What should we do with this tricky master bath layout?

3 years ago

last modified: 3 years ago

Hi all,

Looking for your advice on how to configure my master bathroom! We are planning to more or less gut the bathroom, and put in new tiling, shower, freestanding tub, and double vanity.

Here's some background:

(A) shows the current master bath layout in relation to the master bedroom and staircase. There is a window to the right of the tub not shown, and the space to the right of the tub is a patio (door not drawn).

(B) shows the proposed plan for the new master bathroom.

(D) shows the current shower in context of the glass block windows and half moon window.

(E) shows the current bath situation.

My dilemma is that I don't think cutting the shower down to the proposed size in drawing B would look right in the context of the half moon / glass block window -- it would just end awkwardly in the middle of the windows. We are hoping not to have to do anything to the windows.

But if we keep the size of the shower, that limits our options with the tub. We're sort of stuck on what to do here. Also, the current shower is a steam shower (albeit with a super 90s' outdated panel that we need to figure out how to swap out -- I'm not sure the original steam shower unit's company exists anymore).

What do you recommend in terms of layout?
How desirable is a steam shower, and should we do what we can to keep it?
If we should keep it, any advice on finding a new panel to use with an old steam shower unit?
Would a 45 degree angled tub work better? Do we just leave the tub and shower in their current positions?
Or is it really in our best interest to change out windows? If we should change the windows, what window types/sizes etc. do you suggest?

Open to any and all recommendations, thank you so much for any ideas!

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Comments (9)

catbuilder
3 years ago
Change the windows. Do you use the steam shower? If not, don't replace it with another one.
Teresa
Original Author
3 years ago
Thanks catbuilder! We haven't moved in yet, so hard to say. If we were to change the windows, what should we do with them?
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Looks like the past home owners were going for a transitional look, but ended up with a weird hybrid of transitional/eclectic. Nothing inherently wrong with it I guess and looking at it. It doesn't seem you would have to do anything really extensive to get the modern look you are going for. Id start with the cabinets myself. That concrete sink just has to go. Im not sure what the last home owners were thinking with that one. It does not fit well with the current look of the bathroom nor would it fit the modern look you are looking for. Its a Leviathan of a sink that draws the eye away from everything else. The drawer fronts are already flat which is great for the modern look you are going for. I would opt to remove the shaker style cabinet doors though and replace them with flat front doors the same species of wood. Id also re-stain the cabinets to a darker color to give them a little more contrast in the room. If you plan to do it yourself opt for a nice General Finishes or Old Masters Gel stain that can go right over the existing finish. Last but not least for the cabinet door and drawer pulls. Change them out for something longer. 8 to 10 inch bar style pulls will go a long way to updating the look If you are really a stickler for detail and you want to really get into it. Get rid of the block glass around the shower and opt for a frame less plate glass instead. Maybe even add a knee wall where the block glass is between the shower and the toilet. Id also get rid of the mosaic tile on the floor of the shower. It just looks drab. Look for something with the same color variations as the wall tile, but with a little more pop to them. Last but not least for the shower. The shower trim kit to me completely go against the modern look you are going for. The trim can be changed out easily. Just opt for something of the same brand. If you go with a different brand then you will get into having to change the shower and diverter valves which means tearing out wall tile and plumbing. To much of a hassle. Stick with the same brand. Id get rid of that eclectic style ceiling light. For something with a more modern look. That square pot light over the toilet is really hurting the look of the bathroom. The vanity light over the sink is to eclectic and would need to go. The mirror is just to small and the frame around it does not suit the look you are going for. Also the wall mount faucet. Very traditional looking. Nothing wrong with the faucet being wall mounted I would just replace it with something more modern like a the Delta Trinsic wall mount faucet. Just my opinion on what should be done. I am not sure just how for into a remodel you were looking to get though
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I see...thank you Mark. I do like that idea. I had a friend who dabbles in design and remodels a lot come by tonight and she had another thought...shorten the shower pan by 12" to accommodate more tub space, add a wall of glass from the outside wall (your long "L") and leave open (or put in a door) on the side of your short "L" . She favors the freestanding tub for the looks. I'm not sure what to think. Unfortunately I am late with my concerns. The framing was last week and the trusses will be finished up tomorrow. I asked these questions of our PM 3 days ago and will be meeting again on site Tuesday with the PM and site supervisor. I can ask that these can be brought up with the designer too. Thanks everyone for all your thoughts. It is wonderful to reach out to you and get good advice from you all. I wish I had done this earlier!
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PRO
Sharon Brindley Designs
3 years ago
Do you have exterior photos so we can see the other windows in the house? Full elevation shots would be helpful.
Teresa
Original Author
3 years ago
These photos show the front of the house (current right window) and the side (glass blocks)!
PRO
Sharon Brindley Designs
3 years ago
Thanks for the exterior photos. I think one solution to your dilemma about the windows is to switch the placement of the tub and the shower, then replace the front window (make it a narrower window so it can still be centred on the wall - means you’ll have a stucco repair to do. Hope this helps.
Ying Wang
3 years ago
Hi Teresa,

Just to share my personal views, I have several issues with the proposed design: (1) Shower is too small for such a big bathroom; (2) Having laundry in-between master bath and master closet feels awkward (unless this is what you want then it is a different story:-); (3) moving plumbing around without clear benefit.

I propose the following layout instead:
- Put the freestanding tub on a raised platform to give it a spa like luxurious look. Some Houzz photos for reference: https://www.houzz.com/photos/feldman-architecture-modern-bathroom-san-francisco-phvw-vp~17777, https://www.houzz.com/photos/master-bath-suite-contemporary-bathroom-seattle-phvw-vp~29789, https://www.houzz.com/photos/castle-hills-bathroom-remodel-contemporary-bathroom-dallas-phvw-vp~65800519
- Minimal changes in plumbing, no changes in windows
- A larger shower
- Linen closet is a bit smaller, but you can probably add a second linen closet in the laundry room if needed
- WIC directly from the master bath
- Separate laundry room with space for a sink
Hope this helps. Good luck with your project!
Teresa
Original Author
3 years ago
Thanks Sharon and Ying! Both your advice is tremendously helpful. I wasn’t even thinking about the exterior but that definitely shapes our options a lot more than I had thought.

Ying, you make a great point about the laundry room. We were thinking the plumbing is easiest next to the current vanity but your solution in fact is perfect since there’s a bathroom to the left of your proposed laundry room anyway!

Thank you so much!
cpartist
3 years ago
Is that the only laundry room in the house?

Clothing can't turn corners so you're actually losing closet space.

It's a far walk to get clothes out of the closet when you realize at the door to the garage you forgot a sweater or ...

I personally hate having to walk through a bathroom and even worse through a bathroom and laundry room to get to my master closet. Imagine once covid is over, you're invited to a wedding, or a cocktail party and you're all dressed up but now have to walk past the bathroom that got steamed up (and yes, I realize we all have fans but it still gets steamed up) in your fancy clothes and shoes.

No I would NEVER put a tub on a platform. That's just an accident waiting to happen and is very dated to the 80's.

Honestly, if you can, you'd be better off moving in and living with how it is for about 6 months because you might after living in it for a while, realize there is a better solution.
Ying Wang
3 years ago
Hi Teresa, I saw the comment that a tub on platform is a dated look from the 80's. It is not true. Like a lot of designs, there is a modern application of this idea such as https://www.houzz.com/photos/master-bath-suite-contemporary-bathroom-seattle-phvw-vp~29789.

That said, the main idea behind the suggested tub location is to make it a focal point of the bathroom, a luxurious / spa like setting that you can enjoy. You can build a platform for the tub if you like, or you can just put the tub on the floor directly like in this photo: https://www.houzz.com/hznb/photos/beverly-hills-master-bath-transitional-bathroom-los-angeles-phvw-vp~102846820. Coincidentally, the layout of the bathroom in this photo is somewhat close to yours. Hope this helps.

What should we do with this tricky master bath layout?

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catbuilder

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What should we do with this tricky master bath layout?

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catbuilder

TeresaOriginal Author

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Sharon Brindley Designs

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Teresa
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