Before and After: 5 Bathroom Remodels That Free the Tub
Replacing bulky built-in tubs with streamlined freestanding ones rejuvenates these bathrooms
Built-in bathtubs have their devotees, but if you want to create a bathroom with a fresh, spa-like feel, a freestanding tub might be the way to go. Check out the before-and-after photos of the following five bathroom remodels where designers liberated the tub. Then let us know if you’re inspired to make the same call in your own bathroom.
After: Fog-colored field tile in a glossy finish with a handmade look covers the walls that wrap around the new shower, tub area and vanity. Large-format (12-by-24-inch) porcelain floor tiles in a similar color cover the floor. “Tile is more durable than having painted drywall,” Heiser says. “It protects the drywall and is easier to clean. I also like to use tile on the walls because it makes a big impact in the space.”
The soft gray tones of the tile join the dark, warm gray vanity color (Bear Creek by Benjamin Moore) to create a soothing atmosphere. “I’ve been looking at Houzz for years and started ideabooks for a bunch of different spaces,” says homeowner Janet Bryant. “I gathered ideas for this bathroom from Houzz too. Brittney actually created a special ideabook that I added photos and comments to, to help her in the gathering of the materials for this bathroom.”
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The soft gray tones of the tile join the dark, warm gray vanity color (Bear Creek by Benjamin Moore) to create a soothing atmosphere. “I’ve been looking at Houzz for years and started ideabooks for a bunch of different spaces,” says homeowner Janet Bryant. “I gathered ideas for this bathroom from Houzz too. Brittney actually created a special ideabook that I added photos and comments to, to help her in the gathering of the materials for this bathroom.”
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A white 60-inch freestanding tub takes up less physical visual space than the previous built-in tub and allows for an expanded shower. “That’s my favorite part of the bathroom,” Bryant says. “I love opening up the door and seeing that tub and the niche behind it. I consider it a beautiful focal point.”
Calacatta Oro marble tiles in a chevron pattern accent a long niche behind the bathtub and shower. “Marble is great to use in a niche as an accent,” Heiser says. “Natural stone has certain characteristics you can’t find in manufactured stone. We wanted to have it visually stand out and be a focal point.”
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Calacatta Oro marble tiles in a chevron pattern accent a long niche behind the bathtub and shower. “Marble is great to use in a niche as an accent,” Heiser says. “Natural stone has certain characteristics you can’t find in manufactured stone. We wanted to have it visually stand out and be a focal point.”
Read more about this bathroom remodel
2. Lighter and Brighter
Bathroom at a Glance
Who lives here: A single, retired homeowner with two adult children who visit often
Location: Lincoln, California
Size: 230 square feet (21 square meters)
Designer: Alison Haltom of Design for Living
Before: This California homeowner disliked her former bathroom’s beige carpeted floors, green walls and dark wood vanities with dark granite tile countertops. A basic frosted glass shower stall, on the right, stood awkwardly between two walk-in closets. A built-in cultured marble tub was squeezed between the two vanities, while seeded glass windows blocked light and views.
The homeowner hired designer Alison Haltom to help rethink the layout and create a spa-like space with a clean, contemporary and feminine aesthetic that includes floral-pattern marble tile, shiny glass details and a sleek freestanding tub.
Bathroom at a Glance
Who lives here: A single, retired homeowner with two adult children who visit often
Location: Lincoln, California
Size: 230 square feet (21 square meters)
Designer: Alison Haltom of Design for Living
Before: This California homeowner disliked her former bathroom’s beige carpeted floors, green walls and dark wood vanities with dark granite tile countertops. A basic frosted glass shower stall, on the right, stood awkwardly between two walk-in closets. A built-in cultured marble tub was squeezed between the two vanities, while seeded glass windows blocked light and views.
The homeowner hired designer Alison Haltom to help rethink the layout and create a spa-like space with a clean, contemporary and feminine aesthetic that includes floral-pattern marble tile, shiny glass details and a sleek freestanding tub.
After: Haltom stripped everything from the former bathroom and relocated the shower to one of the walk-in closets.
A freestanding white volcanic limestone tub with a floor-mounted polished nickel tub filler lightens up the corner. “It looks like a piece of art,” Haltom says. “The tub combined with the tub filler is a beautiful moment to look at.”
The new high-gloss gray laminate vanities are smaller than the old vanities but feature more hardworking drawer storage. Rectangular glass knobs on polished nickel bases act as jewelry. “We made the vanities smaller to let the tub be the showcase and let the tile be viewed,” Haltom says.
A freestanding white volcanic limestone tub with a floor-mounted polished nickel tub filler lightens up the corner. “It looks like a piece of art,” Haltom says. “The tub combined with the tub filler is a beautiful moment to look at.”
The new high-gloss gray laminate vanities are smaller than the old vanities but feature more hardworking drawer storage. Rectangular glass knobs on polished nickel bases act as jewelry. “We made the vanities smaller to let the tub be the showcase and let the tile be viewed,” Haltom says.
Water-jet-cut tile in a floral pattern completely covers two walls. The bottom third features interlocking creamy white onyx tiles with white Thassos marble tiles. The top two-thirds is all-white Thassos marble tiles. “Natural stone just has a texture and detail to it,” Haltom says. “It’s the most prominent feature of the bathroom and the basis for the entire design.”
Large matte white porcelain floor tiles (30 by 30 inches) offer slip resistance. A diamond-cut crystal LED ring pendant above the tub adds sparkle.
Haltom replaced the seeded glass windows with clear, operable, energy-efficient windows that allow in fresh air, natural light and views to the backyard.
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Large matte white porcelain floor tiles (30 by 30 inches) offer slip resistance. A diamond-cut crystal LED ring pendant above the tub adds sparkle.
Haltom replaced the seeded glass windows with clear, operable, energy-efficient windows that allow in fresh air, natural light and views to the backyard.
Read more about this bathroom remodel
3. Bold Black Touches
Bathroom at a Glance
Who lives here: A North Carolina couple who use this home as their second residence
Location: Sausalito, California
Size: About 180 square feet (17 square meters)
Designer: Jennifer Wundrow Interior Design
Before: This North Carolina couple was blown away by the magnificent views of San Francisco Bay from nearly every room in their recently purchased second home in Sausalito, California. When they reached out to designer Jennifer Wundrow to transform the master bathroom into a spa-like setting, preserving those views was at the top of their wish list.
The existing bathroom, last remodeled in the 1990s, had beige ceramic floor tiles, a wood-paneled ceiling and a bulky built-in bathtub.
Bathroom at a Glance
Who lives here: A North Carolina couple who use this home as their second residence
Location: Sausalito, California
Size: About 180 square feet (17 square meters)
Designer: Jennifer Wundrow Interior Design
Before: This North Carolina couple was blown away by the magnificent views of San Francisco Bay from nearly every room in their recently purchased second home in Sausalito, California. When they reached out to designer Jennifer Wundrow to transform the master bathroom into a spa-like setting, preserving those views was at the top of their wish list.
The existing bathroom, last remodeled in the 1990s, had beige ceramic floor tiles, a wood-paneled ceiling and a bulky built-in bathtub.
After: The freshly remodeled space now features a deep soaking tub in bold graphite, a feature wall covered in stylish tile and a custom sliding vanity mirror created with the stunning bay views in mind.
The original windows seen here received a fresh coat of white paint and custom Roman shades in linen. Wundrow added a freestanding black metal towel rack, avoiding the need for an abundance of hooks on the walls.
The original windows seen here received a fresh coat of white paint and custom Roman shades in linen. Wundrow added a freestanding black metal towel rack, avoiding the need for an abundance of hooks on the walls.
A sleek composite resin freestanding tub in graphite replaced the built-in one. An industrial light fixture above the tub adds a warm glow at night. The wood stool next to the tub is an ideal spot to place accessories or a glass of wine while taking a bath.
New wood-look porcelain floor tiles replaced the beige ceramic ones. “The house has white oak floors throughout, so these new floor tiles fit right in,” Wundrow says.
Read more about this bathroom remodel
New wood-look porcelain floor tiles replaced the beige ceramic ones. “The house has white oak floors throughout, so these new floor tiles fit right in,” Wundrow says.
Read more about this bathroom remodel
4. Luxe New Look
Bathroom at a Glance
Who uses it: A retired couple
Location: Richardson, Texas
Size: 150 square feet (14 square meters)
Designers: Dona Rosene (interior design) and Michael Lyons (architecture)
Before: Eager to update their home’s 1980s decor, these Texas homeowners found local interior designer Dona Rosene on Houzz. For the master bathroom renovation, the couple wanted a streamlined look with lots of luxurious touches. “My client really wanted this bathroom to be special and a little glamorous,” Rosene says.
The previous bathroom included a clunky corner whirlpool tub that had a dated appearance and hogged floor space. The room also had floral wallpaper that didn’t give the fresh, spa-like look the homeowners craved.
Bathroom at a Glance
Who uses it: A retired couple
Location: Richardson, Texas
Size: 150 square feet (14 square meters)
Designers: Dona Rosene (interior design) and Michael Lyons (architecture)
Before: Eager to update their home’s 1980s decor, these Texas homeowners found local interior designer Dona Rosene on Houzz. For the master bathroom renovation, the couple wanted a streamlined look with lots of luxurious touches. “My client really wanted this bathroom to be special and a little glamorous,” Rosene says.
The previous bathroom included a clunky corner whirlpool tub that had a dated appearance and hogged floor space. The room also had floral wallpaper that didn’t give the fresh, spa-like look the homeowners craved.
After: Replacing the drop-in tub with a freestanding soaking tub freed up floor space, making the room feel much more spacious. Taking her cue from the colors in the quartzite feature wall, Rosene found a glass mosaic tile for the area behind the tub.
The quartzite pops up in a few more places, including the convenient wall-mounted shelf next to the tub.
Rosene found two glass sculptures to play off the original octagonal window. “We needed to fill this space but complement the shape of the window. It was tricky,” she says.
The quartzite pops up in a few more places, including the convenient wall-mounted shelf next to the tub.
Rosene found two glass sculptures to play off the original octagonal window. “We needed to fill this space but complement the shape of the window. It was tricky,” she says.
Removing the former built-in tub left more room for a new double vanity with gray cabinets and a marble countertop. Two large counter-to-ceiling mirrors above the vanity make the room feel more expansive, while a trio of sconces adds an elegant touch. Polished finishes on the faucets and hardware also add shine to the room.
A crystal flush-mount chandelier adds a glamorous touch above the new freestanding tub.
Tip: Always check codes when placing a light fixture over a bathtub to make sure it doesn’t hang too low.
Read more about this bathroom remodel
A crystal flush-mount chandelier adds a glamorous touch above the new freestanding tub.
Tip: Always check codes when placing a light fixture over a bathtub to make sure it doesn’t hang too low.
Read more about this bathroom remodel
5. White-and-Wood Remodel
Bathroom at a Glance
Who uses it: A busy couple with three children and a dermatology practice
Location: Raleigh, North Carolina
Size: 130 square feet (12 square meters)
Designer-builder: Richard Ryder of Clearcut Construction
Before: These North Carolina homeowners wanted a fresh new bathroom with lots of crisp white and touches of warm wood throughout.
The existing bathtub, shower and vanity bumped up against one another in a way that made the room feel cramped, so getting rid of them was at the top of the agenda.
Designer Richard Ryder donated the cabinetry, sinks and countertops to Habitat for Humanity. Under normal circumstances he would have donated the tub too, but this one had to be cut in half to fit out the door.
Bathroom at a Glance
Who uses it: A busy couple with three children and a dermatology practice
Location: Raleigh, North Carolina
Size: 130 square feet (12 square meters)
Designer-builder: Richard Ryder of Clearcut Construction
Before: These North Carolina homeowners wanted a fresh new bathroom with lots of crisp white and touches of warm wood throughout.
The existing bathtub, shower and vanity bumped up against one another in a way that made the room feel cramped, so getting rid of them was at the top of the agenda.
Designer Richard Ryder donated the cabinetry, sinks and countertops to Habitat for Humanity. Under normal circumstances he would have donated the tub too, but this one had to be cut in half to fit out the door.
After: Replacing the large drop-in tub and surround with a sculptural freestanding model freed up floor space, transforming the area into a calming corner. The homeowners preferred hooks to towel bars; a neat row of them serve the bathtub.
Ryder extended the millwork and tile up to the base of the ceiling vault to mitigate the soaring ceiling height.
Boxy minimalist wall sconces illuminate above and below, throwing light onto the ceilings and the new wood beams. “The way they shine on the texture of the wall tiles at night is really special,” Ryder says.
Ryder extended the millwork and tile up to the base of the ceiling vault to mitigate the soaring ceiling height.
Boxy minimalist wall sconces illuminate above and below, throwing light onto the ceilings and the new wood beams. “The way they shine on the texture of the wall tiles at night is really special,” Ryder says.
Ryder knew his client loved herringbone. But he also likes to give things a twist, so he used a double herringbone pattern for the wall tiles. He added a waterfall shelf and a small shelf in stained cypress to play off the beams and add warmth to this corner.
Also adding a wood look to the room are the floors, which are actually digitally printed porcelain tile. “While my client liked herringbone, we didn’t want to overpower the space with pattern. So I used large planks of tile to mix up the scale,” he says.
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Also adding a wood look to the room are the floors, which are actually digitally printed porcelain tile. “While my client liked herringbone, we didn’t want to overpower the space with pattern. So I used large planks of tile to mix up the scale,” he says.
Read more about this bathroom remodel
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Read more bathroom design stories
Find a bathroom designer
Shop for bathroom products
Bathroom at a Glance
Who lives here: Mike and Janet Bryant
Location: Bellevue, Washington
Size: 144 square feet (13 square meters)
Designer: Brittney Heiser of Heiser Designs
Builder: Alpental Construction
Before: After 27 years of living with carpet on their master bathroom floor, these Washington homeowners were ready for a change. But it wasn’t just the carpet that had to go. It was also time to say goodbye to the bulky built-in tub, clunky shower stall and chocolate brown walls that made the room feel dark and cramped.
Armed with years of ideas collected from Houzz, the homeowners hired designer Brittney Heiser and Alpental Construction to create a brighter bathroom with more storage, fresh style and an airy layout.
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