Bathroom Redesigns are Hard: Let’s Get Inspired

Wish I had a bunch of beautiful photos of our bath, but I am taking my own sweet time and still tweaking the paint color in there! (Trying SW Eider White next). It’s hard to find time to create my own content with the demands of sharing everyone else’s, but I did make a reel with a few of my interiors (below). I find bathroom redesigns very tricky. There are all of these decisions to make that you will have to live with for a long time. So it pays to take your time saving and planning. I hope these ideas help you in your own schemes.

I independently selected products in this post—if you buy from one of my links, I may earn a commission.

Bathroom Redesigns & Inspiration to Help

Glimpses of My Home(s)

Here’s where our most recent bath renovation began:

It was awkward (hello, 1990s) with soffits, steps to a sunken bath, a custom shower bench on the wrong end of the shower, and a sea of brown tile. Perfect if you loved funky and clunky.

Fortunately, our bath has a million dollar view of a gorgeous forest preserve so attending to the details was well worth it.

Bathroom designs are so dang PERSONAL. Plumbing, electrical, and space must be addressed before you can choose the pretty things. Also lighting! Since I can hardly see without glasses, I can attest this is an important issue. Don’t forget storage needs. And safety…due to osteoporosis and Raynaud’s, the old bath was such a death trap that I didn’t use it a single day until we renovated.

Bathroom redesigns can even be trickier than when you are starting from scratch. Moving existing plumbing and electrical? That demands a specialized skill set (and wads of cash).

So much better now!

Here are the particulars that we chose for this bath:

I’ll try to have it finished by Spring!

Classic White Bath We Redesigned

In our former home, we opted for separate, individual, freestanding vanities and then created a custom bridge as a makeup area.

I liked how the angles of our vanities’ top and base echoed other architecture in that space.

Need ideas for cabinets and vanity organization? Who couldn’t use a little more space for THE STUFF?

Clear Bins to Store Like Items

It’s the mirrored base in the bins that really does it for me!

Drawers Behind Doors

Super Smart Styling Organization

Tips for Scoring the Right Bath Vanity

Notice the Relationship of Vanity and Top

Are you a fan of high contrast? As you collect inspiring photos of bath vanities you admire – notice the consistencies. Like high contrast, low contrast, ornamentation, minimal style, or modern lines?

Lighting Needs for Vanity Area

I have no trouble finding beautiful sconces for the bath, but they aren’t always the right scale. The most flattering vanity light comes from placement where the sides of your face are lit.

However, sometimes this isn’t possible when space is limited.

I also have some thoughts about flattering light. Maybe it’s my age, but I no longer stand to groom for extended periods. Consequently, it was fine that we needed to install vanity lights above our medicine cabinet mirrors. So do think specifically about how important it is and be guided by how you actually live.

When you begin to look closer at pretty bathrooms, it becomes clear lighting options are endless.

Simple Bath Refresh

Before we painted the vanity below in our son’s condo, it was a 20-year old builder-grade oak vanity with orange stain. Just a little paint (didn’t even change the old faucet or cultured marble top) transformed it.

This paint color (above) is an interesting charcoal color with both brown and navy blue undertones. In some lighting, it looks like oil rubbed bronze, and in others, a soft black.

Repurposed Antiques for a Traditional Vanity

Another vanity with a lamp! So gorgeous! If you have the opportunity to repurpose an existing vanity, antique, table, console, etc. what fun!

Here’s an AI bath that is rather interesting…the tub looks awfully narrow, but at least one can get a sense of a color story.

I love seeing a bath that feels non-contrived and timeless:

Most of us wouldn’t dream of wallpapering a bathroom where there’s a shower, but what a lovely prospect if you can:

In our bath’s redesign, I initially thought we would refinish the existing solid wood vanity and maybe try vessel sinks since the height of the cabinets were too low. However, a custom marble countertop cost more than replacement of the vanities. (Another issue is your time. Refinishing a vanity is a dusty, sometimes toxic, long process.)

Don’t you love the basket storage below the vanity above?

Jennifer creates the most beautiful baths for herself and lucky clients!

Modern French & Old World Vanity Inspiration

This is a sconce with mirror look I love:

Here’s another fantasy moment…maybe a powder bath?

and here’s a vanity area that is so darling if you have space.

White is a natural color for a bath, and here are three contenders if you care to sample a few.

More than bright whites, what is trending right now are warm neutrals and moody spaces:

The thing about these AI designs is the designers of the images can always stay on trend without lifting a paintbrush or grouting a tile!

Inspiration for Coastal Style Baths

If you have shopped for bath design elements, coastal and Shaker styles are most commonly available.

Is this my favorite traditional yet modern cottage vintage look?

The beautiful wall of mosaic tile would probably blow the budget!

Traditional Vanity Inspo

Remember when we had almost no choices whatsoever for readymade vanities or bathroom sinks?

Sheets of mirror on the wall can still be a great idea, but there are plenty of other possibilities too.

Here are a few more possibilities:

Petite & Modern Ideas

Bath Vanities in Our Former Bath Were Budget-Friendly

When we tackled our master bath above, we first demo’d everything to begin from scratch. I wanted budget friendly traditional white vanity sets with simple clean lines.

In lieu of a long double sink bathroom vanity, a custom makeup counter joins two separate single vanities.

Our DIY bathroom remodel was a mix of high and low. In fact, the Kohler Purist faucets cost more than the vanities.

Modern Country Vanity Inspiration

This mirror is a FAVORITE among famous designers…if it’s in stock, snag it!

Rustic Elegance & Vintage Charm

Everyone is falling for checkered floors these days!

Find beautiful bathroom design inspiration from my PINTEREST BOARD HERE.

In the mood for a bit of fantasy dream home tour (hint: The Fox Group!)?

Peace to you right where you are.

-michele

I independently selected products in this post—if you buy from one of my links, I may earn a commission.

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