Master Bathroom Design Plans

The master bath in this house has been one of my biggest design challenges.  When we bought this house last spring and started designing rooms, the master bath design was one of the first things that came to me.  I pictured a colorful, patterned-filled unique bath and absolutely fell in love with the design for it!

I had two options, both with similar feels, but slightly different details.

Option 1:

mood board 2 copy

Option 2:

mood board 3 copy

You can read the post about these two options here.

You may remember back in the fall, I did a post called “When Design Plans Change.”  I mentioned in that post that the design plans for our master bath had changed and I’d talk more about that later.  Well, today is that day, friends!

We had to delay the designing of this room for several reasons.  The main one has a little something to do with last Wednesday‘s post about the new direction I’m taking with the blog.  We thought that all of the tile in this room was going to be sponsored.  Sadly, that completely fell through after I’d made all the plans.  We’d chosen tile options that we absolutely loved and it was going to be the bathroom of our dreams.  But when we were left to foot the bill, we realized this design was so far out of the budget. 

This was one of the first times that I started to process what I talked about last week: the disconnect between what’s realistic for us and how it sometimes appears on the blog.  I was so disappointed that I couldn’t have one of these favorite designs because the sponsorship didn’t work out and I just kept thinking, “What we can afford just won’t be as good!”  That mindset really started to break my heart and made me determined to prove that wrong.  While I may not have the bathrooms above, I can still have a beautiful bathroom I love on our budget because I firmly believe style can be had on any budget.

Bathrooms are generally one of the most expensive to do, but this is a pretty big bathroom, making it even higher.  Let’s take a look at the floor plan again.

Final buffalo bungalow floor plan copy

Both of our closets are off of the bathroom.  The bath (and “His” closet) is 11 x 11′.  When you add my closet, you’re talking about roughly 150 square feet of space.  We decided to tile the floors of our closets because it seemed to make more sense than laying hardwoods since they’re off the bathroom.  And it’s even a little cheaper to do tile than wood. 

The brick floor is something we’ve always wanted and someday may do somewhere.  But for 150 square feet, a brick floor was so not happening.  When you add the cost of a tiled shower even done with cheap tile, there’s no room left in the budget to tile the walls.

After getting this news and the renovation costing way more than we anticipated, we realized this room had to be pushed.  For the last several months, we’ve just left the door closed and I’ve racked my brain trying to come up with a design that I like as well as those above!  Our goal is to spend as little as possible on this bathroom while not compromising style, if that makes sense.  So you’ll see there are a few things we’re sort of splurging on, a splurge for us at least.  But we’re really saving elsewhere.  I’ve had the lovely colorful patterned rooms above so ingrained in my head that coming up with something else has been tough.

We’ve finally made some headway on this, though many of the details haven’t been figured out yet.  While I love to design an entire room before committing to any single item, that didn’t really work here.  We’re on kind of a time crunch to get our final inspection and there weren’t many tile options we could afford for the floor.  I started searching for a tile I liked that was as cheap as possible.  Since we were trying to cover 150 square feet, a tile that was $10/square foot was not going to work.

I searched my usual sources and had no luck.  Then one day, my husband sent me a picture of this gray weathered, sort of white washed wood looking tile.

weathered tile glimpse

He’d found it at a local place we have called Surplus Warehouse.  They don’t have a website and the selection is always really varied, but this lovely tile was $1.49/square foot and they had enough in stock!  I really loved it and pictured it laid in a herringbone pattern just to give it an extra something.  The image above is an actual picture of it laid in our bathroom!!!  It just happened this week and I am so excited! We went with dark gray grout so that it would be durable against dirt and stains, but also because I liked how the dark lines make the pattern stand out more.

This is always my best budget-saving advice when people ask about renovation supplies.  Don’t just rely on big box stores.  Check places like this that get construction surplus materials and even habitat restore!  They don’t have a dependable selection, but you can find some gems and really save a ton.

Once we had the floor picked out, I just started building the rest of the room off of it.  We knew we wanted the room to be white for several reasons, which I’ll share soon with the in progress pics!  I considered another color for the walls.  I love a dark moody room, but Chris haaaaates that.  And he is so excited about this room.  So, I knew I had to go light and white was my pic over other light choices like a pale gray.  I always love white.  It’s the one thing I don’t get tired of over time!

For awhile, I had this weathered gray floor and the white box in my head and couldn’t figure out anything. I wanted a statement in here somewhere and after my previous designs, I just felt like it would end up so plain and blah.  I mean, it’s hard to compete with patterned tile wall panels!

We thought about doing wall tile with a cheaper option, but there are no patterned tiles that are very affordable (I’m talking $1/square foot…we have no budget for this extra!).  Plus, you add in the cost of someone laying that tile…we’ve laid tile before, but don’t have any time to do it right now.  We really just decided there wasn’t room in the budget for any tile on the walls with the other things we were already paying for.  I considered doing a patterned wall paper or something to give me that patterned feel, but one day I was standing in the room and really looking at the wall all of this was going to go on.

IMG_4606

This is the last picture I have of it, though it’s just sheetrocked now.  Still not very exciting.  Picture a claw foot tub centered under that window and then mirrored vanities, mirrors and lights on either side.  I measured it all out and realized how little of that tile you would’ve actually seen when this room was done!  You’d barely see the pattern at all with all of this piled on top.  So, I decided to forego the statement wall and just rely on the other elements.  Seeing tiny glimpses of it isn’t worth the cost or effort.

So, I confirmed we were doing all-white walls, no statement patterned wall, and the gray planked floors.  One of my “musts” for this room was a clawfoot tub.  I’ve wanted a tub in every bathroom we’ve had so far and it hasn’t worked out, so I really wanted one here.  Chris doesn’t see the need for it and has said many times how getting rid of it would save us money.  I designed the size of this bathroom and really this whole side of the addition solely to fit a tub in there!  Mama wants to soak, y’all.  And sweet Chris is making it happen.

I’ll do a dedicated post on the tub soon, but since we’re going with an all-white room, I decided to use the tub as a pop and go with black like these below.  I can just picture how good glossy black will look against the weathered floor and I know it’ll pop against the white walls too.  

black clawfoot tub

{via}

black tub

{via}

This last one is really beautiful to me.  It has my white, black tub, and herringbone floors and I love the brass accents, punches of color, and rustic wood cabinet.  A part of me is still struggling with this room because I still have that original design in my head and in comparison, this just feels plain.  But I’m trying to remind myself of a few things:

1.) I’m still nailing down a lot of the other details: vanities, sinks, lights, etc. I’m going to add texture and color on top of these basic items.

2.) In the long run, I always like classic better.  A part of me was already worried I’d grow tired of the designs above, though I initially loved them so much.  With this design, I can add in color and pattern than can be changed much more easily than huge tiled walls.  But I do still love patterned tile and I swear, one day I will use it somewhere!

3.) Most of all, though, I’m going to love this room because it’s what we can afford.  It’s the reality for our family and I’m content with that.  I’m tired of dreaming for the ideal designs that might cost an arm and a leg and being discontent with what we as a family can afford.  This room is going to be perfect for us however it ends up.

Now that it’s going, we’re moving quickly!  I’ll have some progress shots to show early next week and then it’s time to start figuring out some of these details!  I think once I can see the tile on the floor (it got covered up immediately this week to paint), the walls painted, and the black tub in place, I can start picturing other elements.  I know I said I’ll be doing a budget breakdown for all of our rooms going forward and don’t worry that’s coming!  I don’t have a budget for this room yet with how spotty we’ve been doing it, but I’ll share that soon.  Once we have these main things and I know what they cost, I’ll be able to see how much is left for fun details.

Do y’all have suggestions for ways we could add some major personality and/or color and pattern so that I don’t miss the design above so much?  Budget-friendly of course 🙂  I would love to hear!  You guys have had majorly good advice throughout this reno process that has inspired me!

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32 Comments

I have two claw foot tubs (minus feet) and a pedestal sink you can have for free!
I am located in Cleburne, TX 76033. Is that close to you?

I’m sorry you didn’t get the sponsorship, that would have been beautiful, but honestly.. as a reader, I’m so happy to see a room designed on a budget. We’ve renovated our house on a budget and that doesn’t mean poor quality things, it just means shopping around a bit and yes, compromising (I’m sure my dream kitchen would have been $70K + but that would be something that would keep me up at night if we spent that much). I agree about looking at places besides big box stores, if we need tile, we find tile stores we’ve always gotten a better deal, same with flooring or lighting.

cant wait to see this done! we are looking at doing our master bath this coming year too!

Maybe it’s just my phone, but that bottom tub picture almost makes the Vladimir tub appear to be painted a super dark purple and not actually black. I know you like the idea of the contrast of the black, but what if you went with a super dark berry color to tie into the rest of the house and still provide a little “pop” in the bath too. It could look awesome with brass/”gold” fixtures. I also saw a clawfoot tub recently where they owners painted the feet a metallic silver to contrast with their all white tub.

A colored tub like Sara suggested would be awesome, and going with some colored mirrors like in your original design would add a pop and maybe a beautiful, colorful rub, or a chandelier over the tub. I’ve been looking at tons of bathrooms lately. We’re not renovating one yet, but looking at fixer upper homes to putchase within the next year and most of the bathrooms need some work.

How about pattern and texture in a great rug in front of the tub? Or fabulous fabric in roman shades (if they’re faked it doesn’t take mush yardage… and you can go expensive fabric then). And I just wanted to say that I also love the idea put above of a color in the tub! A deep berry purple would be so rich looking…. Mmmmm.

Love your floor tile so much, nice job:) Was just cleaning up dinner dishes and had a random thought about your bathroom! Wonder about using patterned tile just as a backsplash behind both your vanities? Of course would depend on what type vanities and mirrors you chose, but then you wouldn’t need very many tiles at all and could get a little dose of what you wanted? Also I love Turkish towels to bring pattern and texture into my bathroom. Super excited you’re getting your tub-lucky girl!

Can your lighting be the big statement in the room? Or the mirrors?
I think it will still be beautiful. And whenever I’m in the dumps when the things that I have aren’t the things of my dreams….I try to remind myself that beautiful spaces take time. For me it’s because it takes me so long to save up for the things I want.

As much as I liked your first design. I love this one better. Maybe its the practical side of me – but I think the bones of a room should always be more classic. Pops of color and personality are easy to add in through fabric, fixtures, plants, and other decor. As for adding in more of that personality you are looking for – what about doing mirrors that replicate the lines and colors of your patterned tile.
I haven’t commented before – but I love the direction you are taking. Your courage and authenticity have endeared you to me forever. 🙂

Oh Rebecca, thank you so much. That made my day! And now that it’s coming together, I can tell I’m going to like it better long term even though that one would’ve been amazing now! With this classic design, I could change a few of the details in a few years and have a whole new look!

It will be beautiful! You have wonderful style. What about a fabulous set of drapes on that window as a statement? I remember a bathroom that Sarah Richardson did with yellow floral drapes (I believe) by the tub. You could also easily change them out to update the look

Christi, I LOVE THAT IDEA. I haven’t even considered putting drapes on this wall because it’s a bathroom, but who the heck cares! Why would I not put drapes here?!?! Haha….this idea has blown my mind and it’s such a simple, but perfect solution! I’m definitely going to have to make sure there’s room once all the elements are in, but now I want to make this happen so bad!

I completely understand having to pull back the reigns a little but I love the simplicity of this design! Honestly I think once you get everything in there you won’t need something bold and patterned. I think something bold may be too much. I’m the same way with planning designs in advance but my best designs are usually ones I’ve layered as I go. If you’re really looking for something unique maybe a bold mirror or light fixture? That way you can always change them out of you get sick of it?

Lindsay, Everything you do turns out so wonderful and full of your personality. This entire process gives you an opportunity to walk in faith testing the truths the Lord has placed on your heart. I am pretty sure you can move forward confidently as you honor Him with your finances and home! Appreciate your thoughtfulness in thinking this all through.

I agree with Robbie. To honor the Lord with the gifts He gives us is the ultimate blessing. The sponsorship fell through for a reason. Good for the many bloggers who get all the free goodies because the have a sponsor. But have I ever gone to the tile store or places that gift them just because I saw the result? Patterned tile is great, and the new wallpaper designs are also. But believe me, they will be out of style before you know it, because that’s our nature as people. We tire of things. So I much prefer the basics to be classic, and to change up things that don’t cost a fortune. I like seeing where your blog is headed.

This post makes me think of the quote, “Integrity is doing the right thing when no one is looking.” While maybe a tad extreme, you could’ve simply stuck with the sponsored tile and justified it in various ways, but you didn’t. Is it strange to say I’m proud of you? Ha ha. I don’t care – I’m proud of you! I already love the floors, and I know it’s going to look incredible!

It’s easy to say you’re turning over a new leaf but actually doing it isn’t so easy. BUT, you are doing it so, BRAVO! I just bet this turns out to be your favorite room of all since every time you walk in it you’ll see a real life example of your faithfulness to follow where He’s leading you and yours. Get yourself some fabulous mirrors and a beautifully patterned vintage rug then enjoy!

Personally, I am actually liking this new budget friendly plan wayyyy better! I usually skip over he highly designed rooms in blogs and books, but dwell and ponder and obsess over these kinds of bathrooms that you have going on now. I would love to see you add some really rustic and/or antique vanities… similar to the antique looking cabinet in one of the bathroom inspiration pics you posted here. It would really add amazing texture, contrast, and warmth/coziness, and story I think!

While I liked the tile it was a bit much for me. That said, I have a friend who has done some amazing faux painted tiles an I wonder if you’re skilled with stencils and faux paint? The other thing might be a colorful thrift store gallery — you’ve done well with artwork in other rooms.

I thought about doing a painted tile treatment! So far, I just haven’t had time with getting all of the other elements done and I’m realizing how little you’d see of it once everything’s in so I kind of hate to spend the time on it…still in my head though!

Awesome! You should use the oriental/Persian rug that was too little in your entryway- I Love that rug and you already own it. ?

Elsie, amazing idea! I’m considering this for sure. It’s the exact look I want. What I ideally need for this space is like 3 x 9. That rug is 4×6. I’m definitely going to try it when it’s done, but the width (4 feet) may not fit and it might be better to have the extra length so it goes in front of the vanities….I’m hoping it’ll work to save money! But if not, I’ll definitely find a place for it 🙂

I’m kind of bummed we won’t get to see the designs come to life cause I LOVE the mood board, but I’m super excited to see what you do on a tighter budget.

I have always been so in love with rustic wood tile, so I am really excited about this new direction! I also just wanted to take a minute to say that the new focus on loving life on a realistic budget and demonstrating conscious fiscal responsibility is not only great for us to follow as readers – it will also be such a wonderful lesson for y’all to impart on Rosie as she grows up. In your new year posts, you spoke so passionately about how you want her to love herself for what is inside and not for appearances, and choosing to love the life one can afford and to live within one’s means is such a similar and amazingly valuable life lesson! I’m thrilled to see how beautifully your new home is coming together, and I love that your daughter will grow up seeing fiscal responsibility as a positive thing that neither limits creativity nor the joy that can be found in life. She is very blessed. 🙂

Oh leah, thank you so much for sharing that! I hadn’t even thought about it in those terms and your comment just brought tears to my eyes! Thank you for affirming this direction and helping me to see the most important benefits of it!