Out with the old and in with the new: Updating and upgrading a drab, builder-grade primary bathroom to create a bright and airy space with maximum functionality.
Shedding the outdated primary bathroom layout with its oversized tub and narrow stall shower, the homeowners had a new vision for their space: Their contemporary bathroom wish list included a walk-in shower with a bench seat, a built-in tub and updated fixtures and finishes in a lighter, brighter palette.
Primary Bathroom: Before
This Northeast Ohio home was built in the 1990s. Its outdated primary bathroom was stuck in the past with its original cabinetry, dark surfaces, drab linoleum flooring, cramped stall shower enclosure and bulky tub.
Primary Bathroom: After
Modernizing the space with a mix of on-trend and classic appointments, we worked within the existing footprint—keeping the original window, maintaining the same placement for the double vanity and tub, while repurposing existing cabinets to stretch the budget. To free up space for the larger shower, we removed the shower stall, header and dividing wall to maximize space, relocated the heat run and added a new exhaust fan/light combo for proper ventilation.
The new shower features a tile surround: American Olean in Sunset Falls, 6″ x 18″ tile was used on the walls and Emser HANGAR 2″x2″ mosaic tile was used as accent tile in the custom niche and on the floor. To finish it all, Schluter profile in textured gray was used as the trim. A custom knee wall and glass enclosure separate the shower from the tub, but without closing off or visually separating the space. A built-in bench seat features granite surfaces and edge caps. Dual showerheads were installed in the new larger shower—fixed and handheld—that match the other Moen® fixtures in brushed nickel used throughout the new bathroom.
The new soaking tub is an extension of the contemporary, open shower. A Kohler® Archer® drop-in tub and Moen® fixtures finish the seamless aesthetic.
In an effort to give the space a complete refresh and help stretch the budget, the homeowners painted their existing vanity cabinets white. Granite surfaces in Caledonia match the shower, and undermount Kohler® sinks provide a sleek, uninterrupted surface area for a clean look.
