Bathroom Styles & Solutions Guide
A bathroom remodel comes down to a few decisions made in the right order: the vanity that fits the room, the shower or tub enclosure, the toilet, the mirror and storage, and the tile that ties it together. This guide walks through each one with sizes and options from the collections we carry, plus notes for the compact bathrooms common in New Jersey and New York homes.
1. Choose the vanity size first
The vanity sets the layout, so measure the wall you have before choosing a style. Leave room for the door swing and for at least 21 inches of clear floor space in front of the vanity and the toilet.
| Vanity width | Best for | Sinks |
|---|---|---|
| 18" to 24" | Powder rooms and small apartment bathrooms | Single |
| 30" to 54" | Most hall and family bathrooms | Single, with more counter and drawer space as the width grows |
| 60" to 72" | Primary bathrooms | Single or double |
| 80" and wider | Large primary suites | Double, with generous storage |
Floating (wall-mounted) vanities leave the floor visible, which makes a small room feel larger and simplifies cleaning. Freestanding vanities on legs or a full base give more storage and a more traditional look. Browse every size in bathroom vanities, or by color in white, gray and brown.
2. Pick the right shower door
- Frameless: heavy tempered glass with minimal hardware for a clean, open look. Thicker glass such as 3/8" feels more solid; 5/16" is lighter and common on sliding systems.
- Sliding (bypass): panels slide past each other, so no swing space is needed. A good fit for tight bathrooms and tub enclosures.
- Swing (hinged or pivot): opens outward like a door and needs clear floor space in front of the shower.
- Tub doors and screens: enclose a bathtub, or use a fixed screen for a walk-in look.
Measure the finished opening width and height before ordering, because shower doors are sold by opening size. See all options in shower doors.
3. Toilets
One-piece toilets have no seam between tank and bowl, which makes them easier to clean. Two-piece toilets are the classic, often more budget-friendly option. An elongated bowl is more comfortable, while a round bowl saves a few inches in a small room. Before ordering, check the rough-in, the distance from the finished wall to the center of the floor drain, which is most often 12 inches. Browse toilets.
4. Mirrors, medicine cabinets and lighting
Choose a mirror slightly narrower than the vanity. LED mirrors add even, shadow-free light at the face, and medicine cabinets add hidden storage where there is no room for a linen closet. More options are in mirrors.
5. Faucets, sinks and accessories
Match the faucet to the number of holes in the vanity top or sink: single-hole faucets suit modern vanities, while widespread faucets need three holes. Keep one finish across the faucet, shower trim and bathroom accessories for a coordinated look. Compare bathroom faucets and bathroom sinks.
6. Tile for floors, walls and showers
Matte or textured porcelain is the most practical bathroom floor. Larger formats on the walls mean fewer grout lines, and small mosaics on a shower floor add grip. For sizes, materials and slip ratings, read our wall and floor tile guide, or browse bathroom tiles and shower tiles.
Bathroom styles at a glance
- Modern: floating vanity, frameless glass, large-format tile, LED mirror.
- Transitional: shaker-style vanity, neutral tile, brushed nickel or matte black fixtures.
- Traditional: freestanding vanity with furniture details, framed mirror, classic subway or marble-look tile.
- Spa: warm wood tones, stone-look tile, a large walk-in shower with a fixed glass screen.
Small bathrooms in New Jersey and New York homes
Apartments, brownstones and older homes across New Jersey and New York often have narrow bathrooms. A wall-mounted 18" to 24" vanity, a sliding shower door that needs no swing space, a round-bowl toilet and a mirrored medicine cabinet are the four changes that free up the most room.
Visit a showroom
- Clifton, NJ: 1595 Main Ave, Clifton, NJ 07011. (973) 685-0208
- North Bergen, NJ: 8200 Tonnelle Ave, North Bergen, NJ 07047. (201) 758-1558
- Newark, NJ: 304 Mt Pleasant Ave, Newark, NJ 07104. (973) 497-0096
- Brooklyn, NY: 3918 4th Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11232. (718) 788-0750
Compare vanities, shower doors and tile in person, or book a free design consultation, a home measurement and design appointment or an online design session.