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Remodeling Design Dilemma Bathrooms

Bathroom remodel starting with vanity choice

last month

Our primary bath will be undergoing a major remodel within the next few months. The layout will be changed since we will be removing the ridiculously huge corner jet tub which will enable us to expand the vanity area and shower. About the only thing that will not be changed are the doors, door hardware, and door color which is an eggshell white. While I hate the doors (and am also not overly fond of the paint color) they run throughout the entire 3,500 sq. ft. house.

We chose our contractor because they are a small family business of artisans and have a network of trusted resources. However, that leaves us with limited choices for the semi-custom wall to wall vanity that will sit opposite the entry and will be the primary focal point. We've narrowed those choices down to a medium gray (slightly greige) vanity, or an Amish built natural stain maple vanity. Vanity doors would be simple -- somewhat shaker style with a slight bevel.

We have a relatively large window in the bathroom and I want to keep it light and bright with light reflecting off a quartz countertop and possibly off the shower tile, but I think I want matte finish flooring. I'm considering large format (12 x 24) porcelain floor tile since I hate cleaning grout. (Who doesn't?) If we go with the gray vanity I would likely choose warm white tones for the shower tile and use natural wood accents such as open shelving, a stool, and some baskets.

I feel like a decision needs to be made about the vanity before I can choose anything else. Also, what we do during the bathroom remodel will dictate how we will update the primary bedroom. Any and all suggestions are welcome!

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Comments (9)

kandrewspa
last month
Do you have samples of the vanity doors in the two finishes you're considering so you could add a picture of them to your post? Have you compiled an Ideabook in Houzz of pictures of bathrooms you like to give you inspiration and help convey what you're looking for to us and your contractor? I'm with you so far on the 12 X 24 floor tile, but more information would help you get better advice. See if any of the pictures below have elements that appeal to you:

StoneCrest Bathrooms · More Info

Modern Small Bathroom Remodel · More Info

Ocean City Residence · More Info

Huntington Beach Gray and White Marble Bathrooms · More Info
PRO
Patricia Colwell Consulting
last month
IMO drawer storage in a vanity is so much better for both function and much better storage. The door looks very much driving the style. I need meaurements of the space for sure and thta also helps with vanity choice. What exactly is your style? Since you hate the doors I really dislike having them drive the rest of the choices. Paint color does not need to be the same in every space and in fact bedrooms don't even have to be the same style as the main part of the house. Can you post some pics of the LR that would help us with your style. I use 12 x24 tile for bathroom floors and shower walls all the time and for that exact reason .Your style often dictates how the tile are layed. Pics of the sapce and a to scale floor plan are what we need . Show every meaurement and also the window and where the door is.
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Comments (1)
Building codes and get those municipal construction notices if necessary. Dumpster rental? Haul? I would talk to city/town first and find out what needs to be legally. Then: Walls. Insulation. Moisture barriers. Check for mold. Electrical upgrades. (wiring for appliances, lighting, supply sockets) Ventilation. Heat/AC supplies/returns. Then plumbing. Not sure if you are going to pre-purchase large items before install? Just be sure to measure width/depth and mark on subflooring just where everything is going. Do you have room for the elongated toilet seat when opening the door? Things like this. I don't know how many times I was sent back to get the right item once the wrong one just didn't fit. Some distributors will charge a restock fee for returned items. Be warned. :) Walls - taping, sealing, prime and paint/finish. This is when - after all is dry and looking wonderful - fans and lights too, are installed. Be sure as rain where they are to be placed. Once the hole is there in the ceiling...if it needs to be moved -- you will notice patching. Switch plates, etc. (might want to buy TWO of them, if one gets ruined) Some say floor next. (Heating in floor?) I say install tub/toilet/sink. Run the water to be sure there is no leaking/sealing probs. More than one time a nice floor has been ruined due to leaks between the sub and the flooring. Then tile or whatever. Vanity can be placed on top of flooring and probably should if you decide to change from vanity to pedestal type later. Unless you rip out the old flooring and start over... your choice. Then light fixtures. Once all the huge hammers, ladders, etc have been removed :) Broke a glass to a lamp during install that could not be returned or replaced due to it being on clearance. Had to change out the entire light fixture :(. Still sad about that but it looks ok. Hope all goes well and you have no uh-ohs at all that can't be cared for quickly. Getting ready to do a tiny reno on my upstairs bath too after the estimates from local companies went way over budget. OUCH! Glad the one downstairs is done but that light fixture!! ;) Remember, perhaps to buy 2 of some items, in the off chance something breaks during install. Just a suggestion. Video for later. Always fun to watch once it is done. Have fun! :)
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Lovely! I like the classic white tile and porcelain and how you used furniture pieces in the bathroom. I love that the storage at the end of the tub has pull-outs that can be reached from the toilet. Your custom sink and backsplash and counter are unique and beautiful. Yours may be the first bathroom sink I have seen in which a small or medium dog could be washed! That is a good thing! I showed your pictures to my DH because I am thinking of classic tiled walls with a chair rail for when we redo our bath in a couple of years. He liked it! I was expecting him to say, "too old fashioned." He did not, he said it looked nice. From him, nice is a compliment. He even liked your rows of listello. I was just at the Tile Shop's site the other day looking at the Hampton tiles because someone was selling some on Craigslist. I am hoping to do as you did and get what I can cheaper there, and fill in the rest from the store. I can see that you worked very hard to secure all of your materials - and then cut the floor tiles to size and culled the Hampton tiles, too! You succeeded very well in getting the look you wanted while saving money along the way. Congratulations, and thank you for the pictures and great detail and supply list.
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It all depends on what you are going to do with the bathroom. I typically do the following; 1. decide on the layout and design of the room, is it a simple replace in kind or are you relocating fixtures and moving walls? If you are making changes, you will want a floor plan with dimensions to start. 2. Are there budget constraints? If so, some options cost more than others (a slide in tub/shower costs less than a custom walk in shower, keeping fixtures in the same location costs less than relocating, etc.). 3. What is the style of the bathroom to be (ultra modern, traditional, Asian influenced, etc)? This will help narrow selections. 4. If these issues are addressed, then we look at finishes and fixtures. Typically, we prefer to select the tile first, since that usually has the greatest impact on the aesthetics of the bathroom. As indicated above, paint is usually last. We also like to get a sample of the intended tile and take it to showrooms to match up with the fixtures, vanity and counter. It is really helpful if you narrowed down ideas with Houzz pictures.
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Real estate is so local - if you are doing this to help a future sale, definitely ask a good local realtor. In my area for resale I would put a (Kohler) frameless, recessed medicine cabinet centered above the sink. (I have finally rid my home of vanity-width mirrors - I agree with PP about watching yourself 'go,' and at least mine seemed dated (but probably b/c the rest of our baths were dated. I see no benefit to a mirror and then cabinet to the right: too cluttered for me (and why clean all that mirror?); and to get anything out of the medicine cabinet you have to reach over the toilet). For resale I'd definitely go simple, uncluttered and white for everything difficult to change. Unless the shower is about 5.5' long or more, I'd omit the built in seat and grab bar for resale unless the seat is inexpensive. (I am personally installing grab bars b/c I want them.) Get a cute colorful lightweight shower stool (amazon has a great one - we got green) for about $20 and remove it for open houses - it will make the shower look bigger. OH - and 1 item that doesn't cost more and is so great for you (and at least some buyers who know of it): if you are going to use glass on the shower stall, have the plumber put the on/off handle close to the entrance so you don't get wet when you turn it on. Then put the diverter (fixed/handheld transfer valve) under the shower heads. I always think its a miss when I go to a flip/spec house and they put the controls under the shower heads. And do 2 recessed shower niches on the shower walls so the bottles etc. are hidden from the view of the room (1 on wall w/toilet, one to left of shower heads). Will look less cluttered in a small bathroom. (FYI This will take planning at framing and rough plumbing stage. Alot of planning - like have your Ready-Niches on site before then. Ask me how I know...) But, again, real estate is so local so what I say could mean 0 to your area.
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PRO
BeverlyFLADeziner
last month
Here are examples of classic vanities that could be considered Traditional depending on the color and the hardware.
pattyinpowell
Original Author
last month
I don't think I was very clear with my question and should have mentioned we plan to move within the next 3-5 years. With that in mind I want to make upgrades in the house but not make it too personal. What would be more timeless - a gray vanity or a light maple vanity? That seems to be a crucial decision that will drive the rest of our decisions. So far the Stonecrest image posted by @kandrewspa appeals to me the most and aligns with others in my Ideabook. I would prefer tall rectangular mirrors and although I like the look of sconces if we go with the gray vanity and want to add some natural elements the vanity will be expansive enough to potentially add a few light wood floating shelves between the mirrors. I'm also considering mixing metals with brushed stainless fixtures (and door handles) and black for lighting and drawer pulls.
cpartist
last month
A light maple would be more timeless. Actually a WHITE vanity would be the most timeless. Gray is a trend. It is not timeless.
PRO
BeverlyFLADeziner
last month
last modified: last month
I would not select a maple vanity

I would select white to match the doors in the house.

Make sure you know how you want the mirrors and the sconces before you even think about wall shelves.
latifolia
last month
We just redid our master bath. We chose 2" white hexagon floor tiles (gorgeous ceramic, made in Japan), with pale grey grout. Grout lines help make a bathroom floor less slippery, which had been an issue with our prior, larger, tiles.

In my opinion the large format tiles look more contemporary, which our house is not. We chose a white furniture vanity and a black, textured quartz top. I do worry the top may look contemporary, but that is the easiest thing to change.
RedRyder
last month
Do a white vanity with more drawers than doors. Keep the tile choices simple and classic. This house needs a neutral bathroom if selling is on the table.

Marble hexagon tiles in two sizes (larger for the main floor, smaller for the shower floor) is upscale and elegant. Then you can use larger format tiles for the shower walls in white.

Black faucet,hardware, lighting and shower door frames and you’re done. Black and white stands the test of time. Or do nickel. Or brushed brass, but all the same.
kathleen MK
last month
I would not jump on the waning grey trend for the vanity. I think Beverly and cpartist are right about white being the best. Personally i would like a wood in a deep stain, but that would need to work with your other design elements.

We upgraded to Stepwise textured porcelain (Marazzi modern formations) in our kitchen and guest bath. It is great for preventing slips on wet floor. At least get a matte finish that is rated for floors because those pretty shiny tiles can be really dangerous in a bathroom. Your tile choices might drive your color decision for the vanity as it will have to work with the tile and the door.

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