Today marks a pretty important day around here because this is the first post of a start to finish renovation that I’ve done on the blog! After almost a year of planning and saving for this bathroom renovation, I’m so excited to say that we’ve started and we are at the point that there is no turning back, which is exactly the spot I love to be in (cause I’m crazy like that.)
So today’s post includes no pretty pictures. (Which is arguable cause I already think it is certainly better than what we started with 🙂 ) But it does include where we started, a little bit about what we’ve learned so far, and a few inspiration photos to show you the direction we are headed – those will be pretty.
UPDATE: The Kid’s Bathroom is finished. Scroll down to see where we started and then click here to see the finished bathroom!
Like any renovation, we’ve already hit a few snags, but we are set on completing this project. So let’s take a look, shall we…
Welcome to our kid’s bathroom! Home of builder grade everything. And by builder grade I mean, cheap, not quite white, but not quite off white, and horribly thought out when it comes to where to put your toothbrush. -I’ll explain in a minute.
Our home is 10 years old and we bought it from the original owners who opted for no upgrades what-so-ever. Sorta my dream senario since it meant that we got the house for a good price and I could make it exactly how I wanted it over time.
No upgrades in this hall bathroom meant a bathroom that is all one color with linoleum floors, a one piece tub and shower, and a low and standard particle board vanity. The layout is not bad at all, but I could scrub this bathroom all day long and not feel like it is clean. The color is awful. And it is everywhere.
The vanity appears to have drawers right? In fact, I never even thought to look at that as a feature when we were looking at this house cause I thought it was standard to have drawers in a bathroom. WRONG! There are no drawers in any of the bathrooms in my house and it drives me bonkers! We end up with so many things on the counter top that should live in a drawer. My kid’s toothbrushes are in desperate need of a home!
And yes that is a standard vanity light with only 2 light bulbs. They are burning out one by one, and we didn’t want to buy new bulbs for a light fixture that is on its way out. 🙂
So over a year ago, I started putting the bug in the hubs ear that the kid’s bathroom was next on our list. And once we set a date to gut the entire thing you better bet that I cleared our schedules and made sure the kids were occupied so that we could get-er-done. I’m no fool. The hubs was reluctant to start this project and I knew that once it was gutted there would be no turning back.
Once we got going though I think we both realized how fun it is to take on some of these big projects together. Sorta took me back to our days before kids when we had more time to tackle big projects like this.
We started with the baseboards! Goodbye baseboards!!!
Then we yanked out the vanity, which was sheets of particle board (see them leaning against the wall,) which made it easier to get the counter top to come off of the wall.
We knew the tub surround was going to be the most difficult part. Originally we thought we would need to saw it in half and take it out in 2 pieces, but once we got going we actually ended up ripping it out in chunks.
We discovered that there was a lip that held it to the studs and the drywall sat over that, so the hubs (giving credit where credit is due here) cut around the entire surround about 2 inches from the lip. This allowed us to tear away the drywall and get to the points where the surround was attached to the studs. 
Once we got to that point he just started tearing (with gloves on cause it is a bit sharp,) and tore and tore until we just had the tub left. I was in charge of hauling it down to the trash. Oh joy!
At that point we were able to lift the tub out.
And then we were left with this!!! So much better already right? I sure think so!
So now you are probably wondering what direction we are headed. Well, in keeping with the color palette of my home we are definitely sticking to greys and whites in here, with some very subtle blue shades. This is the kid’s bathroom, and I plan to make it a bit fun with some accessories, but I’m keeping it pretty clean and simple when it comes to how we are going to have to live with it for years to come. They aren’t going to be toddlers forever so making decisions based on their current ages wouldn’t make sense.
These are a few inspirations photos that were my starting off point.
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I know this is a kitchen, but it was the first photo that I saw that sparked the idea that I had for the bathroom makeover that I was planning in my head. (Yes I makeover spaces in my head all. day. long.)
What I love about it: The grey cabinets with the white solid surface counter tops, although these ones are way out of budget and a bit traditional for me. I love the simple color palette and the open shelves.
So once I keyed in on grey cabinets I spotted this beautiful bathroom. Again the grey cabinets with the light counter tops are just beautiful. Love the grey and white, but my bathroom with have a bit more color than this. It is a kid’s bathroom after all.
I also started to really look at the pattern that tile can give a bathroom and love the combo of the hexagon tile, which is modern (very me) with the traditional pattern of the subway tile (the hubs’ taste.) So it seems that these 2 tile patterns are going to show up in our kid’s bathroom makeover very soon!
I haven’t been this excited for a project in a very long time and I’m thrilled to have you along for the ride!
So tell me, have you ever tackled a bathroom renovation? If so any words of wisdom?
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Wow! You did a beautiful job on this bathroom remodel. I love your sense of style. Greeat photos to help readers visualize the transformation, too.
Hi Corey!
I really like your style in interior. The inspiration photos look gorgeous! I know it is so hard to start with a big project like this, especially with a bathroom there’s so much you have to take into consideration. But I see you have planned well!
I am curious to see how the bathroom will look in the end!
Great work and impressive images
Thanks! These tips will be a big help during my renovation coming up. I love all your ideas! Have a great day!
Thanks a lot for suggesting how you should take the time to remodel your bathroom in a way that will add style and endurance to your space. It is important to remember that doing some research and know your style can help you find the best style for your bathroom. We are planning on improving our bathroom and want to make sure we get the results we want to add value to our old home, so I’m glad I found your article.
You’re very welcome Suhana, thanks for stopping by!
The bathroom can be a haven, a place where you take long soaks in the tub at the end of tiring days at work. Reason enough why a bathroom remodel is one of the best things you can do for you and your home.
Corey, I can’t believe how quickly you moved along with things! There’s always the odd finishing touch, but the bathroom is looking fantastic. I can’t wait to see what it looks like when it’s complete. I read your http://www.heytherehome.com/how-to-tile-a-tub-surround/ article, too, and it’s incredibly informative. Thank you!
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I’m with you, I day dream about making over different rooms of the house all day every day. Can’t wait to see how it turns out!
[…] Whiskey Sour || Bright & Bold Stitched Edge Napkins || The Bathroom Reno Has Begun! Easy Vegetarian Pad See Ew || Gender Reveal Sugar Cookies Triangle Accent Wall | West Elm […]
Woo- hoo!! Exciting Can’t wait to see what you do!!
We are adding a shower in our very small bathroom.I am thinking cream color walls with burgury and pink flowers shower curtain .a blue vanity.we live in a rent house so keeping the coast down.useing what I already have for accessories . Love the white and greay cant waite to see the finish bathroom.
Yay, I’m so excited to see how the bathroom turns out, and looooooove the inspiration photos too!
Ha! I seriously can’t believe that the project is finally under way! One thing after another kept getting in the way. Better late than never!
I’m not modern at all..I’m more of a country bumpkin that loves rusty..crusty.,chipped paint type of stuff…but I love the way your home looks..it’s beautiful..the gray and white looks great together and with just a few changes of accessories threw out the years it’s a bathroom that will grow along with the kids..I can’t wait to see the completed bathroom!
So sweet Jamie. I like to think that my home is modern but still comfortable and I love that although our styles differ, you are still getting inspired here. That makes my day. So right about the changing of accessories. I’m sure it will be some rubber ducks at this point, but the bones will be perfect forever. Thanks so much for stopping by. A bit nervous but so excited about this renovation. So much to learn along the way!
This is going to look great! I love your design direction-grey and white is so pretty together and I love the two patterns of tile together as well. I’m curious to read upcoming posts to see what your accent colors will be for this room-I’m sure something really lovely. Keep up the good work!
Thanks Amy. Doing a reno like this is always fun but so nerve wracking since we sorta learn as we go. Thanks for rooting us on!
This is going to be so great, Corey! I really like your choice of the gray for the cabinets. We have just embarked on painting the cabinets in our home and they will be a very light, warm gray. I look forward to seeing how you guys progress with this project! Good luck!
Wow! Painting cabinets is a big project but I bet they are going to be beautiful! Thanks for rooting us on during this big project!