80s bathroom

[Anonymous]

We bought a house that was built in the late 80s and has not been updated since. In particular, it still has the original bathroom. The bathroom shows some of the common features of that era:
- no door to the master BR
- curved shower (also without a door)
- sunken tub (yes, original from the 80s!)

It also has a free-standing double-vanity that is inset in a curvy structure out of drywall. The curvy drywall structure creates some privacy. It is right by the entrance to the bathroom and if you did not have it, you would see the entire bathroom, including the commode (although the commode has a door) from the master BR because there is no door.

We are about to embark on a major renovation and I am going back-and-forth on what to do with the bathroom. Our original thought was to go with Option 1: turn the sunken bathtub into a free-standing bathtub. Replace vanity cabinets/countertops/lighting (but leave it inside the curvy drywall structure). Retile the shower and the floor, et voila.
However, my mom and a good friend of mine (who is very good with interior design) raised the concern that it will still look dated. Option 2 would be more expensive and would involve tearing down the drywall structure, adding a door to the bedroom, and rebuilding the shower (with a modern glass door).

What are your thoughts, DCUMs? Do you feel like leaving the 80s bones but updating all the finishes will still look dated?

[Anonymous]

I think option 1 is much cheaper and it will look fine.
If it works for your family don’t worry about looking dated or not.

[Anonymous]

OP here. Here are some pictures for context.

[Anonymous]

We just went through a remodel but ours was from 2000’s. I guess people didn’t like bathroom doors in the 2000’s either! We put in a freestanding tub, added a door, installed a floating vanity with one long countertop instead of all the cabinetry with different heights that was there before. I think your bathroom will still look dated with that curved wall, unfortunately. And the bathroom will look much more open and bright with a modern shower, so I would put in the freestanding tub, the door and rip out that drywall.

[Anonymous]

#2

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We just went through a remodel but ours was from 2000’s. I guess people didn’t like bathroom doors in the 2000’s either! We put in a freestanding tub, added a door, installed a floating vanity with one long countertop instead of all the cabinetry with different heights that was there before. I think your bathroom will still look dated with that curved wall, unfortunately. And the bathroom will look much more open and bright with a modern shower, so I would put in the freestanding tub, the door and rip out that drywall.

How much dud this cost all in labor and supplies?

[Anonymous]

Freestanding tubs are harder to clean around, so I would leave the tub area alone except for retiling/visual refresh. This will free up some $$ to do option 2.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We just went through a remodel but ours was from 2000’s. I guess people didn’t like bathroom doors in the 2000’s either! We put in a freestanding tub, added a door, installed a floating vanity with one long countertop instead of all the cabinetry with different heights that was there before. I think your bathroom will still look dated with that curved wall, unfortunately. And the bathroom will look much more open and bright with a modern shower, so I would put in the freestanding tub, the door and rip out that drywall.

How much dud this cost all in labor and supplies?

We aren’t on dmv and this was part of a bigger remodel, including kitchen, mudroom, floors etc. So unfortunately I am not able to give you a number. Since your mom and friend are in the business, can they give you an idea in your area? If you are just doing the bathroom, you can save money with less expensive tile (it ranges quite a bit), finding a remnant to use for the countertop, less expensive mirrors and light fixtures, etc.

[Anonymous]

I don't see any reason to make any drastic changes to the bathroom... I kinda like it. Embrace the vintage vibe. Maybe just refreshen the grout and put up some retro LED vanity lights.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We just went through a remodel but ours was from 2000’s. I guess people didn’t like bathroom doors in the 2000’s either! We put in a freestanding tub, added a door, installed a floating vanity with one long countertop instead of all the cabinetry with different heights that was there before. I think your bathroom will still look dated with that curved wall, unfortunately. And the bathroom will look much more open and bright with a modern shower, so I would put in the freestanding tub, the door and rip out that drywall.

How much dud this cost all in labor and supplies?

We aren’t on dmv and this was part of a bigger remodel, including kitchen, mudroom, floors etc. So unfortunately I am not able to give you a number. Since your mom and friend are in the business, can they give you an idea in your area? If you are just doing the bathroom, you can save money with less expensive tile (it ranges quite a bit), finding a remnant to use for the countertop, less expensive mirrors and light fixtures, etc.

OP here. Someone else asked this question. FWIW, we were quoted $80k for Option 1. Also not in the DMV though.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We just went through a remodel but ours was from 2000’s. I guess people didn’t like bathroom doors in the 2000’s either! We put in a freestanding tub, added a door, installed a floating vanity with one long countertop instead of all the cabinetry with different heights that was there before. I think your bathroom will still look dated with that curved wall, unfortunately. And the bathroom will look much more open and bright with a modern shower, so I would put in the freestanding tub, the door and rip out that drywall.

How much dud this cost all in labor and supplies?

We aren’t on dmv and this was part of a bigger remodel, including kitchen, mudroom, floors etc. So unfortunately I am not able to give you a number. Since your mom and friend are in the business, can they give you an idea in your area? If you are just doing the bathroom, you can save money with less expensive tile (it ranges quite a bit), finding a remnant to use for the countertop, less expensive mirrors and light fixtures, etc.

OP here. Someone else asked this question. FWIW, we were quoted $80k for Option 1. Also not in the DMV though.

Ask the same contractor for opinion #2 and see if the increased cost is worth it for you.

[Anonymous]

I love your bathroom. I LOVE where the vanity is and the curved shower. Keep the bones - new vanity/counter, new tiles in the shower, new tub. That curved wall is amazing.

[Anonymous]

Keep the curved vanity wall, change everything else.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I love your bathroom. I LOVE where the vanity is and the curved shower. Keep the bones - new vanity/counter, new tiles in the shower, new tub. That curved wall is amazing.

Thank you, PP. This is what we are leaning towards as well. We actually like the funky bathroom and don’t want to replace it with a no-character cookie-cutter one.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I love your bathroom. I LOVE where the vanity is and the curved shower. Keep the bones - new vanity/counter, new tiles in the shower, new tub. That curved wall is amazing.

Thank you, PP. This is what we are leaning towards as well. We actually like the funky bathroom and don’t want to replace it with a no-character cookie-cutter one.

I'm so glad! Please come back and post photos when you're done - I love when people keep the character in their home and just modernize it. We have a cookie cutter 1990s home, no unique features