Happy Monday, friends, and welcome back to a new week! How was your weekend? Our son brought several new friends home for the big OU vs Texas game, and it was so good to not only see (and hug!) him, but meet the young men who now make up his every day.
They were all so nice and respectful, and even made their beds every day!! I mean, what?! I wonder what they thought when they walked in our guest room! Ha!
Parenting college kids is definitely a whole new beast, but hopefully we’re figuring it out together. It’s getting easier every day, but I don’t think it will ever feel natural. #sigh (See a pic from our weekend here.)
But let’s move on. Last month I shared our Master Bathroom Remodel, one of the last big projects in this ‘new’ home. And while the Before and After was striking from a design aesthetic (thanks to the magic of A Well Dressed Home), but it’s the details that really make the space for us.
Of course I love the tile, the wallpaper, and especially the big soaking tub, but Mr. SP and I agree, the small updates are what we love most. That’s just one of the benefits of working with a decorator like A Well Dressed Home. We talked through every nook and cranny of the space before anyone even picked up a hammer.
Today I’m sharing a few of my favorite details that make the space most useful and custom for us.
One // Pull-out drawer for hair tools
My messiest drawer has always been the hair tools…all those cords! Plus it never fails I have to leave them out to cool, creating more clutter on the countertop. So for the remodel, we dedicated a vertical cabinet for just hair tools!
Our contractor built a little box of sorts, and using different sized drill bits, cut openings for each of the barrel sizes. There’s plenty of space for hair dryers, multiple curling irons, and even brushes.
Then he mounted a power strip to the back of the cabinet base, and all the cords are plugged in underneath. It takes a little configuring for the direction of each (cords on top vs cords on bottom), but it’s amazing to just close it up out of sight!
Round Brush | Curling Iron | Hair Dryer | Texture Spray
Round Brush | Curling Iron | Curling Iron | Hot Air Brush
Two // Customize drawers for your needs
Prior to building the vanity, we took inventory of every item we store in the bathroom and determined the most functional way to store them. Drawers make better use of vertical space, so we went heavy on those…deep drawers for tall bottles and towels, and shallow drawers for makeup and skincare.
We took it one step further in my makeup and skincare cabinet, and built six shallow drawers…the smallest only 1.5″ deep! I now organize my makeup by face, eyes, and lips, each in their own shallow drawer. Nail polish and face masks go in the next two, and taller bottles are stored in the deeper bottom drawer.
Now when I’m getting ready, I simply pull out each drawer to use what I need, and close it back up. No more wasted vertical space, or items that get lost in a stack!
Three // Open up the space with a frameless shower
Frameless showers are a little pricier than a traditional shower frame, but they make the space feel two times larger…both inside the shower and the room as a whole. And once we removed the built-in jetted tub, we were able to extend the shower another 18″, which feels so luxurious!
Four // Add a towel bar to the shower door
I spotted this at a hotel and couldn’t believe how such a small detail was actually so genius!! Now we have a spot to drape washcloths or towels between uses, and it doesn’t take up any extra space in the bathroom.
Our bar is on both sides of the door and mirrors itself.
Five // Customize niches in shower & add a foot prop
Our previous shower had a built-in bench…which basically only served as a clutter zone for too many bottles, making the bathroom look perpetually messy.
So for the remodel, we took inventory of our true shower essentials, measured the average bottle size, and customized niches for each. Now Mr. SP and I each have one shelf for our respective products, and a shared narrow shelf for smaller products like soap and razors.
His Shampoo | Face Cleansing Balm | My Shampoo / Conditioner / Body Wash
And since we lost the bench, we added a small niche several inches from the ground as a foot prop for shaving!
Six // Frame out a builder grade mirror for a less-expensive custom size
Our vanity wall is quite large, but instead of individual mirrors over each sink, we opted for a wide single mirror. We liked the clean look of a single mirror, and it created a more reflective surface for really opening up the room.
But 4×6-foot mirrors are pricey!! So we built our own at a fraction of the cost…and were able to make it the exact size we wanted. It’s simply a builder grade sheet mirror, with a brass quarter-trim glued to the front and side!
Seven // Use towel hooks instead of a bar for faster drying
Traditional bars require you to fold the towels in order to fit two. But folded towels don’t dry very well…which means most of the time we had our towels draped over the shower wall or bathtub.
Simply by swapping the bar for hooks, our towels have a more minimal place to hang and are always dry!
Eight // Add dimmers and mood lighting
Just because it’s the bathroom doesn’t mean it can’t have a mood! All our lights are now on a dimmer, and the wall sconces actually have a soft, warm bulb…making them perfect for evening baths.
I turn on all the bright lights when getting ready, but for my evening shower or bath, I love the soft, relaxing light of just the sconces. Consider adding extra can lights overhead for more light when needed.
When it comes to remodels, no two spaces are alike. After all, that’s the joy of remodeling your home…you can make it exactly how you want it! And these details didn’t incur additional costs, just required a little more thought beforehand. But they are what make the space feel most special and useful for us!
Some of the other things we included were undermount sinks for easier countertop cleaning, horizontal outlets positioned flush with the counters (so they blend better), and a grasscloth roman shade that allows both light and privacy. I also love the hand-held shower attachment on the bathtub faucet for easier cleaning!
What details do you love most in your bathroom? I hope I inspired some new ideas for your next remodel! See the full Before and After, along with sources, here.
Happy Monday, lovebugs! See you back here tomorrow for tons of Gibson x Hi Sugarplum Holiday Collection sneak peeks, and all the accessories we used to style it!
Your bathroom is gorgeous! We are actually in the beginning stages of creating a master bath and I love your ideas. I have one question. I noticed in your before pics that you had a vanity between your sinks where you could sit and do your makeup, etc. But you opted not to have it when you remodeled. That is actually something we were going to add in. If you don’t mind my asking, why did you decide not to include it when you remodeled.
Thank you! That vanity actually eats up a ton of storage space, and due to the height of the counters and distance from the mirror, it wasn’t comfortable to sit. Plus, I’m not one to sit when I’m getting ready anyway, and opted for the storage instead!
I love your vanity and all the storage! Do you mind sharing the length of your vanity? We’re building a new home and I am definitely “borrowing” many of your ideas. Thank you for sharing.
Love your blog!!
I’m using your remodel as the inspiration for my own master bath remodel! Some of these ideas are brilliant and would work perfectly in my space! They layouts of our baths are similar and we were considering ripping out the jetted tub and putting in a free-standing soaking tub and enlarging our shower just as you did. Love the finished product!
That was one of the biggest differences aesthetically in the space!!!
Hi! Your bathroom is beautiful! We just purchased a house and the vanity mirrors are AWFUL. I have looked high and low and cannot find what I want, but I love yours. Did someone build it for you or did you do it yourself? Where did you get the sheet of mirrored glass? Sorry…trying to figure out how to get this done asap!! Thanks!
Thanks Ashley! That’s actually one of my tips…the mirror is just basic builder grade mirror my contractor brought in, and then we added brass trim from an online metal shop!
Great! Thank you!!
Thanks for sharing all of the great ideas! We’re getting ready to tear out two bathrooms to make a larger master bath in our new place and these suggestions are so helpful!
I’m so happy to hear that, Anita…and good luck with your reno!
I love all these tricks and tips from your gorgeous bath remodel!! My question is are all the cords on your hair appliances long enough when plugged in down below to still reach your hair to style? I guess I’ve never paid attention to how long all my cords are!
Thank you, Julie! Great question! Yes…all the cords are actually plenty long to reach the back of the cabinet and out to where I stand. If you think about where you usually plug your hair tools and stand, there’s likely always tons of extra cord!
The entire space is beyond gorgeous!! I didn’t know that I could covet anything as much as your hair tools drawer! Genius!! Hope you continue to enjoy every inch of it. xo
Haha — I felt the same when I spotted it on Pinterest. So simple, but so good!!!
These are such good tips! Our bathroom is WAY smaller (I live in a one-bath house), but when we remodel I definitely am taking your advice on the frameless shower and the builder grade mirror – such good tips! I wish I could start now!
xoKaelen
I’m thrilled to hear it, Kaelen!
Fabulous ideas Cassie! I love the little pull out make-up shelves and the bar on the glass shower door – Brilliant!! Such a beautiful and functional space.
Thank you so much, Lynette!! I still can’t believe it’s our bathroom!
We just remodeled our bathroom. One of my favorite things we did is put tower cabinets on either end of my vanity (they actually sit on the countertops). We had electrical outlets installed inside each cabinet for recharging toothbrushes, etc. I also keep my dryer plugged in inside of one. It was a gamechanger for keeping the bathroom tidy!
Such a great idea!
Love your bathroom remodel. Planning out my remodel and curious about the lighting. What other lights do you have besides the ones above the sink? Any over the shower?
Thank you! We have 6 can lights in the ceiling, one over the shower, one over tub, two down the middle and two over vanity!
Did you use someone local for your vanities? Or a larger retailer? I love the finish of the wood. So pretty!
So pretty! Who built your vanity? Did you use a local builder? Or a larger retailer to semi custom the cabinets? I love the finish of the wood.
Thank you! Our contractor built it based off A Well Dressed Home’s specs/sketch!
Yes those OU/Texas weekends are a big event around our house well. It’s one of the few weekends when all the kids and grandkids come to our place. Lot’s of work too……lol.
The bathroom is awesome. We just moved into a new home so we don’t need a remodel but really did like some of the ideas.
Ms. K
Love, love, love your bathroom remodel! So many great ideas. Just wondering…are you missing having a hand held in the shower? Seems like it would be necessary for cleaning the tile.
Thank you, Lori!! I’ve never had a hand-held in the shower, usually just angle the shower head in different directions! 😉 I do squeegee the walls after every shower, and that helps a lot!
Well thought out. Not just pretty but very practical!
We have been planning a master bath remodel for some time. Your bathroom and ideas are great. Great ideas in the comments too. We have a nice size bathroom with high ceilings. My hold up is the frameless shower with clear glass. Where I live I feel like I should have one. My bathroom kinda calls for one and that is the current way to go. But I really don’t want to stand naked in the middle if our bathroom showering while my husband is brushing his teeth at his sink. We are often using the bathroom at the same time. How is it?
Thanks so much, Paula! The glass shower doesn’t bother me…if I want total privacy, I just close the bathroom door!
Hi, Cassie! As usual I’m delighted to see another gorgeous renovation from you. It is stunning and totally reflects your style. One question – where are you storing electric toothbrushes? I’m starting a Reno for my daughters’ bathroom and am struggling with a place to plug them in where they can air dry but not have them front and center. Thanks!
Thanks so much, Melanie!! We have outlets flush to the counter, so I charge my toothbrush there. I don’t actually keep it on the charger every day though, I found it only needs charging about every week or two!