When it comes to the resale value of a home, renovating your bathroom is arguably one of the most important investments you can make. But there’s another, perhaps ultimately more beneficial, reason to consider a bathroom makeover. “I’m a firm believer that the space one inhabits has a huge influence on your personality and approach to life,” says New York–based designer Susana Simonpietri, creative director of the Brooklyn firm Chango & Co.. “Making your home beautiful and fresh is a great way to invite a daily influx of joy into your life, which eventually trickles down to everything you do. Nothing lifts your spirit like starting your day in a room you love.”
Ready to remodel your bathroom, but not sure where to start? Read on for Simonpietri’s tips for how to get started in your own home and peruse 14 stunning before-and-after renovations that are sure to inspire.
1. Begin with a clear idea of what you want.
“Whether the project is conducted by a design team or not, it’s really important to know what you like and dislike about your space, which will inform a comprehensive floor plan that integrates all of the desired changes,” says Simonpietri. From there, you can think about aesthetics, from the color palette to the types of fittings you’d like to incorporate.
2. Do your research.
“The best clients are often the most informed,” the designer says. “Gather as many images of spaces you love as you can—Pinterest and Instagram can be fantastic sources of inspiration. The more trained your eye becomes on what you love, the easier it will be to make decisions as you move along. It will also give you a solid database to use and compare against your selections.”
3. Know your budget.
“A flexible budget will allow you to make unexpected design decisions during the process, which add in cost but also significantly add to the space,” she says. “Always leave yourself some extra funds for great fittings and finishes, since ultimately that is what you will see daily, and things do come up during construction.”
4. Hire the right people.
“To achieve beautiful results, it’s important to start with a good team you can trust, and who understands your budget and where to allocate your funds so they shine,” Simonpietri says.
5. Be detail-oriented.
“When working with white marble, as we did here, I cannot stress enough the importance of dry runs with the material,” the designer says. “Your idea of a beautifully laid-out marble vein along the floor is likely not the same as the person who will be doing the tiling work, so make sure you rehearse this before anything is glued down. And make sure to open all of your tile boxes to sift through the material before starting to use it—colors will vary, and the sorting process will allow you to have more control over what is used where and what pieces to discard.” Most people, Simonpietri included, also recommend ordering at least 15 percent more material than needed for this reason, plus any cracking or breaking that often occurs during shipping and handling.
BEFORE
Simonpietri overhauled an en-suite master bath in a West Village high-rise apartment.
AFTER
Simonpietri removed the existing tub, allowing for a larger shower stall and more cabinetry and closet space. Gray wood paneling contrasts with sleek marble flooring and countertops.
BEFORE
The master bath of a Los Angeles guesthouse renovated by architect Marc Appleton and designer David Netto.
AFTER
The bright and airy space features a tub, washstands, and fittings by Waterworks. The bulkhead sconces are by Davey Lighting through Design Within Reach.
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BEFORE
The master bath of designer Sara Story's historic Victorian home in Snedens Landing, New York.
AFTER
The master bath is clad in dramatically figured Paonazzo marble; the freestanding shower was designed by Dirk Denison.
BEFORE
The master bath of jewelry designer Ippolita Rostagno’s Brooklyn brownstone.
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AFTER
Rostagno collaborated with architects Robin Elmslie Osler and Ken Levenson on the renovation of the top two floors of the home, including the master suite. An abstract mural by Surface & Architecture Workshop distinguishes the suite’s bath; the tub and sink fittings are all by Dornbracht, and the tufted bench is by RH.
BEFORE
A guest bath in the Aspen, Colorado, home of philanthropists Amy and John Phelan.
AFTER
Stonefox Architects renovated and decorated the entire home. A mix of Ann Sacks surfaces, including a pebble wall covering, brings a warm feel to the revived guest bath; the sconce and side table are both by Urban Archaeology, the tub is by Waterworks, and the tub, shower, and sink fittings are all by Dornbracht.
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BEFORE
The master bathroom of Nora and André Jordan’s Washington, D.C., home.
AFTER
Solís Betancourt & Sherrill renovated and decorated the apartment, including the glamorous master bath, which is outfitted with a mirrored vanity and a ceiling fixture by Chameleon Fine Lighting.
BEFORE
The bathroom of a Manhattan apartment that received a makeover by Jane Siris and Peter Coombs, of Siris/Coombs Architects, and designer Jason Bell. The team combined and renovated two Manhattan apartments.
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AFTER
In the new master bath, which is informed by bold blue tiles, French doors flanking the tub lead out to the adjacent terrace.
BEFORE
The master bathroom in a home in the Chicago suburbs during the renovation.
AFTER
Margaret McCurry, of the Chicago firm Tigerman McCurry Architects, updated and refreshed the 1953 home. With its picture window, skylight, and natural materials, the new master bath has an indoor-outdoor feel and features an Ann Sacks tub and Lefroy Brooks sinks.
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BEFORE
The master bath of a Boston-area house.
AFTER
Designer Elissa Cullman collaborated with the architecture firm Botticelli & Pohl on the renovation of the Georgian Revival house. A barrel-vaulted ceiling was installed in the master bath to add depth and interest.
BEFORE
The master bath of a Shanghai house.
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AFTER
Architects Shirley Chang and B. Christopher Bene combined two early-20th-century buildings into one sleek 21st-century residence. The new master bath’s shower and tub are illuminated by a skylight.
BEFORE
The powder room of designer Nate Berkus’s former Manhattan apartment.
AFTER
A Piero Fornasetti wallpaper by Cole & Son lines the renovated powder room.
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BEFORE
A bathroom in fashion executive Kenneth Wyse’s Manhattan apartment.
AFTER
Designer Larry Laslo gave the refurbished space a classic look with Ann Sacks subway tile and a pedestal sink.
BEFORE
A powder room in the Manhattan pied-à-terre of Lisa and James Cohen.
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AFTER
The apartment, which is situated in the iconic Plaza hotel, was renovated by VLArchitects and Susanna Maggard Interiors. Lending panache to the transformed powder room are a French light fixture from Carlos de la Puente Antiques and a 1960s mirror attributed to Gabriella Crespi, from John Salibello Antiques.
BEFORE
The master bath of an 1850s Greenwich Village townhouse.
AFTER
Architect Peter Pennoyer and interior designer Shawn Henderson renovated the historic building. A Peter Hujar photograph and a rosebush sculpture by Sam Tufnell distinguish the master bath; the tub fittings are by Waterworks.
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