How a Small Bathroom Remodel Became a Spa-Style Retreat

Making small but significant floor plan changes, designer Amanda Hickam puts a cramped bath into a refreshing new light.

By
BHG Staff
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BEFORE: Heavy drapery and dark, textured wallcovering overwhelm the room, muting natural light and making the bathroom feel smaller than it is.
AFTER: A sculptural freestanding tub anchors this bright, nature-facing bath. Brass fixtures add just enough warmth to elevate the palette. // Photos by Laurey Glenn, Styling by Kathleen Varner

How to Make a Small Bathroom Look Bigger

Sometimes a few small tweaks can make all the difference. For this primary bath renovation, designer Amanda Hickam of Harper Harris Design made simple but strategic design moves to maximize space and provide a better flow.

Floor plan changes by Harper Harris Design.

Trouble spots included a much-too-long vanity that took up floor space and butted against a built-in tub surround. The pre-fab shower was past its prime and way too low and cramped, and the water closet much too visible.

“White marble counters, crisp white cabinetry, classic mosaic floors, and unlacquered brass accents are timeless materials that still feel effortlessly modern.”

– Designer Amanda Hickam

BEFORE: The cramped footprint made every design choice feel cluttered, while the dated shower enclosure and awkward layout only emphasized the room’s poor flow.
AFTER: Clean-lined marble tile instantly elevates the shower. The restrained palette and thoughtful detailing allow the materials to speak for themselves.

Small Bathroom, Big Upgrade

Her solutions? Replace the clunky tub with a freestanding style and shorten the vanity and add a storage tower between the sinks to make up for lost cabinet space. She also rotated the toilet and portioned off the water closet on its own. “We now have a clear visual line all the way through the entire length of the bathroom,” Amanda says.

The storage tower resides on a marble plinth that joins the backsplash band for a clean, continuous look.
Calacatta marble steals the show here, contrasted with soft neutrals and brass accents for a luxe, timeless look that keeps the stone’s veining front and center.

Amanda Hickam | Harper Harris Design

IG: @harperharrisdesign

Amanda’s Top 5 Must-Haves for a Winning Bath

  1. Make storage glamorous. Ample, well-organized cabinetry and drawers keep every beauty and skin-care product at arm’s reach—and off the counters—for a polished, clutter-free look.
  2. Protect prime-time routines. A separate water closet and a roomy double vanity let two people get ready at once, safeguarding both storage space and marital harmony.
  3. Linger a little longer. A deep, comfortable bathtub invites long soaks, quiet moments, and the feeling of a private spa at home.
  4. Insist on hardworking hardware. Beautiful plumbing fixtures should double as jewelry for the room while delivering reliable, powerful water pressure.
  5. Straighten every line. Perfectly placed, level tile and crisp grout lines keep the eye at ease, so nothing distracts from a calm, relaxing shower.

Resources

Builder: Leo Payne, LP Construction LLC Fabricator: Surface One Fixtures: Fixtures and Finishes Cabinet design and construction: Village Woodworks Cabinetry Hardware: Brandino Brass Tile and marble: Triton Stone Chair: The Homeowner’s Sconces: Visual Comfort Mirrors: The French Door Antiques Art in window: Design Supply

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