From Awkward Walk-Through to Stunning Retreat: A Bathroom Transformation
Some spaces are just begging for a rethink, and this bathroom was no exception. What should have been a private, functional space was instead being used as a hallway—a pass-through for the entire family to access one daughter’s bedroom. It wasn’t just inconvenient; it was downright awkward. Add in poor storage, outdated finishes, and inefficient use of space, and we had a serious design dilemma on our hands.
The Problem: A Bathroom That Functioned More Like a Hallway
This bathroom had a few strikes against it right off the bat:
A poor layout: Because of the way the hallway and doorways were arranged, the whole family ended up walking *through* the bathroom to get to the daughter’s bedroom rather than using her actual bedroom door.
Too many doors: The bathroom had two entrances—one from the hallway and one from the daughter’s bedroom—plus a separate toilet closet door, making the space feel choppy and cluttered.
Lack of storage: The vanity was too small, the closet was awkward, and there just wasn’t enough practical storage.
Outdated design: Lime green walls, a too-short tub, and outdated tile made this bathroom feel far from the sophisticated look the rest of the house had.
Original awkward layout
Before
The Solution: A Thoughtful Redesign for Privacy and Function
We took a big-picture approach, reworking not just the bathroom but also the flow of the surrounding areas to improve both form and function. Here’s what we did:
1. Reconfigured the Layout:
Removed the extra doors to eliminate the “walk-through” issue.
Created a single new entrance to the bathroom in a more logical spot.
Straightened out awkward angles in the walls to maximize space.
2. Improved the Daughter’s Bedroom:
Removed an impractical walk-in closet and replaced it with a more efficient storage solution.
Gained additional square footage by optimizing the hallway and bedroom layout.
3. Upgraded the Bathroom for Better Functionality:
Installed a double vanity with tons of storage, including a central storage column for extra organization.
Added a partial wall to provide privacy between the vanity and toilet.
Replaced the small, outdated tub with a large, luxurious shower (don’t worry, there were still other tubs in the house!).
New and Improved Layout
The Design: A Balance of Classic and Fresh
Once the layout was fixed, it was time for the fun part—bringing in a design that felt both timeless and modern.
Bold, beautiful tile: A stunning blue herringbone tile became the star of the show, featured behind the vanity and in the shower to add color and personality.
Light and airy walls: Since there was no natural light, we kept the walls soft and bright with Sherwin-Williams Fleur de Sel, a perfect pale neutral.
Warm wood tones: The custom maple wood vanity with a light stain added warmth and contrast to the space.
Playful terrazzo flooring: We chose terrazzo tile for the floors, which brought in a fun and dynamic element with its speckled pattern of mixed tones. It added visual interest, texture, and a touch of retro charm while keeping the space feeling fresh and modern.
Mixed metals for a layered look: Black and chrome hardware were combined for a fresh, curated feel.
Design board of selected finishes
Render of project
The Result: A Functional, Stylish Space for the Whole Family
By reworking the layout and infusing thoughtful design choices, we transformed this bathroom from a chaotic pass-through into a private retreat that works beautifully for the family. Now, the daughter has a proper entrance to her room, the bathroom has tons of storage, and the entire space feels like a natural extension of the home’s sophisticated style.
After: Fresh and sophisticated bathroom. Photo by Homes 2 Vu.
After: Central tower adds much needed storage. Photo by Homes 2 Vu.
After: Herringbone tile behind vanity is both functional (easy to clean) and timeless - while adding color to the space. Photo by Homes 2 Vu.
After: The large shower was functionally better for this family’s needs. Photo by Homes 2 Vu.
What do you think of this transformation? Would you be willing to part with a tub if it meant gaining a dream shower? Let me know in the comments!