They Took This 1927 Bathroom Down to the Studs and Started Over
Bathrooms in older homes often accumulate decades of compromises. Layers of repairs cover underlying problems, fixtures remain long after their useful life, and layouts designed for another era continue to dictate how the space functions. Reddit user u/kitchennook faced exactly that situation in the only bathroom of a 1927 home.
Instead of making cosmetic updates, the homeowners hired a contractor and rebuilt nearly everything. Demolition exposed deteriorated materials, a rotting window, and an unused chimney. New cabinetry, modern plumbing fixtures, additional storage, and mustard-colored tile transformed the room while preserving details that still fit the character of the house.
Aging Pink Tile and Built-In Cabinets Filled the Room
The original bathroom featured pink shade tile, a pink toilet seat, a wall-mounted sink, built-in storage cabinets, and a tub-shower combination enclosed by textured sliding glass doors.
Peeling paint, dated finishes, limited counter space, and signs of age throughout the room reflected decades of use. Although functional, the bathroom offered little storage and few modern conveniences.
Built-In Storage Wrapped Around the Toilet
Large cabinets surrounded the toilet, combining upper storage, lower storage, and open shelving within a single built-in unit. Pink wall tile extended across the walls beneath a thin black border, creating a consistent backdrop throughout the room.
Storage capacity was substantial, but the floor-to-ceiling cabinetry occupied much of the wall and contributed to the enclosed appearance of the narrow bathroom.
Demolition Took the Bathroom Back to the Framing
Walls, cabinetry, ceiling finishes, fixtures, and tile were removed, exposing original framing, wiring, plumbing, and structural components hidden for decades.
Demolition also revealed deterioration around the window area and allowed the contractor to remove an unused chimney that occupied valuable space within the room.
Rebuilding Began With Waterproofing and New Cabinetry
Extensive drywall and backer-board installation rebuilt the room after demolition exposed the original framing. Cabinetry, plumbing, and electrical work were completed before waterproofing membrane was applied around the future tub and shower.
With the structural work complete, the bathroom was ready for tile, flooring, fixtures, and finish materials that would define the final appearance.
Mustard Tile Became the New Focal Point
Glossy mustard-colored tile replaced the pale pink surfaces that previously covered the walls. The color introduces a stronger visual presence while maintaining a look that feels appropriate for the age of the home.
A new tub, modern fixtures, recessed storage niches, and updated lighting transformed the bathing area without changing the room’s overall footprint.
New Storage Replaced the Original Built-Ins
Custom wood cabinetry spans nearly the full length of the vanity wall, creating substantially more counter space than the original wall-mounted sink arrangement.
Tall storage cabinets continue the walnut finish while reducing the visual bulk created by the former built-in units around the toilet.
Vanity Area Looks Completely Different
The wall-mounted sink and multiple small mirrors were replaced with a wide vanity, integrated countertop, and large framed mirror.
Black hardware and simple fixtures create contrast against the white surfaces, while the warm wood cabinetry balances the bold tile color used throughout the room.
Few Signs of the Original Bathroom Remain
White hexagon floor tile, mustard wall tile, walnut cabinetry, modern lighting, and updated fixtures bear little resemblance to the bathroom that occupied the space for the previous two decades.
Removing the deteriorated window, eliminating the old chimney, rebuilding the storage, and taking the room back to the studs allowed the homeowners to solve long-standing issues while creating a bathroom that better suits everyday use.
The homeowners had lived with the original bathroom for nearly 20 years before beginning the renovation. Looking at the before-and-after photos, which change made the biggest difference: removing the chimney, adding the larger vanity, or replacing the pink finishes with mustard tile?
All image credits go to Reddit user u/kitchennook.