“After” photos by Pixy Interiors for Sweeten

Project: Transform a one-bedroom unit by splitting the master bath into two; adding a second bathroom and an extra bedroom. 

Before: When Jeanne and Philip found out they were having a baby, it was just the incentive they needed to renovate. Changing the layout of their 1,000-square-foot apartment would be more efficient for their growing family. They wanted more space to enjoy while raising their little one—without being on top of one another. Luckily, with the help of Sweeten, a free renovation platform that matches homeowners with licensed general contractors and tracks their projects, they posted their project and found a contractor who could help fulfill their vision of adding a second bathroom and bedroom by splitting up the master bath.

They discussed turning their one-bedroom into a two-bedroom and splitting their master bath into two with their contractor. Luckily, there was enough square footage to play with. The previous owner had taken a closet next to the master bathroom to make a large walk-in shower. The couple’s Sweeten contractor would use some of that space to make a guest bath and second bedroom.

After: The couple decided a design-build firm would be a good fit since maximizing their apartment’s limited space would be tricky. Plus, the contractor handled the architectural documents required by the co-op board and filed for city permits. The family’s main goal was to turn the guest bath into an ADA-compliant space. To do so, they had to add a step up due to underlying drains. Without it, the room would not be able to function in such a capacity. An ADA-compliant space follows a federal guideline to provide greater access to people with limited mobility.

SLIDESHOW:

SLIDESHOW:

“I asked the designer to come up with different looks, then mixed and matched,” Jeanne says. “We wanted to be a bit more forward and get funkier.”

Bonus: A new wall-hung toilet takes less floor space than a traditional toilet would.

Style finds: Toilet: Appliances Connection. Vanity: Appliances Connection Sin/faucet: Grohe. Medicine cabinet: Robern. Toilet paper holder and a hand towel hook Ginger. Subway tile and herringbone mosaic: Nemo Tile. Flooring Daltile. Rain shower and hand-held system: Hansgrohe.

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Give new life to your kitchen. Here’s what you need to know on the renovation costs for a kitchen in NYC.

Sweeten handpicks the best general contractors to match each project’s location, budget, scope, and style. Follow the blog, Sweeten Stories, for renovation ideas and inspiration and when you’re ready to renovate, start your renovation with Sweeten.

The post Adding a Second Bath for Convenience appeared first on Sweeten.

When it comes to bathroom design, there’s no combination more iconic than black and white. The traditional pairing can be executed in many ways, from tile to fixtures, in a range of textures and patterns. While a black and white bathroom is a common choice, renovators can take many approaches to reflect their personal tastes. See how these homeowners, who worked with Sweeten, a free service matching renovators with vetted general contractors, got the black and white bathroom of their dreams.

1. Tile and Grout

Pallavi and Keyur had a black and white palette in mind when they envisioned their renovation. The final execution is on point, thanks to a thoughtful mix of tile and grout colors. The shower-bath wall features long white tiles offset with a darker grout. On the other hand, the bath siding provides a welcome inverse effect. The siding features smaller black ceramic with white grout. The natural-wood vanity brings warmth and contrast to the black and white bathroom.

2. Statement floor tile in a black and white bathroom

A last-minute addition proved a good decision in Mary Ann and Frank’s renovation. Their hallway guest bath took a traditional route with the old-fashioned sink, glass walk-in shower, and subway-tile bath. It was the fun graphic floor tile that brought an unexpected contemporary touch.

3. Classic Color Blocking

If you didn’t know it was renovated, you’d think Lindsay and Nicholas’ bathroom is all original. The quintessential black and white bathroom features full-tiled white walls with slim black chair-rail accent tiles. The flooring is visually anchored with matte black hexagonal tile.

4. Pops of Black

A leak made Katie and Lance’s bathroom remodel an urgent matter. As a result, their focus leaned toward function over aesthetics. They pared down their original vision of intricate floor tiles and a teak vanity. However, the final result looked like anything but an afterthought. The couple chose to create a mostly-white bathroom with small pops of black from hardware and accessories. The result feels completely effortless and relaxing.

5. Fun Florals

Nancy and Aram were required to stick with the existing footprint of their bathroom. As a result, they opted to change all their fixtures and room details. For the tile, they mingled textures. The couple chose a circular dark gray-and-white tile for the shower, a floral-like motif for the floor, and a standard white subway wall tile.

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Looking for storage inspiration? See how these renovators used open shelves in their bathrooms.

Sweeten handpicks the best general contractors to match each project’s location, budget, and scope. Additionally, our contractors will help you until project completion. Follow the blog for renovation ideas and inspiration. Or, if you’re ready to renovate, start your renovation on Sweeten.

The post 5 Different Takes on Black-and-White Bathrooms appeared first on Sweeten.

If your home only has one bathroom, then you’ve probably fantasized about moving to a bigger place just to get a second one. Maybe you don’t have to move to accomplish your goal! These five Sweeten homeowners repurposed existing square footage in their homes—adjusting layouts and converting closets, alcoves, and unused rooms—in order to add another bathroom. Whether it’s a powder room, master or guest bath, home just got a little more comfortable.

To make it easier to accommodate guests in their home in Riverhead, NY, Nate and Michelle added an ensuite bath to their second bedroom. “Our main question was really just how difficult would it be to add a bathroom where one hadn’t existed before,” said Nate. The couple found the perfect location: an alcove that was located next to the guest bedroom and right above the downstairs bath.

When it came time to update the rental-grade bathroom in Felix’s condo, she decided to add a powder room as well. The 1,500-square-foot apartment had plenty of room for guests and potential for a third bedroom in the future, but only one bathroom. The new addition brings a whole new level of comfort to the home.

Rather than renovating the existing upstairs bath in her Brooklyn brownstone, Meredith started from scratch and ripped out the second-floor kitchen. She transformed the space into a closet and master bathroom with a huge shower. “The new shower is about the size of the studio I lived in during grad school,” said Meredith.

Working with their Sweeten general contractor, Aimee and B came up with a plan to add a second bathroom to their 3-bed, 1-bath apartment. Reconfiguring the layout mean taking down a wall between two of the bedrooms so that the master bedroom lined up next to a large walk-in closet. That spot became the master bath and a new closet was built for the couple’s clothing.

Terri and Brett’s primary objective during their renovation was to add a second bathroom as a guest bath, which they achieved by relocating the bedroom doors and reducing the size of the hallway closets. “Our families come over frequently now and we love that we were able to add a second bathroom. It really helps make ‘our’ space feel more private,” Brett said.

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Thinking of adding another bathroom to your home? Check out our guide on bath renovation costs.

Refer your renovating friends to Sweeten and you’ll both receive a $250 Visa gift card when they sign a contract with a Sweeten general contractor.

Sweeten handpicks the best general contractors to match each project’s location, budget, and scope, helping until project completion. Follow the blog for renovation ideas and inspiration and when you’re ready to renovate, start your renovation on Sweeten.

The post 5 Renovations for +1 Bathroom appeared first on Sweeten.

The post A Couple’s Farmhouse Bathroom Remodel in the Country appeared first on Sweeten.

Project: A makeover of an old hall bathroom on the Upper West Side

Before: Mary Ann and Frank dreamed of a new guest bath in the hallway since they bought their Upper West Side three-bedroom apartment in 1992. The space was almost all original from when the co-op was built in 1929. The original tiles and tub were long past their use-by date, but with kids still at home, the couple wanted to wait and renovate as empty-nesters. The master bathroom was also under renovation at the same time (a Sweeten project, as well!) and its tub was being removed. For resale purposes, there needed to be a tub in the guest bathroom, but the couple wanted to add a separate walk-in shower. That meant a possibility of losing precious storage. Fortunately, their Sweeten contractor came up with some smart bathroom renovation ideas to maximize the layout.

After: To make room for a stand-alone shower, Mary Ann and Frank did away with an awkward bathroom closet. The couple was concerned the small space, about the size of a phone booth, wasn’t big enough. To help their decision, their Sweeten contractor taped the size of the shower—27” x 32”— onto the floor. Mary Ann spent a few minutes in the square to get a sense of the shower’s proposed size. “I really trusted our contractor,” she said, so the shower went ahead. To make up for the closet space now occupied by the shower, Mary Ann opted for a large vanity in the master bathroom which held most of the storage for both rooms. In the hall bathroom, the couple went for an old-fashioned sink without cabinet storage underneath. Its style was a nod to the old historic Upper West Side. Instead, built-in storage behind the mirror means beauty products have a place. Mary Ann purposefully picked a sink with a wide rim so there is space to put those daily toiletries when they are in use.

Bonus: As the project came to an end, Mary Ann stumbled upon some tiles she absolutely loved for the floor. They were white with black triangles. However, her Sweeten contractor was all ready to go with what she had originally chosen. “He let me change it at the last second,” she said. “I’m so glad because [the new tiles] make the whole bathroom pop.”

Style finds: Tub Filler, 3-925/26: Appliances Connection. Faucet KS4461BX in polished chrome: Appliances Connection. Valquest Traditional Thermostatic shower system: Hudson Reed. White Memoirs Stately toilet, k-3817-0; Jute 2-door vanity; Archer soaking drop-in tub: Appliances Connection. Vintage Medicine Cabinet in chrome: Pottery Barn. Cassidy collection accessories: Delta. Floor tile: Cement Tile Shop. Ice White glossy 3×6 wall tile: Classic Tile. George Kovacs Saber 2-Light LED fixture, p5042-077 2: YLighting.com.

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Jamie and Chad freshened up their bath with refined details and polished nickel fixtures to create an ELLE Décor-type vibe.

Sweeten handpicks the best general contractors to match each project’s location, budget, and scope, helping until project completion. Follow the blog for renovation ideas and inspiration and when you’re ready to renovate, start your renovation on Sweeten.

The post A Guest Bath For Friends and Family To Love appeared first on Sweeten.