Before & After: This Boring Bathroom Got a Serious Dose of Personality

Structurally, there was nothing wrong with the bathroom in Nikki and Chris’ Astoria condo. Aesthetically, it looked a bit like an upscale gas station bathroom from the early 90s. The ‘after’, I think you’ll agree, is a huge improvement.

The couple’s vision for their new bathroom was a modern twist on a classic NYC bath. Practically speaking, they wanted to make the most of a small footprint — since moving the bathroom walls was definitely not included in the budget. One of the biggest changes that was made in the new space was converting the tub into a walk-in shower, which helps the small bathroom to feel much larger. A glass shower enclosure, in lieu of a curtain, imparts a neat, crisp appearance. The new floating vanity provides plenty of storage with a lighter feel, allowing space to flow under it. (The space under the vanity is also a good spot for the bathroom scale.)

In keeping with their vision for an updated vintage bath, Nikki and Chris selected subway tile for the walls, a marble vanity top, and vintage-look fixtures. The matte black hex floor tile, laid with a white grout that emphasizes its shape, is particularly striking. In the corner, a vintage-style cart provides extra storage, without being too visually bulky.

But the real showstopper in this bathroom is the pineapple wallpaper by Rifle Paper Co. — proof that sometimes a (relatively) inexpensive element can still steal the show (and that wallpaper in the bathroom, while unexpected, can be a great choice for adding personality to a small space).

Nikki and Chris also went in for a pretty dramatic remodel of their kitchen, which you can read all about here.

Nikki and Chris found their contractor on Sweeten, a free service matching homeowners with local general contractors. You can read more about the project, see more photos, and find sources on the Sweeten blog.