How do I update this bathroom ?

The plumbing is the biggest concern as it will require some work to move the toilet to a new location. The other thing to consider is how big the shower will be. If the toilet is moved to where the vanity opening is - would it have the width required and leg room. The vanity would really have to be reduced in size. The best option is to go with a smaller shower and that leaves room next to the outer wall for the toilet to fit in. The thicker wall next to the shower head and taps contains all the plumbing for the tub and shower. Therefore less of an expense there for a new shower to fit it. The rearrangement would leave a bigger walkway all the way to the window. Good luck and best wishes for a wonderful new bathroom.

Yes that is tight. Honestly, I would be tempted to bring in a designer on this one. Here is why. Since it is a Jack and Jill bathroom, in order to gain usable space without taking space from the bedrooms, I would close up both doors to each bedroom and add one entrance from the hallway. Then you can reorient for a stall shower, toilet and small vanity with a bit of elbow room. It will not be cheap, moving plumbing always costs a few dollars.

You are right. The plumbing is going to be my biggest expense. Maybe, I will bring in a designer for more ideas. Thank you.

I think the wall with the framed mirror have a glass company come and measure for a full length mirror and cut out for the outlets. You could put the mirror in a picture frame or use beveled glass strips or get a beveled mirror. I didn't like my bevel strips because the dust gets between the strip and the mirror. There are bevel glass outlet coverers

that I like, and I would put in glass sliding doors on the shower there are a lot of patterns, I like the clear and one called rain that looks like rain going down the glass.

I like Naomi's idea about removing the two doors to bedrooms and just having one entrance from the hall. That makes sense. I also like the idea about hiring a contractor or designer for their help. I would also change the colors. Maybe light silver or grey and white? The shower curtain is too busy and makes the already crowded bathroom look even smaller. Maybe you could reuse it somewhere else. I would move the picture that is above the shower/tub somewhere else because it looks weird there. The wall with the mirror and green paint on it looks dark. Maybe it would look better with lighter paint?

Thanks again. I’m considering all my options and your suggestions. Unfortunately, the bathroom doors allow you to enter each bedroom. The hallway is not accessible from the bathroom.

Trisha,

You are going to have to take into account what the plumbing code is in your location. If you plan on hiring someone who has to pull a permit, they can advise on what you can and can't do. If you decide to move the toilet, you will need 15-18 inches on either side of the toilet, 30 inches in front of a tub or shower, and a minimum of a 30x30 shower. You can find code compliant bathroom designs online. You can always just do it and not worry about the permit, but you may have a problem when you go to sell the house in the future.

it a small bathroom but very functional. in my opinion, you should repaint the wooden parts in white, change the bath curtain - now it is too nervous for such a small space - with the plexiglass slide door. the mirror should be all over the wall (cut the parts around the switches and put arround them marble), above the sink - to the edge of the marble - frame it with the same marble but make it very thin. the wall (photo 1) pait in your favourite colour.

the storage place - remoove the toilet paper holder (buy the freestanding one) - put the bar (stick) inside to hang the cleanesers and to have place to put other necessary things on the floor. remoove the pictures.

nice

Hi Trisha,

Assumptions: Not moving existing plumbing in the walls and under the floor, keep the jack and jill concept (no door re-configuration)

• you have one wall that has all the plumbing. To avoid moving the plumbing, the shower, the toilet and the vanity sink have to stay along these 2 walls.
• the wall behind the tub looks non-load bearing. You might be able to remove this small wall segment, along with the tub.
• a complete shower enclosure is the least expensive way to accomplish the shower. plexiglass or glass will make the space seem larger.
• the toilet, moved to the corner of the 2 walls that have plumbing might work well (its sometimes not as hard to move a drain in the floor as it is to move plumbing in a wall.)
• replace vanity unit with a free-standing or wall-mount sink and minimal cabinet.
• mirrored tiles or mirrors help the space seem larger.

The main expense is going to involve the plumbing. If you minimize the need for plumbing reconfiguration, you minimize costs on infrastructure and you can put the money towards nice fixtures.

Best Regards