entry for accessibility, along with a rain shower head and a handheld wand that can be mounted to function like a fixed head. The handheld, paired with a flip-down bench, supports aging in place. Mellberg positioned the controls so the homeowners can turn on the water and let it warm up without getting wet. “The homeowners knew they might need grab bars someday but didn’t want to install them during the remodel,” Sten says. Accordingly, the team reinforced the walls to support future installation.

Plumbing fixtures, towel bars and hooks: Hansgrohe; shower bench: Serena

Is a Wet Room Right for You?

While the wet-room strategy saved space, the designer still had to think about how to maximize the shower stall’s size. A bathtub with a slim deck makes the most of every inch.

The shower walls are clad in a mix of vertically stacked 2-by-6 inch tiles and large-format 12-by-24-inch porcelain tiles. The calming colors vary from cream to light gray. The large-format tiles continue on the shower floor and the bathroom floor for a seamless look.

A new wide double-hung window lets in natural light and is frosted on the bottom for privacy. “The great thing about this window is that they can lower the top panel for air while the frosted panel maintains privacy,” Sten says.

2-by-6-inch tile: Sartoria in Seashell, The Tile Shop; 12-by-24-inch tile: Renaissance in silver, All Natural Stone; all plumbing fixtures, towel bars and hooks: Hansgrohe; bathtub: Lacey 66-inch alcove tub, Hydro Systems

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Before: The vanity sat along the left wall above the closet, while the chimney (shown in red dashes on the right) encroached on valuable floor space. A small shower occupied the top right corner, and a compact linen closet sat at the bottom right.

After: With the chimney removed, the right side of the room opened up, allowing for a generously sized double vanity. The new layout also creates a more private-feeling toilet area in the top right corner. Just beyond it, a new door leads to the hot tub patio and is outfitted with a Roman shade for privacy. The designer replaced the original linen closet with a tall custom cabinet.

Another key improvement was enlarging the walk-in closet in the bottom left corner. By relocating the vanity, Mellberg was able to expand the closet into its former footprint while dedicating the remaining left side of the bathroom to the wet room.

Key Measurements to Make the Most of Your Bathroom

After: Removing the chimney made room for a long vanity with ample storage and counter space along the wall opposite the wet room. The expanded design includes three banks of drawers, some equipped as docking drawers with outlets and inserts for hair tools. Mirrored medicine cabinets with interior outlets add even more storage.

“The homeowners wanted a private feeling for the toilet,” Sten says. “They liked the idea of a pony wall to separate it from the vanity.” To save space, the firm turned 2-by-4 boards on their sides to frame a thin wall. A wall-mounted toilet was another space saver on their wish list.

The new door beyond the toilet provides direct access to the patio, allowing the homeowners to soak in the hot tub outside, then step inside and rinse off in the shower.

Cabinets: Inovae/Artisan in Gray Mist, Plato Woodwork; cabinet hardware: Haydon, Emtek; medicine cabinets: Rosemont, Robern; sinks: Nantucket Sinks; toilet: Toto

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