Master Bathroom Renovation: Final Layout, Tile Choices, and Plan

We’ve made major progress since the initial demo. After removing walls that blocked light and rethinking the layout, we finalized a floor plan that opens the space and increases natural light. Below I share the final plan, the tile decisions we debated, and the practical reasons behind our choices.

To remind you, this was the original bathroom layout. We lived with it for more than six years: lots of doors in a small radius, and walls that stopped natural light from reaching most of the room. It felt dark, boxed-in, and strangely cut off from the rest of the house.

Here’s a shot from before our demo, taken from the closet doorway looking back toward the tub. It illustrates how closed off the space felt before we started opening it up.

After the first demo session, with the internal walls removed, the room already felt much more open. That cleared view helped us plan the vanity size, the tub location, and the shower layout more confidently.

For reference, here was the original plan compared to the new final floor plan. We spent a lot of time sketching, taping layouts on the floor, and meeting with the plumber and electrician to confirm what was feasible and cost-effective.

After dozens of iterations, we settled on a layout that gives us a generous, open bathroom (about 8 x 13 feet). It accommodates a 72″ double vanity, a deep freestanding tub, and a roomy walk-in shower without having to take any space from the bedroom or closet.

The design goal is soft layered tones, classic finishes, and an overall light, airy feeling. Opening the walls makes a huge difference — light now reaches well into the space, and the wider doorway between bathroom and closet will allow that brightness to flow through both rooms.

We explored many layout options, including adding windows and a separate water closet. Ultimately we kept the single window (it now brings in plenty of light) and decided against adding a water closet because we preferred preserving open floor area for the tub and shower. We also considered relocating the closet entry, but keeping the closet access through the bathroom — widened and centered — felt more functional and allowed a smooth flow from shower to dressing area.

Consulting the plumber and electrician was essential. For example, ductwork in the shared wall prevented a pocket door, so we opted for a frosted single French door that will let light pass while remaining easy to use.

With the layout finalized, we ordered major fixtures: the freestanding tub, the toilet, and the double vanity. We plan to paint the vanity a soft gray-green to complement the neutral, classic palette we’re aiming for.

Now for the tile picks — after looking at more tile than I thought possible, we landed on a combination that feels classic but interesting. We started by testing patterns produced by 2 x 8″ tiles to plan the shower wall pattern, and explored several grid and stair-stepped configurations.

Our favorite pattern was the dynamic stair-step arrangement. During in-person shopping we found a 2 x 12″ polished marble mosaic that produced the same stair-stepped look with a 3 x 3 arrangement — and we loved it. Seeing tile laid out in person clarified proportions and tones that online images couldn’t capture.

We paired that tile with marble hex tiles of the same material for the shower floor and a large polished porcelain tile for the main floor. The floor tile we chose is a marble-look porcelain that is both beautiful and affordable — a great balance for the overall budget. Using the same floor tile through both the closet and bathroom will make the whole suite feel cohesive and more polished.

Laying tile samples on the floor was invaluable. The online photos didn’t match reality, and seeing everything together confirmed the final selections. We also considered many other looks — herringbone, chevron, basketweave — but the selected combination felt the most balanced for our space.

We’re excited to add finishing touches like fixtures, hardware, mirrors, and towel accessories that will complete the layered look. Choosing small details will be the fun part after the major demo and rough-in work are done.

Next steps: full demo is scheduled soon, the vanity is arriving, and the plumber will move a few floor connections before we prep for tile. After plumbing, tile installation, wall work, and electrical updates, we’ll install the new fixtures — including the tub. The plan is to have the room close to finished soon so we can enjoy long baths and a bright, functional layout.

Please note: this article references products and inspiration we reviewed while planning the renovation. The work is planned and ongoing; photos show progress and material mock-ups.