Below I've linked a bathroom that we updated a couple winters' ago. It is not a master but measures approximately 5 x 8, so similar in size to yours.

First, you may not have sufficient space for an elongated toilet. With the low water usage of modern ones, elongated ones tend to clear themselves better as the trap bend is not as severe. I would recommend one with a large trap however. Toto was the first manufacturer to resolve the low water issue, now most major manufacturers make good functioning ones. Terry Love rates many models on his website.

Our vanity is a 30" one into which we installed an under mounted basin (Kohler). To provide additional towel storage, we mounted a train rack.

Since you have a leaking pan, if you can, make the room a wet room by installing a water proof membrane under the entire floor. You still may need a curb in order to create drainage for the shower.

If keeping the 1950's feel to the room is your objective, full tile was quite common then. Personally I like just the shower/tub area tiled allowing paint or paper elsewhere so it can be redecorated.

In our previous house (circa 1993) we had Delta thermostatic valves. They worked well. Here we have Moen pressure balanced but I'm planning a remodel in the master and most likely will install Kohler thermostatic. I guess I'm not into the really high end manufacturers of plumbing as I want to know parts will be available should ever they be needed.

When we updated the linked bath, the tub and wall tile were not changed. This tile will be replaced in the future. Same WC too as it works fine. We painted the vanity, changed the counter, basin and faucet. Also removed the original medicine cabinet and mirror to install the new flush-mounted medicine cabinet with a framed mirror look. Marble floor tiles replaced the builders' sheet goods.

Good luck with the remodel.

Here is a link that might be useful: Updated Bathroom

When I first started making my small master bath remodel decisions this forum thread linked below (152 replies!) helped me named "What was your best bathroom remodeling decision?" I printed it, highlighted what I liked and put the highlighted parts together as my wish list. I believe it addresses thermostatic shower options people like, Toto toilets and undermount sinks.

A designer friend told me today the trend is not to tile walls, so I didn't even though the 1970 bath we remodeled had tile walls. Less expensive this way too.

Here is a link that might be useful: What was your best bath remodeling decision Forum discussion

Thanks! This is helping already. :-)

fnmroberts, I love your redo! It looks amazing. I've already figured that an elongated isn't in our future, but the large trap info is helpful. I've looked some on Terry Love's site already, but I think more study is in my future.

rpearson--How do you like your Vigo? I have already been eyeing them because I like the ability to have some floor space (stupid issue but we currently keep a water bowl for the cats on our bathroom floor).

sue_b--I love that discussion. I stumbled upon it a couple days ago and spent a good amount of time reading everything and it changed some of the things I was thinking. I think my husband is going for not tiling the walls and I think I can live with that.

I'm going to go try and hit a couple plumbing places tomorrow to see some stuff in person. Maybe look at some tile too.

I'm redoing our 4' x 7' master bath. The Toto Eco Supreme one piece toilet was the smallest I found that got good reviews, however I am having problems with the flapper letting the toilet run from tank to bowl if not adjusted just so. No one in the reviews had this problem.

I'm very dubious about a vanity in so small a space - I would go with a pedestal sink or a round wall mount. In mine I'm installing a round wall mount sink with wall mount faucets. And trying to construct a small, rounded, floating cabinet with flex-plywood under it.

It's true that your extra foot of length in the bathroom might make all the difference. What works in my bathroom is storage in the walls. Anything that must project from the walls is rounded (sink, toilet). And I made lots of 3D mockups, for anything that would be difficult to return, i.e. not off-the-shelf at HD or Lowes. In so small a space, a sink that projects 17 inches might be way too big, whereas one that is only 15 is just right.

The picture you linked to is beautiful, so serene, but the colors and materials might work much better in your space than the actual cabinets and sink.

sue_b,

Your thread was immensely helpful to me!! What a great idea it was. I was paralyzed with all the decisions that had to be made and that thread had such great advice everything fell into place after I read (and re-read) it. I, too, used the information posted there to create a wish list.

I haven't posted any questions - the information I've needed is always there to find, but your thread took the information to the next level.

This place is a wealth of information and advice.

~mj

Another thing to consider regarding wall tile is that it eats up space. In such a small room, even the extra inch may matter.

Thanks All! I've made a lot of progress on this bathroom. (Of course, during this process we've also decided to completely gut a second bathroom so I really feel like I'm living in bathroom planning world).

1. I've decided to go with the Toto Ecodrake (round) because of a combo of good reviews, good price, and a rebate from my county.

2. I've found a couple 24" wide vanities that are 18" deep that should fit well in our space.

3. The decision is to just tile the shower. I'm still trying to figure out what to do with the sink backsplash, but we're planning on using white subway tiles in the basement so I'm thinking about potentially using some of those for the backsplash, not in the traditional subway tile layout (whatever the correct term is).

4. I think we've decided to go with Kohler shower fixtures/values. Hopefully we'll be happy with that choice!

We're gearing up for demo right after the holidays, so I'm keeping my fingers crossed for a smooth and quick completion, but know not to necessarily expect it.