Before and After: 4 Bathrooms in 65 Square Feet or Less
See how designers kept footprints but improved layouts, brightened looks and added interest
Not everyone can knock down walls and borrow space from adjoining rooms or closets when remodeling. So we found four bathrooms of 65 square feet or less that designers dramatically transformed without changing the footprint. Using intriguing patterns, unexpected colors or a soothing spa vibe, they made these modestly sized spaces feel generous in both space and style, all while improving flow and functionality. Could any of these ideas work for your own fixed-footprint bath? Let us know in the Comments.
After: While the bathroom’s four walls remained in place, the tub and awkward corner shower had to go. In the former tub’s space, Ben Zur placed a spacious shower with a single fixed-glass panel. He kept the glass block and operable window on the shower’s back wall for privacy and airflow but updated the overall look with elongated subway tile to the ceiling. Matte black fixtures and black hexagonal tile flooring add contrast, while hanging plants and a wooden bench add organic touches.
Shower screen: Meridian in matte black, Vigo; shower floor tile: Metro mosaic in black, SomerTile; ceiling paint: Ceiling Bright White, Sherwin-Williams
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Shower screen: Meridian in matte black, Vigo; shower floor tile: Metro mosaic in black, SomerTile; ceiling paint: Ceiling Bright White, Sherwin-Williams
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After: Ditching the tub and moving the shower made room for Ben Zur to add a custom linen closet, which has a white oak veneer matching that of the new floating double vanity. For the main flooring, he chose a hex tile in the same black matte finish as the shower floor but in a bigger size for visual impact.
Two new lighting sources banish the formerly dark mood: custom handmade glass-and-black-metal globe lights over the mirrors and LED recessed cans.
Read more about this makeover
Two new lighting sources banish the formerly dark mood: custom handmade glass-and-black-metal globe lights over the mirrors and LED recessed cans.
Read more about this makeover
“After” photos by AOFOTOS.com
2. Patterns Aplenty
Bathroom at a Glance
Who lives here: Designer Sarah Kraus, carpenter David Bartelson and their 13-year-old son
Location: Winter Park, Florida
Size: 40 square feet (3.7 square meters)
Designer: Sarah Kraus of S&W Kitchens
Before: Designer Sarah Kraus and her carpenter husband, David Bartelson, had only 40 square feet to work with for this project in Florida. The space is a guest bath but had the home’s sole tub, which was shallow and not comfortable for soaking. And the bathroom’s overall look was generic and uninspiring.
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2. Patterns Aplenty
Bathroom at a Glance
Who lives here: Designer Sarah Kraus, carpenter David Bartelson and their 13-year-old son
Location: Winter Park, Florida
Size: 40 square feet (3.7 square meters)
Designer: Sarah Kraus of S&W Kitchens
Before: Designer Sarah Kraus and her carpenter husband, David Bartelson, had only 40 square feet to work with for this project in Florida. The space is a guest bath but had the home’s sole tub, which was shallow and not comfortable for soaking. And the bathroom’s overall look was generic and uninspiring.
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After: The couple kept the walls, plumbing and layout in place. They did, however, swap the old tub for a deeper (30-by-60-inch) white alcove acrylic tub with an integral apron and updated the rest of the bathroom in a vintage-industrial style.
Assorted patterns are the star of the new bath. Eight-inch-square glazed porcelain tiles that mimic the look of traditional handmade cement tiles grace the floor and back shower wall. Mini mosaic marble tiles installed in a chevron pattern clad two niches above and to the right of the sink. And the linen shower curtain has ombre stripes.
The neutral gray-and-white palette ensures a cohesive look, and black fixtures and a wooden vanity add interest without pulling focus from the patterns.
Tub: Underscore, 60 inches, Kohler; toilet: Highline, Kohler
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Assorted patterns are the star of the new bath. Eight-inch-square glazed porcelain tiles that mimic the look of traditional handmade cement tiles grace the floor and back shower wall. Mini mosaic marble tiles installed in a chevron pattern clad two niches above and to the right of the sink. And the linen shower curtain has ombre stripes.
The neutral gray-and-white palette ensures a cohesive look, and black fixtures and a wooden vanity add interest without pulling focus from the patterns.
Tub: Underscore, 60 inches, Kohler; toilet: Highline, Kohler
Learn more about this project
“After” photos by LifeCreated
3. Awash in Serenity
Bathroom at a Glance
Who lives here: Matthew and Kasey Benson, their 8-year-old son and their Bullmastiff dog
Location: Scottsdale, Arizona
Size: 65 square feet (6 square meters)
Designer: Keira Schultz of KSDesigns
Before: Beige everywhere did little to pull together the disjointed elements of this 1980s bath in Arizona. Plus, the atmosphere was dim and unwelcoming, and the family had a hard time washing their Bullmastiff dog here.
3. Awash in Serenity
Bathroom at a Glance
Who lives here: Matthew and Kasey Benson, their 8-year-old son and their Bullmastiff dog
Location: Scottsdale, Arizona
Size: 65 square feet (6 square meters)
Designer: Keira Schultz of KSDesigns
Before: Beige everywhere did little to pull together the disjointed elements of this 1980s bath in Arizona. Plus, the atmosphere was dim and unwelcoming, and the family had a hard time washing their Bullmastiff dog here.
Before: The sunken shower had hazardous access: tiled steps with no grab bar. And the curved glass-block wall delineating the shower wasted valuable floor space.
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After: Keira Schultz of KSDesigns kept the basic layout but removed the vanity, mirror, backsplash tile and jutting medicine cabinet. She also nixed the curved glass-block wall, gaining 6 or 7 inches for the shower area.
The new design features a spacious curbless shower with a hand spray — both great for washing the dog — and a rolling door that saves floor space. Shades of white via the wall paint, subway tiles and a marble countertop allow the gray-green custom maple vanity and dark river rock shower floor to stand out. Completing the look: splashes of brass and matte black in the fixtures and hardware.
Vanity paint: Holly Glen by PPG Paints
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The new design features a spacious curbless shower with a hand spray — both great for washing the dog — and a rolling door that saves floor space. Shades of white via the wall paint, subway tiles and a marble countertop allow the gray-green custom maple vanity and dark river rock shower floor to stand out. Completing the look: splashes of brass and matte black in the fixtures and hardware.
Vanity paint: Holly Glen by PPG Paints
Read more about this transformation
“After” photos by Chris Farr
4. Purple Reign
Bathroom at a Glance
Who lives here: A couple with three school-age children
Location: Cincinnati
Size: 60 square feet (5.6 square meters)
Designer: Reusch Interior Design
Before: The owners of this century-old home in Cincinnati had no need for a shower in their first-floor powder room. Instead they wanted a design that would wow and be more fun while speaking to the home’s traditional architecture.
4. Purple Reign
Bathroom at a Glance
Who lives here: A couple with three school-age children
Location: Cincinnati
Size: 60 square feet (5.6 square meters)
Designer: Reusch Interior Design
Before: The owners of this century-old home in Cincinnati had no need for a shower in their first-floor powder room. Instead they wanted a design that would wow and be more fun while speaking to the home’s traditional architecture.
After: Removing the shower stall was interior designer Laney Reusch’s first move. Then, without knocking down walls or changing the layout, she gave the homeowners the whimsical, memorable space they wanted.
Butterfly wallpaper adds a playful backdrop for a new eye-catching claw-foot tub, which sits in place of the unused shower. Reusch pulled the tub’s striking purple color from the butterfly wallpaper and had the manufacturer match it.
Light blue-and-white porcelain tile in a checkerboard pattern and light blue tile wainscoting in a chevron pattern suit the home’s vintage vibe but feel fresh and updated. Unlacquered brass fixtures add gleam, while faceted crystal sconces that look like gem clusters bring in a particularly artistic touch.
Wallpaper: Seraphina, Anna French; wainscoting tile: Fireclay Tile
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Butterfly wallpaper adds a playful backdrop for a new eye-catching claw-foot tub, which sits in place of the unused shower. Reusch pulled the tub’s striking purple color from the butterfly wallpaper and had the manufacturer match it.
Light blue-and-white porcelain tile in a checkerboard pattern and light blue tile wainscoting in a chevron pattern suit the home’s vintage vibe but feel fresh and updated. Unlacquered brass fixtures add gleam, while faceted crystal sconces that look like gem clusters bring in a particularly artistic touch.
Wallpaper: Seraphina, Anna French; wainscoting tile: Fireclay Tile
See more of this project
More on Houzz
Read more bathroom stories
Browse bathroom photos
Find a bathroom designer
Shop for your bathroom
1. Clean and Bright
Bathroom at a Glance
Who lives here: A single homeowner
Location: Chicago
Size: 65 square feet (6 square meters)
Designer-builder: Chi Renovation & Design
Before: With its bulky jetted tub, tight corner shower and dark atmosphere, this Chicago bathroom was begging for a makeover. The owner wanted a bright, clean aesthetic and a more spacious feel, along with better functionality. Lior Ben Zur and his design-build team at Chi Renovation & Design responded with a gorgeous classic-meets-contemporary design in a palette of white, wood and black.