Ok, now we’re really moving on this bathroom renovation. We’ve made a lot of progress since partially demo-ing the room last week, and I wanted to share the final floor plan, our tile selections, and some of the design decisions we made along the way. The changes are such a dramatic improvement that it feels like a whole new space.
For context, here’s how the bathroom looked before. We lived with this layout for over six years: too many doors, walls that blocked natural light, and a cramped, cave-like feeling. The single window barely reached the toilet and sometimes the tub on a bright day. It was dark and closed off, and we were ready for something open and airy.
After our partial demo last week we removed a bunch of dividing walls so we could better visualize the space and plan what should go where — vanity size, tub placement, and shower footprint. Even that single demo session made the room feel so much more open and full of light.
Here’s the original layout for reference:
After dozens of plans, sketches, and on-site tape layouts — plus meetings with our plumber and electrician to confirm feasibility and cost — this is the final floor plan we landed on. It makes the space feel larger and much more functional while keeping circulation efficient between the bedroom, closet, and bathroom.
Design-wise, we’re aiming for soft, layered tones and classic finishes that will feel timeless in our home. After years of a dark, dated, boxed-off bathroom, the goal is a bright, calm retreat with good natural light, generous fixtures, and thoughtful materials.
We considered many alternate configurations — more windows, borrowing space from the bedroom or closet, changing access points — but once the walls were down it became clear the room is already generous (about 8 x 13 feet). That allowed us to fit a 72″ double vanity, a large freestanding soaking tub, and a roomy walk-in shower without sacrificing storage or flow. We also kept the closet doorway but plan to widen and center it so light can travel between the rooms, making both feel more open.
Talking with our plumber and electrician early was essential for realistic planning. For instance, ductwork in the shared wall ruled out a pocket door, which led us to choose a single frosted French-style door instead of the originally imagined double doors. The frosted door will bring in light, preserve privacy, and be easy to use.
We also debated a separate water closet, but once the space opened up we preferred to keep the bathroom open and airy rather than reintroducing more dividing walls. The decision came down to prioritizing a soaking tub and a generous shower over a tiny enclosed toilet room — a layout choice that suits how we use the space.
Closet planning is inspired by well-organized walk-in systems, combining modular wardrobes and built-ins to feel custom while providing functional storage. With good closet lighting and smart shelving, we abandoned the idea of a closet window that would have looked awkward and potentially faded darker clothing.
With the layout settled, we felt confident ordering the larger fixtures: the tub, toilet (the same model we’ve loved in our powder room), and the double vanity. Having those pieces committed helped solidify the rest of the material selections and finishes.
Tile selection was a major focus. We experimented with multiple tile proportions and patterns on the computer, then went in person to several stores to see options in real life. The hands-on approach was invaluable — photos and online swatches can be misleading.
We originally liked the look of 2 x 8″ tiles arranged in a stair-stepped pattern, but availability and cost were challenges. At Floor & Decor we found a 2 x 12″ marble mosaic that created the same dynamic stair-stepped effect when arranged as a 3 x 3 composition. Seeing the tiles laid out on the floor confirmed the choice — the texture, tone, and pattern felt right for our shower walls and overall aesthetic.
For the shower floor we selected coordinating marble hex tiles to add subtle tone-on-tone texture and slip resistance. For the main floor we found an affordable large-format marble-look porcelain tile at Home Depot that gave us the look we wanted at a price that balanced the budget against pricier real stone choices for the shower walls. Using the same floor tile through both the closet and bathroom will unify the areas and feel much more cohesive than the previous mix of tile and painted subfloor.
We also explored a variety of other patterns — chevron, herringbone, brick, basketweave — and different tile options, but ultimately chose the combination that felt most dynamic and timeless together. Once tile and major fixtures are decided, it’s exciting to move into finishing details like faucets, hardware, drawer pulls, towel hooks, mirrors, and small accessories that will give the room personality.
Next up: full demo, plumbing adjustments, tile preparation, wall work, electrical updates, and then installation of all the new pieces. The vanity is arriving soon, and with the tub and toilet already onsite we’re on track to gut the room soon. My goal: a fully usable soaking tub by mid-November — a perfect little renovation milestone and a great birthday surprise for John.
P.S. If you missed the initial post and our video walkthrough of the half-demo-ed room, check the first post about this renovation for photos and more background. This space will be unrecognizable when it’s finished.
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