They Gutted This Dated Bathroom but Kept the Layout Almost the Same
Bathrooms often receive cosmetic updates first, but Reddit user u/flonkerton1 and her family decided to rebuild theirs from the inside out. Worn finishes, peeling surfaces, cracked grout, and aging fixtures made repairs difficult to justify, so they stripped the room back to its structure and rebuilt it with custom black walnut cabinetry, black hex tile, and simple modern finishes.
Shared in r/BathroomRemodeling, the project was completed by the homeowner’s husband, who handled the plumbing, electrical work, tiling, and much of the construction. His brother built the custom black walnut vanity and matching storage cabinet, giving the remodel a handcrafted feature that defines the finished space.
Worn Finishes Covered Every Surface
The original bathroom combined a curved wood vanity, textured flooring, colorful shower accents, and aging fixtures that reflected decades of everyday use. Although the layout still worked, almost every finish showed signs of wear.
The homeowner explained that peeling flooring, cracked grout, and a deteriorating tub made replacing individual pieces impractical. A complete renovation became the better solution.
Demolition Reached the Bare Structure
Walls, drywall, flooring, and part of the shower surround came out until only the framing remained. Opening the room exposed the plumbing, electrical wiring, and structural elements that had been hidden behind decades of finishes.
Stripping the bathroom to its framework gave the homeowners a chance to rebuild every layer instead of covering worn materials with new ones. According to the Reddit post, new plywood was installed over the subfloor before adding a Schluter Ditra uncoupling membrane and the finished tile, creating a stronger foundation for the remodel.
Custom Walnut Changed the Vanity Wall
The curved vanity gave way to custom black walnut cabinetry with flat drawer fronts that place the natural grain at the center of the design.
A white countertop stretches across the cabinet before stepping into the sink, creating more usable surface space without making the narrow bathroom feel crowded.
Floating Storage Opened the Floor
Suspending the vanity above the floor reveals more of the black hex tile, making the room feel less confined from the doorway.
Lighting beneath the cabinet also introduces another layer of depth while emphasizing the floating design.
Walnut Grain Became the Main Feature
Large walnut boards create continuous grain across the drawer fronts, giving the vanity the appearance of handcrafted furniture instead of standard bathroom cabinetry.
Minimal hardware keeps attention on the wood, allowing its natural color and texture to become the strongest visual element.
Matching Cabinet Completed the Design
A second walnut cabinet above the toilet extends the same material onto the opposite wall while adding concealed storage for everyday essentials.
Building both pieces from matching lumber creates a consistent appearance throughout the bathroom instead of mixing different cabinet finishes.
Black Hex Tile Replaced the Old Floor
Small black hexagon tile covers the floor with a pattern that contrasts against the warm walnut cabinetry and white walls.
The continuous layout introduces texture while reinforcing the long shape of the room without adding visual clutter.
White Tile Simplified the Shower
The colorful accent tile disappeared in favor of white wall tile, a recessed niche, and matte black fixtures that complement the rest of the bathroom.
Keeping the shower palette restrained allows the walnut cabinetry and black flooring to remain the focal points.
Custom Walnut Changed the Entire Bathroom
The side-by-side comparison shows that the footprint changed very little, but the materials transformed the room completely. Worn finishes, aging cabinetry, and dated flooring gave way to handcrafted walnut storage, black hex tile, and simple architectural details.
Instead of relying on decorative features, the remodel combines natural wood, clean lines, and careful craftsmanship to create a bathroom that feels timeless while remaining practical for everyday use.
Image credits: Reddit user u/flonkerton1 via r/BathroomRemodeling.