We made some exciting progress over the last few weeks and now have a far more functional bathroom and closet. There are a few remaining tasks, but the space finally feels like it’s approaching the finish line — which, yes, has me doing a little happy dance. Having a double sink for the first time, my favorite toilet, and a proper closet system instead of a handful of old hanging bars has been a huge upgrade.
This renovation has taken longer than we expected (aren’t they all?), but we’re thrilled with the results so far. It’s been a while since we posted a full update — we’ve shared quick peeks in stories — so here’s a proper progress report with photos we took this morning.
Shortly after Thanksgiving we had finished the shower tile and started the floor. Our plan was to grout both shower and floor together, but then we learned our plumber would need knee surgery and would be unavailable for several weeks. With only a few days before he went out, we decided to prioritize getting the floor tiled and grouted so the toilet, vanity, and tub could be installed sooner.
After a brief panic and some snacks, we regrouped and focused on the essentials. We spent about 40 hours over a few intense days tiling, caulking, grouting, painting, and installing trim so the installers could do their work. Installing the wall molding before the major fixtures went in made everything much easier and added a level of polish that really elevated the room.
Just as we wrapped up that sprint, we found out the plumber couldn’t fit us in the day before his surgery as he’d hoped. Fortunately he arranged for team members to come the next day, which meant we didn’t face a five-week delay. They handled the toilet, vanity, and sink hookups, though the tub install had to wait because the crew didn’t have the necessary kit on hand. The shower also still needs final grout and sealing before its trim and valves can be completed.
So yes — the bathroom looks great and now has running faucets and a flushing toilet, even though the tub and shower are not fully finished yet. Having those basic amenities back has made a huge difference in our daily routine.
Some readers asked why we didn’t just install the toilet and vanity ourselves. We’re capable of doing that, but because this was a larger gut job that involved new plumbing in the walls, it made sense for the licensed plumber who started the system to finish it. That way the work can be guaranteed and covered if anything develops later. It also keeps everything clear for code and permitting purposes on a big renovation.
Instead of immediately finishing the shower, we switched gears to install our closet. With holiday guests on the way, reclaiming the dispersed clothing and clearing the dining room and garage became a priority. We installed an Ikea PAX system over a few days during the week of Christmas so we could actually use the space for the holidays. It felt amazing to move clothes out of the kids’ rooms and back into a proper closet.
We trimmed the closet to look built-in and organized each section to maximize storage. We’ll share a detailed post soon with installation tips, trim details, and a tour of how we arranged everything.
You might notice the rug that sits in front of the double vanity also lives in the closet in some shots. It’s a secondhand find from Turkey that arrived quickly and adds warmth and vintage character to the space. It works beautifully in both places.
Other items we’ve checked off include hanging new mirrors over the sinks, mounting an arched mirror in the closet, installing a capiz chandelier, and adding greenery and woven baskets to bring texture and life into the space. Those finishing touches really lift morale and help the room feel cozy and intentional even before it’s completely finished.
What remains is all manageable and feels straightforward. At the top of the list now:
- Wire the vanity fixtures — we’ve decided on a finish and will wire the sconces next.
- Paint the vanity — we may shift the current gray to a softer, muted green to warm the room slightly.
- Hang towel hooks and art — these will go above the tub and over the toilet once the tub is installed.
- Decide on a shower curtain or glass door — we’re leaning toward a curtain for the added softness and easier maintenance, with the option to add glass later if we change our minds.
- Install and frost the bathroom door — our 15-light glass door is arriving soon and will get frosting film for privacy.
We’ll share a full budget breakdown and a final reveal when the project is fully complete. So far the process has been relatively straightforward — no major surprises behind the walls — and we’re excited to wrap this up and show the final result.
P.S. If you’re following along from the beginning, check our earlier posts for the before tour, planning notes, and tile selections for more context about how this space came together.
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