We waited more than six years to start our bathroom renovation, and now—nearly six months later—it’s finished. The transformation is dramatic, and while we’ve had some fun joking about the “ensuite bathroom curse” (more on that in our Instagram stories), the results speak for themselves. Below you’ll find the full tour, sources, and a complete budget breakdown.
The photo above was taken from almost the exact same spot as the “before” image below. Our primary goal was to open up a dark, cramped, overly walled-off bathroom and bring in as much light and openness as possible. Simply removing walls made the space feel so much larger and more inviting.
We spent years sketching new layouts to make room for priorities like a freestanding tub, a sizable walk-in shower, and a more functional closet. In the end we did almost no major rearranging: the shower stayed in its original footprint, the toilet didn’t move, and the two single vanities simply became a double vanity after removing the dividing wall. The biggest win was realizing how much space we had once we opened things up—our old linen closet became the perfect spot for the tub.
Executing the plan took time—particularly the shower tile—so the project stretched to about six months. We used several stress- and cost-reducing strategies (which we discussed on a podcast episode), and doing a lot of the work ourselves made a big difference in both the budget and the satisfaction of the finished space.
The Vanity Area
We chose a store-bought double vanity with a quartz countertop in a weathered gray finish. The factory hardware was brushed nickel, but we swapped it for polished chrome pulls and knobs. We considered painting the vanity but decided to keep the original finish to appeal to potential buyers, since we’re selling the house.
Functionally, having two sinks without a dividing wall is a huge improvement. Before, one sink was basically for handwashing and the other for everything else. Now we each have a sink with storage nearby. We keep daily items neatly organized in the top drawer, with less-used items and essentials stored in the lower drawers and cabinets.
To warm the cool tones in the room we added brass pivot mirrors and brass sconces on the wall, then used chrome for the vanity faucets and cabinet hardware. Holding finishes up in person helped us decide what felt balanced—gold on the wall, chrome on the vanity—so the mirrors remain the focal point.
The Toilet Nook
Removing the partition walls opened up the view to the bathroom window—the room’s only source of natural light—which had been completely blocked before. We debated a private water closet but decided it would either block light or displace higher-priority features. We prefer an open, bright layout and a separate soaking tub, so we kept the toilet in the open plan.
We added a simple DIY molding treatment to dress up the toilet area and chose a toilet that complements the molding detail. Small details like the molding make the zone feel intentional and finished.
The Shower
The shower is my personal favorite. It sits in the footprint of the old tub/shower combo but feels much more spacious thanks to lighter tile, tile that extends to the ceiling, and removing the visual bulk of the tub edge. The herringbone marble walls required careful layout and precise installation to keep the pattern level across three walls and around the window and ledge.
All shower wall tiles and marble ledges came from Floor & Decor. Because marble was a major budget item, we saved elsewhere by choosing an affordable porcelain floor tile that mimics marble for the rest of the room. Instead of a glass door we rehung an extra-long white waffle weave shower curtain to add softness and texture and to make the space feel cozy without hiding the tile when the shower is not in use.
We kept fixtures straightforward: a standard shower head and a handheld sprayer on an adjustable bar, with controls located on the opposite wall so you can adjust temperature before stepping in. Fixtures are by Delta and were purchased through a local showroom, which helped us coordinate parts and get a better price.
The Soaker Tub
The soaker tub is Sherry’s favorite. It’s deep and comfortable enough for a full soak, fills quickly, and retains heat well. We were pleasantly surprised at the price and performance; the acrylic tub has proven warm and efficient. We made a simple custom tub caddy from pine, which fits perfectly and keeps things minimal and functional.
The art above the tub is an economical print mounted in a large IKEA frame. It adds a calming focal point and complements other artwork in the bedroom.
The Closet
We kept the closet open to the bathroom, widening and centering the doorway to improve flow. The old doorway was narrow and made the space feel cramped; widening it to a 34″ opening opened the sightlines and made the transition between rooms feel intentional. We’ve lived with an open closet off the bathroom for years and haven’t had issues with humidity, so we left it doorless for function and flow.
Since wall space is limited, we opted to store towels on the back of the bedroom door, just a few steps from the bathroom. That solution fits our routine and keeps the bathroom walls free for art and finishes.
Budget Breakdown
We tracked costs carefully and completed much of the work ourselves, including demo, framing, shower pan, tile prep and installation, trim, painting, and door hanging. That labor saved significantly, while professional plumbing and electrical work helped ensure the mechanical systems were done correctly. Here’s the budget summary:
- Marble shower and shower floor tile, thinset, and grout from Floor & Decor: $2,043
- Porcelain floor tile from Home Depot: $277
- Framing wood & plywood for floor: $212
- Cement board & tile prep supplies: $311
- Shower pan materials: $107
- Miscellaneous tiling supplies: $102
- Plumbing labor (new shower valves/drain, tub drain/faucet): $3,250
- Electrical labor (vanity sconces, can lights, outlets, closet lighting, vent fan/light): $900
- Drywall & patching labor: $450
- Soaker tub: $542
- Double vanity with quartz top: $956
- Vanity hardware & towel hooks: $93
- Toilet: $352
- Shower & bath fixtures: $1,207
- Wall molding treatment, caulk, and paint: $648
- Two gold vanity mirrors (Black Friday): $550
- Two sink faucets: $280
- Print & frame over tub: $83
- Toilet paper holder (Black Friday): $37
- Two vanity sconce lights: $198
- New 15-light door: $205
- Wood for tub tray: $11
- Miscellaneous (frosting spray, toilet seat, truck rental, etc): $66
- TOTAL: $12,880
Combining the bathroom and closet expenses (some costs cover both spaces), the total comes to $15,316 for the two areas. Given the scope—new tub, walk-in shower, marble and quartz finishes, and a much more open layout—we feel this was a strong value.
We love how the renovation turned out—possibly our favorite room makeover to date—and though it’s bittersweet knowing we’ll only enjoy it for a few months before moving to Florida, the experience has us excited to design the next en-suite in our new home. We’ll be planning that bathroom ahead of the move so we don’t leave it until the very end.
Our Bathroom Sources
Paint: Behr Irish Mist
- Soaker tub
- Double vanity
- Toilet
- Brass pivot mirrors
- Vanity sconces
- Vanity knobs and pulls
- Hand towels, towel hook, toilet paper holder
- Extra-long shower curtain, liner, and curtain rod
- Shower wall tile and shower floor tile
- Floor tile (bathroom & closet)
- Sink faucets, shower kit, tub filler and valve
- Art over tub and art over toilet
- 15-light door and doorknob, glass frost spray
- Closet mirror, closet chandelier, closet rug
- Faux fiddle-leaf fig and basket
Room Dimensions
The bathroom measures approximately 8 x 12′, with the closet at roughly 8 x 6′. We created a simple floor plan image with measurements to give a clearer sense of layout and scale.
Thank you for following along on this renovation. It was a long project with many moving parts, but opening the space, using durable materials, and balancing aesthetics with functionality made the end result feel worth every minute. If you want more step-by-step posts about the demo, tile choices, molding tutorial, or closet reveal, we’ve documented those projects as well.
We hope this tour and the budget breakdown help anyone planning a similar renovation. It’s possible to achieve a beautiful, functional bathroom without breaking the bank—especially if you’re willing to do some of the work yourself and prioritize the elements that matter most to you.