Builder-grade finishes have transformed much of the character inside the bathroom of this 1941 bungalow. Beige tile, exposed wall cabinets, and mismatched fixtures cover the small 7-by-5 space, though its original layout still works well.
Reddit user Kirbygen Retained the existing footprint but changed almost every visible finish. Subway tile, floral mosaic flooring, painted beadboard, hidden storage, and a walnut vanity transformed the bathroom into a space that looks much closer to the home’s original character.
Builder-grade finishes transform the home’s original character
Beige wall tile surrounds the bathtub with diamond accent inserts cutting across the walls. A pedestal sink offers almost no storage, while an arched medicine cabinet and a glass cabinet above the toilet project from the wall and fill the upper half of the room.
The finishes came from different design periods. A bronze faucet, brushed nickel light fixture, textured shower curtain and plastic ceiling light competed rather than worked. The bathroom had nothing to do with the age of the bungalow.
Hidden storage replaced two wall cabinets
Both wall cabinets disappeared during the remodel. Their replacement occupies less visual space while providing more usable storage. The homeowner explained that the recessed medicine cabinet and vanity hold more than previous cabinets while keeping toiletries behind closed doors.
Removing the cabinets also flattened the wall. Instead of several storage pieces sitting at different depths, the mirror now sits almost flush with the wall, leaving the vanity as the focal point.
While each surface changed, the existing layout remained
The bathtub stayed in place, keeping plumbing costs under control. Renovation focuses on replacing the finishes around the room rather than remodeling the entire room.
Gone are the large beige ceramic tile, decorative borders, and a small recessed shelf. Those details reflect an older remodeling trend rather than the home’s 1941 architecture.
Ceiling-height subway tile shower wall replacement
The white subway tile now runs from the tub to the ceiling in a continuous pattern. A thin black liner crosses the shower wall and extends through a recessed niche, connecting each section without adding additional decoration.
A new horizontal window changes the proportions of the wall. Natural light reaches far into the shower while the uninterrupted tile pattern draws attention to the material rather than the window opening.
A walnut vanity adds storage without adding bulk
A pedestal sink gave way to a walnut vanity with vertical fluted fronts, a slim quartz countertop, and an integrated sink. Wide surfaces provide space for everyday items while closed cabinets replace open storage.
An arched recessed medicine cabinet keeps the wall clean. Brass sconces, botanical hardware and warm wood finishes introduce details that match the home’s age rather than following current bathroom trends.
Painted beadboard frames the lower half of the room
Painted beadboard wraps around the lower walls and continues onto the bathroom door, creating a continuous band of color. A warm brown finish balances the white subway tile without competing against it.
Brass towel hardware repeats the finish used in the lighting, while painted paneling introduces a texture better suited to a 1940s bungalow than painted drywall alone.
A floral mosaic floor completed the historic look
A before and after comparison shows how much has changed without changing the footprint. The beige hexagon flooring became a black-and-white floral mosaic, the pedestal sink became a furniture-style vanity, and the exposed wall cabinet disappeared behind hidden storage.
The homeowner explained that the goal was to create a bathroom that felt original to the home. Subway tile, beadboard, floral mosaic flooring, traditional lighting and recessed storage bring the room much closer to the character expected in a 1941 bungalow.
All image credits belong to the Reddit user Kirbygen. Images and the original remodel were shared on Reddit.
