By Kerry Hale

Before And After: The Top Ten Bathroom Renovations of Instagram

  • Friday 05 February 2021
  • 11 minute read

Instagram is a wonderful place for ideas and inspiration, especially when it comes to bathroom renovation projects. The best bathroom overhauls are those we can visually follow, shared from the accounts that post amazingly retro ‘before’ pictures and sparkling new ‘after’ shots.

We’ve been browsing through tons of Instagram’s most incredible bathroom transformations to reveal the most insta-worthy bathroom revamps of the moment. We’ve also enlisted three expert interior designers and an estate agent, to share their thoughts and tips around the impressive renovation work.

From FaceTime sessions with self-isolating plumbers, to overcoming the challenges of renovating as a single parent while home-schooling, here’s our roundup of the top Instagram renovations and some of the stories behind them.

Adjust the slider to see this luxury transformation from @compton_randle

This amazing before and after proves just how transformative replacing your bath with a shower can be. Eleanor Whitlam’s bathroom renovation cost £4,000 and took a whole 9 months to complete due to the current pandemic. Typically, they’d allow a month for a bathroom overhaul of this kind but despite the delays, we think this finished renovation was definitely worth the wait. Interior Designer, Design Consultant and TV presenter Linda Barker agrees – saying "this is a lovely personal transformation that fits the needs of its owners". She particularly admires the introduction of the new shower niche which she says, "can be tricky and expensive to do – but in this case, plenty of products are usefully to hand without creating a cluttered look".

Eleanor chose a Mira Platinum Digital Shower for her new space, adding to the luxury feel of this suite. The showers in Mira’s digital showers range allow you to pre-set the water temperature of your shower before you get in, as well as view flow rate and track water usage on a dedicated App. 

Head of Sales at We Buy Any House and experienced Estate Agent Stephen Pitcher, praises the modernisation saying that the "big walk-in shower will prove popular with prospective buyers, much more than the old bath". Replacing a bath with a shower can be a difficult decision for some homeowners, but when space is at a premium it can be advisable to create a more spacious room with the addition of a new shower enclosure.

With the help of an ‘ace team of tradespeople’, the homeowners were able to do most of the work themselves. Eleanor does, however, recall one memorable occasion when the plumber Face Timed them from his quarantine to oversee a loo removal! She says her DIY skills have been mostly self-taught and although she says Pinterest and Instagram helped her make some design choices, it was mostly her own flair for art which she developed further through her Art and Photography qualifications. 

Swipe across to see this effective budget makeover from @thistle.harvest

Next up, this bathroom transformation is a great example of a simple but hugely effective makeover. Interior designer and Co-Founder of interior retailer La Di Da Interiors, Steph Briggs, notes that "painting the whole room white and using a larger mirror, the room now feels bigger and brighter as the fixtures aren’t as noticeable".

The new bathroom has a whole host of new storage opportunities, with the addition of the floating shelves above the toilet and the handy shelf integrated into the wall mirror. Beth Chippindall of Honeycomb Interiors has commented on the use of houseplants in the new space and how touches of this kind can "add interest to an otherwise plain and pared-back space".

Interior designer Linda Barker admires the way these homeowners have seen past the dated sanitaryware and comments on how "without moving a thing, the space is now as far removed from its 80’s colour scheme as its possible to get". The best kind of budget makeover!

Swipe right to see this tile transformation by @shelley_clegirfarm

Shelley Williams, 36, from Isle of Anglesey project managed this stylish bathroom restoration, as part of a larger home renovation. Alongside her husband and a trusty tradesman, they fitted the new bathroom with a second-hand bath, new mixer taps and a new shower from Mira Showers. She sourced the tiles locally, which Linda Barker says have "totally elevated this previously stark and uninteresting bathroom".

All four of our experts complimented the stylish minimalism that Shelly has created in this space and were quick to comment on the impact that feature tiles can bring to a bathroom. Steph loves the way that the "soft green of the handy storage unit is echoed by the plants", whilst Estate Agent Stephen says, "the simple addition of the plants really brighten up an otherwise monochromatic scheme".

Interior designer Beth, picked up on the houseplant trend, commenting on how they are "becoming more important and enjoyed within the home space". Not only do bathroom plants look great, but they also offer a lot of benefits to you and your home - such as absorbing excess moisture. To find out more about which plants will thrive in your own bathroom, check out our dedicated article.

Adjust the slider to reveal this bold statement bathroom by @demiliodesign

We love the femininity of the pink walls contrasting with the dark luxe tiles in this makeover. According to Linda Barker, this bright and bold bathroom transformation is ‘bang on trend’ – she says, "although these tiles are expensive, this bathroom goes to prove that a little can go a long way".

Steph comments on the impressive enclosure, saying "it’s lovely to see such a large shower beautiful encased in glass". The use of a frameless hinged shower enclosure in this renovation proves that even if you only have a small space, the shower doesn’t have to dominate the room.

Estate agent Stephen says that "the matching flooring provides a flawless link between the shower and floor", a tip that he believes can make any room look larger. He also comments on how the "updated taps are much more attractive" – a simple but effective new addition that won’t break the bank.

Interior designer Beth admires the way the homeowners have added colour and drama to the space, she says she "loves the bold use of the candy pink next to the petrol blue; it makes the space pop!".

Swipe right to see this elegant overhaul by @1930s_solo_renovation

44-year-old Zoe Lawrence’s bathroom took 5 weeks to renovate, due to the bathrooms small size and one contractor working at a time to allow for social distancing. For full transparency and to reduce costs, Zoe project managed the work herself. Linda thinks Zoe’s choice of the "varying tones of grey and beige in the tiles is a lovely choice" and says this decision has made the bathroom "immediately look luxurious".

Zoe chose our Mira Mode Bath Fill and Shower for her new bathroom, and says ‘the push-button controls and programmable phone app have made this an absolute winner and installing the main control central to the bath means you can operate the shower without getting a wet arm (a pet hate!) and top up the bath easily whilst relaxing!’

Estate Agent Stephen particularly likes the folding glass screen which he says, "adds privacy, and keeps the room feeling spacious thanks to its ability to be tucked out of the way".

As a single mum, Zoe says she was "quite daunted by the prospect of doing it alone". However, she says "the project was a worthwhile challenge during an otherwise strange and difficult year – I am very happy and proud to have been able to do this on my own". Our expert interior specialists couldn’t agree more, with Steph Briggs saying Zoe’s "warm wall colour, matte tiles and ambient lighting give a touch of Hollywood glamour".

Founder of Honeycomb interiors, Beth Chippindall, describes this bathroom makeover as "inviting as a cup of hot chocolate" - we can definitely get on board with that comparison!

Adjust the slider to see this magical marble renovation by @thehalfdonehouse

This bathroom really lacked light and style before it’s incredible makeover. Now, the space boasts an impressive skylight, marble-effect tiling and stylish accessories. The homeowners have chosen to leave all services exactly where they were and instead use their budget to introduce new tiling, flooring, and windows. Linda Barker says, "this bathroom simply screams luxury – the large tiles are finished just below the Velux, which is not only time and cost effective – but it means there is little tile wastage, which is an important environmental consideration".

Co-Founder of La Di Da Interiors, Steph Briggs, says "the use of the dark paint on the ceiling is an ingenious move which gives the feeling of space, by making it feel further away" – a great tip for anyone who is struggling to make their small bathroom look a bit bigger. With results as effective as this, Stephen thinks a renovation of this standard could see a 5% increase in property value for homeowners.

Interior designer Beth describes this bathroom overhaul as "timeless, but still urban cool" and loves the mix of "black brassware and Calcutta-style marble tile".

Swipe across to see this fabulous Victorian-style transformation by @ailsa.bm

Ailsa Burn-Murdoch from Kelso is the creative homeowner behind our next bathroom renovation. She completely transformed the original space, with its outdated retro pink and pine bathroom suite, to a sophisticated new bathroom. The renovation took seven weeks to complete and cost around £2,250, with Ailsa and her husband doing most of the work themselves.

Interior designer Beth says "the metro tiles and vanity are all in keeping with a contemporary Victorian-style bathroom" something which Ailsa was keen to incorporate. She says "we wanted something clean and modern – but still referenced the house’s Georgian roots".

Expert interior designer Steph says, "the upcycled chest of drawers, wall cabinet and bath all being painted the same colour tie in wonderfully with the metro tiling – which gives a timeless feel with the classic brick pattern".

When we asked where they learnt their interior and DIY skills, Ailsa said they just always knew how they wanted it to look, she says "we’re not taught professionals and didn’t use instructions. We just researched products, used each other as a sounding board and learned on the job". Team work really does make the dream work!

Swipe right to reveal this creative budget makeover by @katieelvins

This next transformation shows very clever use of what little space was available. 32-year-old Graphic Designer Katie Elvins is the brain behind this bathroom, using her DIY skills not only to work on the fitting, but to design a typographic print for the wall. Katie told us that "apart from hiring an electrician to install the electric shower and a plasterer to take care of the ceiling, everything else was DIY".

Interior Designer Steph’s favourite part of the renovation is the large mirror above the sink, which she says is "a great way to add additional natural light and give the feeling of space".

Linda thinks this compact space has been transformed by Katie into an "elegant, modern and fresh bathroom". She says the "testers pot’s worth of blush pink is a gentle complement to the room" – a great tip for any budding bathroom renovators out there.

Katie’s new stylish suite cost under £1,000 to create and is a great example of the ways you can transform your bathroom on a budget.

Adjust the slider to see this blue and bold renovation by @two_vets_and_a_wreck

The owners of this impressive celestial and herringbone tiling combination did the entire bathroom project themselves, with the exception of a plumber and electrician. This involved them taking down the old ceiling, doing the plaster boarding and re-tiling themselves, whilst using YouTube tutorials to help them along the way. The whole bathroom cost around £5.3K and was a real labour of love, keeping the homeowners busy during the second national lockdown.

Our expert Interior Designer Beth praises the way the homeowners have incorporated two of the current big trends in tiles, she says "the bold blue metro tile laid in a herringbone design creates a fantastic feature". TV presenter and professional interior designer Linda Barker especially likes the way the darker patterned tiles are "lit beautifully here with energy efficient LED downlights".

The use of the long-heated towel rail is clever too, with it’s positioning behind the door. Interior designer Steph explains how the use of a towel rail in this way can help to "elongate the room so the eye is naturally drawn upwards" – another great tip for homeowners who want a cosy bathroom, but not a huge amount of space.

According to Estate Agent Stephen, undergoing a renovation of this kind and creating a space which wasn't previously a functional bathroom, could increase property value by as much as 10%. 

Swipe across to see this retro suite transform by @restorationcouple

Our final top bathroom renovation shows a bathroom that was clearly stuck in the past, with its retro floral tiles and frilly patterned curtains.

Interior designer Steph praises the new Country Cottage feel the homeowners have created with the "vintage style radiator, wood effect floor and painted stonework". The simple introduction of the white metro tiles "leaves the room feeling clean and fresh" according to Beth – whilst the new glass bath shower screen creates the feeling of wide-open space.

Our expert estate agent Stephen specifically likes the newly fitted bath, explaining how "a new bath kitted out with mixer taps is more sought after than one with individual taps". It’s always important to consider the value of the fixtures and fittings inside a bathroom if you’re ever looking to buy or sell.

If you’re looking to renovate your bathroom, Linda Barker says that "inexpensive tiles laid in a brickwork pattern look superb along a modern streamlined bath", as seen in this transformation. It’s then easy to inject small hints of colour, like the pale blue paint we can see here, which stop the bathroom looking too clinical.

Are you looking to update your bathroom?

Mira Showers are here to provide advice on top quality fixtures and fittings. Our shower replacement service can also help you replace your existing shower, regardless of the brand.

Our Digital Shower range offers top of the range digital technology at your fingertips, providing you with the ultimate accessory to compliment your new bathroom. View our full Digital Shower range.

Methodology:

  1. Mira Showers monitored Instagram image hashtags relevant to bathroom renovations (including #bathroomrenovation, #bathroombeforeandafter, #bathroomreno, #diybathroomremodel and #diybathroom) to source some of the best transformations
  2. Mira Showers enlisted four experts to explain what makes these renovations so effective. The experts are:

    - Linda Barker, Celebrity Interior Designer, Writer and TV Presenter
    - Steph Briggs, Interior Designer, La Di Da Interiors https://www.ladida-andover.com/
    - Stephen Pitcher, Estate Agent and Head of Sales at We Buy Any House https://www.webuyanyhouse.co.uk/
    - Beth Chippindall, Interior Designer, Honeycomb Interiors https://honeycombinteriors.co.uk/