Choosing the Best Bathroom Designs – 10,000 of Our Followers Voted What They Would Pick
We polled 10,000 followers about every bathroom remodel decision. These answers surprised us! Plus, tons of the best bathroom design insight.
A few days ago, Robert and I started the process of making some tough decisions for the master bathroom renovation. You know… the room that’s currently ripped to shreds thanks to the 100 gallons of water that poured into our house from the attic?
Yeah, that one.
Anyways, we always knew when the time came to renovate our bathroom that we would have to make some tough decisions.
It’s small. I’m talking at least half the size of the master bath in our last house.
One of the things we’ve always wanted to do is change what is currently our shower into a water closet to separate the toilet from the rest of the bathroom and put a larger shower in the main part of the space. (Because we’re very close in our marriage but not that close, if you know what I mean.)
But then, that would mean sacrificing double sinks for a single sink. And that started the debate of “Would completely changing the plumbing layout really be worth the extra expense?”
So then that kicked off a fun game of “Would You Rather?” in my Instagram Stories. (We all need 100,000 friends to help us make big house renovation decisions, don’t you think? It’s dang hard!)
We polled our Instagram followers (0ver 10,000 people voted!) about what they would choose for themselves in a bathroom design and we were completely surprised by some of the answers! Enough so that we have changed a lot of our original bathroom design plan.
If you’re ever planning a bathroom renovation yourself, maybe these answers will help you in your decisions too.
Bathroom Design Debates – You Voted and Had the BEST Advice!
Lisa Staton Design | Cari Berg Interior Design
If you could only pick one…
1. Double Sinks vs Toilet Closet
The Vote: 60% Double Sinks – 40% Toilet Closet
WINNER: Double Sinks
Reader Insight:
“My husband and I are close enough that we don’t mind having a toilet in the main part of the bathroom, but I CANNOT share a sink with him when we’re trying to get ready in the morning. That’s a deal breaker.” – Ellen
“It’s a huge turn off to me when I walk into a nice bathroom but see a toilet in the middle of the room. I’d rather it be hidden, and it makes it easier for two people to share a master bathroom.” – Jennifer
Micasa Revista | Mandarina Studio
Which would you pick?
2. Tub Shower Combo vs Shower, No Tub
The Vote: 39% Tub/Shower Combo – 61% Shower, No Tub
WINNER: Shower Only, No Tub
Reader Insight:
“I have to have at least one tub somewhere in the house even if it’s not in the main bathroom, especially with kids. But only for kids. I personally don’t take baths frequently so I don’t miss having a tub.” – Joy
“If there’s absolutely no space for one, definitely no tub. The tub/shower combo thing is a freaking pain to keep clean all the time. Showers are way less maintenance. Seems like way less people take baths nowadays than they used to anyway.” – Alex
“If you’re going for luxury, you need a tub for sure. Maybe even a vintage clawfoot style one with a shower above if you don’t like the more modern looking tub/showers? Those seem to add more charm.” – Becca
Jennifer Muirhead Interiors | Made by Carli
If you could only pick one…
3. Large Shower vs Double Sinks
The Vote: 39% Large Shower – 61% Double Sinks
WINNER: Double Sinks
Reader Insight:
“We had our bathroom remodeled two years ago with a large shower because I thought it would be soooo great to have and make our bathroom really feel more upscale. I absolutely hate it. Showers are cold in that large space and I dread it. They look nice but in actuality, they’re not worth it. I’d rather use that wasted space for more sink room.” – Jackie
“I’ll totally share a sink with my husband if it means I can have a really nice big shower!!! Plus, I feel like large showers do better for resale. At least that’s the case for me if I were looking at buying a house.” – Melissa
Katie Martinez Design | Casey Keasler
Which would you pick?
4. Closed Shower Room vs Glass or Open Shower
The Vote: 52% Closed Shower Room – 48% Glass / Open Shower
WINNER: Closed Shower Room
Reader Insight:
“Cleaning large glass shower doors is paaaaaiiiiiin! Mine always look awful because they’re such a chore to do.” – Tammy
“We stayed in a VRBO once with a big open shower and I thought it would be so amazing. Water got all over the place and it felt like showering in a hospital. Just cold and blah. I couldn’t wait to get the heck out of there. It’ll be a miracle if that open shower doesn’t cause some kind of water damage.” – Bailey
“We put in an enclosed shower room and I will never go back. It’s like showering in a warm, cozy blanket of steam. Ahhhh love it.” – Lisa
1st Dibs | Rosa Beltran Design
If you could only pick one…
5. Large Shower vs Linen Cabinet
The Vote: 45% Large Shower – 55% Linen Cabinet
WINNER: Linen Cabinet
Reader Insight:
“Any time you can get MORE storage in a bathroom, just do it!” – Leah
“Large showers are the most ridiculous waste of space. It serves absolutely no purpose but to take up room. Storage!!!” – Allie
“I will FIGHT someone to have a big shower. If I need a vanity AND a linen closet, I have too much stuff and need to purge. But I’m more of a minimalist so maybe that’s not the norm.” – Crystal
Jean Stoffer Design | Atlanta Homes
Which would you choose?
6. Scallop Backsplash vs Sink Ledge Backsplash
The Vote: 27% Scallop Backsplash – 73% Sink Ledge
WINNER: Sink Ledge
Reader Insight:
“I can see that sink ledge being a big clutter collector. If it’s not there my husband and I aren’t tempted to put stuff on it.” – Megan
“That scallop backsplash is gorrrrrrgggggggg! But I think the ledge is more practical.” – Krista
Architectural Digest | Architectural Digest
Which would you pick?
7. Airy Bathroom vs Moody Bathroom
The Vote: 92% Airy vs 8% Moody
WINNER: Airy Bathroom
Reader Insight:
“I want my bathroom to feel peaceful and lots of white feels peaceful.” – Emily
“White = spa.” – Carole
“Black would show dust eeeeeeverywhere!!!!!” – Annie
Sloane Studio Interiors | Marie Flanigan Interiors
Which would you pick?
8. Rug vs No Rug
The Vote: 66% Rug vs 34% No Rug
WINNER: Rug
Reader Insight:
“Why put down all that pretty tile just to cover it up with a rug?” – Mandi
“My mother slipped and fell on a bathroom rug once and broke her wrist. They’re a hazard!” – Audrey
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“Vintage rugs in bathrooms!!! I love them!!!” – Caroline
“I always have a rug… it’s nice having something warm under your feet while you’re getting ready. And I have a bad back, so standing on a little extra cushion on a rug helps when I’m standing at the vanity doing makeup/hair.” – Vanessa
“Heated floors!!!” – Cindy
Which would you pick?
9. Sconce Vanity Lights vs Pendant Vanity Lights
The Vote: 58% Sconce Lights – 42% Pendant Lights
WINNER: Sconce Lights
Reader Insight:
“When I’m putting on makeup, I want light hitting my face from both sides instead of up above. Overhead lights create weird shadows and I can’t see what I’m doing as well.” – Miranda
“I think it depends on if you want modern or traditional. Pendants seem more funky and sconces are nice but more ‘expected’.” – Paige
Which would you pick?
10. Brass Fixtures vs Black Fixtures
The Vote: 46% Brass Fixtures vs 54% Black Fixtures
WINNER: Black Fixtures
Reader Insight:
“Neither! Where’s the brushed nickel?” – Lindsay
“We have black fixtures and apparently hard water… it makes me crazy that you can see white spots on the drain stopper in the sink and bathtub. Something to think about if you have hard water where you live.” – Lisa
“Black says farmhouse to me. Brass says traditional. Depends on the vibe.” – Tasha
“Brass adds a little warmth I think. Makes neutral not seem so cold.” – Reya
“Do both!” – Mary Beth
HGTV | Country Living Magazine
Which would you pick?
11. Built-In Linen Cabinet vs Freestanding Vintage Cabinet
The Vote: 53% Built-In vs 47% Freestanding Vintage
WINNER: Built-In
Reader Insight:
“Ohhhhh that’s hard! Only thing I can say is vintage furniture can smell weird sometimes. I don’t want my towels smelling old and musty.” – Tracy
“The built-in seems more practical. I worry what the humidity in a bathroom could do to a vintage piece of furniture. It’s beautiful though.” – Makenzie
Interior Blooms Design Co. | Amber Interiors
Which would you pick?
12. Color vs Neutral
The Vote: 35% Color vs 65% Neutral
WINNER: Neutral
Reader Insight:
“Neutral is more timeless. You’d be less likely to regret it later.” – Kirsten
“I looooove that green! Depends on your personality. If you’re a bright, colorful person, have a bright, colorful bathroom.” – Amber
Apartment Therapy | Architectural Digest
Which would you pick?
13. One Large Mirror vs Double Mirrors
The Vote: 42% One Large Mirror – 58% Double Mirrors
WINNER: Double Mirrors
Reader Insight:
“Large mirrors seem builder grade-ish.” – Myra
“Large mirror makes the room feel bigger.” – Tammy
House Beautiful | The Lifestyled Co
Which would you pick?
14. Patterned Tile Floor vs Simple Tile Floor
The Vote: 41% Patterned Tile vs 59% Simple Tile
WINNER: Simple Tile
Reader Insight:
“Patterned tile can date a bathroom really fast. I’m already looking at patterned tile these days and thinking, ‘That’s very 2015.'” – Sean
“I just like big tile because it’s fewer grout lines to clean.” – Alisha
“Patterned helps hide dirt.” – Sharon
Which would you pick?
15. Wall Tile vs Wall Millwork
The Vote: 58% Wall Tile – 42% Wall Millwork
WINNER: Wall Tile
Reader Insight:
“Wall tile is so much easier to keep clean and fresh looking.” – Megan
“Millwork would probably be less expensive if budget is a concern. But still pretty!” – Michelle
Chris Loves Julia | Studio McGee
Which would you pick?
16. Wood Vanity vs Painted Vanity
The Vote: 39% Wood Vanity vs 61% Painted Vanity
WINNER: Painted Vanity
Reader Insight:
“I knew wood cabinets would make a comeback one day. Seems like it’s happening a lot more lately, especially vanities that look more like furniture.” – Sarah
“I just voted painted because that blue is amazing!” – Jen
“Ohh both are so beautiful don’t make us choose!!” – Vanessa
What are you thoughts?! If you have any experience with any of these in a renovation, tell us everything! Once the big decisions are finally in place, we can start choosing finishes, and really… that’s the actual fun part.
Anyways, I hope this helped! I learned a lot from y’all, and I hope this gave you some guidance too!
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