It’s done—the final renovation on the main part of the house is complete. I’m thrilled to reveal our new kids’ bathroom. We transformed a dilapidated, awkward space into a jewel-toned, animal-inspired room for Arlo and his future sibling(s).
After completing several projects, I wanted to be bolder with this room. It was a joy to plan and to collaborate with a few great partners for fixtures and tile. Below I’ll walk through each area of the bathroom, but first—let’s look back at the before photos.
Quite a difference, right? Now I’ll take you through the design choices and features that make this bathroom special.
Blue and Terra Cotta Color Palette
Having used a lot of pink and green in other rooms, I focused this bathroom on blue and wanted something dramatic by tiling nearly the entire space. I chose handmade Azul 2×8 tile in a rich shade that gave the room a jewel-box quality. Because I always like warmth, I introduced terra cotta accents after Arlo fell in love with a lion-shaped vase we call “Cookie Lion.” That vase inspired the accent color and nudged the design toward a subtle animal theme.
The blue and terra cotta pairing keeps the room vibrant while still feeling warm and inviting.
A Theme That’s Not Overwhelming
I love designing kids’ spaces and enjoyed leaning into a theme here, but I didn’t want the bathroom to feel overly juvenile since guests will use it too. To keep the animal motif subtle, I used a bold tiger wallpaper on just one wall—mostly visible from inside the room—so it feels like a hidden delight rather than a room-wide costume. Complementing that are a few ceramic animal pieces and a rug with a giraffe-like print that ties into the theme without being literal.
The Tub/Shower Solution
Fitting a bathtub into a small bathroom was a challenge. Rather than a traditional built-in tub/shower, I chose a clawfoot tub paired with an oval shower curtain rod that encloses the tub, creating a tub/shower hybrid that feels more intentional and special. We paired the tub with a rain head, tub spout, and a hand shower—if you have kids, adding a hand shower is a practical upgrade that makes bath time easier.
The tub and fixtures create a focal point while keeping the layout efficient.
Vanity Area: Function and Choice
The original wrap-around vanity left wasted space, so I moved the sink to the far wall to free up room near the tub. Although relocating plumbing adds cost, it allowed for a much better layout. To save money, I selected an already-navy vanity with an integrated countertop and sink, which reduced the need for customization. The vanity also leaves room for baskets underneath, which I use to store toilet paper, towels, and bath supplies for a cozier feel.
Side note: Arlo painted the little soap dish during a family trip. I like displaying his pieces around the house.
Layered Lighting
We prioritized three layers of light in this room: natural light, recessed can lights, and a striking adjustable sconce above the mirror. A sun tunnel brings abundant daylight into the space without taking up much room, which enhances the tile color and makes the room feel brighter. Can lights provide general illumination, including one above the shower, and the sconce adds task light and visual balance under the high ceilings.
About Fabrics and Wallpaper
Because this bathroom will serve guests primarily for showers, I incorporated removable wallpaper and repurposed regular curtains for the shower, planning to add a custom fabric shower liner. All of these choices are reversible so future homeowners can replace them with more conventional bathroom materials if desired.
Mixing Patterns and Shades
To keep the blue palette cohesive but interesting, we used the same tile in two orientations: vertical on the walls and a herringbone pattern on the floor with a vertical border separating the two. This approach maintains a uniform color story while giving the floor its own character. I also layered different shades of blue across wallpaper, the vanity, and artwork so the room feels rich and varied rather than too matchy.
Photos by Jeff Mindell
This renovation might be the most dramatic transformation we’ve done to date. It was a fun opportunity to push color and create a kid-friendly yet grown-up space. Arlo loves his “Cookie Lion” bathroom, and that makes it all worth it.
*Some items were gifted in exchange for coverage. Opinions are my own.