A Small Bathroom Lets a Teen Live Large
This renovated Atlanta bath feels bigger than its 35-square-foot footprint and has miles of glamorous style
Before. “This was an old, outdated space that was not practical or pretty,” Fee says. “It was cramped and there was a lack of storage.”
Solutions. Fee replaced the tub-shower combo with a stand-up shower stall with a clear glass surround, and she customized the drawers to maximize storage. She also kept clutter at bay by installing a lighted mirror instead of other types of lighting around the vanity.
Shower versus tub-shower. Replacing a tub-shower combo with a stand-up shower stall often triggers a debate here on Houzz. Fee offers some guidance for making this decision, below. This was not the only bathtub in the house, which made the decision easier.
“Replacing the old tub-shower allowed for more standing space in the shower and an overall feeling of a larger bathroom, even though we maintained the same 5-by-7 footprint,” Fee says. “I’d say a good rule of thumb for replacing a bathtub with a shower is, if it’s right for the house it will be right for the next homeowner. Here the bathroom was such a tight space that a stand-up shower was most comfortable and practical for this bathroom.”
But what if it’s the only bathroom in the house? “This can be a tough call and boils down to household usage,” Fee says. These days she finds that if a bathroom is small, most of her clients are going for a shower stall. “There are temporary tubs on the market that can be placed in the shower. Ultimately I do what’s best for the home and the existing homeowner, because down the line a new homeowner will either love the entire house or plan a remodel of their own,” she says.
Solutions. Fee replaced the tub-shower combo with a stand-up shower stall with a clear glass surround, and she customized the drawers to maximize storage. She also kept clutter at bay by installing a lighted mirror instead of other types of lighting around the vanity.
Shower versus tub-shower. Replacing a tub-shower combo with a stand-up shower stall often triggers a debate here on Houzz. Fee offers some guidance for making this decision, below. This was not the only bathtub in the house, which made the decision easier.
“Replacing the old tub-shower allowed for more standing space in the shower and an overall feeling of a larger bathroom, even though we maintained the same 5-by-7 footprint,” Fee says. “I’d say a good rule of thumb for replacing a bathtub with a shower is, if it’s right for the house it will be right for the next homeowner. Here the bathroom was such a tight space that a stand-up shower was most comfortable and practical for this bathroom.”
But what if it’s the only bathroom in the house? “This can be a tough call and boils down to household usage,” Fee says. These days she finds that if a bathroom is small, most of her clients are going for a shower stall. “There are temporary tubs on the market that can be placed in the shower. Ultimately I do what’s best for the home and the existing homeowner, because down the line a new homeowner will either love the entire house or plan a remodel of their own,” she says.
Tile. As seen in the first photo, gold glass dazzles in the shower stall. Installing it on just the back wall allowed for maximum impact without being overwhelming. The side wall tiles are black large-format squares (30 by 30 inch) that provide a classic contrast to the gold. The floor tiles are 36-inch porcelain squares that look like marble.
Commode: Cimarron elongated, Kohler; tile: The Tile Shop
Commode: Cimarron elongated, Kohler; tile: The Tile Shop
Before. Here’s a peek at the old vanity.
Lighting. In a tight space, sconces and pendants can add clutter. Fee came up with an alternative solution. “The electric mirror gives off plenty of lumens for task lighting without the need for an additional light fixture, which allowed us to maximize the mirror space,” she says. Its proportions (36 by 42 inches) draw the eye upward, providing the illusion of more height in the bathroom and reflecting the glint from the gold shower tile.
The shower has a recessed can light-exhaust fan unit. Also, a custom barn door with frosted glass shares ambient light from the bedroom.
Check out more lighted mirrors
The shower has a recessed can light-exhaust fan unit. Also, a custom barn door with frosted glass shares ambient light from the bedroom.
Check out more lighted mirrors
One more fun lighting trick: LED lights glow in a range of color choices underneath the cabinets.
Wall paint: Iced Cube Silver, Benjamin Moore
Wall paint: Iced Cube Silver, Benjamin Moore
Storage. While storage was important, maintaining symmetry in such a tight space was also a consideration. Fee worked with Zebra Cabinets and used black Shaker-style cabinetry, which she customized, maximizing the inside of the drawers to meet her client’s needs.
“Custom cabinets allowed for optimal storage, and when the vanity is closed it appears to have four equal drawers,” Fee explains. This hair-accessory drawer has built-in outlets in the bottom.
The vanity is a comfort height of 36 inches, several inches taller than the old vanity. (The higher countertop allows for better posture at the vanity.)
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“Custom cabinets allowed for optimal storage, and when the vanity is closed it appears to have four equal drawers,” Fee explains. This hair-accessory drawer has built-in outlets in the bottom.
The vanity is a comfort height of 36 inches, several inches taller than the old vanity. (The higher countertop allows for better posture at the vanity.)
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The upper left drawer offers additional tiered storage.
The Statuario marble countertop and backsplash work with brushed gold faucets and hardware to continue the glamorous look on this side of the room.
“They were ready to be adventurous,” Fee says. The risks paid off.
Takeaways:
More
Before and After: 6 Bathrooms That Said Goodbye to the Tub
“They were ready to be adventurous,” Fee says. The risks paid off.
Takeaways:
- Give the stand-up shower versus tub-shower combo thorough consideration and think about everyday use.
- An electric mirror can lend a streamlined look in a small space.
- LED undercabinet lighting can add a playful touch that will switch up the look of the room.
- A little goes a long way — tiling just one key wall in the shower gave the room all the gold glass it needed.
- Think about every item you’ll use on a regular basis in the bathroom and tailor your storage accordingly.
More
Before and After: 6 Bathrooms That Said Goodbye to the Tub
Bathroom at a Glance
Who uses it: A teenager who was ready for a glam look
Location: Atlanta
Size: 35 square feet (3.25 square meters); 5 by 7 feet
Designer: Michelle Fee
This young woman was bored with her small, tired, “builder-grade” bathroom. And she was more than ready to take some risks to get a glammed-up room. Bathroom designer Michelle Fee shopped with the teen, but her mother reserved the right of final approval.
Scope of work. This was a down-to-the-studs renovation.
Style. Contemporary glam. “For this bathroom, the client wanted something that would be really glamorous yet still maintain a classy feel. While eccentric, the gold tile really gives the bathroom depth and interest while the black-and-white color scheme lends a statelier approach,” Fee says. And using gold met the teen’s style wishes, while the rest of the color scheme and the marble met her mother’s. (Her mother got a bathroom renovation too — check out how her style differs from her daughter’s.)