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This primary bathroom was part of the remodel of a family home in Chadds Ford, Pennsylvania, that also included the kitchen and mudroom. A referral from another client led the homeowners to Black Forest Design and Build, which handled the redesign and construction work. The primary suite changes benefited from the designers’ focus on style and functionality, with warm wood tones, black matte fixtures and contrasting white features creating a modern farmhouse feel. “The homeowners wanted a larger shower with two shower heads, a freestanding bath, double vanity and an enclosed toilet area,” says designer Beth Schulz.
Photos by Rebecca McAlpin
Bathroom at a Glance
Who lives here: A couple and their two dogs
Location: Chadds Ford, Pennsylvania
Size: 230 square feet (21 square meters)
Design-build firm: Black Forest Design and Build
A natural color palette with soft earth tones now defines the bath, with a new walk-in wet-room-style shower as the focus feature. “The homeowners wanted the bathroom to feel like an extension of the rest of their home. While function was paramount, we also customized the space for them,” Schulz says.
The new freestanding tub and matte black fixtures sit under a three-globe light, next to an accent wall of earth-colored penny tiles.
Tub and fixtures: Kohler; penny tile: Bedrosians
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Before: The old bathroom had a narrow shower stall crammed between the built-in tub and the vanity. The layout didn’t quite work and the owners wanted a bigger space, specifically a larger shower. A multipaned window provided plenty of natural light and the team decided to keep it.
After: Black Forest Design and Build, a Houzz Pro subscriber, reconfigured the space to make room for the extra-large shower area the homeowners requested. It kept the window, which had been recently replaced, and added a wall with a window to separate the shower area from the new custom vanity.
For a rustic touch, the team used dark-stained cedar planks for the ceiling, which added texture and contrast. “We leaned into some modern farmhouse elements but gave it our own twist by layering natural elements and textures to keep the space feeling warm and inviting,” Schulz says.
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Before: Here’s the layout of the primary suite prior to the remodel, which included a linen closet and a large closet that separated the bedroom from the bathroom. Both closets were taken out to make room for the enlarged bathroom. The areas in pink indicate what was demolished.
Before: This is the view from the former primary bath into the bedroom. There are closets in the hall, which were demolished to make room for the bigger bathroom.
After: Black Forest gained space in the new bathroom (right side of diagram) by eliminating the closets. The previous shower stall was demolished to make way for a larger wet-room-style shower. The toilet area was enclosed and a freestanding tub replaced the built-in one.
Before: The previous shower was uncomfortably narrow, the tile was dated, and there was nowhere to store bath products.
After: The new walk-in shower has two shower heads and features matte black fixtures that contrast with walls coated in Surecrete microcement, a material that Schulz points out has no grout, making it easy to clean. A linear drain is visible below the shower controls. Niches hold bath products. Schulz chose 12-by-24-inch marble-look porcelain tile for the floor.
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Here’s a view that shows the new wall with window that separates the shower area from the vanity. Schulz says the owners specifically requested a double vanity, and the pros delivered with custom white oak and a honed quartzite top. She used the same large-format floor tile that’s in the shower.
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1. Warm Modern
An Austin, Texas, couple wanted to trade their basic primary bathroom for a warmer, more organic retreat. Designer Cameron Getter — who had collaborated with them on earlier projects — reworked the layout by removing outdated fixtures, eliminating the tub (another exists elsewhere), enlarging the shower and straightening awkward angles.
With the architecture reset, Getter layered in warmth and texture with glazed aloe green ceramic tiles, a custom white oak vanity and brass accents. Terrazzo-look porcelain flooring and a low-curb shower bring subtle pattern and energy.
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1. Warm Modern
An Austin, Texas, couple wanted to trade their basic primary bathroom for a warmer, more organic retreat. Designer Cameron Getter — who had collaborated with them on earlier projects — reworked the layout by removing outdated fixtures, eliminating the tub (another exists elsewhere), enlarging the shower and straightening awkward angles.
With the architecture reset, Getter layered in warmth and texture with glazed aloe green ceramic tiles, a custom white oak vanity and brass accents. Terrazzo-look porcelain flooring and a low-curb shower bring subtle pattern and energy.
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4. Add a Wall Treatment
Repainting a neutral bathroom with a bold color is a relatively easy and low-budget way to refresh its style, whether you do it yourself or hire a painter. But for the greatest visual impact, consider having a wall treatment installed, such as paneling, tile, wallpaper or a combination of the three.
Wainscoting, for example, both protects the lower portion of your walls and adds architectural character. Panels are available in a range of styles, including beadboard and raised panel, and many options come in water-resistant materials, making them especially well suited to bathrooms. Tile can also be used for wainscoting, offering a durable, water-resistant finish with endless design options.
The wall area above the wainscoting can be painted or finished with wallpaper for extra pattern and depth. Near a tub or shower, opt for durable vinyl or vinyl-coated wallpaper, make sure the room has good ventilation and keep the paper out of the splash zone.
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For this busy Minnesota couple with three teenage daughters, the original primary bathroom was cramped, dated and uninspiring. Designer Victoria Johnson transformed the space into a serene retreat with a freestanding soaking tub, a furniture-style white oak double vanity and a spa-worthy shower with integrated LED lighting. Soothing neutral tones, thoughtful storage and luxe finishes turned this once-boring bathroom into a peaceful, elevated haven perfect for recharging after a hectic day.
Before Photo
“After” photos by Jared Martin
Bathroom at a Glance
Who lives here: A couple — a CPA and an art teacher — with three teenage daughters
Location: Maple Grove, Minnesota
Size: 170 square feet (16 square meters)
Designer: M. Victoria Johnson Interiors
Before: The former bathroom, with powder blue walls and a basic beige tile floor, had an aging wood double vanity that offered little storage. “Storage was an issue for sure,” Johnson says. “Everything was just in need of an update and upgrade.”
A solid-surface countertop and row of Hollywood-style vanity lights dated the space. Nearby, a corner tub with deck ate up valuable square footage. The door at right leads to the primary bedroom; the other door reflected in the mirror opens to the couple’s closet.
After: Johnson removed the old double vanity, tub, tub deck, flooring and shower to make way for a fresh, open layout. The new furniture-style quartersawn white oak double vanity features inset cabinets and a custom dark stain that highlights the wood’s rich grain. Easy-access drawers have black button knobs. “There’s always the issue of getting around the plumbing, but I believe drawers are the best kind of storage under a sink in a bathroom,” Johnson says. “We went with slab fronts but added trim around the drawers to add more detail and depth.”
A tower cabinet with adjustable shelves provides storage for linens and essentials. Its metal-framed door with reeded glass lightens the vanity wall while hiding clutter. The large bottom drawer includes a built-in outlet and custom partition for hair tools.
The counter and backsplash are Fusion quartzite, a durable natural stone with dramatic patterning and swirling colors. “It’s stunning and definitely the wow factor of this bathroom,” Johnson says. Mitered edges give the countertop a substantial feel. Walls, ceiling and trim are painted a light greige (Gossamer Veil by Sherwin-Williams) with a limewash finish. “Limewash is good for spaces with moisture, and I also wanted to have texture but not do tile everywhere,” Johnson says. “I figured if we went with a finish that was good for a space with moisture we could solve that. It also adds texture to the space.”
The floor was upgraded to 12-by-24-inch large-format light gray matte porcelain tiles laid in a herringbone patter with matching grout for a clean, contemporary look.
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Above the vanity, two 18-by-27-inch mirrored medicine cabinets with black aluminum frames add sleek storage. “I love medicine cabinets so much,” Johnson says. “They offer a lot of storage. They’re not deep and sit at eye level, so things are easier to reach.”
A bold, extra-large black LED zigzag sconce mounted vertically between the mirrors adds modern flair. “I don’t like sconces above mirrors,” Johnson says. “I think when you have them next to the mirror you get better lighting. In this space I didn’t have the room to add them on each side, so I put one in the middle. This one in particular is more like a decorative piece or statement.” New recessed LED ceiling lights on dimmers provide overall illumination. (They were digitally removed by the photographer to showcase other design details.)
Sconce: Zig Zag, Visual Comfort; medicine cabinets: Infinity in black, CB2
Before and After: 4 Elevated Bathrooms in 170 to 180 Square Feet
The vanity’s two rectangular undermount sinks are paired with sleek two-handle faucets in brushed nickel. “I didn’t want black faucets — I think they look too heavy,” Johnson says. “I felt strongly the finish needed to be brushed. I felt this finish was lower-maintenance, and I like the warmth of the nickel. I think they look a little modern too.”
Faucet: Castia in brushed nickel, Kohler
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Before Photo
Before: The large corner tub with deck felt cramped and out of place. “I think they were just looking for something that looked modern and fresh, not so heavy,” Johnson says. The tub sat beneath a pair of corner windows with fixed frosted glass panels, which the homeowners wanted to keep.
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After: Johnson removed the bulky tub and deck and installed a white oval freestanding acrylic soaking tub with an integrated drain. “The clean lines were more than anything why we wanted that tub,” Johnson says.
A floor-mounted tub filler with hand shower head and diverter in vibrant brushed nickel matches the vanity faucets. Durable fabric drapes soften the existing windows and add warmth. Johnson mounted the drapery rod a few inches higher to visually lift the walls. She also removed the window trim and added a sheetrock detail for a cleaner, more modern look.
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Before Photo
Before: The standard stall shower with a short glass enclosure, beige tile and two cluttered corner shelves felt tight. A lone recessed can light offered minimal illumination. “The shower had two shower heads,” Johnson says. “It wasn’t like a rain shower and a regular shower head. It was two shower heads on separate walls in a small space and it didn’t make sense.”
The door next to the shower leads to the water closet, which the homeowners wanted to keep. “We changed the toilet, continued the tile into that space and painted the water closet,” Johnson says.
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After: The upgraded shower now feels spacious and polished with a custom tempered glass panel and matte porcelain tiles from the same collection as the main floor tile. In the shower, the midtone gray tiles cover the ceiling, walls and floor in a mosaic size that adds depth and interest. “These tiles look more blue in person,” Johnson says. “The mosaic size adds texture and we used a grout that’s kind of blue too. It turned out very nice.”
The new setup includes a fixed shower head, an 8-inch contemporary rain can, a hand shower and a pressure-balanced valve with diverter, all in vibrant brushed nickel. A long niche keeps products organized and off the floor, while an integrated LED lighting strip adds a modern glow. “I love the overall look and feel,” Johnson says. “It’s definitely not a basic bathroom anymore. The improved storage we gave them is great too.”
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The right wallcovering can take a basic bathroom from forgettable to fantastic. Color, pattern and texture instantly boost character, often for far less than a full tile job. And with today’s moisture-resistant, easy-clean wallpapers and other treatments, designers have more flexibility than ever to create standout spaces. See how pros used wallcoverings to dial up personality in these fashion-forward baths.
1. Puzzle Perfect
When designer Harmony Weihs of Design Harmony remodeled her Seattle home for her blended family, she turned a pandemic pastime into decor. Completed puzzles now top the walls of their simple powder room, sealed in Mod Podge, trimmed to fit and mounted with tiny brass nails. To keep the look from feeling overwhelming, moody millwork anchors the bottom, creating a striking contrast that balances whimsy with sophistication.
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2. Blooming With Style
In this Minneapolis-area bathroom for a retired couple, designer Jami Ludens of Studio M Interiors and contractor Ben Garvin of Garvin Homes brought personality to the walls with Thibaut’s Indian Flower Ceylon wallpaper in Spa Blue. The floral pattern ties together soft blues, creams, whites and grays, adding charm and cohesion to the serene, spa-inspired space.
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3. Marbled Magic
Kaitlin McQuaide of McQuaide Co. gave this coastal Nantucket, Massachusetts, powder room a moody, modern makeover with Rule of Three Studio’s hand-marbled Stone Plume wallpaper. Applied to the top half of the walls, the dramatic pattern pairs perfectly with trim, doors and wainscoting lacquered in Benjamin Moore’s North Sea Green, creating a striking, contemporary contrast.
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4. Whimsical Wings
Designer Christy Mancera of Cera Construction brought a fairy-tale vibe to this Henderson, Nevada, bathroom for two young girls with butterfly wallpaper (HappyWall’s Enchanting Dried Wildflowers Meadow 1). Paired with a pale pink double vanity, brass bow-shaped drawer pulls and a scalloped toekick, the space feels dreamy, playful and full of sweet, whimsical style.
Mancera and the rest of the design-build team used Houzz Pro software during the entire process, from the beginning of the design phase until construction was complete. “It helped us keep all the communication between the clients and all the team members organized and efficient,” Mancera says.
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6. Splash of Inspiration
In their Texas Hill Country vacation cottage, designer Lauren Lowry and her husband, Joel, used a playful fish wallpaper as the style springboard for the entire home. In this remodeled bathroom, the aquatic motif nods to nearby lakes and rivers while the vintage rustic pink sets the tone for a warm, welcoming vibe throughout the renovated cottage.
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9. Vintage Charm
Designer Tammara Stroud, discovered by the homeowner on Houzz, brought vintage flair to this 1904 Seattle bungalow powder room with a William Morris botanical wallpaper. Paired with glass-and-brass sconces, crystal hardware and a hammered brass mirror frame, the wallpaper amplifies the Craftsman-style charm while adding sophisticated, timeless style to the small space.
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This Plymouth, Minnesota, primary bathroom was stuck in the past with two aging wood vanities, a tiny corner shower and a massive step-up tub with a tiled deck. The homeowners wanted more function, better storage and a splash of personality — especially for the wife, who uses the space most.
She turned to McDonald Remodeling with a collection of Houzz inspiration photos for a full transformation. A bold botanical print wallpaper sets the eclectic, resort-like tone. A custom rift-sawn white oak floating double vanity and matching makeup station boost storage, while a spacious open shower and freestanding tub give the room an airy, modern feel. Carefully chosen light fixtures, tiles, art and accessories layer in style and color, turning this once-bland bathroom into a joyful, tropical escape from Minnesota winters.
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When it came time to refresh their dated primary bathroom, this retired Keller, Texas, couple turned to a familiar face. Three years earlier, they’d found design-build pro Chris Chumbley on Houzz and hired him to update the kitchen in their 2006 traditional-style home. Now they called him back to tackle the bathroom’s outdated finishes and cramped layout.
Seeking better function and a high-end look, the couple envisioned a more open, airy layout with ample storage and a spacious shower. Chumbley, who uses Houzz Pro software, delivered with a sleek, curbless shower free of glass or doors, a custom white oak double vanity with all-drawer storage and an elegant freestanding tub that enhances the sense of space. Soft neutral tiles and refined details complete the calm, luxurious retreat.
Before Photo
“After” photos by Ken Vaughan of Vaughan Creative Media
Bathroom at a Glance
Who lives here: A retired couple
Location: Keller, Texas
Size: 200 square feet (19 square meters)
Design-build pro: Chris Chumbley of USI Design & Remodeling
Before: The bathroom, with its tall cove ceiling, skylight, taupe walls and abundant light brown tile, felt dated and divided. Two separate single vanities with oval sinks — including the husband’s smaller one seen here — occupied opposite walls, while a corner shower beside the vanity felt squeezed in. “They wanted a walk-in shower with a wider entry,” Chumbley says. “They also didn’t want any glass in the shower, so we had to create a much larger footprint.”
An arched doorway by the shower led to the wife’s dressing room, home office and laundry area. Across from the shower, a tiled deck surrounded an oval tub, part of which is visible at right. The homeowners wanted to incorporate the water closet in the new design.
After: Chumbley removed the two single-sink vanities, floor tile, corner shower and decked tub to start fresh. In their place, he created a larger, curbless shower with no glass or doors — the feature that inspired the bathroom’s new open layout. “It all started with the shower,” Chumbley says. “We wanted to create a universal design. The wider opening is for that, and getting away from the glass was about less maintenance.”
Durable marble-look porcelain tiles wrap the shower walls and enclosure, setting a luxe tone. The shower includes both a fixed head and a hand shower in satin brass. A long niche with matching satin brass Schluter trim keeps hair and body products organized, while a built-in bench offers a relaxing spot. Beige matte porcelain floor tiles slope gently toward a linear drain in front of the bench to keep water contained.
A new white oak double linen cabinet now stands where one of the old vanities sat, coordinating with the updated double vanity (see below). “It’s a 24-inch-deep cabinet that’s nice and spacious,” Chumbley says. “We put organizational racks on the inside of the doors too. It’s very functional in terms of zones for storing what you need.”
Wall tile: Golden Reverie, 12 by 24 inches, Daltile; floor tile: Reside USA in beige, Arizona Tile
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This wider view showcases the bathroom’s open, airy layout. “It’s about style but also performance,” Chumbley says. “It’s a daily indulgence that effortlessly supports routines.” The existing arched doorway to the updated dressing room and home office received new trim. “They have grasscloth on the walls in the home office now, and I needed to terminate it in the doorway, so I had that trim made to create a stopping point,” Chumbley says.
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Before Photo
Before: The wife’s vanity on the opposite wall included a sit-down makeup area. “She told me she didn’t use it,” Chumbley says. “It’s one of the first things we find out in the interviews — what they use or not.”
The white vanities, with white-framed mirrors and dated lights,
had limited storage. A double linen cabinet appears here to the right of the wife’s vanity. “Because the other vanity was going away, we wanted a larger scale for the double vanity on this wall,” Chumbley says. A door partially visible at right leads to the husband’s closet.
After: Moving the double linen cabinet next to the new open shower made room for a custom 10-foot-wide white oak double vanity with a neutral finish and all-drawer storage “for ease of access,” Chumbley says.
A Cristallo quartzite countertop and backsplash deliver durability and drama. The rare natural stone features a white base with bold gold veining, orange and gray flecks and subtle translucency. A mitered edge enhances the countertop’s hefty look.
Wall, ceiling and trim paint: Modern Gray, Sherwin-Williams
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The double vanity features undermount rectangular porcelain sinks with solid brass widespread faucets with a satin brass finish and ADA-compliant handles. Above, a custom mirror integrates two recessed LED lighted medicine cabinets for a sleek, built-in look. A pair of three-light sconces in a brushed bronze finish, mounted directly on the mirror, provide bright task lighting and maintain symmetry with the sinks below.
Faucets: Skylar in satin brass, Newport Brass; sconces: Lanza in brushed bronze, Hinkley
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The recessed medicine cabinets feature soft-close doors, adjustable glass shelves and built-in electrical outlets. A defogger keeps the mirrors clear after showers. “It was about maximizing storage,” Chumbley says. “I think that’s important when a couple shares a vanity.”
Medicine cabinets: Krugg Reflections
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The double vanity’s drawers were customized to fit the homeowners’ storage needs, with built-in organizers and internal drawers. The top drawer shown here keeps hair appliances off the counter but within easy reach, thanks to a built-in outlet.
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Before Photo
Before: The oval jetted tub sat in a tiled deck with sharp corners. “They just didn’t like the deck design and wanted a freestanding tub,” Chumbley says. A shallow arched niche above the tub was painted green.
After: An elegant 31-by-67-inch white acrylic freestanding tub with soft curves takes up less floor space and enhances the bathroom’s open feel. A floor-mounted tub filler in a satin brass finish coordinates with the vanity faucets and shower fixtures.
Chumbley expanded and squared off the former niche to create an accent wall clad in 13-by-39-inch fluted ceramic tiles featuring a crisp white background with soft taupe and gray veining and touches of gold. “That particular tile is art to us,” Chumbley says. “We made the accent wall taller to separate it from the arched doorway next to it. Also, cutting those fluted tiles on a straight line is easier than a radius. It gives you a more successful and cleaner outcome.”
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After: Greenberg reconfigured the layout, taking over the sink and part of the bathtub area to create a new walk-in shower and moving the sink across the room. With no space for the dresser, she selected a vanity that offered generous storage. The updated plan allowed for a roomy shower stall with a wide opening that could accommodate a walker.
Everything about the new shower makes life easier. It’s zero-threshold, with no curb to step over, and the barn-style glass door glides smoothly on a track. “It also has a large handle that’s easy for arthritic hands to pull,” Greenberg says. A towel bar on the door keeps things within easy reach.
The wife selected a botanical wallpaper that ties into the nature-inspired motifs of the Craftsman era. The tile design also stays true to the period. “My clients wanted traditional 3-by-5-inch subway tile, but we had to look quite hard for just the right cap. This one isn’t too clunky and has a profile that they liked,” Greenberg says.
The floor features matte white hexagonal tiles for maximum traction. “All the original bathroom floors in the house are white hex with black accents and we continued that pattern here,” Greenberg says. A slim black pencil tile around the room ties it all together. The many grout lines add slip resistance — another thoughtful aging-in-place feature.
Keeping the bathroom warm through Massachusetts winters was a key priority. The team refinished the original radiator, giving it a fresh look while retaining its powerful heat output. “That radiator pumps out a lot of heat and they love it,” Greenberg says.
The bath also includes a ceiling-light-fan-heater combo, a feature the homeowners appreciated in the original room. To make the space more energy-efficient, Greenberg’s team padded out the exterior wall for extra insulation and replaced the old window with a historically appropriate reproduction.
Wallpaper: April Blossom, York Wallcoverings
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The shower has a marble mosaic floor that provides another traditional touch. On the walls, large-format (30-by-60-inch) porcelain tiles have an onyx look. The floating shower bench is also covered in these tiles for a seamless, minimalist effect.
The shower water flows into a linear drain on the right. “This drain was a challenge,” Rieser says. “My clients really wanted a linear drain, and we wound up having to have this one custom-made and painted.” The drain and the floor that slants toward it contain the water within the shower stall, allowing for a curbless entry.
The rest of the bathroom also has tile flooring. “We wanted the classic look of a herringbone wood on the floors,” Rieser says. “To avoid water damage to real wood, we opted for a ceramic tile that has a wood look.”