The biggest renovation in our new Palm Springs home is adding a bathroom.
Adjacent to the kitchen was a long, narrow room that had served as a laundry room and pantry. Because this won’t be our primary residence and we don’t need an oversized pantry, that layout felt like wasted potential. We chose to divide the space and convert the rear half into a bathroom.
This is how the room looked before. The opening at the far end is the new doorway connecting the future bathroom to the bunk room.
Why add a bathroom?
Adding this bathroom solved several problems. It sits next to the planned bunk room for kids (or guests who love bunks) and is on the opposite side of the house from the existing bedrooms and baths. It was awkward to walk across the house for a restroom, and the home previously lacked any bathtubs. This compact bathroom addresses both issues while maximizing the layout.
This small but powerful bathroom will do the job. Next, the design direction.
Bathroom Color Palette
We chose a green-forward palette with accents of marble, brass, and warm wood. I already love the deeper green in our master bath, but for this space I wanted a lighter, fresher green—something airy and playful rather than moody.
The Kids Bathroom Design
The rear of the bathroom will house a compact tub-and-shower combination. I’m adding a hand shower because it makes bathing kids so much easier.
The shower walls will be clad in 2×2 zellige tile in a tidepool tone, a tile with a lively mix of mint, sage, and tan. We included a full-length ledge along the tub for soap and bottles, and the tub apron will also be tiled in the same tidepool tile for a cohesive look.
Photo by @casamotachic | Photo by @barlowandbarlow
I plan to hang two shower curtains, one on each side, that can be pulled back to create a theatrical draped effect. I’m also exploring a decorative ceiling detail to conceal the curtain rod—the right-hand photo above shows the look I’m aiming for. Ideally I’ll find a salvaged wood panel to echo the home’s other wood ceilings and beams; sourcing one has been tricky, but I’m persistent.
The floor will feature 2×6 zellige tile in a racing green laid in a herringbone pattern. I love how the racing green floor complements the softer tidepool tile on the walls—together they create depth and movement in a small footprint.
Because the room is compact, I selected a console-style sink in marble and brass to keep the space feeling open. We have ample linen storage in the bunk room, so the bathroom can stay streamlined. I’ll hang an antique mirror—either wood or white—depending on which complements the fixtures best. Below is a visual of the items I’ve collected so far.
2×2 Tidepool Zellige Tile | Antique Wood Mirror
Brass Sink Faucet | 2×6 Racing Green Zellige Tile
Beaded Fringe Sconces | Brass Towel Bars
Brass and Marble Console Sink | Brass Tub Faucet | Vintage Wood Stool
I’m excited to introduce vintage-inspired faucets and hardware in this house, a departure from the more modern fixtures we used in our LA home.
Lighting Solutions for Bathrooms with No Windows
This bathroom has no exterior windows due to its location, so we installed a large solar-powered “fresh air” skylight above the tub. It bathes the tiles in natural light during the day and opens for additional ventilation—a useful feature in a windowless space.
For evening and task lighting, there are two small recessed can lights behind the skylight to illuminate the shower, and I’ll mount beaded fringe sconces on either side of the mirror for layered, decorative light.
To Do List
A few remaining decisions for the room:
- Choose an architectural panel to hide the curtain rod
- Select curtain fabric and color—consider whether a pattern will work
- Confirm mirror size once the sink is installed
- Finalize wall color
- Decide on art and a towel bar for the blank wall to the right
Thoughts? I can’t wait to share progress and the finished space soon.
Thank you to Zia Tile, Vellux and Sazerac Stitches for contributing products to this project. All opinions are my own.