Most primary bathrooms we see were built for a different routine: a large tub nobody uses, a cramped shower, one sink for two people, and storage that ends up on the counter. A primary bath remodel fixes the layout, not just the finishes, so the room works the way you live now.
What a primary bath remodel includes
- Layout design: measured plans showing where the shower, tub, vanity and toilet go, with options to compare.
- Demolition down to the studs, with dust barriers and daily cleanup.
- Plumbing changes: moving drains and valves, adding a second sink, or relocating the toilet into its own room.
- Waterproofing behind every wet wall and under the shower floor, flood-tested before tile.
- Electrical: layered lighting, outlets in the vanity, a properly vented fan, and optional heated floors.
- Finishes: tile, vanity and counters, shower glass, mirrors, hardware, paint and trim.
- Permits, inspections and a final walkthrough.
Design decisions that shape the room
The shower
A larger walk-in shower is the most common request we get. A bench, a niche at a usable height, a handheld sprayer and a curbless entry make it more comfortable now and easier to use for years. See shower remodeling.
Tub or no tub
If you soak, a freestanding tub can anchor the room. If you don't, that space usually goes to a bigger shower or more storage. A tub-and-shower combination behind glass is a good middle ground in a tighter room.
The vanity
Two sinks help most when two people get ready at the same time. Drawers beat doors for storage, and a tall linen cabinet keeps towels and supplies out of sight. A sit-down makeup area can be built into a longer run. More on vanities and fixtures.
Privacy
Putting the toilet in its own small room with a door is one of the most appreciated changes in shared primary baths, and it's often possible within the existing footprint.
Light and air
Overhead light alone casts shadows at the mirror. We plan light at face height on both sides of each mirror, an overhead fixture on a dimmer, and a fan sized to the room and vented outside.
Storage
Plan storage item by item: a drawer for hair tools with an outlet inside, a recessed medicine cabinet, open shelving or a niche for towels by the shower, and a tall cabinet for supplies. Clear counters make a primary bath feel calm.
One suite, two personalities
When two people want different things, we design for both. In West Linn, we built a his-and-hers suite: a brass-accented bath with a tub and shower for one homeowner, a matte-black bath with a dedicated shower and bidet for the other, and a walk-in linen closet between them. Shared cabinetry and tile kept it feeling like one suite. Read the full case study.
The schedule
- Design and ordering (3 to 6 weeks): layout, selections, permit and ordering. Vanities and custom glass set the pace.
- Week 1: protection and demolition.
- Weeks 2 to 3: framing, plumbing and electrical rough-in, then inspections.
- Weeks 3 to 5: waterproofing, flood test, tile.
- Weeks 5 to 7: vanity, counters, fixtures, glass measurement and installation.
- Final week: paint, trim, final inspection and your walkthrough.
What it costs
Primary bath remodels in our area typically run $XX,000 to $XX,000. Layout changes, shower size and tile are the biggest variables. The bathroom remodel cost guide breaks it down, and financing is available.