Before and After: 5 Cool Transformations of Tired Bathroom Spaces in Secondary Apartments

We gathered amazing examples from designers' projects, showing how to create a stylish and functional interior in a small and unattractive space. Get inspired and take notes of these ideas!

Vibrant Bathroom in Mid-Century Style

In the 'before' version, this bathroom looked partially destroyed — bare walls with damaged plaster and exposed utilities. The shower and toilet were separate. It was necessary to improve functionality, and find space for a laundry area in the new bathroom.

Photo before

The interior turned out vibrant and memorable. Its foundation is mid-century style with soft nostalgic notes of the 70s. The bathroom and toilet were combined, and the bathtub was replaced with a shower cubicle with a glass partition. The heating tank was hidden behind the installation panel. A mix of orange and white tiles makes the interior sunny and optimistic. A modern, tech-savvy solution is a monoblock for laundry and drying with two drums. You can wash and dry clothes in both the upper and lower sections. Two cabinets were provided for storing dirty laundry and household chemicals. A spacious cabinet was placed under the sink.

Design: Pavel Foteev
Design: Pavel Foteev

Stylish Bathroom in a 1926 House

Before the renovation, the bathroom in this two-room flat was separate, cramped, with outdated fixtures and plumbing in terrible condition. The space was used inefficiently.

Photo before

After combining the bathroom and toilet, the area became 4.9 sq.m. The floor was covered with Spanish tiles, and gray-toned ceramic granite was used for the walls. One wall near the sink was accentuated by green glossy tiles, which makes the small space appear deeper. The sink countertop was custom-made from ceramic granite. Under it, a spacious suspended cabinet made of oak veneer was installed. The warm texture of the wood adds comfort and style to the space. Access to utilities was hidden in a cabinet, and additional storage was organized. A niche was created for the washing and drying machine.

Design: Anna Kirillova
Design: Anna Kirillova

Light Bathroom with a Spa Atmosphere in a Khrushchyovka

Before the transformation, this was a combined bathroom. It was necessary to completely transform the 'worn-out' interior, preserve the bathtub, and create a modern setting.

The entrance to the bathroom was relocated, the old plumbing cabin was removed, and new walls were built, keeping the original dimensions. The internal layout was completely changed. Ceramic granite of large format and moisture-resistant paint were used for finishing. The bathroom has a full-size bathtub, a sink with a storage cabinet, and an installation area. A mirror with backlighting above the sink creates a warmer and more romantic atmosphere. The built-in mixers have a stylish appearance and take up little space. A tropical shower and stylish accessories helped create a spa atmosphere right in a small apartment.

Design: Ksenia Shahmatova
Design: Ksenia Shahmatova

Gentle Bathroom with Refined Accents

This bathroom is located in a house built in 1961. Worn-out tiles and water stains on the walls, outdated plumbing fixtures, and irrelevant accessories gave a depressing impression of an old-fashioned 'grandmother’s' renovation.

Photo before

After a coordinated re-planning, a space of 6 sq.m. was created — the toilet, corridor area, and bathroom were joined. For finishing, basic materials were chosen — wide-format glossy ceramic granite. One wall near the bathtub was clad with small mosaic tiles. The new bathroom has not only a bathtub but also a five-sided shower cubicle. The washing machine is located in a niche, and above it, there's a utility area. The bathtub is framed by a construction made of gypsum board with convenient storage niches. Gold-colored fixtures and plumbing make the design more elegant and refined.

Small Functional Bathroom in a Khrushchyovka

The bathroom in this Khrushchyovka was combined but very cramped and unattractive — in standard white square tiles with a window facing the kitchen. It was necessary to completely transform the 'killed' Soviet-era interior and create a modern setting comfortable for living and relaxation.

Photo before

The new bathroom is simultaneously compact and functional. Tiles were laid on the walls in wet zones, while surfaces without direct water contact were painted with washable green paint. The bathtub was replaced with a shower cubicle. Sliding doors save space, make the room look more spacious and neat. Storage spaces were organized above the installation area, and the boiler was hidden. The cabinet under the sink is equipped with a large mirror and drawer units for cosmetics.

Design: Violetta Koltan
Design: Violetta Koltan