Most of our list of home projects have more to do with refinement than full on overhaul, but there’s a few projects still on our list that are on the more major side of the makeover spectrum. The biggest TBD project is finishing part of our basement, but higher on the list is… Eliza’s bathroom! I despise Eliza’s bathroom. It’s a Jack and Jill that’s situated between her bedroom and playroom and for a laundry list of reasons, the functionality of the layout and bath fixtures are far from ideal. Today, my wheels are spinning and I’m sharing some of the ideas and potential designs for that tricky bathroom, to not only increase the efficiency and usability, but to also pretti-fy it and take it beyond builder-grade!
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I had a bit of PTSD after our more recent major projects (kitchen, bathroom, pool) and haven’t mustered up the guts to move forward with any other makeovers. Of course, budget is a big consideration, but I also currently have no contractors in mind as we wouldn’t use our former guys. So, I still have some homework to do, but drawing up some design plans is the first step!
Previous Bathroom Makeovers
I still love the first bathroom I made over — seriously, it’s been years now and we haven’t switched a thing. It was a powder room, so while we changed everything, it was manageable because it didn’t involve too many moving parts. What started as basic drywall and a pedestal sink transformed into this (well, after molding was installed)…
To this!
Vanity | Faucet | Blue and White Striped Rug | Turkish Hand Towel | Coastal Blue Wallpaper
This was the first vanity I ordered from Wayfair, but it wouldn’t be my last (turns out, to this date, Wayfair is still the only place I’ve ordered my vanities). Their free shipping (on orders of $35+) is HUGE when I’m purchasing such major pieces.
I managed this simple project on my own and if you’re wondering what was involved, rest assured, it wasn’t bad. Here was the labor breakdown…
- Handyman to execute picture frame molding and chair rail installation (I piggy-backed this project and had him do this the same day he was working elsewhere in the house on molding)
- Painter
- Wallpaper installer
- Handyman (a different one) who removed our pedestal sink, installed the new vanity and faucet, hung the mirror, installed the new light fixture… I may have even had him go ahead and install the toilet paper holder and towel ring while he was here.
- Dave hung the shades and corrected a plumbing seal.
There was no tub, no flooring, and no tile to worry about, so if you’re wanting to just get your toes wet first on a bathroom project, I highly highly suggest starting with a powder room where there’s less to mess up and fewer things to manage.
FYI– many years later and THIS vanity continues to be amazing. The value can’t be beat and it comes in several colors now. And THIS faucet continues to be used throughout our house, wherever new projects pop up. Again, the value and quality are amazing. It comes in seven finishes now.
Vanity | Faucet | Turkish Hand Towel | Coastal Blue Wallpaper
The next bathroom project (the result of a flooding error on my part and took more than a year to finish) — our primary bathroom. I designed, sourced and ordered everything myself and while there weren’t major layout changes, there were some shifts, alterations in plumbing, etc. Regardless of some touch-ups still needed, I was so happy with the end result. Here’s a look back before…
And here was the end result!
Vanity | Faucet | Mirror | Free-Standing Bathtub | Wall-Mounted Tub Filler | White Shower Tile
One of my favorite parts of the vanity transformations was taking the over-the-mirror sconce and transitioning to side sconces, alongside a 48″ tall mirror. BTW- I recommend this mirror in any and every bathroom, the frame is thin but the build is substantial; it comes in multiple finishes, and several sizes. I’m 90% sure regardless of what direction we go in for Eliza’s bathroom, this mirror will likely be getting re-ordered. As a tip– I think maxing out the size as big/tall as possible makes your space look more grand, so measure those ceilings!
Vanity | Faucet | Mirror | White Shower Tile
I unexpectedly and quickly had to take on the office bathroom after a contractor errantly ripped out the vanity. Had I known, we would have gone ahead and replaced the shower insert, but for a budget, fast and fun makeover, I’m happy with how this little bathroom turned out!
The furnishings are simple but I went bold on the pink walls and a fun floral shower curtain — both choices which can be easily switched.
You can see the former bathroom makeovers in more detail here…
And now, let’s get to Eliza’s bathroom.
Eliza’s Current Bathroom Challenges
There are a lot of challenges with Eliza’s bathroom and we have to work within several structural and electrical confines. The bathroom is only used by one person and the rooms on either side of the Jack and Jill bathroom essentially belong to her, but there are no bathrooms unattached to room interiors, so we don’t want to wall off a side and have one space inaccessible to an upstairs bathroom.
The general layout is a small pass-through room with the vanity running the length of the space. There’s a parallel wall that pretty much runs door to door. There’s also a door on that wall that goes into the toilet and bathtub space which is really tight.
Aside from size, here are the challenges…
- This tiny space has three doors — the one leading into the bathtub/toilet area is especially cumbersome.
- The vanity has two bowl sinks, no counter space, and no drawers — only lower cabinets — making it a challenge to get ready and to stay organized.
- There’s no natural light.
- The tub is a fiberglass tub insert.
- Not a challenge but as a note, we don’t care for any of the finishes. It’s what you would think of when you hear “builder grade”.
Jack & Jill Bathroom Goals
So, what are we hoping for with Eliza’s bathroom makeover? Better functionality, better organization, easier movement between the spaces, and more customized to how we use it. Also — a visual glow up that she likes, but that isn’t too trendy that it would quickly feel dated ;).
One of the big changes that I’m excited to make is switching her vanity to a large single sink vanity. It isn’t super common, but she doesn’t need multiple sinks and having counter space would be amazing. I’m also eager for drawers! The more the better.
I will likely have pretty classic furnishings, but may opt for some personality through paint/light fixtures/easy things to change one day.
I haven’t decided whether an overhead sconce will be the ticket, or side sconces. Overhead would be easier so electrical doesn’t have to be changed, but there are a lot of considerations I haven’t given much thought to just yet.
A big change that I don’t know will be able to happen is switching the door from the vanity area to the tub/toilet area into a pocket door. That would be incredible in terms of movement and space but there is a switch and electrical on the wall between the two spaces which would likely get complicated (and costly) to move (which prohibits a pocket door).
We will be tiling the floor, switching the tub to a tub insert with shower tile (I haven’t decided if we will do just a shower or if we will do a tub in there). Ideally, I would love to have the shower/toilet room all tile, but I’ll have to price that out… We already had to have baseboards switched a couple years ago from tub splashing :/
When I sat down to start sourcing a singular bathroom design with ideas, I started finding so many pieces I loved in multiple directions, I ultimately ended up brainstorming an initial six potential Jack & Jill bathroom designs with single large vanities.
Jack & Jill Bathroom Design Plans
Most of the designs have elements that are interchangeable and the tile samples I’ve included on each don’t necessarily go together — some are just ideas/one or the other, to be used on the shower, shower floor, bathroom floor, or just incorporated in some way.
I’m obsessed with THIS pineapple sconce and while I featured the double scone, you can find the adorable single sconce HERE and the triple sconce HERE.
I also absolutely adore THIS double woven vanity light — it comes in a ton of different finishes!
I think THIS 2″x10″ tile is gorgeous in its varied shades — especially for a shower! — and while I love the teal, it comes in several colors HERE. As a note about tile from Wayfair, getting free shipping on tile will save you hundreds in freight costs! I learned that the hard way a long time ago, not knowing Wayfair carried the exact tile I sourced locally. They have thousands of tile you can browse HERE.
1. Sconce | 2. Mirror | 3. Vanity | 4. White Subway Tile | 5. Green Wall Tile | 6. Faucet | 7. Sconce
THIS pretty 60″ vanity is such an incredible value — you choose the cabinet finish, countertop type, size, how many sinks, and hardware finish. It has built-in organizers in the drawers and the cabinet has a power station and hole for a hair dryer!
I’m also crazy about THIS lighting sconce — it comes in multiple colors and a three-light option too.
And THIS ridged tile is actually a 3″x12″ subway tile with texture — it comes in several colors and the effect (in stacked, herringbone, and even classic tiled layout) is beautiful!
1. Sconce | 2. Mirror | 3. Vanity | 4. Tile | 5. Petal Leaf Tile | 6. Faucet | 7. Sconce
Honestly, THIS tile that I used in both our bathroom and the kitchen is so pretty and versatile (and a fantastic budget option!), I’d be happy using it anywhere.
We’ve also used THIS faucet in several places in the house and continue to use it because of the look and value — it’s also a budget friendly option and comes in several finish options.
THIS vanity comes in both a dark and natural oak and is another vanity that has fun customizable organization in the drawers, power in the cabinet, and a hole for the hair dryer! And, reminder– vanities ship free via Wayfair 😉
1. Mirror | 2. Sconce | 3. Vanity | 4. White Tile | 5. Patterned Tile | 6. Faucet | 7. Sconce
I love the details on THIS affordable mirror! It comes in several finishes and six sizes HERE.
This vanity has an incredible eight drawers(!!) and comes in a bunch of colors — including a fun green and blue. It’s another budget friendly option for such a sizable vanity.
I think THIS flower hex tile would be really fun for Eliza’s bathroom floor and also love the look of this skinny, long tile — especially in a herringbone pattern (it comes in a bunch of colors!)
1. Sconce | 2. Mirror | 3. Vanity | 4. Hex Tile | 5. Crackled Subway Tile | 6. Faucet | 7. Sconce
These modern sconces are such an amazing value and come in several finishes.
With such a simple design and vanity, I think a funky floor would be really cool — I love THIS mosaic tile and THIS hex tile for that.
1. Mirror | 2. Sconce | 3. Vanity | 4. Black Hex Tile | 5. Fretwork Tile | 6. Faucet | 7. Sconce
THIS arched mirror comes in three finishes and sizes and is a surprisingly great budget value!
The bottom drawer on THIS vanity has a faux double front, making it an extra deep drawer — perfect for all those toiletry bottles! I love that feature — it also comes in several colors.
1. Mirror | 2. Sconce | 3. Vanity | 4. Faucet | 5. Italian Porcelain Tile | 6. Patterned Tile | 7. Sconce
I haven’t committed to a timeframe 100% but I would love to continue to refine my thoughts and start the process of a bathroom renovation in early 2025. Do you have any bathroom renos on the horizon? To stay up to date for all things home projects, be sure to subscribe to emails at the bottom of the post!
