Main Bathroom Renovation: Layout & Plans

During the past few weeks, I have been working on the main bathroom renovation plan. I had such a nightmare experience with the guest bath that my enthusiasm for another bathroom remodel was at an all-time low for a long time. However, much like childbirth, the pain faded, and Andy and I decided it would be better to move forward to make the main bathroom functional and beautiful before we sell BHH.

It might surprise you to know that I’m using a contractor again–no, not the horrible, no-good, very bad contractor from the before times. I’m getting the dream team that helped me with the guest bathroom back together. The team includes an excellent electrician, plumber, and tiler/builder, and I am on the schedule for the end of summer/early fall. As much as I would like to complete the bathroom as a DIY project (No, I would not.), my recovery from surgery prevents me from doing so (Thank goodness!).

To refresh your memory, here are a few photos of the bathroom as it looked when we moved into BHH.

In 2017, I pulled off the pink wallboard and found the original but damaged wainscoting. I likely freed a ghost living behind the toilet, and we started calling it The Scary Bathroom:

In 2018, I decided to give the bathroom a second refresh for the One Room Challenge, and this is how the bathroom looked at the end of eight weeks:

The bathroom looked very pretty, but it still wasn’t entirely functional. The clawfoot tub leaked under the drain, and it was a pain to get ready in front of the sink without a countertop. Also, since 2018, the rug has mildewed, the tub-side table is going to break any second, and the painted floor hasn’t held up at all.

What We’re Keeping

Before I explain the plan, I want to clarify what we are keeping. The photos make everything look wonderful when the truth is something else entirely.

• The wainscoting stays, and it will remain brown. I’ll sand it a bit and refinish it with tung oil.
• I swapped out the toilet a couple of years ago, and we are keeping it too.
• The leaky tub has to go, but I saved the clawfoot tub from the guest bath, and we’ll use it instead.

The New Floor Plan

The nice thing about this bathroom remodel is that I don’t feel obligated to make it look a specific way. BHH didn’t even have regular bathrooms when it was built. The main bathroom seems to have been put in closer to 1920, and the half-bath downstairs was probably added around the same time. The guest bath tracks with a 1930s update, and finally, there was a mid-century plumbing upgrade.

Since the options are open, I am changing the floor plan and going for a classic/timeless design overall.

Keep in mind that I am terrible at drawing floorplans. The plan below is to scale for the most part, but it was difficult to make everything exact.

I am going to talk to the plumber because my preference would be to swap the vanity and the toilet, but I don’t want to spend a lot of money on that. If I move the vanity, I will also have to pay for new electrical wiring. Once I talk to the crew, I’ll make a decision, but I am moving forward based on keeping the toilet where it is.

The tub will move to the opposite side of the room where we currently have a free-standing cabinet.

The new shower will be a custom size of approximately 30 X 48 inches. The smaller shower will leave room for a full 42-inch vanity, and I would love to have you help me choose which one.

Vanity Options – 42″

As you look at the options below, feel free to ignore the handles and knobs. There is a good chance I’ll change those. All four vanities have solid wood components, and the tops are Carerra marble. The marble will match the shower sill and the door threshold and pull the design together.

Which one is your favorite against the natural wood wainscoting?

• 1) lots of drawers – round feet
• 2) simple front – backsplash included
• 3) busy front – square legs
• 4) open + drawers – backsplash included -An open shelf on the bottom seems to have disappeared in the image, but it exists. The shelf would be a good place for towels.

Tile Possibilities

I haven’t 100% decided on tile for the floor and shower yet, but I’m leaning towards the William Morris for the shower walls and the 2 X 2 white hex for everything for the floors, including the shower.

• William Morris – Linen
• 2″X 2″ white hex tile

Fixtures and Details

Until I order the vanity, I’m not going to focus too much on the details. I do know that I want polished chrome fixtures, but lighting is still a wild card. The electrician will have to move some of the wiring to accommodate the position of the new vanity. I will likely be inspired as we are talking through those changes.

Every room in BHH is loosely themed around nature and natural elements. So, I look forward to bringing all the details together.

Please let me know what you think about the plan and the vanity choices. I’m looking forward to your feedback.