A bathroom can age a house. This ensuite definitely had a ’90s vibe.

The homeowners decided to update the tub, expand the shower area and install a heated floor, which is continuous into the no-barrier shower. The floor tile is a slip-resistant tile. A new countertop with an undercounter sink was installed, along with a cabinet unit that added drawers, making storage more efficient.

Before drywall was replaced, new insulation was installed in the exterior walls to improve temperature control. Insulation was also used in the floor and interior walls to make the room more sound-proof.

The toilet-paper holder is also a grab-bar. Blocking was installed in the wall to make this solid and sturdy.

Behind the stand-alone tub, a wood-look tile was installed. The large format tiles leave minimal seams, making the wall look like wood paneling with the durability/splashability of tile.

This bathroom was 25 years old with all the original parts (except the light). Everything still worked, but was dated. The homeowner wanted to keep the distinctive black and white floor, improve the lighting (including a light in the shower) and give the room more usable storage.

We updated the tub and added a shower tower. The taps on the sink came from another renovation project in the same house. Counters, undercounter sink and cabinets were replaced. The ceiling was painted the same as the walls to make the space seem larger and to add drama.

The cabinet tower adds significant storage but also adds a small amount of privacy to the toilet area. The garbage can is tucked into an alcove beside the toilet and a shelf has been added to store magazines or phones.

The tub and shower area now contains two niches. The herringbone back in the niches provides a contrasting texture to the large-format tiles used for the surround. Keeping the smaller tiles the same colour ensures that everything works together.