Turning a Choppy West Des Moines Primary Bath into a Calm, Cohesive Retreat

Regardless of your home’s age or how long you’ve lived there, your bathroom layout should work seamlessly for your daily routine. For these West Des Moines homeowners, their primary bath presented a host of functional and practical challenges. It was ready for far more than a simple cosmetic glow-up.

On the list of must-haves: a double vanity with plentiful storage, an expanded shower and a private water closet. On the list of absolute must-not-haves: a large, dated jetted tub that took up valuable real estate. With these directives in mind, our team worked closely with the homeowners to create a custom layout tailored to the way they live today.

Resolving a Separated Layout

Before: The original layout lacked cohesion. His vanity was located inside the bathroom, while her vanity was tucked away in an adjacent hallway. Compounding the choppy flow were dated finishes—think brass hardware, arch-top mirrors and Hollywood-style vanity lighting—that contributed to a tired, older aesthetic.

Fortunately, the space boasted excellent bones, including a vaulted ceiling that added beautiful architectural height and an abundance of natural light from existing skylights and windows.

A Unified Double Vanity and Smart Storage

After: Following the remodel, the primary bath exudes a sense of calm sophistication. By removing the bulky jetted tub, we unlocked enough floor plan flexibility to give the homeowners an expansive, double vanity.

We designed the cabinetry with a deliberate configuration of doors, drawers and open storage. Drawers are generally much more efficient and accessible for bathroom storage than deep lower cabinets. The adjacent, former hallway vanity area was seamlessly converted into a dedicated dressing zone complete with sleek, built-in storage.

To complete the look, a luminous feature wall tile makes the entire vanity area feel brighter and more open, contrasting sharply with the heavy, all-beige tones of the "before" look.

High-Design Finishes: Goodbye Dated Brass, Hello Modern Gold

Rich, updated gold tones have firmly made their way back into mainstream design, and we are fully here for it. Softly opulent, modern gold tones warm up a space in a way that cool silver finishes simply cannot.

For this project, the homeowners embraced vibrant brushed moderne brass, incorporating it thoughtfully across lighting, plumbing fixtures and cabinet hardware to tie the entire room together.

Creating a Spa-Like Shower Experience

Sitting side-by-side opposite the new vanity area are the expanded shower and the private, enclosed water closet.

The shower features a striking, blue-gray marble-look tile that perfectly illustrates how a thoughtful material choice can transform a functional space into a lavish, spa-like retreat. When designing your own space, don't be afraid of a darker, more dramatic tile. It can actually make a bathroom feel larger by blurring the visual edges of the room.

The designer's secret? Contrast is key. Pairing a cool-toned tile with a warm metal finish like brushed brass creates a dynamic, engaging and balanced design.

Ready to Transform Your Space?

Are you ready to personalize your primary bath for the way you live today? Whether you are looking for targeted aesthetic upgrades or a complete footprint redesign, the design-build team at Red House Remodeling is here to guide you through the process. We handle both the design and construction to deliver a well-planned renovation that increases your daily comfort and long-term home value.

Reach out today for a consultation or join us at one of our upcoming local Kitchen & Bath Remodeling Seminars. Let's work together to help you Love Your Home.

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