This Bathroom Renovation Tip Will Save You Time and Money

Updated on 6/16/2018 at 9:20 AM

I'm a home editor with an embarrassing secret. Since moving into our place, I've neglected our master bathroom so entirely that even the dated design features make sloppy details we're actually responsible for (ahem: crooked Ikea shelving, patches of spackle on the wall, and broken towel hooks) seem bougie in comparison. My husband and I designated it as the "I give up room" — a place kept off limits to guests that serves only the most basic functional needs, sort of like the "I give up sweats." You know they're unflattering but you still won't get rid of them.

We knew something had to be done, but the reality was that if we were too "busy" to replace a broken wall hook, then making all of the design decisions for a bathroom renovation, and hiring a contractor to execute everything was going to be a stretch. When I was approached by Decorist, an online interior design service that recently launched a renovation partnership with Lowe's, I knew this was our chance.

Decorist's Design Proposal and Mock Up

To get started, I took Decorist's design quiz to pinpoint my style and taste. The process was actually fun and didn't take much time.

After choosing a room design package, I gave details about my bathroom such as likes, dislikes, and dimensions, and uploaded pictures of my bathroom. I also shared a link to my bathroom Pinterest board for additional inspiration.

I was matched with one of their interior designers who created two design concepts for me to choose from. I chose the mock up pictured above. Then my designer whipped up a custom floor plan, a shopping list, and introduced me to my Lowe's contact, who took care of project managing my assigned contractor. Decorist and Lowe's supplied all of the materials and products and had them delivered to my home, which made things much easier on me!

The Dreaded Before Pictures

The big reveal wouldn't be quite as impressive if I didn't share the before pictures, right? Behold the early '90s white floor tiles that revealed every dirt smudge and fallen hair, the Ikea shelves we hung for storage that ended up being an eyesore, and patches of white spackle on the walls that we never bothered to paint. Oops.

Now, a spotlight on the builder-grade accessories I loathed but did nothing about. Frosted, bell-shaped light fixture and matching toilet paper holder? Check! Large, frameless mirror? I see you. Last of all, the sink vanity with a faux top drawer. Who needs storage in a bathroom, anyway?

Our shower featured a textured sliding glass door and a cream-colored faux marble interior, which didn't exactly help brighten this small, window-less space.

You thought I was lying about the broken towel hook? I wasn't. Don't even ask about the other two holes.

The Results

OK, now let's get to the good stuff! The reveal. I told our designer that I wanted to feel like I was on a permanent vacation in a Palm Springs boutique hotel instead of a depressing motel, and she totally made it happen.

Incorporating lots of white and clear glass helped make the bathroom feel deceptively large and airy. If you have a small bathroom, take my designer's advice and opt for a clear glass door instead of a shower curtain or textured glass door. It instantly opened up more visual square footage, making our bathroom feel much less claustrophobic. The porcelain floor tiles look like reclaimed wood but can withstand tons of humidity and water — laying them in a herringbone pattern adds instant elegance.

You don't need to rely on pricey specialty stores to access high-design features. Lowe's actually carries a ton of superstylish options, like this cool shower with rolling sliders. Sort of the modern equivalent to sliding barn doors.

Can we talk about the faucet? It was another Lowe's find that really helped elevate the design.

A closer look at the tile wainscoting.

In addition to choosing a sink vanity with real drawers, we snuck in more storage by adding slim wall cabinets in two different places. We decided to paint them the same color as the walls and skip hardware so that you hardly notice them.

If you're looking for a streamlined process to renovate that doesn't require hiring an expensive interior designer or searching for a contractor on your own, you should definitely consider going the Decorist/Lowe's route. Access to an interior designer for these Decorist/Lowe's renovations will only set you back a flat fee of $299 — a rate that's otherwise hard to find. Renovations are never without hiccups, but having professional design advice and a project manager will help you troubleshoot storage or layout issues, avoid pricey mistakes, and remain organized. If you're thinking of a similar style for your own bathroom, check out my bathroom shopping list to get the look!