When Enlli Thorman and her partner, Scott Benton, set out to redesign the upstairs bathroom of their three‑bed Georgian terrace in Menai Bridge, Anglesey, they turned a cramped, student‑filled space into a functional retreat using a few DIY tricks.
From a neglected room to a usable bathroom
The couple inherited a tiny bathroom. Enlli recalled the state of the space before work began, noting that the bathroom floor was on her driveway. With no upstairs bathroom in the original layout, the renovation offered a rare chance to start from scratch.
During demolition they discovered existing plumbing in one of the upstairs bedrooms, a clue that the room had once housed a bathroom. The waste pipe was already capped, and water lines were ready to be reconnected, which saved both time and expense.
Tile selection became a price decision. “The floor tiles I originally wanted were out of our price range, so I went to the local tile merchant and found these. They were half the price, but virtually the same as the others and actually work better in the room as the deep brown colour is warmer,” Enlli said.
DIY solutions for storage and fixtures
Scott, who works on a farm, built a hand‑made wooden unit for the sinks. Using scaffold boards for the main body, fence posts for legs, and pallet wood for shelves, they created a rustic bath rack that doubled as open storage. Because the unit was self‑made, Enlli thought it would be easier to have shelving rather than doors, and the open design became a styling feature.
Related: Chelsea Flower Show reveals favourite gardens
They also repurposed copper pipe and elbows, spraying them black to form small radiator towel rails. A recessed shelf, positioned above the tub, provides a convenient spot for shower products, keeping the area tidy.
To keep costs low, they sourced a large Crittall shower screen from an online marketplace, and the final layout allowed space for a freestanding tub—a feature that was not part of the original wish list.
Final touches and practical outcomes
Enlli filled the new shelves with colorful towels, wicker baskets, and glass jars for bath‑time products. A decorative ladder provides a convenient place to hang towels, adding a finishing touch that blends function with style.
The renovation took roughly three months, during which both partners worked full‑time and handled most of the labor themselves.
Result: a bathroom that feels like a separate sanctuary from the rest of the house.
