House and Home
As we’ve been searching for a new home in the Seattle area, it’s natural to imagine how we’d add our personal touch to each place we like. Sometimes that means reworking the layout, other times it’s simply cosmetic updates. Either way, envisioning the possibilities is part of the fun of house hunting.
It’s rare to find a house that’s perfect right out of the gate — and that’s okay. Most homes become truly ours only after we make small changes to reflect our style and needs. Everyone has different tastes and priorities, so even an otherwise lovely house will often be tweaked to fit family routines and preferences.
House and Home
Some homes simply speak to you. I love a house with character, and I don’t mind if it feels like a little project — a place that invites creativity. What I do want, though, is a home that’s been reasonably cared for. I’m not looking to take on a major teardown; after past experiences with damp basements, drafts, pests, and wallpaper removal, I prefer a house that’s mostly ready to live in.
House and Home
One detail we’ve noticed while touring older homes is that many have only a single bathroom, or two at most. Our current home offers a powder room plus two full bathrooms that are cleverly divided — sinks on one side, and toilets and showers or tubs in separate compartments — which works well when multiple people share the space. In our previous house we enjoyed five bathrooms, so we’ve been fortunate, but realistically, a family of three gets by comfortably with two. Two bathrooms feel like a luxury when everyone is getting ready at once.
Before those homes, we managed with two bathrooms for a family of five, and it worked fine. Whether our next home has one or two bathrooms, I love the idea of a divided bathroom. With some remodeling and smart layout changes you can create dual-function spaces — for example, a sink and toilet on one side and a sink and shower on the other. That kind of flexibility can make a single bathroom serve like two.
House and Home
If you want to be more elaborate, each side of a divided bathroom could have its own entrance — one opening to the hallway and one to the master suite — with a pocket door between them. That configuration lets you keep the shower area private while opening the sink-and-toilet side for family use or guests. It’s a practical solution for space-challenged homes, allowing a master bath to function as a semi-public area when needed.
The Jack-and-Jill layout is another versatile option. While commonly used for kids’ bathrooms, it can work beautifully for a master suite too, giving shared access while preserving privacy where it matters.
I came across a bathroom designed by Mandy Milks featured in House & Home, and I adore it. The room is split into two distinct areas — one side appears to have a shower, the other a tub, with a sink on each side. The dual arrangement is smart and highly functional. I’m also drawn to the tile floors and the textured tile behind the tub. That tub looks like an antique but is actually a modern model distressed to look vintage — such a great detail. Designing a bathroom from top to bottom like this would be a dream project.
How many bathrooms does your home have?
More Bathroom Design Inspiration Posts:
Beautiful Bathroom Remodeling Ideas
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Beautiful Bathroom Vanities
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Bathrooms with Trough Sinks
Inspiration: Repurpose Furniture Into Bathroom Vanity
Divided Master Bathrooms: Jack & Jill Style
7 Inspiring Bathroom Designs
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DIY Faux Tin Ceiling Tile Backsplash