Lakewood - A Mid-Century Modern Makeover By Your Trusted Bathroom Design Consultant
My client, a realtor in Lakewood, Ohio, came to me looking for help with a tricky part of her home renovation—the primary bathroom. Though she has already done a great job updating the rest of her house, this particular space left her feeling stuck. She loved the idea of a mid-century modern design but couldn’t quite picture how to incorporate it into the bathroom. That’s where I stepped in as her bathroom design consultant, ready to bring her vision to life while adding comfort and practicality to her space.
Project Scope: Creating a Functional and Stylish Space
The client’s main challenge was transforming her small, outdated bathroom into a space that felt both stylish and practical. She wanted a layout that worked better for her daily routine, with a big bathtub (her favorite feature!) while incorporating her love for mid-century modern design. The goal was to maximize the use of the space while adding thoughtful details to give it a fresh, polished look. I worked with the client to explore different ways to reconfigure the layout, update materials and add unique design elements to bring the room to life.
Bathroom Design Concepts by a Trusted Expert Bathroom Design Consultant
Design Concept 1: Sleek, Bright, and Modern
Main Characteristics:
In this first concept, I kept things sleek and bright, staying true to the client’s mid-century modern inspiration. The bathroom featured a gray tile wall with a black hex floor, creating a balanced contrast. I enclosed the tub and shower combo with glass to give the room a more open feel, despite its smaller size. The existing closet remained, but I updated the door. I added a vanity with plenty of storage and counter space. Two ceiling-mounted lights framed the arched mirror above the vanity, adding a modern yet warm glow to the space. To give the bathroom a personal touch, I anchored art above the toilet and towel hooks on the long wall.
What Made This Concept Special:
What stood out in this concept was the clean, streamlined look. The glass enclosure for the tub created an illusion of more space, and the modern light fixtures added sophistication. The contrast between the gray and black tones gave the bathroom a fresh yet classic vibe, perfect for the client’s tastes.
Design Concept 2: Bold and Moody Elegance
Main Characteristics:
In this concept, I explored a darker, moodier aesthetic. The bathroom featured black tile walls paired with a lighter, white hex floor to create contrast. The tub was slightly larger in this design - with a shower curtain rather than a glass enclosure - trading some of the spaciousness of the overall room for a more larger, yet cozier tub. I swapped the closet for built-in shelving, which allowed easier access and more organized storage without taking up additional space. I explored a floating-style vanity with a deep mahogany tone, adding warmth, and wall-mounted lights flanking the round mirror to add a touch of modern elegance. Above the toilet, I added open shelves for lotions and bottles, giving the space a relaxed yet organized feel.
What Made This Concept Special:
This design embraced bold contrasts and a cozy, moody vibe. The combination of dark walls with lighter floors created visual depth, and the built-in shelving appealed to the eyes and allowed easier access. The overall design felt luxurious yet practical, giving the client the perfect blend of elegance and functionality.
Design Concept 3: Fresh, Funky, and Functional
Main Characteristics:
For the third concept, I went for a fresh and playful design with a funky twist. The bathroom featured a green-patterned floor, adding a pop of color and personality to the space. The tub was freestanding, surrounded by an oval, ceiling-mounted shower curtain, giving it a retro vibe. While the curtain created a cozy feel, I kept the rest of the bathroom light and open with white tile walls. The vanity had a lighter wood tone, balancing out the bold floor. Above the toilet, I added built-in open shelves, giving the bathroom functional storage with a clean, modern look. The built-in shelving matched the vanity in color, adding to the cohesive design.
What Made This Concept Special:
This concept was all about fun and functionality. The green floor added character and gave the room a retro mid-century modern vibe, making the bathroom feel vibrant and unique. The freestanding tub, white walls, and lighter vanity kept the space feeling open and airy. It was a perfect balance of playful design and practicality, tailored to the client’s style.
Note: In this concept, I chose a shower curtain shape that showed how the space would look if the curtain was fully closed ... but in certain renderings, I showed the one side of the curtain in a transparent material so she could still have a better view of the full space. Looks a little funky but that's why!
Before & After: A Small Space with Big Changes
This bathroom started off as a small, cramped space that felt outdated and dysfunctional. The older fixtures and worn-out materials left the room feeling drab and uninspired, and the small layout made it hard to visualize how it could be transformed into something both beautiful and practical. The client was particularly challenged with incorporating her vision for a mid-century modern bathroom design, including a larger tub, while still keeping a functional space for everyday use. With these limitations in mind, I knew the makeover had to focus on maximizing the available space while introducing the stylish touches she craved.
After exploring three design concepts, the bathroom underwent a stunning transformation. The new layout made the most of the limited space, creating a room that felt open, functional, and full of character. Whether it was the sleek lines of the modern vanity, the mid-century modern tile work, or the bold contrast of colors, the bathroom became a refreshing blend of style and practicality. The visualizations showed how the standout feature—the client’s love for a large tub— could be seamlessly incorporated into the design, providing the perfect retreat. Regardless of which option she selected, the client gained confidence that her bathroom could feel like a personalized, polished space that balances her love for mid-century modern design with the practicalities of everyday life.
Ready for Your Own Transformation?
This bathroom renovation was a perfect example of how even small spaces can be reimagined into something functional, stylish, and completely personalized. Whether you're dealing with a tight layout or looking for a fresh, modern update, my space planning and visualization services and expertise as a bathroom design consultant can help bring your vision to life. Let’s create a space that not only reflects your style but enhances your daily living.
Ready to transform your home? Schedule a consultation with me today and let’s get started!