A small footprint wasn’t functional.

Elements like the shower stall’s opaque walls and the busy drapery made this space feel stodgy and hampered light flow.

Knocked down walls result in a spa-like room.

Designer and homeowner Ingrid Oomen converted four small bedrooms to two larger rooms, allowing the main bathroom to be opened up. For those who can spare the storage area, an open-based sink — like this chrome and marble one from Roman Bath — creates a great sense of spaciousness. The luxe marble herringbone floors and the wall tile installed to look like intricate panelling become the focal points and bring layers of texture to the pale palette. A big wicker basket for towels adds a shot of organic warmth.

Find more inspiration in our photo gallery of Bathroom Makeovers.

This room lacked warmth and character.

This principal bathroom had plenty of space, but lacked personality.

A major overhaul resulted in a dramatic transformation.

Every surface was redone, making the room one of the most elegant in the house thanks to dark wood, stone counters and muted brass taps. The pièce de résistance is a hand-painted silver and gold-leafed cherry blossom mural by Peter Costello. The sculptural freestanding tub is filled by a floor-mounted brass faucet in a warm gold tone.

See more bathroom makeovers in our photo gallery.

This bath lacked the space to achieve the owners’ desired look.

Outdated design and a lack of space meant these homeowners had to think outside the box when renovating their principal bathroom.

Clean lines and luxe materials.

The owners borrowed space from the bedroom closet to allow for a soaker tub and separate shower. Showstopping Ocean Blue travertine from Saltillo Imports adds texture and warmth. The tile continues from the floor to the ceiling, and wraps the face of the tub.

See more bathroom makeovers in our photo gallery.

A poor layout and dated details needed fixing.

A bulky linen closet at the entry of this bathroom blocked flow, and an overall poor layout meant the homeowner’s legs touched the front of the toilet when she used the sink. Dated windows didn’t allow for sufficient air circulation.

The layout of this bathroom was opened up by repositioning the tub.

The tub was repositioned along the back wall and faced with subway tiles, along with the walls, for continuity. A Carrara marble tub ledge adds to the finished look. The bathroom’s major design feature is the marble herringbone floor tile.

A builder basic bathroom lacked style.

This bathroom had lovely traditional details that were begging to be revamped.

A new tub and sleek accents add a lot of character.

The old vanity was given a fresh facelift and topped with Carrara marble. A modern freestanding tub and chrome bench and faucet give an instant update.

A drab colour palette needed reviving.

This bathroom was tired and drab in terms of its decor, but it had good bones and lots of original details that were easy to enhance.

You don’t have to change much for a fresh look.

The original pale mustard-coloured tub and white walls were painted in a black-blue shade for dramatic effect. The medicine cabinet, pendant light and towel rack are the room’s only new additions.

A glass facing on the shower makes this bathroom seem larger.

The obtrusive half wall in this bathroom was replaced with an all-glass facing for the stand-alone shower. Two body sprays and an overhead rain faucet were added to amp up the spa effect. Oversized 12″ x 16″ subway tiles demarcate the shower from the rest of the room.

See more bathroom makeovers in our photo gallery.

A bare window and dull colourless scheme.

Messy open shelves with limited storage left little room for toiletries and toys.

For the spectacular after photos, browse our Budget Bathroom Makeover photo gallery, or see a video tour in our Online TV segment.

Pale blue paint makes the ceiling seem higher.

White subway tile on the walls and graphic hexagonal floor tile ($4.26/sq.ft.) give the bathroom a durable, water-tight shell. Design editor Sarah Hartill adapted two tall pantry cupboards to fit the narrow spaces flanking the tub. A navy and white window shade ($7/m) and funky shower curtain lend a cheerful vibe. A slip-covered stool ($50) is easy to wash and gives homeowners Rachel and Greg Meikle a comfortable place to sit during the kids’ bath time.

For more ideas, browse our Budget Bathroom Makeover photo gallery, our gallery of 20 Small Bathrooms, or see a video tour of this bathroom in our Online TV segment.

Tired finishes and awkward steps up to the tub.

Designer Julie Charbonneau’s Montreal loft bathroom had great bones but no style.

A bold piece of art dominates this all-white space.

Designer Julie Charbonneau added a contemporary piece of art and a new sculptural tub to the ensuite in her Montreal loft. The unique built-in soap dish is a quirky touch and keeps items off the edge and floor.

See the before shot in our Bathroom Makeovers photo gallery, plus watch a video tour of this loft.

Dated black-veined marble and not enough storage.

In designer Joel Bray’s compact Toronto condo, the black-white-scheme was overwhelming the small bathroom.

An oversized medicine cabinet adds storage space.

Designer Joel Bray painted his small bathroom white to make the space feel larger. Floor-to-ceiling outdoor drapes make the ceilings seem higher, and will resist moisture and mildew.

See the before shot in our Bathroom Makeovers photo gallery. Plus, watch a video tour of this condo or browse our gallery of 20 Small Bathrooms for more inspiration.

A cramped bathroom in need of a renovation.

With its awkward layout, petite floor plan and tired vanity and medicine cabinet, this bathroom required a major overhaul.

Smart storage and clean lines make the most of a small space.

Ribbon-striped tiama wood, Calacatta marble, and a flamed limestone floor instill a restful ambiance in this bathroom. The sleek, architectural medicine cabinet over the toilet hides the toilet stack, while the floating vanity and large mirror visually expand the space.

See the before shot in our Bathroom Makeovers photo gallery.

This bathroom needed a spa-like makeover.

With an awkward floor plan including a tiny tub, boring tile and outdated fixtures, this room was not the luxurious retreat designer and homeowner Git Gustavsson wanted it to be. Inspired by a trip to a spa in Tuscany, Gustavsson was determined to recreate the experience at home.

See the dramatic after shot in our Bathroom Makeovers photo gallery.

Cork offers an alternative to traditional tiles.

Homeowner Git Gustavsson sourced this European-looking console table to use as a vanity — the extra-long drawers and shelf offer extra storage space for baskets and toiletries. The floor-to-ceiling, copper-hued cork penny tiles have all the impact of a colour-blocked wall, but are much easier to maintain and clean in a humid bathroom than paint.

See the before shot in our Bathroom Makeovers photo gallery, plus watch a video tour of this bathroom. See more examples of stunning tiles in our Dramatic Tiled Rooms gallery.

This space was underused.

When the homeowners of this Toronto home discovered their family of three would be expanding, they hired John Tong of 3rd Uncle Design to turn their 500-square-foot third floor into a serene adult space.

Two small rooms became a glamorous principal bedroom and bathroom where a stunning see-through shower acts as a surprising room divider.

John Tong of 3rd Uncle Design brought in as much light as possible by opening up the back wall using wide glass sliders. Floor-to-ceiling glass enclosing the shower adds abundant natural light to the bedroom area, not to mention a killer view of the outdoors. Opting for wood-grained porcelain tile for the shower instead of real hardwood created the desired dramatic effect on a more practical level, adding texture and warmth to the space. A simple open vanity and suspended mirror don’t obstruct the windows.

For more before and after projects, see our Bathroom Makeovers photo gallery. Also, see a full list of our reno trend predictions, view our 2011 Reno Trends photo gallery.

An original Vancouver bathroom, pre-renovation.

Even though Karin Smith’s home had undergone a renovation about five years ago, she was never happy with the ensuite. “It was pretty,” says designer Nancy Riesco, “but Karin realized she wanted something more modern.”

Classic and cutting-edge fixtures blend in this bathroom.

To maintain a light, airy vibe in this Vancouver reno, designer Nancy Riesco designed two floating vanities in bleached oak — a practical his-and-hers solution. Each features a frameless mirror and wall-mounted faucet above Carrara marble slab counters and backsplashes. In the wet area, oversized white subway tile on the walls is a budget-friendly move that allows the stunning freestanding tub and hexagonal floor tiles to take centre stage.

For more before and after projects, see our Bathroom Makeovers photo gallery.

This space suffered from a serious lack of counter space.

Individual sinks offered function but little style, until designer Jill Kantelberg transformed the bathroom.

Unexpected in a bathroom, wood can create a luxe, sophisticated look.

Hardwood floors, a wool rug and an Art Deco cabinet — originally a dining room sideboard — aren’t elements you would typically find in a bathroom. Here, though, they create an inviting atmosphere that feels like a spa suite at a luxurious hotel. A large frameless mirror creates the illusion of a bigger space, while minimal decor lets the wood and mirrors achieve full impact.

See more statement bathrooms in our photo gallery.

With a dingy countertop, unattractive floor tiles and a leaky bathtub, this bathroom was begging for a makeover.

With his children getting older, the homeowner decided to rip out the old tub and add a shower stall instead. But design editor Cameron MacNeil cautioned against a piecemeal approach. “I came by and said, ‘I think it needs a little more than that. You’re going to have a fantastic shower, and the rest of the bathroom is going to look terrible,'” says MacNeil.

For more before and after projects, see our Bathroom Makeovers photo gallery.

Make the most of a tiny footprint with clever features.

With the shower being so close to the toilet, a standard swinging glass door was out of the question for this renovated space. Instead, design editor Cameron MacNeil installed a sliding glass door that runs on industrial-style pulleys, saving space. The shower stall was tiled using marble mosaic and oversize subway tiles, and new floor tiles and countertop material added the final touch.

See this space in its entirety in our Online TV episode, plus browse more before and after projects in our Bathroom Makeovers photo gallery.

Unattractive and uncomfortable features desperately needed a facelift.

A sunken bathtub, dated vanity and mottled tiles didn’t make for a welcoming guest bathroom.

A Sarah Richardson-designed bathroom.

A sleek glass-fronted shower stall and watery glass mosaic tiles make this room feel spacious and bright. The zebrano-wood vanity and square sink speak to the room’s zen-like quality, while the vanity’s lower shelf provides the perfect place to store necessities, keeping walls and countertop clear of clutter.

For more before and after projects, see our Bathroom Makeovers photo gallery, plus more Spa-Like Bathrooms.

Consider downsizing a built-in bathtub to free up floor space.

This large tub was rarely used — the hot-water heater would usually run out before the bath was full — so homeowner Heather Cameron decided to replace it with a smaller clawfoot tub. The pink colour scheme and dated tiles also needed to go.

A cheerful yet calm sanctuary.

This bright powder-blue and white bathroom brings together eclectic elements like a ceramic buddha, modern ottoman and fiberglass clawfoot tub for a relaxing, spa-like feel. A sparkly chandelier and floral curtains add feminine charm.

See more Bathroom Makeovers and Spa-Like Bathrooms.

This 8′ by 9′ bathroom had an awkward layout.

Still, homeowner and designer Emily Norris wanted to keep costs down, so she decided not to move any plumbing. Instead, she introduced a new colour palette to replace the too-girly pink. By replacing wallpaper, tiles, flooring, the vanity and window coverings, Emily was able to completely revamp this bathroom on a budget.

For more before and after projects, see our Bathroom Makeovers photo gallery.

Swap a shower curtain for a glass partition to open up a cramped bathroom.

Glossy white subway tiles complement the stone tiles on the floor and enhance the soft floral motif on the walls. Lovely and cheerful yellow wallpaper with a delicate floral pattern adds texture and warmth to this beautiful bathroom renovation.

Find more inspiration in our photo galleries of Bathroom Makeovers and 26 Happy Yellow Rooms.

This master ensuite lacked personality.

Dark accents and harsh overhead lights made this bathroom feel cramped and unwelcoming.

Luxe European touches add grandeur and character to this space.

An elegant vanity and dropped vaulted ceiling recall a boutique hotel, adding polish to this formerly bland ensuite bathroom. The crystal chandelier, glass doorknobs, wall-to-wall mirrors and polished metal accents add sparkle, too.

This became the perfect spot for an ensuite soaker tub.

The third-floor principal bedroom and modest bathroom of Virginie Martocq and Mark McLean’s Edwardian needed reconfiguring to create a functional sleeping space, shower/bath room and dressing area.

Use extra alcove space for a bathtub.

Homeowners Virginie Martocq and Mark McLean decided to move their tub from the original bathroom area to the western window and install a three-sided fireplace (not shown) that would link the bedroom and bathroom. Now the soaker tub has a view of the fireplace, offering these busy parents a spa-like retreat.

See more Bathroom Makeovers and Spa-Like Bathrooms.

Designer Julie Charbonneau’s pre-reno photo.

The designer behind Montreal’s classic French boutique De Poitiers wanted a dramatic change to her existing ensuite bathroom. The vanity and tiles were dated, and she longed to visually expand the small space.

See more of Julie Charbonneau’s home in our Classic French Style photo gallery, plus how she makes it work to host an elegant holiday cocktail party in our December 2009 issue.

For more before and after projects, see our Bathroom Makeovers photo gallery.

A mirror adds glamour to a principal bathroom.

A double vanity cantilevered through a custom cut, oversized wood-framed mirror reflects light and makes the room appear larger than it is. Marble floors and vintage French-style accessories complete Charbonneau’s luxe look.