With all things bathroom on my mind, I thought I’d share some of my bathroom inspiration. I’m still optimistic that the bathroom will be our first finished project.
Before I get to that, let’s take a look at what we have to work with. Our new house only has one full bathroom, so it has to be practical. That means that the claw foot tub has to go.
(Sigh.) I hate being practical.
But, we need a shower/tub combo. And, I took a shower in a claw foot tub/shower while we were on vacation. It was claustrophobic with all that curtain. And, even if I had enjoyed it, there isn’t vertical space for the circular shower rod because of the roof line (top right of photo).
So, that decision was made. The tub was listed on Craigslist. Hopefully someone buys it soon.
We are planning to keep the layout pretty much the same. It’s just practical. We have lots to do, and the budget can’t swing a full redo of the layout. Plus, it’s probably the best set-up, considering a gigantic radiator takes up so much usable space.
So, I’ve tried to find inspiration from bathroom on the small(er) side. It’s not going to get any bigger, after all.
I have found that I’m overwhelmingly attracted to white bathrooms, with beadboard. I also like sconces instead of an overhead light. (This took some explaining to Ryan, who just didn’t “get it.”)
So, in all fairness, the bathroom below isn’t small. (At least not by my definition.) But, it’s pretty. And, I really like the way they built in storage next to the tub. That may be happening in our bathroom.
Now, what you may have noticed is that nearly every photo is of some version of a pedestal sink. Not practical for us. We need some storage and there truly isn’t any room for it with a pedestal. I don’t like it, but I know it’s true. I’ve thought about it every which way. And, Ryan’s parent’s offered us a lovely vanity, so we’ll be using that.
But, I think there are ways to make the bathroom have a similar feeling to those above. Bright, clean, airy. I plan to keep a lot of what we have in our current bathroom – the Ballard Designs shower curtain, the green wall color and towels and the San Francisco photographs from our honeymoon.
What happened to the radiator?
We had to remove the entire boiler system because it wasn’t functioning and installed a forced air system.
Your ideas are all great except! For beadboard. I have one bathroom as well and 4 person household. So short comment long– all the use age means lint, hair, and dirt in between all the crevices. I am scrubbing walls down every week with a toothbrush to get all the crap out. Ugh! I’d stick with tile or just wall. Hate to be Debbie downer but just a suggestion. Good luck!
This is a great point – we had the same thing happen in our last house bathroom. I didn’t notice an issue everywhere, but I did notice that the grooves at the baseboard needed cleaning more often than normal. Thanks for the input!
Love these bathrooms!! What is the name of the soft yellow paint color used in the first picture?
I have been looking around your blog at back posts. You arr so darn cute and I love your taste! All of these photos are great!
Can your clawfoot tub be salvaged into a huge planter in the backyard? I’m envisioning it just overflowing with flowers…
Tara
http://www.tarabeingtara.blogspot.com
As someone with 1 very tiny bathroom, you will be happy that the practical vanity won.
I really like the light fixture you have picked out.
love all your ideas! it’s a bummer when practicality wins, isn’t it? but I think it will still be great! FYI, there is a very similar light fixture to the RH one at Lowe’s for $40. the base is oil-rubbed instead of shiny silver though. and I saw a million times yes to scones over over-heads in a bath — much better lighting for using the mirror.
Beautiful inspiration photos. I too am digging beadboard, pedestal sinks, subway tiles, and clean, bright, white! I think you’ll have a lovely bathroom once all is said and done.
It is a shame about the clawfoot bathtub, but practicality is king.
I’ve been debating ripping out our pepto bismal pink retro cast iron tub and replacing it with a clawfoot tub in our downstairs bathroom. No one ever showers downstairs, so why not?? We’ll see.
Finally – husbands need a lot of explaining, don’t they? They just don’t “get it” sometimes. Silly men.
I love the idea of the shelf on top of the bead board. Makes such great use of space. Do bead boards do alright in bathrooms? (just thinking of all the water and seam)
Thanks so much for all your kind comments.
And, Lauren, YOU ARE A GENIUS! Love the idea of a shelf above there. Thanks for commenting.
I think somehow building a white shelving/storage unit around the radiator would make it look cohesive and provide that always wonderful bathroom storage. So that the front radiator part is open but above have shelves or cupboards with frosted glass or beadboard in the center????
By the way this is the FIRST comment i have put on here and I read your blog literally everyday kinda {nervous}!
That is sad about the tub.. but your plan looks great! Love the beadboard and subway tile!
Kim, I LOVE the beadboard inspiration pictures!! I think that would look so fantastic in your new bathroom.
And I have to tell you that you’ve inspired me. I hope to replace the icky peel-and-stick linoleum floor tiles the previous owners left in our main bath sometime in the next year and I am now SO in LOVE with those small hexagon floor tiles! We’ll have to see if the hubby approves someday.
love the beadboard with a little shelf on top! can’t wait to see what you do with this space. so sad about the clawfoot but there will be another space/place for one. to soak in. and not shower! HA! i think i’d get dizzy showering in one with all that curtain. plus, did it make a huge mess?? it would (hubby) in my house.
Love your inspirational pictures! We’ve been discussing our bathroom redo (we have two full baths, but one has a claw foot tub). We’ve lived here for more than a year and haven’t done anything at all– we really need to do something! I like the idea of shelves on top of bead board. Great use of space. Can’t wait to see what your final outcome looks like!
Love all of it!! Subway tile is my favorite, its going to look great when you guys are done…
It seems we have similar taste. We did our bathroom on the main floor with beadboard (wallpaper) and a shelf on top. It looks so clean and pretty all the time, I love it! And that vanity in your story board thing at the bottom, is that your actual vanity that you’re getting? I love that, where is it from?
Love it!! Bummer about losing the claw foot tub… and not being able to have the pedestal sink you want!! I think it will be awesome despite losing those two elements. Can’t wait to see it come to life!! 🙂
Are those subway tiles? LOVE! I also love the look of a clean and classic bathroom! It’s going to turn out great!
I’m on board with you Kim. I love the look of the white and the hardwood floor would be great. I feel your sadness about the claw foot tub. I was hoping that you were going to be able to keep it. Hopefully it will go to a good home 🙂
That’s too bad about the tub. I have that constant struggle between pretty and practical. I wonder if you could build some small storage units to place on either side of a pedestal sink? Also, that ceiling fixture (schoolhouse light) is available at Lowe’s, pretty cheap if I remember correctly. 🙂 Might save you some buckaroos. 🙂
I hear ya on the beadboard and small hex tiles! (Obviously.) Good call on the clawfoot tub, although it is a little sad. Practicality is king! I can’t wait to see what storage options you come up with. Your mood board thingy looks good!
I love your inspiration pictures! I have a similar attraction to beadboarded bathrooms.
BHG had a few “small” bathrooms featured a couple of months ago, and they had storage between the wall studs, which I loved. We are planning to renovate our tiny bathroom to add a tub sometime soon–I understand your practicality pain!
I find it ironic that a lot of your inspiration photos had claw foot tubs.
I hate that you have to be practical too. *double sigh*
Can’t wait to see the finished project!!
LB
I love all of your inspiration photos! I agree with you–as much as I love the look of a cute pedestal sink, they are not practical. We have two full baths, but only one is upstairs, so the 4 of us share it. WE could never live with a pedestal sink. Where would my make-up live? 😉
Great inspiration photos. I must be honest though a single tear fell to the ground hearing you are selling the tub! Girl I would have that thing out in my back yard to be used as a “Rachael Hot Tub” in the winter.
I swear they make small heaters just for those claw foot tubs.
Ok enough crazy rant. I heart you and your inspiration photos, it will be lovely.
Great inspiration. In the coastal living I was drawn to the “towel” holder under the window.
Bathroom renovation is fun isn’t it. Can’t wait to see the final product 🙂
i would be happy to have ANY of those bathrooms!! great inspiration.
and knowing what you did to turn around your current bath – i know you will work miracles in the new one!
Ooh I love! I can’t wait to see it!
I LOVE your inspiration photos! Caroline just redid the TINY master bath with beadboard and white subway tiles. I’ll get you some pictures.
I am loving the elements that you selected. The beadboard, the subway tile…it will all look fantastic. Isn’t it funny how husbands have a hard time visualizing!?
I love the shelves on the top bead board idea!
Love every single bit of it.
I to love white beadboard with light colors! We have 2 bathrooms in our house but they are both so very small and light colors helps them appear bigger