Thank you, Jeffrey Court, for generously sponsoring our inspiring bathroom tile project! All opinions expressed in this article are, as always, our own.

Transforming Our Kids & Guest Bathroom: A Complete Renovation Reveal

The moment we’ve been eagerly anticipating has finally arrived! We are thrilled to unveil the complete transformation of our kids’ and guest bathroom. This project marked our very first full bathroom renovation, and we can genuinely say it was an incredibly intense, yet ultimately rewarding, experience. You might recall from our previous updates that we embarked on a full-scale demolition, stripping this bathroom down to its bare studs. Our aim was to reimagine the space entirely, preserving only the existing cabinet and countertop as a starting point.

What makes this journey even more remarkable is that we achieved this ambitious overhaul in a mere six short weeks, all while navigating life with two energetic children under the age of four. The initial plan involved hiring out the intricate tiling work, but circumstances led us to embrace a full DIY approach for this critical stage. My husband, Jon, demonstrated unparalleled dedication, working tirelessly around the clock for six straight weeks. While I primarily focused on managing our children 24/7 – a significant task in itself – Jon would return from his day job, grab a quick dinner, and immediately dive into the bathroom renovation, often working until 10 or 11 PM. Weekends were entirely devoted to the project, with one particular weekend seeing him labor from 9 AM to 11 PM with less than an hour’s break. His commitment was truly awe-inspiring, and we feel incredibly fortunate to have him. The final outcome of our guest/kids bathroom renovation has surpassed all our initial expectations, resulting in a space that is not only functional but also aesthetically stunning.

This renovation was part of a challenging One Room Challenge initiative with Jeffrey Court Tile, where the grand prize winner receives a $5,000 vacation. While we await the final results, in our eyes, we are already winners. We not only completed this extensive bathroom renovation precisely on schedule but also now possess a gorgeous new bathroom that far exceeded our original design aspirations. Without further ado, let’s dive into the details of our incredible new bathroom!

Optimizing Space: The Pocket Door Transformation

Our journey began right at the entrance of the bathroom. One of the most impactful changes we made was replacing the bulky, traditional swinging door with a sleek, space-saving pocket door. This seemingly minor alteration was quite an undertaking in itself, requiring meticulous planning and execution, including the significant task of relocating existing electrical wiring from one side of the wall to the other. However, the effort was undeniably worth it. The addition of the pocket door dramatically opened up this previously cramped guest bathroom, instantly making the space feel significantly larger and far more inviting. It’s a game-changer for small bathrooms, enhancing both functionality and perceived size.

Foundation & Vanity: A Fresh Take on Existing Elements

Next, our attention turned to the flooring and the existing cabinet. Rather than replacing the vanity entirely, we opted for a budget-friendly yet highly effective approach: we kept the original bathroom cabinet and gave it a vibrant new paint finish. We’ll be sharing a dedicated post next week detailing the steps involved in painting the cabinet, so stay tuned for those tips! Last year, we had already upgraded from the old formica countertop to a beautiful Courtzite countertop, complete with practical double sinks – a must-have for a busy kids’ bathroom. The most dramatic change in this area, however, came with the flooring. We bid farewell to the dated, shiny dance-floor-esque tiles and meticulously installed the stunning Jeffrey Court Oakwood Lilly Porcelain Hexagon Floor. This hexagon tile choice infuses a modern, elegant touch, and honestly, I am completely head over heels in love with this floor. It instantly elevates the entire room’s aesthetic.

Designing a Dream Shower: The Art of Tile Selection

The shower area underwent a truly breathtaking transformation. We moved away from the builder-grade standard tile and instead created a custom, luxurious mix of Jeffrey Court tiles that now form the centerpiece of the bathroom. Our shower boasts a carefully curated selection, including:

• Jeffrey Court Sleet Beveled 3 in. x 12 in. x 8 mm Glass Bevel Wall Tile: These elegant glass tiles provide a reflective, sophisticated backdrop, adding depth and brightness to the shower walls.
• Alaskan Chill 11-1/2 in. x 11-5/8 in. x 6mm Glass Mosaic: This mosaic introduces a subtle yet captivating pattern and texture, breaking up the larger tiles with a touch of artistic flair.
• Jeffrey Court Carrara Marble Dome Trim Wall Tile: The classic Carrara marble trim adds a timeless, luxurious finish, elegantly framing the different tile sections.

This combination creates a shower space that feels both modern and classic, providing a spa-like retreat right in our home. The meticulous installation of these varied tiles truly showcases Jon’s skill and dedication.

Witness the Transformation: A Side-by-Side Comparison

This powerful side-by-side photograph perfectly illustrates the dramatic and inspiring overhaul our kids’/guest bathroom has undergone. The difference is night and day, a testament to thoughtful design and relentless hard work.

Step inside, and this is the inviting view that greets you immediately – a bright, refreshed, and thoughtfully designed space.

The subtle blue accents throughout the bathroom have truly captured our hearts. They provide a serene yet playful foundation for the overall theme.

Smart Storage Solutions: Customizing the IKEA HEMNES Mirror Cabinet

For essential storage, we chose the HEMNES Mirror cabinet with 2 doors, in white from IKEA. While we loved its clean lines and ample storage potential, we weren’t keen on it protruding six inches from the wall in our relatively compact bathroom. Our solution was to inset the cabinet directly into the wall. This involved a bit of creative problem-solving, as we encountered a pipe within the wall, limiting us to recessing it four inches instead of the full six. Despite this minor adjustment, the result is significantly better, creating a much cleaner, built-in look that maximizes visual space. I absolutely adore this cabinet and the incredible amount of organized storage it provides for all our bathroom essentials.

Embracing a Playful Ocean Theme: Decor That Delights

With Ryder’s nautical-themed toddler room soon transitioning into a “big boy” construction zone, I was eager to retain a touch of the ocean’s charm in our home. This led us to embrace a playful ocean theme for the kids’ bathroom, creating a fun and whimsical environment. Finding the perfect coordinating pieces was a joy; the shower curtain, a charming decorative sign, the trash can, an adorable shark rug, a toothbrush holder, coordinating cups, and soft washcloths were all conveniently sourced from Target. These elements seamlessly tie together to create a cohesive and cheerful underwater adventure for our little ones.

Looking Ahead: Future Storage & Functional Enhancements

While this renovation was extensive, some smaller projects remain on our to-do list. We eventually plan to enclose the small storage loft area above the bathroom entrance. Due to the tight six-week timeline, we simply couldn’t get to it during this phase. Once enclosed, this space will serve as invaluable linen storage, overflow storage for larger toys, and a clever hiding spot for Christmas gifts – essential for keeping our home organized and clutter-free.

I confess, I anticipated Jon might suggest I create a DIY version of the decorative sign, but to my delight, he instantly fell in love with it. A definite win!

Investing in Comfort & Cleanliness: The New Toilet

Let’s take a moment to appreciate one of our key functional investments: the American Standard VorMax Plus Tall Height 2-Piece 1.28 GPF Single Flush Elongated Toilet in White. This isn’t just any toilet; it features a desirable no-slam seat and lid, preventing those jarring crashes, and perhaps most impressively, it self-cleans after every flush! This advanced cleaning technology offers incredible peace of mind, particularly in a busy kids’ bathroom. We willingly paid a little extra for these premium features, and we are optimistic that the long-term benefits in terms of hygiene, durability, and convenience will make it a worthwhile investment. A truly modern upgrade!

Functional Elegance: The Built-In Shower Niche

One of Jon’s expertly crafted additions is the built-in shower niche. This thoughtful feature eliminates the need for unsightly shower caddies, providing a dedicated, recessed space for toiletries that enhances both the functionality and streamlined aesthetics of the shower. The glass white bevel tile chosen for the niche is exactly what I envisioned – chic, reflective, and luxurious. However, we’ll be honest: installing and grouting these specific glass bevel tiles presented a significant challenge. Their delicate nature and precise requirements made for a painstaking process, but the stunning final result was well worth the extra effort.

Seamless Fixtures: The Moen Hensley Faucet

For the shower and tub, we selected the Moen Hensley Single-Handle 1-Spray Tub and Shower Faucet in Spot Resist Brushed Nickel. This choice was driven by its elegant design, which perfectly complements the bathroom’s modern aesthetic, and its reputation for ease of installation. The Spot Resist finish is a fantastic feature, minimizing water spots and fingerprints – a practical benefit for any family bathroom. It truly looks great and performs beautifully.

The Journey of Tile Selection: A Leap of Faith

One of the more nerve-wracking aspects of this renovation was having to select all our Jeffrey Court tiles sight unseen, relying solely on online images and descriptions. This was particularly true for the Alaskan Chill 11-1/2 in. x 11-5/8 in. x 6mm Glass Mosaic. In its online depiction, it appeared to have a more pronounced blue hue. When the tiles first arrived, we admit we had a moment of doubt, questioning if it was truly the right choice for our vision. However, as the installation progressed and the overall design came together, we found ourselves falling completely in love with its subtle elegance and unique character. It’s a wonderful reminder that sometimes the best design choices involve a leap of faith.

Balancing Style and Resale Value: Our Design Philosophy

When undertaking home renovations, we consistently aim to strike a balance between personal style and maintaining broad appeal for potential future resale. Our philosophy is to generally play it on the “safe side,” avoiding excessively trendy or overly personalized designs that might alienate future buyers. However, this doesn’t mean we shy away from incorporating unique touches! Embracing the mosaic tile in the shower and the distinctive hexagon pattern on the floor was, for us, stepping slightly “out of the box” and adding a touch of contemporary flair without compromising on timeless elegance. These choices inject personality and visual interest while still maintaining a sophisticated, widely appealing aesthetic. Just look at all the newfound spaciousness in the bathroom! I am still in awe of how much larger and more functional it feels. I truly love our new bathroom!

Final Touches and Your Next Renovation Project

Now, with the major work completed, we’re eagerly contemplating the final touches, such as deciding on the perfect placement for our towel hooks and toilet paper holder – small details that will complete the room’s functionality. We sincerely hope that our journey and the detailed reveal of our kids’ and guest bathroom renovation has provided you with valuable inspiration and ideas for your own upcoming home improvement projects. Renovating a bathroom can be a challenging but incredibly rewarding endeavor, transforming an everyday space into a beautiful sanctuary. If you have any questions about our process, product selections, or general renovation tips, please don’t hesitate to ask us in the comments section below. We are more than happy to share our experiences and will do our best to respond as soon as possible. Happy renovating!