Before & After: Transforming Our 1990s Bathroom into a Modern Spa Retreat
- Sherry Santmyer
- Aug 12
- 2 min read
When Keith and I got married last year, we started talking about ways to make our home feel more “us.” The primary bathroom quickly made the top of the list—it was stuck in the 1990s. Think: spa jet tub (that was more bulky than relaxing), a compact corner shower, a single sink, and yes—a heated toilet seat. Who wouldn’t want that? Me. It just wasn’t our style, and the layout didn’t make the best use of the space.
By January, we decided it was time for a complete refresh. We called Erik & Jose from EA Construction to help us bring our vision to life.
Before
(Photo Caption: Outdated 1990s bathroom with bulky spa tub, cramped shower, and single sink — ready for a modern makeover.)
The Inspiration
My design journey started with a trip to Floor & Decor. I wandered the aisles for what felt like hours, but I kept circling back to one thing—a beautiful green natural stone tile. It had an earthy, timeless quality that instantly sparked ideas.
Once I spotted the perfect vanity online at Home Depot, everything else started to come together. I wanted the space to feel calm and spa-like, with a touch of modern elegance.
The Renovation Process
(Photo Caption: Demo day! Removing the tub opened up the space for a larger, more luxurious shower.)
Erik & Jose took our outdated space down to the studs. We removed the oversized tub entirely to make room for a spacious shower. This gave us extra floor space and made the room feel open and airy.
The green stone tile became the star of the show, wrapping the shower walls and tying the entire room together. Warm wood tones in the vanity, black matte fixtures, and simple, natural accessories added balance and sophistication.
The Finishing Touches
(Photo Caption: Thoughtful details — baskets, rugs, and containers — bring both beauty and function.)
I ordered baskets, rugs, and containers from Amazon to keep everything organized and visually appealing. These small touches enhanced the “spa day at home” feeling we wanted.
After
(Photo Caption: Modern spa retreat — open shower, calming green tile, sleek vanity, and serene vibes.)
The result is a bathroom that feels fresh, modern, and soothing. It’s our private retreat—no tub, no cramped shower, and no heated toilet seat. This transformation is exactly what we envisioned when we decided to make the space truly ours.
Sometimes letting go of what “should” be in a bathroom gives you exactly what you’ve always wanted.
If you send me the actual before and after pictures, I can also design a clean, Pinterest-ready blog layout with side-by-side images and styled headings so it looks like a pro home renovation feature. Do you want me to style it like an HGTV-style renovation post next?
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