After scheming up bathroom addition plans for months, it’s almost time for construction to begin! Today I’m sharing everything we’re planning with you!
Update: Our bathroom is DONE! Check out my master bathroom reveal {here}!
It’s been almost a year since we wrapped up our kitchen renovation and I think I finally recovered enough from the stress and time-suck of that I-never-thought-it-would-be-finished project to finally start planning our master bathroom addition! When we bought our house six years ago, one of the biggest reasons it hadn’t sold is that the bathroom is super small. As in ‘I can spread out my arms and almost touch all four walls’ small. Not too surprising since our house was built in the 1940’s but definitely something we want to change before reselling it to get our money’s worth out of the rest of our home.
Luckily our bedroom is on the first floor and there’s space for a bathroom addition right off of it where, until we removed it last year, there was an old wood deck. Our bathroom addition won’t be anything incredibly big (we’re adding about 140 square feet) or fancy but it will absolutely be 100 times better than our current bathroom situation:
Right now, we have this lovely ornate pedestal sink (that doesn’t even have any flat edges to rest toiletries on), a curved Mork from Ork shower jammed in the corner, super dated tile, and of course that lovely overhead boob light that has the loudest bathroom fan in existence. And for some reason the ceilings are only 7 feet tall (it will be interesting to see what we find when we open them up!) so the shower head is an ok height for me but way too low for my husband. It’s basically impossible for two people to coexist in this tiny space at the same time so this little bathroom is all mine while my husband uses our powder room (which strangely is bigger than our master bathroom). Here’s our current layout so you can see how it connects to our bedroom:
and here’s what I’ve schemed up so far for the addition:
Unlike when I first shared the layout for our kitchen renovation with you guys (it was in it’s final phase at that point), this is my first draft of our bathroom layout so it’s definitely subject to change. You guys gave me so many helpful ideas and input for my kitchen when I shared those plans that I wanted to get your thoughts and input a little earlier in my planning this go-round! I think I have the size of the bathroom addition in my plan at the max that I can make it due to a few things we have to work around but my contractor is coming out next week and there’s some chance I might be able to make it just a little bigger depending upon what he has to say. Here are a few of the must-haves, ideas, and plans of what I have in mind for our new space:
A Separate Toilet Room
Both of our previous homes had the toilet behind closed doors in its own space and I miss it! Leaving the toilet/septic line near its original location in the old bathroom will save a bit of money and if for some reason we can’t raise the ceilings of our old bathroom space above 7 feet due to something in the ceiling, I’d rather have the toilet in that space than anything else. I LOVE how Kelley Nan made her little toilet room such a stylish space instead of leaving it drab and boring like most people do (it’s such a huge difference from the “before’ – check out the full makeover of her space {here} to see!).
I definitely don’t need to use the entire space of my old bathroom for just a toilet so my thought is to leave a nook in the toilet room for a double door storage cabinet to keep extra toilet paper, toiletries, etc. Then I’d also portion a little piece of the old bathroom into….
A Vanity Nook
Yep, a little vanity nook off of our bedroom with a chair and built-in desktop and shelving. I envision this little nook being a spot to keep my jewelry on the desktop area with purses and other accessories on shelving above. This super cute desk nook from Alicia of Burst of Beautiful is the perfect inspiration:
Alicia’s little nook is off of her kitchen and used as a desk so it functions differently than mine would but I think the design of her space is so smart! The rest of Alicia’s modern farmhouse kitchen is just as beautiful – check it out {here}.
A Walk-In Closet
Having a small walk-in closet might be the feature I’m most excited about in our new bathroom! Right now, my husband and I share this closet – while I glammed it up a few years ago (you can see the “before” of my closet {here}) so it’s both prettier and more functional, it still isn’t a ton of space for two people.
This closet will stay as-is plus we’ll have the small new walk-in closet off the bathroom. Can you guess my plans for which one of us will get which? 🙂
Windows to Show Off the View
The side of our house that the bathroom will be on has a private wooded view so I definitely need to find a way to work some windows in to take advantage of that. I was thinking about installing a pair of tall, thin windows to flank our vanity but wasn’t sure how I’d like that look. Then I saw Shauna of The House of Silver Lining’s bathroom where she used similar windows to flank her bathroom fireplace and tub and it looks amazing!!
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Actually everything about Shauna’s bathroom is amazing – be sure to check out all the details of her space {here}. And if you’re wondering about privacy, Shauna installed black remote controlled shades that blend in with her black window frames – smart! I’ve also considered bringing in more light with a long, narrow window up high in the shower but haven’t decided what I think about that just yet. Any thoughts?
Open Wood Shelving
If you’ve seen our kitchen renovation, you know that I added open wood shelving in one corner of the kitchen and it’s one of my favorite things about the space (all of the details of how the shelves were built and hung are in {this post}):
I’d love to add some open wood shelving to our bathroom too to help warm up a space that’s full of cold, hard surfaces. These thick wood shelves that Mollie of Design Loves Detail has in a recessed nook in her bathroom have such a beautiful, natural simplicity – love them!
Design: Design Loves Detail | Photography: Travis J Photography
Mollie’s bathroom is filled with many other elements of simple beauty too! If you look back up at my bathroom design plan, I think I’ll have space for some recessed shelving like this on the wall to the left of my vanity.
A Freestanding Tub?
I’d love to get your opinion on this one! You might notice that the possible layout of our bathroom doesn’t include a bathtub. That’s because adding a bathtub would make everything in our bathroom a really tight squeeze and significantly decrease the size of the closet we’re able to add. Having a tub isn’t important to me or my husband but we’ll be reselling in a few years and would love to know your thoughts about buying a house without a tub in the master bathroom (we do have two other standard tubs in our house). Is having a tub in the master bathroom a must-have for you or are you ok with just a shower and more closet space?
I honestly didn’t think there was even an option for having both a tub and shower in a bathroom the size of mine without it looking was too crammed but this stunning bathroom designed by Nicole of Eye for Pretty proved me wrong:
Design: Eye for Pretty | Photography: Amy Bartlam
Love everything about this space so much! Nicole is one of my favorite designers to follow on Instagram – everything she touches is gorgeous! You can find her on Instagram at @eyeforpretty {here}.
All of the Pretties!!
My favorite thing about designing a new space is finding all of the beautiful things for it. I haven’t gotten too far with that just yet since I’m focused on nailing down the layout first, but these are just a few of the pretties I’ve saved as possibilities for my space:
Click for Sources (affiliate links): Double vanity | Faux tangerine branch | Marble & brass canisters | Marble & brass soap dispenser | Tile – Walker Zanger’s Rattan tile (I also love {this one}) | Woven tray | Striped Turkish towel | Woven wastebasket | Bath brush | Striped trays | Planter
None of these choices are set in stone but they at least give you an idea of the look and feel that I’m going for! Do any of you happen to have this vanity? Would love to know if it’s as pretty in person as it is in the online image.
Update! Our bathroom is DONE!
Come on over to {this post} to check out my master bathroom reveal!
Enjoy your weekend,
Jennifer Tichacek says
I don’t require a bathtub in my master bath. I have a soaking tub but never use it. I think you’re very smart to eliminate a bathtub. I would like to suggest a zero entry shower — I’m getting ready to renovate my master bath and will be including this in my design. Good luck with your master bath addition.
Jennifer Tichacek
Kris Jarrett says
Thanks so much for your input and good luck with your renovation too!
Nanci says
Although the long windows to the floor are pretty they take up precious wall space. Personally having remodeled my master, I would use that wall space for a longer vanity that includes a sit down space and many more drawers. You will find valuable storage with a stack of several drawers and not regret it. Place the windows up higher and extend the vanity to the left for the make up area. One window would be over the sit down space. I would have a carpenter make it to your specs and not buy a ready made vanity . The vanity you show has hardly any space on the counter. In the toilet room, have the storage cabinet built in for linens and toiletries.
Install a great LED light in the shower. Also Solatubes are a great way to bring in natural light
Kris Jarrett says
Thanks for your input Nanci! I’m definitely going with ready-made instead of carpenter built-ins only because the cost difference is huge and we aren’t going to be in this house more than a couple of more years. Love the advice about the LED shower light and Solutubes – thanks!!
Jeanne says
A free-standing tub is pretty but a tub with a surround is more practical. Unless you have super long legs it’s so much easier to get in and out if you can sit on the tub surround. Also gives you a place to put more pretty things.
Kris Jarrett says
Good points! Thanks Jeanne!
DRTVrMoi says
This weekend, we installed the same corner shower treatment in our shore bungalow. It’s now tainted with the ‘Mork from Ork’ description. Sigh
Loretta Machado says
I thought the before was quite lovely for a small space.
Kris Jarrett says
I’m not against corner showers at all! The frosted glass doors and hardware of ours is just incredibly dated!
K says
I built my house four years ago and went for a large shower in the master and no tub. My builder said as long as you have a tub in one of the other bathrooms it wouldn’t hurt resale values but then he was a builder and not a realtor. I love my big shower. I’ve owned an older home with a window in the shower and it was a constant worry trying to keep water off of it so I would say no to that idea. My master bathroom doesn’t have a window at all unfortunately but with white subway tile and white marble floors it’s bright and I don’t miss a window.
Your plan looks great!
Kris Jarrett says
Thanks for sharing your experience with the shower window – so good to know!
Linda says
Windows by vanity to let light in would be good. In a shower ? No. Not unless it is high and away from any water spray. Tub? Would be ok, but why waste space when a nice large shower is much more functional? Agree with others that a tub is not a necessity as long as there is another in the home. All I can say about a stand alone tub is that they are a pain to clean – you aren’t just cleaning the inside and front, you are cleaning all around it on the outside as well. If you have hard water, then you will really not be happy with all that scrubbing. So, for me, just for the look….I wouldn’t do that one at all. Showers and clear glass doors are enough problems to keep pristine. Love all your ideas and your style is just beautiful. This will be fun to see the end result!
Kris Jarrett says
I never actually thought about cleaning it when it’s jammed in the corner – such a good point!
Michelle says
Pocket doors are space saver and I used that for toilet room. I have two big windows in my shower. we are on 5 acres and have no one around so no worries about that. I won’t cover them and it’s great light. My electrician said no for chandelier about our tub. I put one outside in the master above the bed. I bought a soaking tub from wayfair or joss and main cant remember. It is not hooked up yet or is shower plumbing in bit I’m prob would leave tub out next go around. I would also next time put a window above the Sinks for light and view and not mirrors. Looks great ! Can’t wait to follow along. I also did barn doors every where else in master for space saving too.
Kris Jarrett says
Your house sounds amazing! Thanks so much for all of the ideas!
Maggie Danielski says
Hi,
So I have a new master bathroom with similar features. Big fat yes to the separate toilet room. Now I can be using the sink and someone can be in there without polluting my experience. Our electrician suggested a timer for the fan in there and it is great addition. We have room for a big soaking tub but I haven’t yet been in it since we moved back home in October. My kids have, but not me. Maybe for Mother’s Day? A girl can dream…
I have similar open shelves with baskets from a the Container Store. I like having the extra storage, but to be honest at this point I’m not really using it all. It’s more decorative than anything. Not a bad problem to have I guess. I wish I was as good at thinking through the actual decorative touches because it’s pretty stark in here, but I’ll get on the ball sometime.
Good luck with your project!
Kris Jarrett says
I was laughing out loud about “polluting my experience” – perfect way to describe it 🙂 And I love the idea of the fan timer – never would have thought of that!! Thanks!
Suz says
Skip the tub. It is a space-waster in my book. When we built our house last year, I put in a bigger shower and a longer vanity instead of the tub. I don’t miss it a bit. One less fixture to clean.
Kris Jarrett says
Great to know – thanks Suz!
Andrea says
I had a freestanding tub in my last house and I never used it. I think they look pretty but if you aren’t a bath person, they can be big waste of space. I don’t think it’s a deal killer for resale either. I think big showers are more practical and if I had to choose between closet space and a big bathtub I would definitely choose closet.
I think your plan looks beautiful. I love how you broke up the bathroom. Would you share the app you used to create the floor plan? I’ve been searching for a good tool.
Kris Jarrett says
Thanks for your input Andrea! I used a free trial of SmartDraw thinking that I would pay for a month or two of it if I liked it but then I found that you can only buy it for a year at a time 🙁
Sharon says
Having re-done our Master Bath in the last year (and love it!) here are a few suggestions I would make. Checking with Realtors and contractors, we were always told a tub in Master Bath is not necessary unless you want one. As long as there is a tub on the first floor of your home, it will not affect the resale value of your home. And windows, no! They are a nuisance to clean in a bathroom and then there is the expense of covering them. If you need or want them for light, put them high and with some kind of non-see through glass. You’ll get your light but not have to deal with cleaning or covering them.
Everything you do always looks lovely and I’m sure your Master Bath will end up that way, too. Enjoy!
Kris Jarrett says
Thanks so much for your input Sharon! I do think I’m going to have some windows in there because we have an insanely beautiful, private view that would be a shame not to showcase but I think I’ll skip the one in the shower. Congrats on your new master bath – that’s awesome!!
Joanna says
This was a fun read. I’m going back to check out the other blogs you showcased.
I love the look of the vanity you picked out. I hope it looks good and functions well for you ( doors & drawers).
I love the look of the two tall slim windows in the bath pictured. I think that would bring in lovely light into your bath.
As for a tub in your master bath, go for the bigger closet. Your closet as is would be a no go for me. A bigger walk in is a “ must” when I’m house hunting. I’m going to do a bathroom refresh and have decided to take my tub out and make a big, beautiful spa like shower. Both my husband & I would enjoy that, whereas a tub is taking up valuable real estate. We have a generous tub in our main bath, so that should suffice,
Kris Jarrett says
I’m with you Joanna – I can definitely live without a tub but having the small closet we currently have is rough!!
Barbara says
This is a gorgeous addition to your home – very well laid out plan. If you don’t use a bathtub, the shower should be fine. However, you might check the other homes in your area to see if they have a tub or just a shower in the master bathroom. This could make a big difference in selling your home – although as pretty as your home is, you’ll probably have no problem. I myself, am a tub person. There is nothing more relaxing than escaping to my master bath to soak in the tub and getting away from it all.
Kris Jarrett says
Thanks so much for your input Barbara! While I don’t need a tub for myself, resale is definitely a concern…
paulette field says
I would use pocket doors for the closet and toilet rooms, also change the door swing in the bedroom. Like the windows in the bathroom, why not put a port hole window in the toilet room.
Kris Jarrett says
That’s a great call with the pocket doors! Unfortunately that toilet room backs on our family room so no option for windows there 🙁
debra @ 5th and state says
great lay-out Kris, very thoughtful & user friendly. I would kill for such a space in my 1860 house!
the tub? I would not, it seems as though it is a necessary feature in design images but for usage, not as much
will enjoy watching from afar!
xo
Debra
Kris Jarrett says
I had no idea your house was built in 1860 – I bet it’s oozing with charm!
corinne r stiles says
Hi Kris: In re to window in shower area, take it from one who knows…DONT DO IT!!! More trouble than its worth!!! Your idea about the slim windows flanking you vanity is fantastic!!! As regards the tub and the concern about space, if you have . a tub in your other bathroom, this should suffice for resale purposes. The money that you save on the additional tub can go towards some other project in the remodel. Finally, good luck with your new addition and please post before and afters.
Kris Jarrett says
Thanks so much for your input Corinne!!