When Kim sent dramatic before-and-after photos our way, we couldn’t wait to share her bedroom-to-bathroom conversion. Below is her note describing the transformation and what inspired her design.
Okay, Youngsters… I’m taking a stab at joining the before-and-after fun. I’m not sure if our project is drool-worthy enough, but this is hands-down my favorite makeover in our house: the upstairs bathroom. We bought a foreclosed home about a year and a half ago. It was built in the 1930s, so it had many charming original details, but the previous owners had let much of it fall into disrepair.
It took roughly eight months to get the house to a livable condition, and we just “finished” this bathroom in August — although, as with most renovations, it never feels totally finished. The upstairs bathroom began as a tiny bedroom, roughly 6 by 11 feet, but it became a fabulously large and peaceful bathroom.
My husband and our fathers handled the plumbing and electrical work, and now the room is a lovely retreat — truly my favorite transformation in the house. I took inspiration from a blog I follow for the idea of open bathroom storage with baskets and fell in love with a shower curtain from Ballard Designs. That curtain set the tone and everything grew from there. Hope you enjoy the photos — and please continue to share design inspiration! — Kim
This renovation is an excellent example of how thoughtful design and smart re-purposing can transform a small, awkward space into a functional, serene bathroom. A few highlights and takeaways from Kim’s project that other homeowners can apply:
- Convert underused rooms. A narrow, six-foot-wide bedroom can feel cramped and impractical, but repurposing it as a bathroom yielded a bright, airy space that feels much larger than its footprint.
- Open storage with baskets. Open shelving paired with woven baskets provides attractive, accessible storage. It keeps everyday items organized while adding texture and warmth to the room.
- Anchor the design with a single focal piece. In this case, a favorite shower curtain dictated the color palette and style, allowing the rest of the finishes to complement it without overwhelming the small space.
- DIY and family involvement. Kim’s husband and their dads handled the plumbing and electrical work, which helped keep costs down and allowed for more personal control over the renovation process.
- Preserve character while modernizing. Working in a 1930s house, the goal was to honor the home’s vintage charm while adding clean, contemporary touches for comfort and functionality.
The end result is a peaceful, organized bathroom that feels like a retreat. The crisp, clean finishes—paired with functional open shelving and charming accents—create a current look that still respects the home’s original character. It’s proof that even a tiny, previously unusable bedroom can be reimagined into one of the most loved rooms in the house.
Thanks to Kim for sharing these photos and the story behind the transformation. Her project is an inspiring case of creative reuse, careful planning, and a few personal touches that make all the difference.