This post is sponsored by Kohler
The plan is to start our master bathroom renovation in April. And if it seems like we’re jumping from our closet to our bathroom and back again, we are. Right now, our closet is in the master bathroom so over the next few weeks we’ll be building the closet out in our new space (see more about that here!) which leaves us an empty closet space to integrate into part of our bathroom. And, you know us, we can’t sit on an opportunity like that for very long!!
Our current bathroom feels very hallway like. It’s large at 11’x21′ but with bulky items lining both sides, it doesn’t feel as spacious as it could. But we have been stumped on the layout! Every direction we turned, felt like we were just rearranging things into another long hallway of a bathroom–which, I mean, it is kind of a long hallway of a bathroom, but our dream was to make it not feel so linear.
Here’s how our bathroom looks now:
There’s a very long double vanity on the left and water closet, huge–LIKE WAY TOO LARGE STEP UP TUB–and small shower lined up on the right. And right now our closet is through the doorway at the very end (but very soon, all of that space will be a part of the bathroom).
During our planning process, we were invited by Kohler to the very charming village of Kohler, Wisconsin to tour the factory, get to know the brand and check out the design center. We jumped at the opportunity to be inspired and hopefully walk away with a few fresh ideas. Spoiler alert: we walked away with a lot more. We stayed at the beautiful American Club and the inspiration immediately started pouring in. Our videographer, Andi, tagged along and captured our experience and a lot of the ah-ha moments we had in real time while we talked through what we loved and wanted and definitely DIDN’T want and how we made decisions together.
Catch it all in the video below:
The design center was filled with every finish and bathroom part you could think of, as well as, a lot of showroom bathrooms in a variety of styles. We walked through every one and our minds kept lighting up. This could work! I love this!! I definitely don’t want a mirror in our shower! (haha).
But the real cherry on top came when we met with a Kohler bathroom designer about our specific bathroom. This is a free service to anyone that visits the Design Center in Kohler, Wisconsin. We shared with her our current layout and struggles and within 25 minutes, she had come up with 5 different layouts including the one we can’t wait to run with!!
There will be some tweaks made, but basically, the toilet closet will remain in its current location, but turned on the side to allow more room for a shower on the other side of the space. We plan on adding a privacy window to the shower since we loved the natural light in our last one. As you continue through the space, it will open up into the vanity area with his and hers on opposite sides of the room. (we’re so excited for this!!) I see a beautiful tile design moment on the floor here, too. And then through a large arch, there will be a free standing tub and linen storage on either side.
We’ll be adding windows and storage and we can barely wait! And now that we have our layout–I’m ready to pick allllllll the finishes. Will share more on that soon!
Just wanted to say I have a big, beautiful double shower in my home. I purposely designed the shelf for shampoo and things opposite the wall you enter because I didn’t want it to look cluttered. BUT…I built a bench in for ease of shaving etc. What I didn’t anticipate and is now my biggest regret is the “shelf” for holding all the things and the bench are on opposite sides and I just wish my shaving bench was by my soap/razor and shampoo stuff. Sooooo…in case any of that helps you through your design process!!
Love it! Wondering about vanity mirrors on opposite walls, reflecting back on each other. Will that create a vortex-like mirror experience? I’m remembering being in an elevator with mirrors in front and back, and feeling like I was in a tunnel. Anyway, maybe you’ve already thought about this, or maybe I’m wrong, but just curious. Thanks for sharing your style, you family, and your lives with us!
Could you post the other options you got from the Kohler designer? Agree the shower is awkwardly placed, since showers are usually a daily activity and baths are more occasional.
It’ll be beautiful! You should consider making it a “home spa” too- make your shower into a steam shower or add a sauna. Can’t beat the feeling and all the associated health benefits!
I would add a window into the toilet closet too. So nice to be able to close the door without having to turn the light on during daylight. In you area you may even want to be able to open it.