50-Square-Foot Bathroom Goes From Dark to Light
A designer creates a feeling of spaciousness in this bath, with more counter space, better light and plenty of storage
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Before: The bathroom is a modest 50 square feet, and with double sinks and a tub-shower combo, there wasn’t much elbow room.
“The room was dark, and consequently it felt much smaller,” the designer says. They also needed to replace the window.
“The clients really wanted to brighten the space and provide a pleasant experience for their guests,” Hay says.
Find a bathroom remodeling professional near you
“The room was dark, and consequently it felt much smaller,” the designer says. They also needed to replace the window.
“The clients really wanted to brighten the space and provide a pleasant experience for their guests,” Hay says.
Find a bathroom remodeling professional near you
The layout: Hay replaced the tub-shower with a spacious shower stall. Clear, frameless Starphire glass keeps an open feeling in the tight space and makes the most of the new window. You also can see how replacing the double sinks with a single sink left ample countertop space.
Brilliant detail: In between the large-format 12-by-24-inch porcelain tiles, she used polished Moonstone marble mosaic tiles.
“A mosaic applied between larger tiles is a more graphic and contemporary way to add a little sparkle and interest,” Hay says.
She used the same mosaic on the shower floor and the same Caesarstone on the threshold she used on the countertop and window surround to tie everything together.
See more marble mosaic tiles in the Houzz Shop
“A mosaic applied between larger tiles is a more graphic and contemporary way to add a little sparkle and interest,” Hay says.
She used the same mosaic on the shower floor and the same Caesarstone on the threshold she used on the countertop and window surround to tie everything together.
See more marble mosaic tiles in the Houzz Shop
Storage: Hay maximized storage in the vanity’s design by adding as many drawers as possible, including one at the bottom in the middle, large enough for extra towels. The vanity has feet for a furniture-like look that contributes to the open feeling in the room.
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Bathroom at a Glance
Who uses it: A family’s guests, including the couple’s four adult sons
Location: Barrie, Ontario
Size: 50 square feet (4.6 square meters)
Designer: Laura Hay
The backstory: After the youngest of their four sons had flown from the nest, this couple wanted to freshen up the kids’ bath to become more suitable for adults.
The homeowners’ direction: “The client didn’t want a typical ‘white bathroom,’ as she still views this space as her boys’ bath when they are home,” interior designer Laura Hay says. “This spa-like palette still has a masculine edge while being decidedly fresh and welcoming.”
The inspiration: “The color palette references limestone tones, soft and soothing and not too contemporary, as this home is in a small-town setting and is traditional in design,” Hay says.
New features:
- A new aluminum transom window framed in a Caesarstone surround
- Custom millwork including a new vanity packed with storage and a single sink that freed up counter space
- A cabinet above the toilet that maximizes storage in the room without compromising aesthetics
- Better lighting, which included more pot lights and brighter sconces
Wall color: Worldly Gray, Sherwin-Williams; vanity color: Aesthetic White, Sherwin-Williams; countertop and shower surround: London Gray, Caesarstone; vanity, storage cabinet and mirror: Timeless Millwork