The Most Popular Bathroom Makeovers of 2021
Gorgeous tiles, custom vanities, chic hardware and clever storage made these the most-read bathroom stories of the year
This Trending Now story features the most popular Bathroom of the Week stories shared on Houzz since Jan. 1, 2021.
A successful bathroom makeover is the result of numerous decisions about individual design details and features. If you’re considering a bathroom remodel, you can find inspiration for hardworking vanities, stunning shower tile, soothing color palettes and other stylish and functional elements in this countdown of the most-read bathroom makeover stories of 2021 from our Bathroom of the Week series.
A successful bathroom makeover is the result of numerous decisions about individual design details and features. If you’re considering a bathroom remodel, you can find inspiration for hardworking vanities, stunning shower tile, soothing color palettes and other stylish and functional elements in this countdown of the most-read bathroom makeover stories of 2021 from our Bathroom of the Week series.
9. Breezy and Open With a Navy Blue Vanity
Bathroom at a Glance
Who lives here: A couple
Location: Modesto, California
Size: 120 square feet (11 square meters)
Designer: Lindsay Kjellberg of LHK Interiors
Tired of living with their all-white bathroom for 15 years, this California couple asked designer Lindsay Kjellberg to create a refreshed space that didn’t feel cold and sterile. The designer responded by taking the previous bathroom down to the studs, giving the owners a clean slate from which to add style and increase storage and light. The space now features creamy beige porcelain shower tiles, a wood-look tile floor and a new navy blue vanity with champagne bronze hardware.
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Bathroom at a Glance
Who lives here: A couple
Location: Modesto, California
Size: 120 square feet (11 square meters)
Designer: Lindsay Kjellberg of LHK Interiors
Tired of living with their all-white bathroom for 15 years, this California couple asked designer Lindsay Kjellberg to create a refreshed space that didn’t feel cold and sterile. The designer responded by taking the previous bathroom down to the studs, giving the owners a clean slate from which to add style and increase storage and light. The space now features creamy beige porcelain shower tiles, a wood-look tile floor and a new navy blue vanity with champagne bronze hardware.
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8. Streamlined Layout With a Soothing Spa Feel
Bathroom at a Glance
Who lives here: Ken and Nikki Gill and their school-age twins
Location: Dallas
Size: 240 square feet (22 square meters)
Designer: Tara Lenney Design
These Dallas homeowners weren’t satisfied with the busy layout of their primary bathroom, which had two single-sink vanities on different walls, a badly positioned water closet and two large closets that took up valuable floor space. They asked designer Tara Lenney to create a more streamlined space that includes a 12½-foot-long custom rift-cut white oak vanity with matte black pulls and a floor-to-ceiling storage tower on one end.
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Bathroom at a Glance
Who lives here: Ken and Nikki Gill and their school-age twins
Location: Dallas
Size: 240 square feet (22 square meters)
Designer: Tara Lenney Design
These Dallas homeowners weren’t satisfied with the busy layout of their primary bathroom, which had two single-sink vanities on different walls, a badly positioned water closet and two large closets that took up valuable floor space. They asked designer Tara Lenney to create a more streamlined space that includes a 12½-foot-long custom rift-cut white oak vanity with matte black pulls and a floor-to-ceiling storage tower on one end.
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7. ‘Car Wash of Showers’ Inspires a Remodel
Bathroom of the Week
Who lives here: A couple and their two teenagers
Location: Arlington, Virginia
Size: 180 square feet (17 square meters)
Designer: Susan Sutter of Susan Sutter Interiors
Builder: Denny + Gardner
These Virginia homeowners wanted their en suite bathroom to serve as a retreat from the hustle and bustle of life. Designer Susan Sutter was tasked with creating a clean-lined, moody-yet-calming space with tiled wainscoting, a new freestanding tub and a bright new shower with as many body sprays as possible.
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Bathroom of the Week
Who lives here: A couple and their two teenagers
Location: Arlington, Virginia
Size: 180 square feet (17 square meters)
Designer: Susan Sutter of Susan Sutter Interiors
Builder: Denny + Gardner
These Virginia homeowners wanted their en suite bathroom to serve as a retreat from the hustle and bustle of life. Designer Susan Sutter was tasked with creating a clean-lined, moody-yet-calming space with tiled wainscoting, a new freestanding tub and a bright new shower with as many body sprays as possible.
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6. Small but Mighty in 60 Square Feet
Bathroom at a Glance
Who lives here: Nick and Caroline Myers and their two children
Location: Oakland, California
Size: 60 square feet (5.6 square meters)
Designer: Caroline Myers Interior Design
For her own primary bathroom remodel in Oakland, California, designer Caroline Myers wanted to keep the space feeling open and airy with a classic light color scheme that includes various shades of white, different types of marble and shiny polished nickel finishes.
Among the notable highlights of the room is the the custom vanity that has six drawers and a cabinet with a pullout inside. Polished nickel knobs add a touch of timeless shine.
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Bathroom at a Glance
Who lives here: Nick and Caroline Myers and their two children
Location: Oakland, California
Size: 60 square feet (5.6 square meters)
Designer: Caroline Myers Interior Design
For her own primary bathroom remodel in Oakland, California, designer Caroline Myers wanted to keep the space feeling open and airy with a classic light color scheme that includes various shades of white, different types of marble and shiny polished nickel finishes.
Among the notable highlights of the room is the the custom vanity that has six drawers and a cabinet with a pullout inside. Polished nickel knobs add a touch of timeless shine.
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5. New Layout and Clean Look in 52 Square Feet
Bathroom at a Glance
Who lives here: James Roberts and Sue Theberge, their daughter Olive and their two dogs
Location: Corvallis, Oregon
Size: 52 square feet (4.8 square meters)
Designer: Desia Graybill of atomic * design
Builder: Jared Thayer of Thayer Construction
These Oregon homeowners looked to Houzz for bathroom design ideas and then turned to designer Desia Graybill and builder Jared Thayer to create a space that felt contemporary and cool. The refreshed space now includes a slim but efficient double-sink vanity and an alcove for the toilet. White tile walls bounce light around and matte emerald green tile in the shower gives the space a fresh style that nods to the 1966 ranch home’s origins.
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Bathroom at a Glance
Who lives here: James Roberts and Sue Theberge, their daughter Olive and their two dogs
Location: Corvallis, Oregon
Size: 52 square feet (4.8 square meters)
Designer: Desia Graybill of atomic * design
Builder: Jared Thayer of Thayer Construction
These Oregon homeowners looked to Houzz for bathroom design ideas and then turned to designer Desia Graybill and builder Jared Thayer to create a space that felt contemporary and cool. The refreshed space now includes a slim but efficient double-sink vanity and an alcove for the toilet. White tile walls bounce light around and matte emerald green tile in the shower gives the space a fresh style that nods to the 1966 ranch home’s origins.
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4. Big Style in Less Than 43 Square Feet
Bathroom at a Glance
Who lives here: A couple
Location: Toronto
Size: 42½ square feet (4 square meters); 5 feet by 8½ feet
Designer: Ketty Khuong of Ke Design Collective
Looking to save this Toronto couple money on their bathroom remodel without sacrificing style, designer Ketty Khuong found a beautiful 36-by-36-inch porcelain tile digitally printed to look like Carrara marble for the shower wall.
The custom vanity is another sensible selection. The doors are thermally fused laminate. The wood-based boards are coated with a printed paper soaked in melamine resin. They’re durable and look just like wood.
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Bathroom at a Glance
Who lives here: A couple
Location: Toronto
Size: 42½ square feet (4 square meters); 5 feet by 8½ feet
Designer: Ketty Khuong of Ke Design Collective
Looking to save this Toronto couple money on their bathroom remodel without sacrificing style, designer Ketty Khuong found a beautiful 36-by-36-inch porcelain tile digitally printed to look like Carrara marble for the shower wall.
The custom vanity is another sensible selection. The doors are thermally fused laminate. The wood-based boards are coated with a printed paper soaked in melamine resin. They’re durable and look just like wood.
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3. Large Curbless Shower Bathed in Sunshine
Bathroom at a Glance
Who lives here: A professional couple
Location: Reston, Virginia
Size: 127 square feet (12 square meters)
Design: Emily Bickl (layout and cabinet design) and Camille DeLew (interior design) of Synergy Design & Construction
These Virginia homeowners were more than happy to ditch the shower-tub combo in their main bathroom in favor of a large curbless shower that features textured 12-by-24-inch 3D porcelain tile that covers the wide wall of the shower. Designer Camille DeLew also added a built-in linen storage system with a mix of cabinets, open shelves and drawers. The pulls match those on the new vanity.
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Bathroom at a Glance
Who lives here: A professional couple
Location: Reston, Virginia
Size: 127 square feet (12 square meters)
Design: Emily Bickl (layout and cabinet design) and Camille DeLew (interior design) of Synergy Design & Construction
These Virginia homeowners were more than happy to ditch the shower-tub combo in their main bathroom in favor of a large curbless shower that features textured 12-by-24-inch 3D porcelain tile that covers the wide wall of the shower. Designer Camille DeLew also added a built-in linen storage system with a mix of cabinets, open shelves and drawers. The pulls match those on the new vanity.
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2. Soft Neutrals With a Nod to History
Bathroom at a Glance
Who lives here: A family of five
Location: Summit, New Jersey
Size: 120 square feet (11 square meters)
Designer: Rosen Kelly Conway Architecture & Design (interior design and architecture)
Contractor: R. Keller Construction
These New Jersey homeowners wanted a bathroom makeover with contemporary updates without losing the historic charm of the original 1920s Colonial Revival home. To blend modern and vintage elements, interior designer Aaron English preserved the original millwork and windows. The light fixtures and polished nickel plumbing fixtures also nod to the home’s era. More contemporary updates include the sleek freestanding tub and the black-framed frosted glass partition that conceals the toilet.
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Bathroom at a Glance
Who lives here: A family of five
Location: Summit, New Jersey
Size: 120 square feet (11 square meters)
Designer: Rosen Kelly Conway Architecture & Design (interior design and architecture)
Contractor: R. Keller Construction
These New Jersey homeowners wanted a bathroom makeover with contemporary updates without losing the historic charm of the original 1920s Colonial Revival home. To blend modern and vintage elements, interior designer Aaron English preserved the original millwork and windows. The light fixtures and polished nickel plumbing fixtures also nod to the home’s era. More contemporary updates include the sleek freestanding tub and the black-framed frosted glass partition that conceals the toilet.
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1. Serene Spa Style in 100 Square Feet
Bathroom at a Glance
Who lives here: Blake and Lacey Hoyle and their two young sons
Location: Asheville, North Carolina
Size: 100 square feet (9.3 square meters)
Designer: Shawn Merkel of Align Design
The most-read bathroom story of 2021 features a soothing Scandinavian style with lots of white, wood and light that encourages one to unwind. Designer Shawn Merkel added a new transom window above the concrete-topped vanity to bring in natural light and offer treetop views. Merkel also added a larger picture window in the shower and framed it in light wood. A teak shower stool coordinates with the wood details.
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Tell us: Which bathroom makeover is your favorite? Share your thoughts in the Comments.
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Bathroom at a Glance
Who lives here: Blake and Lacey Hoyle and their two young sons
Location: Asheville, North Carolina
Size: 100 square feet (9.3 square meters)
Designer: Shawn Merkel of Align Design
The most-read bathroom story of 2021 features a soothing Scandinavian style with lots of white, wood and light that encourages one to unwind. Designer Shawn Merkel added a new transom window above the concrete-topped vanity to bring in natural light and offer treetop views. Merkel also added a larger picture window in the shower and framed it in light wood. A teak shower stool coordinates with the wood details.
See more of this bathroom
Tell us: Which bathroom makeover is your favorite? Share your thoughts in the Comments.
More on Houzz
Read more bathroom stories
Find a bathroom designer
Shop for bathroom products
Bathroom at a Glance
Who lives here: Mike and Janet Bryant
Location: Bellevue, Washington
Size: 144 square feet (13 square meters)
Builder: Alpental Construction
Designer: Brittney Heiser of Heiser Designs
After 27 years of living with carpet on their primary bathroom floor, these Washington state homeowners had had enough. But carpeting on the floor wasn’t their only complaint. Armed with years of ideas collected from Houzz, the couple hired designer Brittney Heiser and Alpental Construction to create a brighter bathroom with more storage, fresh style and an airy layout. The now spa-like space has a hardworking vanity, freestanding tub, roomy shower, calming color palette and, best of all, no carpet.
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