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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 Now they called him back to tackle the bathroom’s outdated finishes and cramped layout.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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A Cary, North Carolina, couple who love to travel wanted their en suite primary bathroom to feel like a luxury hotel with spa-style amenities. Their existing space — with a dark traditional double vanity, separate tub and enclosed shower — was generously sized but lacked the wellness retreat atmosphere they envisioned. To help elevate the design and add modern comforts, they turned to design-build pros Steve Minor and Raul Bautista Perez of Noble Renovation.
The team reworked the old layout and created a modern wet room that combines a state-of-the-art steam shower and an inviting soaking tub, streamlining the footprint and providing a go-to spot for rest and rejuvenation. A larger custom white oak double vanity with a seated makeup station boosts storage while adding warmth and clean lines. A marble accent wall, backlit mirrors and soothing color palette enhance the calm, contemporary feel, giving the couple the next-level retreat they were after.
Before Photo
“After” photos by Bob Fortner Photography
Bathroom at a Glance
Who lives here: A couple
Location: Cary, North Carolina
Size: 248 square feet (23 square meters)
Design-build team: Steve Minor and Raul Bautista Perez of Noble Renovation
Before: The former traditional-style bathroom, with its coffered ceiling and chandelier, felt heavy and disjointed. “There were high and uneven ceilings,” Minor says. “We wanted to create clean lines.”
One wall held a dark double vanity with a granite counter. Another had a drop-in tub with a bulky tiled deck that was difficult to use. To the right of the tub, an enclosed shower had a narrow entrance. A window over the tub covered with film attempted to bring light into the space. “That tub was really too tall for the wife to get in and out of and dominated the bathroom,” Minor says. “The wife wanted a tub that was easy to get in and out of and he wanted a steam shower, so that’s how the design developed.”
Across from the vanity, just out of view on the right, a water closet and a linen closet offered privacy and storage the homeowners wanted to keep but refresh.
After: This photo was taken from about the same angle as the previous one. The team knocked the bathroom back to the studs and updated the electrical and plumbing to accommodate the planned upgrades. It lowered the ceiling from 13 feet to about 11 feet, reducing visual clutter and unifying the space.
The modern wet room features a custom black-tinted tempered glass enclosure with matte black hardware. The lower section is clad in matte wood-look fluted porcelain tiles, creating a soothing atmosphere. Inside the wet room, a black oversize shower panel is mounted on the ceiling. Just outside the entrance, a ceiling-mounted, humidity-sensing exhaust fan helps keep the bathroom comfortable and dry.
The back wall on the left is covered in ivory-toned marble panels with a textured, split-faced surface and interlocking design. A large backlit mirror illuminates the wall, highlighting the texture. “We were trying to add a statement when you walk in,” Minor says. “It also makes the room feel bigger. They love it. It adds a lot of drama.”
The flooring is 12-by-24-inch matte white onyx-look porcelain tiles with Wi-Fi-enabled radiant heat. The paneled door at the back opens to the updated primary closet, packed with storage solutions. “We continued the floor tile in there and it has a heated floor and LED lights,” Minor says. “It has a big window and an island in there as well.”
Accent wall: Splitface collection in Impero Reale, Anatolia
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Slabs of Taj Mahal quartzite create the wet room’s bench top, low-curb entry and tub deck. The same stone is also used for the vanity countertop and backsplash.Wood-look tile: Kenridge Ribbon in Maple Brown, TileBar
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In addition to the rain shower panel, the wet room includes a wall-mounted shower head, handheld sprayer and steam function. The black square with orange circles is the digital touch pad for the steam shower, letting the homeowners set time and temperature. “Our clients didn’t want to have anything lacking as far as luxury goes,” Minor says. “The husband enjoys the rain experience. The wand is nice for bathing or cleaning the glass. This shower has all the push-button features so you can set the temperature and you’re ready to go.”
The ceiling and sides of the bench and tub deck feature the same wood-look fluted tile used on the exterior of the wet room. The flooring and backs of the niches are tumbled mosaic marble stones. “In this bathroom, even the wet-room floor is heated,” Minor says. “The bench area is heated as well.” The walls are clad in the same porcelain tile used for the main bathroom flooring. “We made sure to waterproof every inch of that shower,” Minor adds.
The oval white 6-foot drop-in bathtub has built-in back support and armrests for comfort. A sleek 8-inch matte black tub spout coordinates with a matte black multifunction hand shower with push-button rinsing (not shown). “This tub was dropped 5 inches from the height of the previous tub so it’s very comfortable getting in and out,” Minor says.
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Removing the tub and deck opened up wall space for a longer custom double vanity, finished in white oak veneer with a satin sheen and topped with Taj Mahal quartzite. European-style frameless boxes with thin Shaker drawer fronts have oversize flat black bar pulls in two sizes.
All drawers are fully functional — no false fronts here. The drawers beneath the sinks have U-shaped cutouts to accommodate plumbing, while two others include integrated power outlets for grooming tools. Twin white oval undermount sinks are paired with modern single-lever matte black faucets with graceful curved spouts.
A pair of custom backlit mirrors illuminates the wall and can shift between different colors. The lower-height makeup station offers two drawers, an open cubby and a round upholstered stool the couple already owned. A black iron-and-glass pendant light casts a warm, inviting glow over the space.
Mirrors: Grand Mirrors Eclipse, Evervue; faucets: Vivenis in matte black, Hansgrohe; vanity pulls: Princetonian in flat black, Top Knobs
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Before Photo
Before: In the original bathroom, a dark double vanity with a granite countertop and traditional-style lighting dated the look and feel. A plain mirror that had previously hung above the vanity had already been removed when this photo was taken. The water closet is visible on the left, with the linen closet door partially seen behind the open door leading to the primary bedroom hallway.
After: Undercabinet LED lighting beneath the double vanity, controlled by a motion sensor, adds a contemporary touch while doubling as a convenient nightlight for late-night trips. A wall niche offers easy access to grooming products and everyday essentials.
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A matte black towel warmer with 20 classic straight horizontal bars hangs on the exterior wall of the updated water closet, across from the wet room. “We’re most proud that we really listened to the clients and helped them discover what their vision was,” Minor says. “They had a lot of ideas and blended both of their needs and wants into a high-end space.”
Towel warmer: Jeeves Model D in matte black, Amba Products
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6. Decide the Types of Fixtures You Want
It isn’t just about the style and finish of your fixtures, though these decisions matter. One of the most important things to figure out is what kind of shower head, and how many, your shower will have. Most showers have one shower head, while some have two or three. Some homeowners install rain heads to give their space an extra spa-like feel. Others love the convenience of a handheld shower head. Choose the best option for your needs and lifestyle.
That said, the finish and style of your fixtures can make or break your design. Sleek fixtures can maintain the simplicity of modern and contemporary designs. Ornate fixtures will complement details in traditional, rustic or farmhouse-style showers. Stainless steel, chrome and even brushed nickel are considered contemporary styles, though any can work in traditional and rustic spaces. Oil-rubbed bronze typically works best in traditional spaces.
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The designer used Calacatta Gold marble tile to wrap the opening of the shower as well as the other shower walls. Then she continued this same tile around the room as wainscoting. Without looking closely, it’s hard to tell that this is tile and not slab. The veining pattern is laid out so well that it looks uninterrupted. “At first even I was a little nervous about how prominent and bold this veining pattern is, but it turned out so great,” Bagley Catlin says.
The designer nodded to an existing arched opening between the bedroom and bathroom by creating an arched opening to the shower. The soft curve of the arch is a pleasant contrast to the straight edges in the room. “I knew a single door would look odd with the arch, so we used French doors here,” she says.
The bench is shaped like a slice of a hexagon, which suits the angled placement of the shower stall in the corner of the room. Bagley Catlin had it covered in quartz slabs, creating a monolithic look.
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Photos by Costa Christ of Strictly Natural Light
Bathroom at a Glance
Who lives here: A young family
Location: Dallas
Size: 201 square feet (19 square meters)
Designer: Jessica Koltun Home
In this new-construction home, the primary bathroom sits between the primary bedroom, seen in the distance, and the primary closet. It measures a little over 17 feet long by 11¾ feet wide. Koltun used double doors at both bathroom entrances. These doors are narrower than standard doors and add Parisian apartment flair.
Koltun composed the room with a drop-in tub underneath a large arched window, serving as a focal point, then bookended it with two vanities. On the opposite side of the room is a generous shower stall, flanked by a makeup table niche and a toilet room.
While the bathroom has classic materials and traditional architectural elements like the double doors and arches, Koltun balanced them with modern touches like the blocky tub surround and minimalist material palette. The result is a transitional style that will stand the test of time.
Wall paint: Pure White, Sherwin-Williams; vanity stain: Birchbark, Sherwin-Williams
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A new 33-inch-wide pocket door is on the right. Often pocket door hardware is not easy for someone with limited dexterity to grab and close, so Lewis was mindful of finding some that was. Although a 36-inch door opening is needed for wheelchair access, 33 inches was the widest possibility here, and it allows comfortable passage with a walker.
Lewis chose some stylish but affordable items, including the floor tile and a ready-made vanity, to keep costs down. “A lot of the budget was spent behind the walls because we needed new plumbing and new electrical,” she says.
“This vanity is great because it has the texture of wicker on the doors,” Lewis says. The champagne bronze Brizo faucets have levers that are easy to operate. “When designing for aging in place, you have to be mindful of dexterity with faucet handles and drawer pulls,” Lewis says.
Instead of a medicine cabinet, the homeowner chose a simple wall mirror. “While this house is about 100 years old and Craftsman, I like to mix styles to make it look like it changed over time,” Lewis says. “The mirror and the light fixture add midcentury modern style, and the vanity adds some natural character and textures that are in keeping with Craftsman style.”
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Designer: Taylor Harrison of Streamline Construction
Location: Yorba Linda, California
Size: 45 square feet (4.2 square meters)
Location: Yorba Linda, California
Size: 45 square feet (4.2 square meters)
Homeowners’ request. “We started from scratch with this space because the original layout had just one bathroom downstairs,” designer Taylor Harrison says. “Since the homeowners love to entertain, they wanted to add a second bathroom that could double as a stylish guest spot. Our goal was to bring the wow factor with a bold splash of color. As the main guest bathroom downstairs, it had to be playful, eye-catching and full of personality from the moment you walk in.”
Low-curb shower details. “We chose a low shower curb to keep the space open and seamless, letting the other design details shine,” Harrison says. “A quartz slab matching the countertop creates a stunning transition from the hardwood floors into the shower pan tile, tying everything together beautifully.”
Other special features. “We knew we wanted this bathroom to have a fun monochromatic look, so we kicked things off by choosing the vibrant green tile for the shower walls. Then we matched it perfectly with Sherwin-Williams’ Retreat for the paint on the applied molding.”
Designer tip. “Sometimes less is more — but not in this bathroom,” Harrison says. “We packed as much personality as possible into just 45 square feet. From bold green tones and applied molding to playful countertops, floral wallpaper and rich green tile, every inch of this space was designed to make a statement.”
“Uh-oh” moment. “Lining up applied molding in a small space can be tricky,” Harrison says. “You’re working around mirrors, lighting, outlets and switches, which makes the layout a bit of a puzzle. But with careful planning and the right spacing, it all comes together beautifully and is totally worth the effort.”
Shower wall tile: Passion in Verde, 3 by 8 inches, Emser; wallpaper: Pure Honeysuckle & Tulip, Lulu and Georgia
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For these homeowners, a built-in jetted tub, glass block shower divider and funky layout weren’t giving them the style and function they wanted in their primary bathroom. Seeking a modern organic style with European flair, they hired designer Joey Snow to bring the entire California ranch home in line with their vision. Snow uses Houzz Pro software to manage her design business.
For the bathroom, Snow replaced the built-in tub with a smaller, sleeker freestanding model that adds breathing room. She ditched the glass block wall that divided the shower from the toilet area and added a wall that better separates the two spaces. The new private shower room has an arched doorway with glass door, walls with handmade Moroccan zellige tiles and a marble bench. A custom white oak double vanity improves storage, and its reeded front adds texture. Genuine limestone batons in a herringbone pattern for the flooring, along with plaster walls, provide more texture and interest.
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1. Start With Location and Size
Where would you like your shower to stand? A corner is the most common spot, but the center of a room or a separate enclosed area like a water closet might be best for your layout or lifestyle.
Keep in mind that moving or adding plumbing costs money, sometimes a lot of money. So if that’s not in your budget, try to keep your updated shower in the same location as your previous one.
If you’re wondering how much space you’ll need, consider that the most popular shower widths are 32, 36 and 60 inches. (Lengths will vary.) Shower dimensions can be as small as 32 by 32 inches, but most people prefer a shower that’s at least 36 by 48 inches. Shower ceiling heights typically fall between 84 and 120 inches, depending on the space and the design.
You’ll also want to consider the dimensions of other elements in your bathroom before deciding on your shower size. For example, the size of your planned vanity might require a reduced shower space, so you might want to consider going for a smaller vanity to get a larger shower.
Another thing to consider is increasing the size of your bathroom to get the shower size you want. Talk with your design pro about opportunities to steal space from an adjacent closet or bedroom or even whether relocating the bathroom to another room in the house is the best move.
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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.”