The Story of Tom's Queen Anne Condo Bathroom Remodel

Ever feel like your bathroom is working against you? Tom sure did.

His Queen Anne condo had a small, outdated bathroom that felt more like a storage closet than a place to get fresh. The oversized vanity hogged precious space and hid a water heater he couldn’t even reach without tearing the cabinet apart. Every day he worried: what if it leaks and I can't get to it?

That constant stress pushed Tom to finally take action. In less than two weeks, everything changed.

With a thoughtful remodel, his cramped Queen Anne bathroom was transformed into a brighter, more open space with stunning tile, a brand-new shower and tub combo, and modern fixtures that actually made the room feel bigger.

If you’ve been wondering whether it’s possible to make your own small bathroom feel comfortable, functional, and stress-free, Tom’s remodel shows exactly what’s possible. And the best part? You don’t need to move walls or spend months living in a construction zone to get there.

Let's take a deeper dive into this recent project.

Before: Why the Old Bathroom Was a Daily Stress

It’s frustrating when your bathroom’s setup makes even the simplest fixes feel impossible.

That’s exactly what Tom faced. At one point, he even tried to remove the vanity himself just to reach the water heater. But the cabinet was built in so tightly, there was no way to get it out without breaking it apart.

As Tom put it: “Trying to take apart that cabinet without destroying it didn’t go very well—it was kind of impossible to do.”

That failed attempt left him uneasy every time he looked at the space. If the water heater ever leaked, water could easily damage his bathroom and the condo unit below.

‍“I just didn’t want to break anything and have that happen to someone below me,” Tom explained. The thought lingered in the back of his mind, turning an already outdated bathroom into a daily source of stress.

What Tom wanted wasn’t complicated. He needed a bathroom that felt simple, easy to use, and safe. In his words: “I just wanted a simpler design.”

Tom's Remodel Process

Once the old bathroom was finally cleared out, the transformation began.

The biggest change came with a brand-new shower and tub combo, framed by large-format porcelain tile and a custom waterproof niche for storage. Paired with sleek black floor tile and durable epoxy grout, the room took on a crisp, clean look that felt built to last.

From there, every detail pulled the design together. A slimmer vanity and mirror cabinet instantly opened up the space. A modern toilet and faucet gave it a fresh, updated feel. The water heater, which had been the source of so much stress, was relocated to a spot that actually made sense, with no oversized cabinet required. Even the ventilation got an upgrade, with an ultra-quiet, energy-efficient fan and built-in lighting to keep the bathroom fresh and dry for years to come.

For Tom, the process itself was just as important as the finished bathroom. He was surprised at how smooth everything felt. “I was really impressed with the tools that you guys were showing me,” he shared. With access to his Jobber project portal and quick Slack check-ins, he always felt in the loop and never left guessing what came next.

And once the dust settled, Tom finally got to see what living with this transformation was really like.

After: A Space That Finally Works

Today, Tom’s bathroom feels completely different, not just in how it looks but in how it works for him every day. The slimmer fixtures make the small space feel more open, while the new tub and shower are both functional and easy to maintain. “The tile on the floors and shower walls came out great… the materials we picked out turned out really nice,” Tom said.

More than the visual changes, the remodel gave him peace of mind. The constant worry about leaks is gone, and with upgraded ventilation and waterproofing, he knows the bathroom will stay healthy and durable for years. “The bathroom now feels bigger,” Tom reflected, finally able to enjoy the space instead of stressing about it.

There was also an unexpected benefit. The communication throughout the project stood out. “It looked like you guys were really organized and communicative,” Tom said, noting how seamless the entire experience felt from start to finish.

Tom’s story shows how a thoughtful remodel can completely change the way you feel about one of the smallest rooms in your home.

The Final Takeaway

Tom’s remodel is proof that even a small, outdated bathroom can be turned into a space that feels open, modern, and easy to live with. In less than two weeks, he went from worrying about hidden leaks and wasted space to enjoying a bathroom that is functional, stylish, and stress-free.

The changes were not just about new tile or fixtures. They were about creating peace of mind, adding comfort, and showing what the right design choices can do in a small Seattle bathroom. This Queen Anne remodel highlights how thoughtful updates can completely change how a space feels and functions.

If you’ve been living with a cramped bathroom that leaves you frustrated, know that you don’t have to settle. With the right team, your bathroom can become a space you look forward to using every day. Reach out to us at DuetRight to start planning your own transformation.