When working with a custom bathroom remodeling company like Bath Pros, there is no such thing as ‘normal.’ Every remodel we complete is made-to-order for each customer’s unique needs, style preferences, and day-to-day routines. While there are standard sizes for most features in the bathroom, such as the vanity, toilet, and shower bases, nearly every element of your bathroom can be specifically tailored to create your dream bathroom. The best bathroom designs don’t just look beautiful – they make everyday life easier, more comfortable, and more enjoyable.
Start with Your Priorities
Before selecting colors, fixtures, or materials, think about how you use your bathroom. Different homeowners value different features.
Consider which of these are most important to you:
- Shower size
- In-shower storage
- Closet or vanity storage
- Clean, minimalist design
- Accessibility features
- Water pressure and shower experiences
Shower Size
Do you appreciate plenty of elbow room? Do you have trouble getting in and out of tight spaces?
A larger shower footprint can make your bathroom feel more comfortable, luxurious, and easier to navigate.
In-Shower Storage
Do you have a collection of shampoos, conditioners, and styling products? Do multiple household members use the same shower?
Built-in storage solutions such as recessed niches and corner shelves help keep your shower organized while reducing clutter.
Storage Space
If you have multiple towel sets, toiletries, hair tools, or other bathroom essentials, storage quickly becomes important.
Depending on your needs, you may benefit from:
- A larger vanity with additional drawers
- Linen cabinets
- Expanded closet space
- Built-in shelving
Clean, Minimalist Design
Many homeowners view the bathroom as a place of peace and relaxation.
A clean, sophisticated design with simple lines, hidden storage, and thoughtfully selected finishes can create a calming environment that feels like a private retreat.
Accessibility
Bathrooms should work for everyone.
Features like low-threshold showers, flip-up or bench seating, strategically placed grab bars, better lighting, and wider layouts can make a bathroom safer and more comfortable without sacrificing style.
Water Pressure and Spa Features
Do you enjoy high water pressure to help relax sore muscles after a long day? Are you looking to recreate the feeling of a luxury spa?
Depending on your plumbing system, options may include:
- Multiple shower heads
- Rain shower systems
- Handheld shower wands
- Upgraded valve systems
It’s important to identify your priorities early in the design process. While adjustments can sometimes be made during construction, changes become significantly more difficult and expensive once demolition and installation are underway. A well-planned design leads to a smoother remodeling experience and a bathroom you’ll enjoy for years to come.
Our company has been remodeling for quite some time, with the majority of our remodelers each having several decades of experience. From simple shower conversions to full-gut bathroom renovations to from-scratch builds, we’ve seen it all. Below is a breakdown of common bathroom elements, along with our recommendations for choosing the best options:
Timeless Trends
Natural Stone and Tile
Natural materials never go out of style.
Materials like cultured stone, made of stone dust and a small amount of resin to allow for slight flexibility as your home ages, has been used in homes for decades, creates visual depth and develops character over time, feels luxurious without being trendy, and is neutral enough to complement changing styles outside the wet space.
Subtle veining and classic patterns tend to age gracefully. Extremely dramatic patterns (such as high-contract veining) may become more closely associated with a particular era.
Tile is also resonant with high-end bathroom design because of its versatility and customization. Read more about shower material options in our post Acrylic vs. Cultured Stone Showers | Bath Pros Onyx Guide.
Warm Wood Tones
Similarly, real wood brings warmth to a bathroom, creating a space that feels inviting and grounded, and that works well in traditional, transitional, or contemporary bathroom design. Natural wood has repeatedly cycled back into style because it creates visual comfort and a sense of peace. Quality finishes and craftsmanship allow wood features to remain beautiful and relevant for many years.
Spa-inspired Bathrooms
Spa-inspired bathrooms continue to gain popularity because they inspire feelings of relaxation, restoration, and comfort. If you’re designing a spa bathroom, focus on creating a space that works for your lifestyle, rather than copying a specific trend. The most successful spa bathrooms prioritize functionality first and aesthetics second.
Neutral Colors
Layered neutrals work well together, becoming the backdrop of the room rather than its entire personality. Warm whites, taupe, sage, sand, and soft browns are reminiscent of nature and create feelings of serenity and welcoming. Design experts have increasingly moved away from overly sterile, monochromatic bathrooms that rely heavily on bright whites and cool grays, as those spaces can feel clinical and may become dated more quickly.
The Wet Space
Enclosed showers and tubs are commonly called the “wet space” in the construction industry. The wet space is typically the most complicated and expensive part of any bathroom remodel because it often involves:
- Plumbing modifications
- Structural considerations
- Waterproofing systems
- Specialty installation techniques
- Detailed craftsmanship
Designing the wet space carefully is critical is critical to achieving a bathroom that feels cohesive, functional, and personalized to you.
The design world is moving away from the cold, sterile bathrooms of the 2010s and toward spaces that feel warmer, more spa-like, and more personalized. Let us walk you through some future-proof design trends.
Flooring
Flooring is one area where practicality is often the highest priority.
Traditional tile can be difficult to install and maintain, and it may crack if heavy or hard objects (such as a hairdryer) are dropped.
Natural wood can warp in high-humidity environments, especially if the room doesn’t have proper ventilation.
Our team primarily uses luxury vinyl tile (LVT) and luxury vinyl plank (LVP) for these reasons.
Pet friendly, water resistant, and scratch and impact resistant, LVT and LVP offer practical solutions for bathroom flooring. Both are less taxing underfoot and easier to maintain.
Between LVT and LVP, the right choice often comes down to which material best complements the overall design of your bathroom – if you’re going for a classic tile look, LVT has you covered; if you’re looking for the warm tones of wood, LVP is your best bet. Comparison below:
Toilet Design Considerations
You probably haven’t given much thought to the design of your toilet, but there are several choices that can affect comfort and maintenance. Consider:
- Standard height versus chair height (also called comfort height)
- Skirted toilet for ease of cleaning versus standard toilet for ease of installation
- Dual-flush for environmental conservation or single flush for lower maintenance
Our bathroom remodeling company temporarily shuts off and removes toilets on every job where we lay down new flooring, whether or not that toilet will be replaced or re-placed – it’s easier for our craftsmen and provides a cleaner, more seamless look when finished. Replacing a toilet during your remodel can be an efficient way to upgrade both appearance and functionality.
Vanity Design
The bathroom vanity often serves as both a functional storage solution and a major design feature. Some options to consider:
- Single sink or his-and-hers
- Centered or offset sink placement
- Standard or wall mounted vanity
- Decorative trim details, such as tongue-and-groove and wainscoting
- Vanity lighting and illuminated mirrors
High-quality construction matters.
Solid wood vanities generally offer greater durability and longevity than lower-cost materials commonly found in many big-box stores.
Our team works with American-made Fabuwood to install real wood vanities that stand the test of time. We are able to customize sizing to meet unique needs, such as at this Syracuse NY remodel (below), which actually used three different vanity pieces that were seamlessly brought together by an Onyx Collection slab countertop.
Choosing Bathroom Fixtures
Fixtures tie the whole room together and make a bathroom feel polished. Black, chrome, and brushed nickel are all popular finish choices for the showerhead, door handles, safety grab bars, and drawer pulls in your bathroom. Many Bath Pros clients pair:
- gray, white, or black stone with black fixtures
- lighter stone colors with chrome fixtures
- blue or gray stone variations with brushed nickel
Brushed brass and gold finishes can be stunning. However, because there is no universal standard for gold tones across manufacturers, we encourage homeowners to view fixtures together in their actual bathroom lighting before making a final decision.
Finishes that appear identical online may look noticeably different once installed.
American Standard Minimalist Wand on glide bar
Popular Custom Requests
We do encounter custom requests from our clients. Here are some of the more frequent requests we receive:
- Pony walls
- Fixed glass panels
- Matching vanity tops and shower walls or pan
- Custom storage solutions
- Unique layouts designed around accessibility or space constraints
- Outside corner trim
The beauty of custom remodeling is that your bathroom can be designed around how you live—not the other way around.
If you live in Syracuse, CNY, or the surrounding areas, and are considering a custom bathroom remodel, contact Bath Pros at (315) 217-1151.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a bathroom remodel cost in Syracuse, NY?
Bathroom remodeling costs in the Syracuse area can vary significantly depending on the size of the space, the materials selected, and whether plumbing or layout changes are needed. Simple shower updates typically cost less than full-gut renovations that involve moving walls or relocating plumbing fixtures. Read more on the Bath Pros blog post What Does a Bathroom Remodel Actually Cost in Syracuse, NY?
What bathroom design styles are popular in Syracuse homes?
Many Syracuse homeowners are moving toward warm, spa-inspired bathrooms that feature neutral colors, natural textures, and timeless finishes. Transitional designs that blend traditional and contemporary elements are especially popular because they complement both historic homes and newer construction.
What flooring works best in a Syracuse bathroom?
Because Central New York experiences cold winters and varying humidity levels throughout the year, many homeowners choose luxury vinyl tile (LVT) or luxury vinyl plank (LVP). These materials are durable, water resistant, easy to maintain, and comfortable underfoot.
Is it worth remodeling a bathroom before selling my home in Syracuse?
In many cases, yes. Bathrooms are among the first rooms prospective buyers evaluate. An updated bathroom can improve your home’s appeal, help it stand out in the local market, and address issues commonly found in older Syracuse homes, such as outdated fixtures, insufficient storage, or worn finishes. Read more on the Bath Pros blog post Does Removing a Bathtub Hurt Resale Value? Syracuse, NY.
How long does a bathroom remodel take?
Every project is different. A straightforward shower replacement may take considerably less time than a complete bathroom renovation involving plumbing, electrical work, or custom features. During your consultation, your remodeling company should provide a realistic timeline based on the scope of work. Check out Bath Pros’ Bathroom Remodel Timeline Guide – From Estimate to Completion.
Can I make my bathroom safer without making it look institutional?
Absolutely. Many Syracuse homeowners are planning for long-term comfort and aging in place. Features such as low-threshold showers, slip-resistant flooring, comfort-height toilets, and strategically placed grab bars can improve safety while maintaining a beautiful, residential appearance. Real-life examples of bathroom accessibility in CNY: Accessible Showers – Bath Pros.
Should I keep my bathtub or replace it with a shower?
The answer depends on your lifestyle and long-term plans. Many Syracuse homeowners are replacing rarely used tubs with larger, low-threshold showers that are easier to clean and access. However, households with young children or homeowners planning to sell in the near future may prefer to retain at least one bathtub in the home. Read more on the Bath Pros blog post Does Removing a Bathtub Hurt Resale Value? Syracuse, NY.
What should I decide before starting a bathroom remodel?
Before construction begins, think about how you use your bathroom every day. Consider priorities such as shower size, storage needs, accessibility, lighting, and the overall feeling you want the space to have. Making these decisions early can help prevent costly changes later in the project.
Do older Syracuse homes present unique bathroom remodeling challenges?
Yes. Many homes throughout Syracuse and Central New York were built decades ago and may have outdated plumbing, uneven floors, limited storage, or smaller bathroom footprints. Working with an experienced, local remodeling company can help identify these challenges early and develop solutions that maximize both function and design.
What bathroom features add the most value for Syracuse homeowners?
Some of the most desirable features include:
- Low-threshold, easy-to-clean showers
- Durable, water-resistant flooring
- Ample storage and larger vanities
- Layered lighting and lighted mirrors
- Neutral, timeless finishes
- Accessibility features that support long-term living in the home
These upgrades tend to improve both everyday enjoyment and long-term resale appeal.