Bathroom Remodeling Ideas
8 Bathroom Ideas That Go Beyond the Basics
Smart Design for Better Function, Comfort and Personality
A bathroom can do a lot more than check the boxes for a shower, toilet and vanity. Whether you’re working with a tight footprint, planning for the future or simply want the room to feel more like you, thoughtful design can make a big difference.
Here are eight bathroom ideas pulled from projects we’ve completed around Minneapolis and St. Paul area.
1. Expand the Footprint
Sometimes the space you need simply isn’t there yet.
For this award-winning bathroom, we created more room on the second floor with a small bump-out addition. The extra square footage made way for a more comfortable layout, while a concealed toilet tank, tile surround and vintage-inspired details helped the new bathroom feel right at home in the older house.
2. Choose Materials with Character
Even a small bathroom can make a big impression.
For this remodel, we expanded the footprint by borrowing space from the hallway and created room for a shower. But the handmade emerald green tile is what gives the bathroom its personality.
Materials with variation, texture and color can turn a hardworking bathroom into one of the most memorable rooms in the house.
2. Save What’s Worth Saving
Remodeling doesn’t mean changing everything.
The original built-in shelves in this bathroom weren’t salvageable, but the homeowners liked the character they brought to the room. We rebuilt them as part of the new design, keeping a familiar detail while giving the bathroom a fresh start.
If there’s something you already love about your home, it may be worth finding a way to keep it.
4. Think Outside the Box
Instead of putting a shower over the tub, why not put the tub inside the shower?
For this growing family, we expanded the second-floor bathroom by absorbing part of the hallway and relocating the doorway. The new wet-room layout combines the tub and shower into one generous space, giving the family the flexibility they needed without making the bathroom feel crowded.
5. Design for Accessibility
Good bathroom design should work for you now and well into the future.
As aging-in-place specialists, we often incorporate features that improve safety and comfort without making a bathroom feel institutional. A curbless shower is a great example. Removing the threshold makes the shower easier to enter while also creating a clean, open look.
6. Don’t Overlook the Little Things
Sometimes the smallest details make the biggest difference.
Two showerheads are a practical extra, built-in niches keep bottles organized, and that small ledge tucked into the corner? It’s a footrest for shaving.
These aren’t necessarily the features you notice first, but they’re often the ones you appreciate every day.
7. Upgrade Everyday Comfort
Universal design can also mean adding a little luxury.
This award-winning bathroom includes a comfort-height toilet with a heated seat, washlet and built-in night light. Features like these may sound small, but they can make a bathroom noticeably more comfortable and easier to use.
8. Bring in Color
Bathrooms don’t have to be neutral.
A colorful vanity, patterned tile or bold wall color can bring personality into a room you use every single day. The key is choosing something you genuinely love rather than designing around what feels safest.
After all, your bathroom should feel like your home.
Thinking About a Bathroom Project?
The best bathroom remodels start with a plan that considers how you use the space, what isn’t working, and what will make everyday life better. If you’re considering a bathroom project, we’d love to help you explore the possibilities. Learn more about our bathroom services or contact us to start the conversation.
