We’ve made some exciting progress over the past few weeks and now have a far more functional bathroom and closet, with only a handful of tasks left on our to-do list. We’re rounding third base on this renovation — which sounds funny, but it means we’re very close to the finish line — and I’m practically Carlton-dancing. Having a double sink for the first time in our lives (plus my favorite toilet and a proper closet system instead of a few old hanging bars) feels like a huge upgrade.
We’re thrilled, even though this renovation has stretched longer than we initially expected (aren’t they all?). It’s been a while since we shared a full update on the bathroom and closet — we’ve posted lots of Instagram Story peeks, but our last blog post was back on October 9th — so here’s a fresh update with photos we took this morning.
Shortly after Thanksgiving we had finished the shower tile and were starting on the floor tile, planning to grout both at the same time. Then our plumber told us he was having knee surgery in four days and would be out for five weeks. If we wanted anything installed before February, we had less than a week to get the room ready.
We panicked a bit, had some snacks, took deep breaths, and reprioritized. Our goal became finishing and grouting the floor so the toilet, vanity, and tub could be installed on top of it. That meant the shower wouldn’t be completed as quickly, but getting a functioning toilet and sink back was more important. We could keep using the hall shower for a little longer but regaining a sink and toilet in the master was worth the trade-off.
We also realized it would be far easier to install the wall molding before the toilet, vanity, and tub were in place. So we crammed tiling, nailing, caulking, grouting, and painting into a few intense days — roughly 40 hours — and finished the essentials just in time. (We’ll share a detailed post about the thick trim we added — it’s one of our favorite choices and really elevates the space.)
Just when we thought we made the plumber’s window, he was too busy to fit us in the day before surgery. The good news: he was able to send members of his team the next day to finish the install, which beat a five-week delay. They couldn’t bring the tub installation kit, so trimming the shower and installing the tub will wait until later, after we grout and seal the shower.
So, the bathroom looks beautiful but the shower and tub aren’t functioning yet (the tub we bought is currently living in our bedroom). Still, we’re over the moon to have running faucets and a flushing toilet again.
Some readers wondered why we didn’t just install the toilet and vanity ourselves. We could have, but with all the new plumbing in the walls, the plumber preferred to finish the whole job so he can guarantee his work. If anything leaks later, it’s clearer who’s responsible when the licensed plumber completes the installation. It also helps with code and permits since this was a large gut renovation.
Instead of immediately returning to the shower and tub, we shifted focus to the closet, partly because holiday guests were coming and we needed to clear the dining room and garage of displaced clothes and Ikea parts. With just a few days before Christmas we installed the new closet — and it felt amazing to have that space functional again and to move our clothes out of other rooms.
We used the Ikea Pax system and installed and trimmed it to look built-in. We’ll share a full post soon showing how we installed it, organized each section, and even a video tour. Having a finished closet for the holidays was the best gift — no more borrowing clothes from the kids’ rooms and our dining table was cleared for guests.
You might notice a rug in front of the double vanity that’s also in the closet photos. It’s a secondhand rug I found on Etsy from Turkey — it arrived quickly and its faded, vintage look adds warmth to the room. I love it at the vanity and maybe even more in the closet.
Other items we’ve checked off include hanging the new mirrors over the sinks, mounting the arched mirror in the closet, installing the capiz chandelier, and adding greenery and woven baskets in the sink and closet. Bringing in a few pretty things has been a real morale boost — the space already feels happier even before it’s completely finished. Also, plants make me happy.
We still need to grout and seal the shower and get the tub and wall-mounted faucet installed, plus a few finishing items, but the remaining list feels very manageable. Here’s what we’re planning next:
- Wire the vanity fixtures: We hung the fixtures but haven’t wired them yet while we decided on a finish. I’ll share the options soon on Instagram Stories and explain why we picked the final finish.
- Paint the vanity: We like the current gray, but we’re considering a softer muted green for a gentler contrast with the room.
- Hang towel hooks and art: We plan to mount hooks and art above the tub and over the toilet once the tub is installed.
- Get and hang a shower curtain: We’re leaning toward a curtain for added softness and texture and because it removes the maintenance of a glass door. If we don’t love it, we can always add glass later.
- Hang and frost the bathroom door: Our 15-light glass door should arrive soon. We’ll hang it and apply frosting film for privacy.
It’s feeling like we’re on the final bend. Once we wrap this up we’ll share a full budget breakdown and a complete reveal. So far there haven’t been any surprising discoveries behind the walls, which has made tracking costs straightforward and much less stressful.
If you want to see other makeovers we’ve tackled, some favorites include a full bathroom reno we did in our first house for under $2,000, our big kitchen renovation, a $51 guest bath makeover, the finished bonus room, and painting our brick house white.
P.S. If you missed the start of this renovation, read the first post about this bathroom reno for a video tour and demo photos, and the planning post for floor plans and tile choices.