How We Transformed a Small Victorian Bathroom for Family Life..

Like many Victorian homes in South Manchester, our bathroom was one of the compromises when we bought our home.

It was small, lacked warmth, and was always on the list to update. But like most things, it took a leak to finally move it up the priority list.

Once I started planning, it quickly became clear this wasn’t about a quick refresh. If we were going to go through the disruption, it needed to work perfectly for our family.

Designing around real life

Before thinking about tiles or taps, I focused on how the space needed to function day to day.

With two young kids, the bathroom has to handle busy mornings, bath time, and everything in between. The brief was simple:

A proper mixer shower
A separate bath and shower
A calm, warm palette
Durable finishes that don’t feel heavy
Lighting that works morning and evening

It needed to be practical – but still feel like a retreat where we could switch off.

The layout: the decision that changed everything

The room was under 2m x 2m, so every centimetre mattered. The original layout didn’t allow for both a bath and a separate shower, no matter how hard I tried to reconfigure it.

This led to the decision to make a structural change: pushing the wall into the adjacent bedroom by around 70cm. Alongside repositioning the door (and making it slightly smaller), that gave us just enough room to include:

A separate shower
A bath
A vanity
A toilet

It completely changed how the room works.

A small detail that helped: using a rounded corner shower. It gives you more usable space inside, without taking up as much of the footprint.

Keeping sightlines clear also made a noticeable difference – for example using wall-mounted furniture. In smaller bathrooms, being able to see more of the floor makes the space feel much bigger.

The look: warm, natural, and easy to live with

For this space, I wanted an organic modern style, inspired by relaxed, light-filled Californian interiors.

The palette is warm – designed to keep the room feeling calm while still fresh and open.

Muted greens sit alongside warm wood tones, terracotta, and light stone. Nothing too stark, nothing too cool.

Warmer tones are replacing cooler greys in bathrooms, and for good reason – they feel easier to live with and naturally more relaxing.

The tiles were the starting point. I chose sage green zellige, with subtle variation from tile to tile. They catch the light throughout the day and bring a quiet sense of movement to the space.

There’s a slight imperfection to them, which was intentional. It keeps the room from feeling flat and adds to that more relaxed, natural feel.

To balance this, the rest of the walls are finished in a warm off-white paint. It softens the overall look and gives the space a more timeless, grounded feel.

Lighting: what makes the biggest difference day to day

Lighting is something to get right from the start.

Rather than relying only on ceiling spotlights, I created a warm, layered design:

Wall lights for softer evening light
Warm lighting inside the mirrored cabinet
Downlights placed carefully, not just evenly

The alabaster wall lights give off a soft glow in the evenings – exactly what you want when the day is done.

A quick tip: avoid placing downlights directly above the mirror, shower, or bath. It creates harsh shadows and doesn’t do you or the space any favours.

Storage: where it matters

In a family bathroom, storage needs to work hard.

I included:

A mirrored cabinet for smaller items (out of reach from small kids)
A vanity with drawers for towels and toiletries
Two built-in niches for additional storage

One detail worth considering: mitred tile edges on niches. It’s a small upgrade, but it gives a much cleaner finish than standard trim.

Finishes: simple and consistent

I kept the hardware consistent in a warm brass finish to tie everything together.

In a smaller space, too many finishes can start to compete. Keeping it simple helps everything feel more settled.

Flow: the part you feel every day

Bathrooms are one of the most technical rooms to get right.

It’s not just about fitting everything in – it’s about how easily you can move around the space. Clearances between fixtures, space in front of the toilet, and room to step out of the shower comfortably- all need careful consideration.

Getting the layout right early on makes everything else easier.

The result

Our bathroom now feels completely different to live in.

In the mornings, the light catches the zellige tiles and reflects softly around the room. It’s one of those small moments that makes the start of the day feel calmer.

And having a separate shower means no more stepping over bath toys – which, with kids, is a win in itself.

I chose to invest in the tiles and hardware, which gives the room a more considered, elevated finish. Then balanced that with hardwearing concrete floor tiles and a large sink – practical enough for everyday family life, without losing the overall feel.

That balance is always the goal for me. A space that works hard, but still feels good to be in.

Planning your own bathroom

If your bathroom doesn’t feel quite right, it’s rarely just one thing.

Often it’s a combination of layout, flow, and the finishes working against each other. You can have a beautiful scheme, but if the space is awkward to use, it won’t feel good day to day. And equally, a well-planned layout can still fall flat if the materials feel cold or disconnected.

The best results come when both are considered together – how the space works, and how it feels to be in.

If you’re looking at your bathroom and not sure where to start, I offer focused design consultations. Whether it’s rethinking the layout, refining the overall look, or solving how everything fits together, I can help you move forward with clarity.

You can find more details on my website: https://www.spacesbykelly.com/