We’ve shown every room in our new house except this one: the bathroom. It’s the only full bathroom in the house, which surprisingly hasn’t been a problem so far. When we bought the place the bathroom wasn’t even functional—the vanity had been torn off the wall, the water supply to the whole house was shut off because of leaks, and the house wasn’t connected to a working sewer or septic system. In other words, if the toilet had flushed, there was nowhere for the waste to go.
Because of that, we couldn’t wait to get on the bathroom renovation even though we generally prefer to live in a space before making big changes. From five states away, we coordinated county permits and professional work for tasks that needed expert handling, like hooking the house up to the sewer system. Our original plan had been to tackle tiling the floor, install a new toilet and vanity, and finish the room during spring break in April. Then the coronavirus changed our travel plans, so we switched to Plan B and added the project to our contractor’s roster.
Thankfully that decision paid off: the contractor uncovered a leak behind the shower, which meant the shower, tub, and drywall all needed to come out and be replaced. What began as a straightforward update turned into a more extensive gut job—far more than we could have finished during a single week of spring break. Because we were unable to be on site, we chose fixtures and finishes online from Virginia, shipped them to the contractor in Florida, and didn’t see the installed result until the day we moved in. It all came together, especially after a few art and accessory choices that added warmth and personality—plants, brass accents, and our favorite toilet, among other touches.
We’re not declaring the room completely finished yet; it functions beautifully but still feels like a blank slate design-wise. We’re considering adding wainscoting, wallpaper, or shelving down the road to layer in texture and interest. For now we’re content to enjoy a working sink securely attached to the wall, reliable water throughout the house, and a proper sewer hookup—big wins after the condition of the bathroom when we bought the house in February.
One practical feature we love is the 31″ vanity with a very wide sink top. It allows two kids to brush their teeth at once without elbowing each other over a tiny centered basin. The counter space is limited, but that limitation has actually been a benefit: it discourages crowding toiletries across the sink and encourages us to keep items stored out of sight. We each have a bin of daily essentials under the sink in the large cabinet, so everything is easy to grab and put away. Sherry has long kept items like deodorant and styling products in the bedroom while getting dressed, and I’ve adopted that habit too, which helps us move through the morning routine quickly and avoid bathroom bottlenecks.
We briefly worried about going from two generous, recently-renovated bathrooms in Virginia to one smaller shared bathroom here, but the transition has been smooth. That initial plan to immediately add an ensuite to our bedroom is on hold; we no longer feel the urgency we thought we would when we first bought the house. It’s likely we’ll add another bathroom at some point, but it doesn’t feel necessary right now.
We kept the shower and tub straightforward, using classic subway tile up to the ceiling for a clean, timeless look. That choice felt reliable and easy to live with, especially paired with a playful, colorful floor tile that brings personality to the room. The combination of simple white wall tile and a more vibrant floor gives a balanced, cheerful feeling—practical above and fun below.
We used the same tub/shower fixture set that worked well in our duplex renovation. That continuity felt reassuring because it’s a fixture we already trusted. The tub itself fits comfortably for long soaks, which has led to a pleasant surprise: Sherry’s enthusiasm for baths finally convinced me to give them a try.
Brass accents continue throughout the house and into this bathroom. One of our favorite details is a set of wooden towel hooks with brass caps—simple, warm, and unique. We also included a decorative mobile in the tall, awkward space by the toilet and a pair of framed prints in gold frames that have been part of our collection for years. Those small touches help the room feel lived-in and cohesive with the rest of the home.
The large frosted window provides privacy without the need for a shade or blind, which keeps the room bright. The deep windowsill is useful for a plant, a candle, or bath essentials when someone is having a more leisurely soak. We appreciate the natural light and the fact that privacy is built into the glass.
We actually don’t use the indoor shower all that much because we prefer the outdoor shower most of the time. That freedom to use the outdoor shower means the indoor bathroom rarely becomes a bottleneck for the family. As the seasons change we may rely on the indoor shower more, but for now the outdoor option works well for our lifestyle.
Overall, the bathroom renovation delivered what mattered most: a functional space with reliable plumbing, a working toilet and sink, and a fresh, clean design that will evolve as we live in the house. We still plan a few decorative updates to bring more texture and personality to the walls, but we’re thrilled to have come so far from the room’s condition when we bought the house.
If you want to see other rooms in the house, we’ve shared the kitchen, bedroom, living room, laundry closet, and the kids’ rooms in previous posts. We’re also preparing a reveal of the kitchen cabinets soon.
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