The Unique Layout HGTV Designer Hilary Farr Uses To Maximize Bathroom Space

Renovations completed by the experts of HGTV serve as inspiration for homeowners around the world. While many of the projects include fan-favorite trends, a number of them include innovative solutions that solve stubborn problems. One episode of "Love It Or List It" featured an issue that at first appeared impossible to solve. Host and interior designer Hilary Farr was assisting a couple that needed a practical en suite bathroom to work in their space. But their top level only consisted of the bedroom and a small, empty attic. Farr's vision to turn the compact attic into a functioning bathroom was a challenge until one design layout change allowed for a pleasing result. Farr decided to place the bathtub as close as possible to the dual vanities: not just next to them, but rather smack-dab in between. 

The bathtub was placed right in the center of the largest wall with a vanity on each side. Installing the bathtub between the two vanities cleverly utilized the space by keeping all large, heavy furniture reserved to one side of the bathroom. This opened up the remainder of the room to feel more spacious and potentially be utilized for functionality. And the trick of making a full-sized tub appear smaller ultimately served as an intelligent idea that made the bathroom space seem bigger. Farr also managed to fit a toilet and glass shower along the parallel wall, completely transforming the previously impractical space into a dream setting.

Hilary Farr's creation of an en suite was a hugely impressive before-and-after attic transformation. Space was limited, as only an unused, cramped attic previously resided there. The final result included square sinks that rose up to the windowsill, optimizing the natural light. The tub measured up to around half the height of the vanities, which made it unlikely for anyone using the tub to feel too confined. Farr also had the tub outfitted with the same quartz material that covers the sinks, so the fixtures would match. She selected identical silver spouts for the sinks and tub as well for uniformity.

With vanities on both sides, quick storage solutions were made available right next to the bathtub for easy access. This close-knit floor plan made it easy to follow the aesthetic and color scheme throughout the room seamlessly, as the stone material overlay was followed from the faucet surfaces to the tub surround. Placed right under the window, both the vanities and the bathtub ended up with a sizable amount of natural light shining on them, which was enhanced by their pearl white sheen. In bathrooms that do not include a massive window over the tub, any sconces that tower over the vanities would serve dual purposes by illuminating the tub area as well. In bathrooms where this is the case, less lighting will need to be installed throughout the room overall, thus cutting down on cost.