This Narrow Guest Bathroom Looked Stuck in the 1970s Before One Remodel Changed Everything
Guest bathrooms from the 1970s often share the same formula: a tub-shower combination at one end, a long vanity along one wall, dated finishes, and little visual impact. Reddit user u/TooKool4This started with exactly that type of space before deciding to rebuild almost every surface from the studs out.
Instead of simply replacing fixtures, the project removed a wall beside the tub to create a larger shower area, upgraded insulation and electrical systems, installed a new window, and introduced a striking blue tile feature wall. A fluted wood vanity, large-format porcelain tile, and frameless glass enclosure completed a remodel that bears little resemblance to the original bathroom.
Builder-Grade Finishes Covered Every Surface of the Original Bathroom
The original bathroom measured roughly 5 feet wide by 11 to 12 feet long, with a double vanity running along one side and a tub-shower combination occupying the far end. The space relied on beige flooring, cream countertops, wood cabinetry, and a large wall mirror.
Natural light entered through a horizontal window above the tub, but most finishes reflected the standard builder-grade appearance common in many homes from the era.
Vanity Removal Exposed the Original Bathroom Structure
Removing the long vanity exposed plumbing connections, electrical wiring, and wall surfaces that had been hidden behind the cabinets for decades.
Countertops, sinks, mirrors, and storage were stripped away, leaving a blank shell that prepared the room for larger structural changes later in the remodel.
Removing the Wall Changed the Room Immediately
With the vanity removed and walls opened, the bathroom’s underlying structure was fully exposed. Plumbing, wiring, and framing that had been hidden for decades became visible.
The wall beside the tub was gone, revealing a more open floor plan and creating space for the larger shower that would define the finished remodel.
Waterproofing Prepared the New Shower Area
Backer board and waterproofing membranes replaced the original wall surfaces as the new shower enclosure began taking shape. A recessed niche was framed into the back wall, creating built-in storage without adding shelves or accessories later.
The former tub area was being converted into a dedicated walk-in shower. Waterproofing the walls, window area, and plumbing penetrations established the foundation for the tile installation that followed.
Blue Tile Turned the Shower Into the Focal Point
Glossy Glacier Blue ceramic tile covers the shower walls from floor to ceiling, replacing the small tub surround that previously occupied the end of the bathroom. Vertical installation emphasizes the room’s height while creating a strong visual backdrop for the new shower area.
Black fixtures, a rainfall shower head, and a handheld sprayer contrast against the blue tile. A recessed niche finished with lighter textured tile introduces storage without interrupting the clean lines of the wall.
A Fluted Wood Vanity Replaced the Builder-Grade Cabinets
Wood cabinetry with fluted drawer fronts replaced the original vanity, introducing texture and warmer tones into a room now dominated by stone, porcelain, and glass surfaces.
Black plumbing fixtures, brass-framed mirrors, and large-format wall tile create a layered mix of materials. At the opposite end of the room, the blue shower remains visible through the glass enclosure, connecting both sides of the design.
One Wall Came Down and the Bathroom Barely Looks the Same
A narrow vanity, beige flooring, and a tub-shower combination once occupied nearly every visible surface. The finished remodel replaces those elements with a walk-in shower, floor-to-ceiling blue tile, and a custom-looking vanity wall.
Most of the transformation came from changing the layout and materials rather than expanding the room. The result feels larger despite remaining within nearly the same footprint.
According to the homeowner, labor cost about $15,000, finishes added another $10,000, and permits cost roughly $1,000. Demolition, drywall, electrical work, and project management were completed by the homeowner.
Which change made the biggest impact: the blue tile shower, the fluted wood vanity, or removing the wall and replacing the tub with a walk-in shower?
All image credits go to reddit user : TooKool4This