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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.
10 Ways to Control the Cost of Your Bathroom Remodel
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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“The wife really knew exactly how she wanted the kitchen to be laid out, but she was also open to new storage ideas and unique finishes,” Wunder says. “She was not afraid to do something interesting and different.”
An 11-by-3½-foot island serves as the center of the kitchen and its English-kitchen-inspired green paint, marble countertop with an ogee edge and oversize glass pendant lights make it stand out. The seeded glass and knurled brass on the lights add texture and dimension, while their transparency keeps them from overwhelming the space. “I’d always rather have lights be oversized than anything that looks the slightest bit undersized,” Wunder says.
Beyond the island, a range alcove serves as the focal point. The range hood has a subtle curve to it and is flanked by countertop cabinets that provide storage for everyday dishes and glassware.
The homeowners wanted a scullery, or back kitchen, to hold additional prep space, the fridge, a second sink and dishwasher for hiding pots and pans when entertaining, small appliances, a second oven and storage for pantry items, wine, glassware, serving pieces and more. “The main kitchen laid out really nicely because we knew how much the back kitchen would be supporting it,” Wunder says. “It allowed the kitchen to become more of an entertaining kitchen.”
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Photo by Elizabeth Patton Photography
After: Now the kitchen has a streamlined look with dedicated storage and a refreshing cream-and-blue palette. Gone is the awkward butler’s pantry, replaced by glass-front cabinets for glassware and dishes. To the left of the new paneled fridge, an area that used to be a walk-in pantry now has cabinets for small appliances, bakeware, dry goods and a microwave.
To the right of the stove, a countertop cabinet hides a pullout shelf with a coffee bar and toaster, as well as stationary shelves for mugs and more. To the right of the sink, a cabinet with hammered glass doors keeps more dishware at hand.
Ramsay also removed a dining table and chairs (where the previous photo was taken from) and relocated a desk on the sink-side wall. This allowed for a more spacious island with seating for three, plus French doors that bathe the space in light. Wood-look luxury vinyl flooring grounds the space in beauty and practicality
Perimeter cabinet paint: Dumpling, Sherwin-Williams; island base paint: Hale Navy, Benjamin Moore
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3. Cozy Fireside Lounge
Patio at a Glance
Who lives here: Trevor Fulmer, who also designed the space, and his husband, Jim Mattus, a corporate attorney
Location: South Boston
Size: 585 square feet (54 square meters); 15 feet wide by 39 feet long
Builder: B H Brown Landscape Design
Before: This South Boston home’s original side yard was functional and sunny, but it felt boxed in by the perimeter fencing. There also was nothing to break up all the hard surfaces. Still, interior designer Trevor Fulmer and his husband immediately saw the potential. “Being in Boston proper with this square footage of outdoor livable space is very rare,” the designer says.
Fulmer quickly started dreaming up ideas for the space, including a lounge area with a fireplace. Plenty of plants also sat high on the list. “We wanted the space to feel very lush and green, like a little oasis in the concrete jungle,” he says.
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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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Having a great idea for your new kitchen is one thing; executing that idea is quite another. The owner of this 1870 Victorian house in the London suburb of Teddington wanted a large hidden pantry in a well-functioning yet airy kitchen. Ftting all of that neatly into the space available required a professional eye, so she called on Tim Higham of Higham Furniture to bring it to life.
“The [owner] has a very good sense of style and knows what she wants, but we had to interpret that and work with the property and the space we were given,” he says.
The team crafted a beautiful modern-rustic kitchen with an elegant, elevated island and, hidden behind cabinet doors, a warm yellow pantry with masses of storage.
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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.
New to home remodeling? Learn the basics
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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A cramped layout, dated finishes and awkward closets left this Oregon primary en suite bathroom feeling smaller than its footprint. To create a space that better suited the single homeowner’s needs, designer Amy Pearson reworked the layout and refined the style to deliver a more open, functional and timelessly modern retreat.
By eliminating two closets — one in the bathroom and one in the bedroom — and shifting the door to the primary suite, Pearson was able to expand the bathroom by 14 square feet and introduce a more efficient floor plan. The new design includes dual floating walnut vanities with storage towers, a spacious low-curb shower that spans the width of the room and improved lighting and ventilation throughout.
A restrained palette of white, black, gray and brown highlights rich materials, including Carrara marble mosaic tile and warm wood cabinetry. Geometric-patterned wall tiles add drama and dimension, while luxe brass accents bring a refined touch. The result is a sophisticated, light-filled bathroom with smart storage and enduring style.
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Natural textures are key to this look. Wood, stone, jute, linen and wool will all provide a link to nature and work together to create a fuss-free scheme.
Go for clean-lined furniture shapes for a contemporary take. Choosing unpainted wood that allows the grain to show through and undyed fabrics in natural tones will help to create a tactile and earthy scheme that provides a link to the outdoors all year round.
Smaller elements, such as jute or seagrass baskets, can also help to introduce pleasing texture in a simple way.