Bathrooms built in the 1920s often have original features that no longer match modern needs. Reddit user u/MolassesGrouchy5615’s Bathrooms still had clawfoot tubs, vintage tile flooring, built-in cabinetry and aging finishes, but the layout offered limited functionality for daily use.
The homeowners removed the clawfoot tub, gutted the room with studs, updated the plumbing and electrical system, installed heated floors and remodeled the space around the walk-in shower. A custom wood vanity, frameless glass enclosure, large-format tile and wood-look feature wall replace nearly every visible surface in the room.
A clawfoot tub and small vanity anchor the space
A freestanding clawfoot tub took up the bulk of the room and sat directly in front of the vanity area. Hex tile flooring with blue accents extends across the floor, while wall tile wraps around the perimeter.
Tub placement determines the entire layout. Showering requires a full curtain enclosure around the tub, leaving little open space in narrow bathrooms.
Decorative updates did not fix the layout
Plants, shelves, baskets and colorful shower curtains add texture and color without changing the room’s design. The original tile, fixtures and layout remained in place.
Collection improved, but circulation did not. The tub continued to block the sight lines from the door and limited how the room functioned on a daily basis.
Demolition took the bathroom down to the studs
Walls, finishes, fixtures and trim were removed until only the framing remained. Exposed studs reveal plumbing lines, wiring and structural components hidden behind decades of renovations.
Nothing remains of the finished bathroom except the basic shell. The demolition provided an opportunity to rebuild the plumbing, electrical systems, insulation and wall surfaces from scratch.
Heated floors and waterproofing tile moved in first
Electric floor-heating cables were installed under an uncoupling membrane that covered almost the entire floor. Waterproofing systems protected the future shower area before tile installation began.
New wallboard replaced exposed framing, creating clean surfaces for tile. Preparation work occupies a significant portion of the project before any visible finishes are installed.
The walk-in shower completely replaced the tub
Large-format porcelain tile covers the shower walls while a ribbed wood-look feature wall anchors the rear of the enclosure. A frameless glass partition keeps the room visually open from end to end.
Removing the tub allowed the shower to occupy the full width of the room. Corner shelves provide storage without obstructing the wall surface.
Symmetrical lighting frames the vanity wall
A furniture-style vanity with substantial hardware replaces the compact sink arrangement. Thick marble surfaces, brushed metal fixtures and a large rounded-corner mirror create a more tailored look while adding counter space and storage.
Matching sconces mounted on either side of the mirror establish strong symmetry throughout the vanity wall. Solid metal towel rings, oversized cabinet pulls and turn-leg detailing reinforce the furniture-inspired design, while a marble countertop becomes the visual focal point under the lighting.
A frameless glass shower became the centerpiece
Clear frameless glass spans the shower opening, preserving uninterrupted sight lines from the vanity to the back wall. Without metal framing or curtains, the enclosure allows the shower contents and fixtures to be completely visible through the door.
A ceiling-mounted rainfall showerhead, matching hand shower and minimal hardware reinforce the streamlined design. Vertical wood-look tile draws attention to the windows and ceiling, while the glass enclosure allows the shower wall, fixtures and lighting reflections to become part of the room rather than separate closed zones.
Wood-look tile creates a statement wall
Vertical ribbed porcelain tile forms the shower backdrop behind the rainfall showerhead. Large-format tile on the side walls contrasts with the narrow linear structure of the feature wall.
Warm wood tones balance the look of stone used elsewhere in the bathroom. Combined with the glass enclosure, the wall became the feature most commenters noticed first.
What did the renovation cost?
The homeowners spent about $13,000 on the renovation and completed most of the labor themselves, with licensed friends helping with the plumbing and electrical work. A custom frameless glass enclosure accounted for nearly $3,000 of the budget, making it the largest single expense. The project took about four months to complete.
Would you have kept the original clawfoot tub and hex tile floor, or made the same decision and remodeled the room around the walk-in shower?
All image credits go @MolassesGrouchy5615
