After weeks of dedicated effort, our master bathroom and closet renovation has seen truly exciting progress, transforming what was once a construction zone into a highly functional and aesthetically pleasing space. We’re now rounding the final bend, with just a handful of manageable tasks left on our to-do list. The sheer delight of having a double sink vanity for the first time, paired with our favorite new toilet and a proper closet system (replacing our old, makeshift hanging bars), feels like an immense upgrade. This significant leap forward fills us with pure joy!
While this renovation has felt considerably longer than initially anticipated – a common sentiment in home improvement, it seems – the tangible results are incredibly rewarding. We know many of you have been following our journey closely on our Instagram Stories, but it’s been a while since our last comprehensive blog update (which was all the way back on October 9th!). So, we’re thrilled to share a grand update today, complete with fresh photos captured this very morning.
Navigating Unexpected Challenges: The Plumber’s Predicament
Our renovation momentum was strong post-Thanksgiving. We had successfully completed the shower tiling and were making excellent progress on the floor, aiming to grout both simultaneously. However, a significant curveball was thrown our way: our plumber announced he was scheduled for knee surgery in just four days, rendering him unavailable for five weeks. This sudden news meant if we hoped for any installations before February – a truly daunting prospect – we had less than a week to prepare the room.
Naturally, panic set in. Yet, after a brief moment of overwhelm, a few deep breaths, and perhaps a consoling snack, we strategically shifted our focus. The new priority became completing just the floor tiling and grouting. This rapid completion was crucial to allow the immediate installation of the toilet, vanity, and tub. While it meant delaying the shower’s completion, regaining a functional toilet and sink was paramount. We reasoned that we could continue to use the hall shower for a bit longer, but the convenience of our own sink and toilet, especially during the night, was sorely missed and non-negotiable.
During this strategic realignment, another realization emerged: installing the decorative molding on the walls would be significantly easier before the bulky fixtures like the toilet, vanity, and tub were in place. These elements would undoubtedly obstruct any wall treatment installation. While I’ll spare you the minute-by-minute account of cramming what felt like 40 hours of work into a mere few days, suffice it to say, through countless late nights of tiling, nailing, caulking, grouting, and painting, we pushed through. We managed to get it all done, literally, just in the nick of time. (We’re planning a dedicated post soon to detail how we installed that thick, custom trim around the room – it’s a design element we believe has profoundly elevated the space.)
A Twist in the “Just in Time” Tale
Our “just in time” success was quickly followed by another revelation. Despite our sprint, our plumber, swamped with other projects, couldn’t squeeze us in the day before his surgery as he had hoped. Being the last to get on his list, we understood we’d be the first to be bumped if time ran out. The great news, however, was his proactive solution: he dispatched two members of his team the very next day to handle our installations. This was a tremendous relief, certainly beating a five-week wait while he recovered. In the end, everything worked out splendidly, though they lacked the specific kit for the tub installation, which meant that would have to wait, along with the final trimming out of the shower (as it still required grouting and sealing before that final plumbing step).
So, as it stands, our master bathroom boasts a beautiful aesthetic with a fully functioning double vanity and toilet, even if the shower and tub are still awaiting their final touches. (The tub we bought is currently making itself at home in our bedroom!). But honestly, the sheer excitement of having running water from our new faucets and a flushing toilet is enough to make us overlook these minor, temporary inconveniences.
Professional vs. DIY: The Plumbing Decision
A question we’ve received often is why we didn’t simply install the toilet and vanity ourselves, especially considering the tight deadline for the plumber. It’s true, we’ve tackled these tasks before and are perfectly capable. However, for a comprehensive renovation like this, involving entirely new pipe connections within the walls, having our licensed plumber see the job through from start to finish offers an invaluable guarantee. This ensures that if any issues, such as a leak, arise months down the line, there’s no ambiguity about responsibility, and his work is fully warranted. Furthermore, for major “gut job” renovations that often require permits, having all plumbing work performed by a licensed professional is crucial for adhering to local building codes. This differs significantly from simple fixture replacements in an otherwise untouched bathroom, which typically don’t necessitate a permit or professional oversight.
A Strategic Shift: Prioritizing the Closet for Holiday Guests
At this point, one might expect us to immediately pivot back to grouting the shower and preparing it for the tub and wall-mounted faucet installation after the holidays. But no, the excitement of a partially finished bathroom with a working toilet and sink completely changed our focus. The pressure to complete the shower and tub diminished significantly. Adding to this, with holiday guests on the horizon, we desperately needed to reclaim our dining room and garage, which had become temporary storage for displaced closet items and countless IKEA parts. The sheer volume of clothes, shoes, and assembly components required a new direction. Thus, with only a few days remaining before Christmas, our attention wholeheartedly turned to installing our new closet system.
The feeling of having this space functional again, and finally moving all our displaced clothing back into its proper home, was nothing short of exhilarating. We tackled the entire installation of the IKEA Pax system over several days during Christmas week, driven by the simple desire for a finished closet before the holidays. It truly felt like a gift to ourselves, eliminating the need to rummage through the kids’ bedrooms for clothes and clearing our dining table just in time for festive gatherings. We’re excited to share a comprehensive post soon, detailing our installation process, how we trimmed it out to achieve a custom built-in look, photos of each organized section, and even a video tour!
The Versatility of a Vintage Find: Our Etsy Rug
You might have noticed the charming rug featured in some of the photos – it appears both in front of the double vanity and within the closet itself:
This beautiful piece is a secondhand rug sourced from Etsy, originating all the way from Turkey, and it cost us a mere $186! It arrived incredibly fast, in less than a week, and its aged, faded appearance is exactly what gives it so much character and warmth. Here’s the vendor I got it from, and here are some similar ones if you’re looking to add a touch of vintage charm to your own space. While I absolutely adore how it looks in front of the vanity, I might love it even more nestled within the closet, adding a cozy, inviting feel.
Adding Character: The Morale-Boosting Finishing Touches
Beyond the major installations, we’ve also ticked off several delightful decorative tasks. Our new mirrors now hang gracefully over the double vanity, and the elegant arched mirror has found its home in the closet. The beloved in the closet adds a touch of ethereal sparkle. We’ve also started incorporating greenery and woven textures through baskets on the sink and within the closet. These seemingly small additions contribute significantly to the overall ambiance, making the space feel more finished and inviting. I wholeheartedly believe in the “morale boost” that comes from bringing in a few beautiful items, even if a project isn’t entirely complete. It allows you to savor the progress and genuinely appreciate the partially finished room. Plus, plants always make me happy!
The Final Stretch: Our Remaining To-Do List
While the biggest hurdles are behind us, there are still a few tasks to tackle before this master bathroom and closet renovation is truly complete. In addition to finishing the grouting and sealing of the shower and getting the tub and the wall-mounted faucet installed, our list has shrunk from an overwhelming 117 items to a very manageable half-dozen:
- Wire the Vanity Fixtures: We were torn between two finish options for our vanity lights. They are hung, but not yet wired, as we’ve made our final decision. I’ll be sharing an InstaStory soon to reveal both contenders and explain our ultimate choice, highlighting how the right lighting elevates the space.
- Paint the Vanity: While we appreciate the current gray color, we feel the room would benefit from a softer touch. We’re leaning towards something like a muted green, which has served as a consistent source of inspiration. This subtle color change will add another layer of sophistication and calm to the bathroom’s aesthetic. We’ll definitely keep you updated on this transformation.
- Hang Towel Hooks & Art: Our current plan involves a thoughtful combination of towel hooks and curated art above the tub, with additional artwork planned over the toilet. These personal touches will add character and functionality, but we need the tub installed first to finalize placement and ensure proper spacing.
- Select & Hang a Shower Curtain: Surprisingly, we’ve both started to second-guess our initial plan for a glass shower door. We realized a fabric curtain could introduce a wonderful element of softness and texture, which we often prefer over glass for its aesthetic and practical advantages (less scrubbing!). While a glass door remains an option down the line, we’re eager to experiment with a curtain first before committing to a more expensive, permanent solution.
- Hang & Frost the Bathroom Door: The 15-light glass door we ordered is expected any day now. Installing this door is crucial for providing essential privacy to the room. Since a pre-frosted version we liked wasn’t available, we have a date with some frosting film. This DIY step will ensure privacy without sacrificing natural light. (A frosted door works wonders for us at our beach house, but we acknowledge it might not suit everyone’s routine, especially if one partner wakes up much earlier than the other!)
I’m sure I might be forgetting a small detail or two from that list, but it genuinely feels like we’re on the final approach! And of course, once this project is officially “forked,” we’ll be sharing a full budget breakdown. We’ve diligently tracked every expense, and thankfully, it’s been a blissfully straightforward process with no major unexpected discoveries behind the walls. We can’t wait to share all the financial insights with you.
Explore Our Other Renovation Journeys
If you’re looking for more home renovation inspiration, here are some of our favorite room makeovers we’ve tackled over the years:
- A full bathroom renovation in our first house, completed for under $2000!
- Our expansive kitchen renovation, featuring some of our absolute favorite before & after transformations.
- A truly inspiring $51 bathroom makeover that still makes us smile.
- The complete transformation of our bonus room renovation – a space that didn’t even exist before!
- And one of our all-time favorite exterior projects: painting our brick house white, a change that completely refreshed its curb appeal.
P.S. Don’t forget to revisit the initial post about this master bathroom renovation to catch a video tour and see the exciting (and somewhat chaotic) half-demolished “before” pictures. For a deeper dive into our design choices, check out the planning post, which includes a before-and-after floor plan, our tile selection process, and general design inspiration.
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