Before & After: Bathroom Transformation
![View of a Belmont, CA bathroom, showing glass walk-in shower at left with an open window on the back wall of multi-shade-blue mosaic tiling, to the right of shower, wood cabinetry with black metal hardware, tan countertops and flooring, and sidelights beside mirror.](https://kimballstarr.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/KimballStarrInteriorDesign-SanFrancisco-ParentsBath-MainView-580x478.jpg)
The bathroom really is the hardest working room in the house. That’s why a bathroom makeover can be so pivotal to household happiness. Today I’m sharing a really dramatic renovation that took a couple’s bathroom from blah to beautiful!
![In this homeowner's 'before' photo, the shower was previously separated from the sink by a sliding door. Very dark wood cabinetry and countertops contrasted with the light-colored sink. Above that was an 90s "glamor" line of lights consisting of round bulb light fixtures above a triple-mirrored prescription cabinet. This split room did't make good use of the floor space, and the greenish-grey wall color didn't help put you at ease.](https://kimballstarr.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/Kimball-Starr-Interior-Design_BeforeAfter_Parents-Bath-BEFORE-Whole-Space-580x773.jpg)
In the before photo above, it’s clear this bathroom’s layout just did not function well, wasting a lot of space by creating multiple small rooms within rooms. The light fixtures were outdated, and the dark wood felt very heavy.
Now the layout works as a cohesive whole, feeling open and roomy, as seen in the top introductory photo. Contemporary sconces either side of the mirror not only create a nice balance, they are better for applying makeup evenly and shaving.
![A heavy black 'rainhead'-type showerhead is spoiled by hard-water crusting in this homeowner's "before" image. Faux marbled tiles in tan, gold and white veining don't look classic, they look outdated. Personal items and bottles line the windowsill, illustrating there isn't any storage. The black metal-framed window itself at the back of the shower is still a useful feature and will be kept, but refinished. The mini-brick-like row of accent tiles running around the shower at head-height does nothing to modernize the space.](https://kimballstarr.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/Kimball-Starr-Interior-Design_BeforeAfter_Parents-Bath-BEFORE-Showerhead-580x773.jpg)
In another before image, the window is useful and well-placed, so we kept that. But the black-finish fixtures had to go, along with the tan old-world faux marble tiling. You can see there was a need for storage as well.
![A generous rainhead showerhead is placed near an operable window, dressed with towels and loofahs on the windowsill, while an inset niche creates space for personal item storage at just the right height. The whole space has a light, soft feeling created by mosaic tiles in multi-color hues of blue, grey, and white.](https://kimballstarr.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/KimballStarrInteriorDesign-SanFrancisco-ParentsBath-Shower-580x836.jpg)
Now the blue, white, and grey tile colors relate to this bathroom’s foggy Bay Area location, and the silver finish tones in. A niche puts storage at the right height, and we still have that great operable window for fresh air and natural light.
![Another 'before' image showing mismatched towels hung from a multitude of hooks, which encourages that mildewy smell in a bathroom. The olde-world-look, faux marble tiles in a creamy tan-gold with white veining, in combination with heavy black fixtures such as the showerhead and handle, say "Outdated bathroom." Even the shower door handle is being used ineffectively as a towel rail. A tiny slice of a high window peeks out at the back of the shower, outlined in black metal framing, and that sickly greeny-grey wall paint color next to the shower does not help the look. Orangey-colored wood shows just at the right of the image, which seems completely out of place.](https://kimballstarr.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/Kimball-Starr-Interior-Design_BeforeAfter_Parents-Bath-BEFORE-Showerhead-2-580x773.jpg)
The old shower only gave one option for use: standing directly underneath it. While it’s convenient to hang towels on hooks, they often don’t dry completely, and can smell.
![An elegant silver finish hand-held showerhead tones beautifully with the foggy blue-grey multicolored mosaic tiles in this Bay Area-inspired contemporary adult bathroom.](https://kimballstarr.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/KimballStarrInteriorDesign-SanFrancisco-ParentsBath-ShowerDetail-580x822.jpg)
The new hand-held showerhead option is great for getting all those hard-to-reach areas, and showering with a partner, under the rainhead. Now there’s plenty of room! The feeling of space is incredibly relaxing and luxurious.
![This bathroom needed a different floor plan, because it had this wasted hallway approach to the dark wood vanity, inexplicably around a corner to the left. Grey wall paint with a greenish cast just adds to the sickening feeling of the space. Blank walls, a cat toy, litter box, plus a pet gate complete the statement that this wasn't really a usable or desirable bathroom.](https://kimballstarr.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/Kimball-Starr-Interior-Design_BeforeAfter_Parents-Bath-BEFORE-Counterspace-580x773.jpg)
Before, the vanity was hidden around a corner, with blah wall color, and that dark cabinetry.
![Head-on view of the sink and countertop in tan, warm wood cabinetry in an orangey brown with black metal hardware, mirror above with lights either side, walls in the same blue-grey mosaic tiling, bowed front along the bottom of the cabinetry, and tan marble floor tile, with towel rail to the right and a medicine cabinet in matching wood above that.](https://kimballstarr.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/KimballStarrInteriorDesign-SanFrancisco-ParentsBath-SinkStorage-580x838.jpg)
Now the vanity has pride of place, the warm wood counterpointing the cool wall tiles. Towels are stored out of sight or hung neatly, with plenty of storage for beauty supplies. A bowfront toe-kick lightens the feeling of the unit, so it’s gently resting on the sandy floor tiles.
![Head-on view into master bathroom, showing glass shower to left at an angle, with grey-blue mosaic tiling on walls, tan tiling on floor of shower, a bit of the angled right corner shower seat in the same marble as countertop and marble flooring, orangey brown wood cabinetry with black metal hardware, lights either side of the mirror.](https://kimballstarr.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/KimballStarrInteriorDesign-SanFrancisco-ParentsBath-CounterDetail-580x870.jpg)
Finally, a single-piece countertop anchors the vanity with elegant transitional design, and provides a clever shower seat, tying the whole space together by bridging the wall between. It’s those little details that finish the room perfectly.
If you’d like a beautiful before & after in YOUR home, call Kimball Starr today! She’s experienced with San Francisco Bay Area and Lake Tahoe homes of all sizes.