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Hall Bathroom Gets the Primary Bathroom Treatment

White bathroom with shower tub combo and large bathtub with handheld shower attachment and rain shower headThis family wanted to upgrade their hall bathroom to create a space that would be ideal for their everyday use, and luxurious for their out-of-town guests. The key to an upgrade that would truly “wow” — enhancing the bathing experience. With an eye toward the shower-tub combo in their hall bathroom, they decided to create a soaking experience that the adults in the household could enjoy just as much as the kids.

“Your typical shower-tub combos tend to be on the smaller side, and don’t have many bells and whistles. But just because it’s a hall bath doesn’t mean it doesn’t deserve the primary bath treatment,” Normandy Designer Ashley Noethe says. “This home’s current primary bathroom doesn’t have a bathtub, but every now and then they wanted to indulge in a good soak.”

White bathroom with shower tub combo and large bathtub with handheld shower attachment and rain shower headWhen Ashley sat down with the St. Charles, IL family to find ways to enhance their bathroom, they didn’t have to look far for a little extra space. They determined that the neighboring hall closet didn’t need to be as deep as it was. By decreasing the closet depth slightly, they could find enough space for a large bathtub without dramatically compromising their usable storage.

“Sometimes there’s space you can shrink without much sacrifice, and in return you gain a lot of benefits, like this great bathing experience,” Ashley says.

In addition to the increased length and depth for the bathtub — a new 6-foot-long, deep soaker-height model — the upgraded shower-tub combo boasts a bathtub with sloped ergonomic design with a place to rest your arms. The back wall has a long ledge that provides ample storage for their daughters’ shower and bath products. A shower column with a hand shower attachment is a helpful tool for washing hair while taking a bath.

“We also selected a curved curtain rod, which gives more elbow space when showering. Creating a half wall along the back, instead of a niche, gave an extra three to four inches on each side, making the shower feel larger,” Ashley says. “Extra touches like the rain shower head creates the feel of a primary bathroom, making the showering experience feel as luxurious as a soak in the tub.”

Beyond the bathtub and shower upgrades, the rest of the bathroom enjoyed a refresh, while maintaining classic appeal. The timeless white color palette of the bathroom stayed the same, but upgraded tile alongside fixtures in beautiful, brushed bronze add depth to the design. The double vanity and freestanding cabinet ensure that both guests and the family have all the storage space they need. “The hall bathroom is now a next-level experience that every family member or long-term visitor can enjoy,” Ashley says.

If you’d like to talk more about how to make a bathroom vision a reality, set up a time to talk with Ashley. Find more examples of home remodels in our photo gallery. For regular updates on design trends and tips on home remodeling, follow us on FacebookInstagramLinkedIn, and Pinterest!

White bathroom with white double vanity, toilet, additional freestanding white cabinet

Water Closet 101: The Benefits of Adding a Private Toilet Room

Primary bathroom with separate bathtub, shower, and water closetWhile it’s no secret what a bathroom is ultimately for, sometimes you don’t want the toilet to be the first thing you see – or at the very least, not the focus of the room – especially in a primary bathroom. That’s what makes a water closet, also called a toilet room, an attractive option for a primary bathroom remodel.

“A water closet not only offers privacy, but it can also help improve the overall presentation of the space,” Normandy Designer Kathryn O’Donovan says. “If you want a more dramatic effect for your primary bathroom, and have the square footage, a water closet might be a good option.”

Sometimes moving the location of the door can help shift focus from the toilet, if aesthetics are your only concern, but a fully private water closet can help on those busy mornings when everyone is rushing to get ready and could benefit from some privacy.

“A water closet can help improve the function of a shared bathroom, whether that’s for a couple, or the kids’ bathroom,” Kathryn says. “No matter how comfortable you and your family members are around each other, sometimes you just need that separate space.”

A water closet with a door also has hygienic benefits, as it helps contain airborne particles in one space after flushing.

Depending on your layout, you may be able to build around your existing toilet location. If that’s not possible, and you want to move the location of your toilet, then one of the factors that comes into play is the location of the joists, and making sure the new location is properly supported structurally.

Water closets, which are basically a small adjoining room, offer an opportunity to get creative with design elements, as well. Maybe a tile color or wallpaper pattern that you thought was too overwhelming for a larger space could offer a nice pop of personality here.

Thinking about revamping your primary suite, primary bathroom or a shared bathroom for the kids? Schedule a time to talk with Kathryn about any ideas you may have. You can also check out our bathroom photo gallery for inspiration or subscribe to our newsletter for periodic design tips straight to your inbox. Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, Pinterest and Bluesky to see more inspiration in your social media feeds.

Table for makeup or dressing in bathroom looking into water closet  toilet room

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