10 Bathrooms That Changed How I Think About Renovating Mine
Not every bathroom is worth copying. Some look good in photos and fall apart in daily use. Others solve real problems and keep working long after the novelty wears off.
The bathrooms below fall into the second category. These are the spaces I would use as reference points if I were renovating today.
1. The Backlit Mirror That Replaces Overhead Light
This bathroom changed how I think about task lighting. The mirror becomes the light source, which removes glare from above and keeps the ceiling calm. Nothing competes with the sink zone.
What I would steal here is restraint. One mirror. One glow. No extra fixtures trying to help. It feels quieter, and the room reads larger because the light floats instead of drops.
2. The Framed Mirror That Carries the Wall
This mirror does more than reflect. Its edge thickness gives the wall structure, almost like trim. The sconces stay secondary, not decorative.
I would keep this approach when the vanity runs long. One strong mirror anchors the wall and removes the need for visual clutter across the surface.
3. The Wood Tub That Turns a Fixture Into Furniture
This is not about luxury. It is about material contrast. The wood softens the scale of the tub and makes it feel placed, not installed.
I would use this idea when the bathroom opens into a bedroom or dressing zone. The tub becomes part of the room, not a separate utility object.
4. The Vertical Shower That Respects Floor Space
This layout proves that height matters more than footprint. The vertical shower line draws the eye up and frees the floor.
I would apply this in smaller bathrooms where the instinct is to widen everything. Going taller keeps circulation clean and avoids visual crowding.
5. The Open Vanity That Accepts Exposure
This sink does not hide plumbing. It accepts it. That choice removes bulk and keeps the wall breathable.
I would use this where storage can move elsewhere. The gain in light and openness outweighs closed drawers in tight rooms.
6. The Bathroom That Borrows From the Window
This space works because it shares light with the room beyond. The mirror reflects greenery, not tile.
I would always look for this option now. Borrowed views make bathrooms feel less sealed and less mechanical.
7. The Color Block Wall That Defines Zones
This wall does the zoning work without partitions. Color replaces walls. The mirror stays centered and calm.
I would use this when a bathroom needs structure but not division. It guides use without closing space.
8. The Soaking Tub That Acts as the Room Anchor
Here, the tub sets the layout, not the vanity. Everything responds to it.
I would plan this first in a renovation where bathing matters. Once the tub sits right, the rest becomes easier to resolve.
9. The Lounge Element That Changes Behavior
A chair does not belong in most bathrooms. Here, it does. It signals pause, not rush.
I would only use this when space allows, but the idea matters. Bathrooms should support rest, not only routines.
10. The Bedroom-Bath Hybrid That Removes Barriers
This is not about openness. It is about continuity. Materials flow, and the tub feels expected.
I would not copy this directly, but I would borrow the mindset. When a bathroom connects to sleep, softness matters more than separation.