Fixer To Fabulous Shows Us How To Take A Dated Bathroom From Drab To Fab
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Your bathroom should be a place of zen and tranquility, but so often, we ignore our dated bathrooms to renovate big-ticket items like kitchens and living spaces. Yet having a gorgeous bathroom is an ideal way to start and end your day and whether you have a large budget or a small budget, you can create a space that you want to be in. Dave and Jenny Marrs of HGTV's "Fixer to Fabulous" know how to take your dated bathroom and turn it into something modern and fabulous.
In a Season 4 renovation, the Marrses put a big focus on the homeowners' bathroom, which had a true '90s vibe. "The biggest change was the bathroom," Jenny Marrs said on her blog. "This bathroom was so typical of the 1990s and early 2000s when we used to leave a huge open space in the middle of the bathroom to make it seem so luxurious!" To bring the bathroom into this decade, they used that empty space to add a freestanding tub and a new shower. Here's how they did it.
They gutted the original bathroom
Before Dave and Jenny Marrs stepped in, the homeowners were using a bathroom flanked with dark brown walls, wood cabinetry, and a whole lot of empty space. And while many interior designers have found ways to update bathrooms with small, budget-friendly options, the Marrses knew that this bathroom would benefit from a full re-do. "It was easiest to just gut it all and start over with a clean slate," said Jenny Marrs. "The large space allowed us to install a free-standing bathtub, a double vanity, and a walk-in shower. I love how the large porcelain tile gives off a Calcutta marble feel."
The end result took a dark and dated bathroom and turned it into a bright, luxurious space. The Marrses kept things neutral, even leaning into the original wood-look. But instead of a deep walnut, they opted for a lighter wood cabinet, brightening up the space by using marble for the floors and countertops. Touches of gold hardware gave the bathroom a bit of flair while keeping the rest breezy, bright, and airy.
How to get a similar vibe for your bathroom
If you are looking to mirror Dave and Jenny Marrs's bathroom renovation, consider the color scheme first. As the family was moving from California, the Marrses put a big emphasis on the natural look to help make them feel more at home. They used gold rectangle mirrors from Birch Lane for $219.99, opting to place the mirrors horizontally to maximize the wall space. If you want something a bit more budget-friendly, consider a similar option from Build with Ferguson for $168 or Amazon for $165.99. They also used a gold wall sconce to tie the mirrors together. For a similar, less expensive option, the Contemporary LED Wall Sconce from Lowes for $159.99 is a similar choice.
Beyond the vanity, the Marrses paid close attention to the bath and shower. They split the two, opting for a freestanding tub and walk-in shower. They also focused on technology in the shower to make it ultra luxurious. While the Marsses used a showerhead and hand shower from Gerber, you can mimic those items without the high cost. Consider the Kohler hand shower from Build with Ferguson for $188.66 and the high-pressure smart shower head from Walmart for $23.29. Added touches like a wood stool and small specs of greenery round out the space and complete the updated bathroom renovation.