A coastal bathroom renovation is one of those projects where a little paint, smart storage, and the right textures can completely transform a tired space.
And in this case, the space just so happened to be in my sister’s cozy cottage down on the Florida coast, a place that’s seen plenty of sandy feet and salty air over the years.
She called me with one request: light, bright, and more storage. The bathroom was the only one in the house, which meant it had to function as both a master and guest bathroom.
It was small, a bit outdated, and in need of some serious love. So I packed up my design tools, left Summerhill, and headed to the coast to bring this space back to life with a little Old Florida charm and a lot of coastal heart.
A Coastal Bathroom Renovation with Heart and History
The first thing we did was demo the whole space except for the shiplap walls. They have too much charm to remove, but you won't believe what we found under the tub. A giant rats nest and a hole in a 2 x 4 with a tiny egg in it. Very curious!
Shower Instead of Tub
Next, the shower. The shower needed to stay in its current spot, but it is currently a tub, and my sister wanted a shower. The shower walls are made of fiberglass. No grout and no worries at the beach.
But why did my sister want a shower instead of a tub to free up more space? Is her main goal storage? We will talk about that more soon.
Also, take note of the heavy glass shower door. These types of doors are much easier to care for.
Coastal Bathroom Paint Color
Remember my sister's request to lighten up the space. The old wood-paneled walls had a beautiful natural wood tone, but we made the decision to paint the shiplap walls.
The vanity wall uncovered some issues, so we covered the shiplap with sheetrock. Even the sheetrock over the long vanity wall was painted in Alabaster by Sherwin Williams. The soft white hue instantly lifted the low ceilings and created a fresh canvas for the rest of the room.
We chose a calm color scheme of whites, warm beiges, and soft seafoam green all inspired by the ocean just steps away from the back porch.
From the roman shade in a beautiful sand colored linen to the mixture of striped and sea turtle towels, every little detail nodded to the natural world just outside the window.
And let's not forget the lighting. Over the vanity is the star of the show – a three light vanity fixture in brushed gold that looks like pineapple leaves coming from the top.
This light alone speaks coastal charm!
Small Bathroom, Big Storage
The biggest challenge in this bathroom remodel was storage, and we tackled it head-on.
Bathroom Vanity
We swapped out the old vanity for a crisp white one with lots of drawers, topped with a Carrera marble countertop that gave a polished, spa-like finish.
The crystal hardware with unlacquered brass rings added just the right amount of sparkle and vintage flair. It felt like something you’d find in an old beachside inn.
If you love these crystal knobs, check out this French country bathroom renovation I did, where I used the same knobs on another white cabinet.
Large Mirror Medicine Cabinet
Above the toilet, we installed a mirrored medicine cabinet to tuck away everyday essentials. The large mirror opened up this small space so much.
Linen Cabinet
An apothecary cabinet added charm and hidden storage. Now she has a place to store towels and so much more. We added hyacinth baskets to the shelves behind the glass to hide unsightly items.
And a larger hyacinth basket on top for items she doesn't need on a daily basis. This is what you call utilizing each nook and cranny.
Another storage solution is the custom dirty clothes hamper, which looks more like a piece of furniture than a laundry bin. It’s those thoughtful touches that really made the space work for both daily life and hosting guests.
Last, we added lots of hooks and towel bars in the bathroom because remember we are at the beach and you need lots of places to hang beach towels.
Texture, Light & Coastal Charm
One of the most important parts of this coastal bathroom design was making sure the all-white foundation didn’t feel flat. That’s where texture came into play.
The shiplap wood added that quintessential cottage character, and we balanced it with the smooth finish of the vanity and the polished marble top.
Seagrass baskets, a basket light fixture which made the prettiest design on the ceiling.
And that lovely sand colored roman shade on the window brought in warmth and neutral tones that kept the space from feeling sterile.
We let the natural light from the frosted window pour in by keeping the shades open all day, making the room feel even bigger and brighter. And, of course, we couldn’t resist a few seashells: a decorative clamshell, a tiny shell planter by the sink, and another on top of the hamper.
It wouldn’t be a coastal bathroom decor moment without them.
Another element that adds texture is the flooring. The coastal cabin has beautiful old wood floors, but this bathroom had some issues, so we covered it with gorgeous wood. We wanted to leave the old wood below just in case someone in the future wants to use it.
Bathroom Finishes – Faucets
We found the perfect faucets in a champagne bronze finish from Delta that brought a soft glow to the space. There is something about brushed gold that helps bring warmth to an otherwise all white space
A widespread faucet on the vanity and a handheld design in the shower. Handhelds make cleaning and showering so much easier, especially when you get all the sand off.
Finishing Touches That Feel Like a Day at the Beach
I originally planned a rug with a blue starfish design (which I still adore), but my sister went with a smaller neutral rug that tucks under the vanity when not in use. Honestly? It works beautifully.
From the design ideas in our early sketches to the final styled shelf, every element was chosen to reflect the relaxation and timelessness of modern coastal bathrooms. It’s soft, inviting, and functional, ready to welcome both long summer weekends and everyday living.
Final Thoughts
This coastal bathroom renovation turned a humble fishing cabin bath into a light-filled retreat full of thoughtful details and a whole lot of heart. With the right wall treatments, smart storage, and a soft color palette inspired by the waves, even the smallest space can feel like a breath of ocean air.
If you're dreaming up your own beach-inspired refresh, take a peek at our bathroom remodel tips or browse my favorite Sherwin-Williams paint colors for more coastal bathroom ideas.
I also shared a helpful post with 7 things to include in an aging in place bathroom remodel, a great resource if you're designing with the future in mind.
Your dream bathroom might be just a few waves away.
Happy Decorating!
