Buying a renovation project can be a great way to upgrade to a larger property. And that’s exactly what Laura and Graham Harris did when they moved into their semi-detached, Berkshire home, with their daughters, Jess and Katy. The house had four bedrooms, but just one cramped bathroom, which Laura thinks deterred a lot of buyers.
Planning the Bathroom Layout
Masking tape on the floor and drawing on the walls were some of the methods used to plan the bathroom layout. The couple decided to move the bathroom into a bigger room, which was initially used as a bedroom. This decision was made after years of squeezing four of them into a bathroom with no separate shower.
The old bathroom would become a reasonable-sized office and bedroom, resulting in a more family-friendly, but still four-bedroom, home. The bedroom earmarked for conversion was right next to the original bathroom, so re-routing pipework and connecting to external wastes proved straightforward.
The Conversion Process
Laura was determined to keep the room’s original fireplace, while the addition of a vintage stool provides a handy spot to store clothes and magazines. The couple decided to replace a rather draughty sash window with a warmer, double-glazed alternative and re-plaster throughout.
Laura spent many hours stripping and polishing the fireplace, which adds real character to the room. A collection of holiday souvenirs and second-hand finds add a personal touch to this much-used room. The couple chose a timeless Shaker unit and a fresh blue, grey and white scheme, which works well in this Victorian home.
Related: RHS Announces New 2027 Venue and Classic Return
The classic, glossy-blue, brick tiles were chosen to add warmth and light, while easy-clean, wood-effect vinyl flooring offers a nod to the period floorboards still found in other parts of the house. They wisely chose a fitter they had worked with before, who was happy to help when they decided to make a few changes to the initial design.
The Final Result
Moving rooms enabled Laura and Graham to install a shower enclosure, while the addition of a vanity unit with generous storage, mirror and plenty of work-surface, has also proved a winning combination in this busy family bathroom. The basin was switched at the last minute for a larger, more family-friendly, £47 sale bargain.
Laura couldn’t be happier with the result. ‘I definitely don’t regret our decision to change rooms, as we all love the extra space and having a shower. Plus the girls now use the smaller spare room for sleepovers and homework, so we no longer have rooms going to waste!’
One of the key considerations for the couple was the maintenance of the new bathroom. They wanted it to be as maintenance-free as possible, which is why they chose streamlined, fitted units with a large, sleek shower enclosure and a panelled bath. The result is a modern and stylish bathroom that still works well in the Victorian home, much like the house transformation they undertook.
