Case Study: Aging in Place Small Secondary Bath Update River Oaks, Houston

Tub to Shower Conversion and Guest En-Suite Bathroom Update

River Oaks neighborhood; Houston, Texas

Tub to shower conversion project total cost: $23,000

Key Updates:

• Tub to shower conversion

  • Curbless shower conversion for wheelchair accessibility

• Recess shower floor & adjust framing to create a curbless shower

• Relocate plumbing

  • Relocate shower controls to entrance so they’re easily accessible

  • Relocate drain to make it linear

• Tile selection & installation to match existing Carrara marble

• Shower glass panel with pony wall

Aging in Place en-suite bathroom update

We were tasked by the homeowner to re-work the existing en-suite bathroom for a relative who would be moving in and needed aging in place accessibility. The original bathroom was tastefully remodeled years before, so our team needed to make the tub to shower conversion look as seamless as possible. This included selecting both tile and marble slabs that matched the existing selections.

Upon initial inspection, the project manager suspected that the original framing for the bathtub would need to be adjusted to create a curbless shower.

Project Goals

The tub to shower conversion was the most important part of the project. The homeowner’s relative would be moving in immediately after the project was complete, so we needed to make sure to stay on schedule.

Challenges and Solutions

Because of the historic nature of our client’s home, originally built by architect John Staub, our team needed to closely assess the plumbing, flooring and subflooring. Located on the second floor of the home, it wasn’t immediately clear if the tub to shower conversion would be possible since the shower floor would need to be recessed to create a curbless shower.

Estimated vs. Actual Project Price

The estimated project price was $18,000. Due to a few change orders, including carpentry/framing and plumbing costs, the actual project price was $25,000 total.

Change orders

As noted in the project challenges, assessment of the shower flooring would need to take place following demo. Adjusting the framing of the floor joists did need to occur to recess the shower floor. The client also requested a pony wall be added into the scope of work, which required additional Hardie Board and tile installation.

6 Ways to Make Your Small Bathroom Feel Larger in Houston, TX

A bathroom is so much more than just a spot for washing up and hygiene. It can be a retreat that’s both relaxing and spa-like, offering you a place to refresh, both at the start and end to your day. However, if your bathroom is cramped and small, achieving peace and relaxation in the space can be difficult. There are a handful of ways you can create the “illusion” of space in a small bathroom, and below we’ll outline six of our favorite ways to make the space feel bigger.

1. Lighting Will Always Make a Space Feel Larger

   Regardless of the square footage, a poorly lit bathroom will always feel small. If you’re fortunate enough to have a skylight or window(s) in your bathroom, take advantage of this natural light source.

   However, if you don’t have natural light, consider adding lights from multiple sources. Overhead lighting or sconces on each side of a mirror can help. Just remember that even the lightbulb you choose can help to make the space feel smaller or larger. Choose bulbs that give off white light, like LED or halogen bulbs.

2. Use mirrors - the larger the better

   Mirrors can create an illusion of space by reflecting light in an otherwise small area. Mirrors trick our eyes into thinking we’re looking into the distance when we’re actually just seeing a reflection. Not only is it a must in a bathroom, but it serves as a window for the light to reflect off, giving the illusion of space. The larger the mirror, the more light it’ll reflect. And a taller mirror will help ceilings feel higher.

3. Opt for white or light colors

   White and light colors are your friend! A bright and airy bathroom will always look larger than one with bold colors. White reflects light, and also seamlessly fades into the background, creating an illusion of a bigger space. Keeping most everything white – tile, paint, flooring, can create an unbroken visual plane, making the room look and feel larger.  

   If you’re worried all white will feel boring, perhaps consider a marble or marble-look tile that has enough variation to add interest, while still keeping in the white color scheme.

4. Consider a pedestal sink

   Pedestal sinks are often the natural choice for a small bathroom or powder bath because they can really open up the surrounding space. Since they’re tall and thin in nature, they help to make the room look larger with the untouched space on either side of it.

   However, the downside to pedestal sinks is they lack storage. Recoup some of the lost space by installing a mirrored medicine cabinet that’s flush with the walls or use shelving.

5. Use wall niches

   A wall niche is a recessed shelf that’s literally built in to your wall, or most commonly, a shower. Using wall niches is a great alternative to open shelving, because they pull back and create more space. Visually speaking, they create the illusion of pushing the walls back a few inches, especially when used in the shower to hold shampoo bottles or soap.

   Wall niches not only provide extra storage without taking up more of the footprint, but they can also add interest to a bathroom design.

6. Remodel your bathroom

   Sometimes the best fix for a smaller bathroom is to simply make it larger. Ready for an upgrade in your Houston-area bathroom? Considering a renovation that’s a little more involved than repainting some walls or adding a larger mirror? We can help!

Here at ALE Renovations, we’d love to help you embark on a remodeling journey. If you’re in Houston, contact us today, and we can discuss how to make your dream bathroom a reality.

Primary Bathroom Remodel in Tanglewood neighborhood of Houston

Primary Bathroom Remodel in Tanglewood Neighborhood of Houston

A functional update to a dated and wonky primary bathroom

• New custom-built vanity and marble countertop

• Newly reconfigured walk-in shower with new subway tile, rainhead shower head and glass shower door

• New toilet relocated for more privacy

• Tile wainscot wall detail

• Wood-look porcelain tile flooring

• Updated lighting + new hardware and fixtures

• Fresh paint for walls, ceiling & trim

• Total cost: $45,000

An outdated and strangely configured primary bathroom, needed a refresh, especially when it came to function. Because the homeowner would be selling the home following completion, the floorplan remained mostly the same, but the secondary shower was removed and replaced with the toilet for privacy. Aesthetic updates were also made to create a spa-like oasis.

Before, there was a separate toilet/shower/tub room. Yes, you read that right, there was a tub/shower on the left side of the space and a walk-in shower on the right side, with a toilet smack in the middle.

It was decided immediately that the walk-in shower to the right would be deleted, and the existing space and plumbing utilized for a toilet area with additional privacy. The tub/shower combo would be removed for a spacious walk-in shower, coupled with a large shower head for an ultra spa-like feel.

The double vanity location remained the same, but the dated version was replaced with a new, custom built vanity by our carpenter, plus an updated marble countertop, sinks and faucets.

While there were no large physical changes to the footprint of this bathroom, there were many updates made.

• A new custom-built vanity cabinet with marble countertop

• New sinks & faucets

• New walk-in shower with rainhead shower head, subway tile and shower glass

• Tile wainscot detail on watercloset wall

• A brand new toilet

• New wood tile flooring

• New hardware & mirror

• Updated LED trim for the can lighting and a new sconce light fixture above the sink

• Replace dated exhaust fan and create a new can light over the shower

• Fresh paint on the walls, ceiling, trim and accent paint color for vanity cabinet

In total, this Tanglewood neighborhood bathroom remodel project in Houston cost about $45,000 and took about 7 weeks to complete.

Contact ALE Renovations if you’d like to discuss a bathroom remodel for your home.