Case Study: 1960’s Bungalow Renovation

Lockdown was a time when many of us sought to update and upgrade our homes. It made us appreciate and value our space, and it was no different for Leanne and her family in Co Antrim. 

When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, Leanne and her family of five, including their three kids and their beloved dog, decided to take a big leap of faith. They bought a 1960’s bungalow home online without ever setting foot inside, hoping it would be the perfect fit for their growing family. They wanted something with more space. But when they finally walked through the door, they found a house that needed a lot of work. They knew the cost of renovating can be high so they wanted to take their time and save some money before starting any work. They decided to renovate one room at a time. Determined to create their dream home, they rolled up their sleeves and began renovating with the bathrooms first on the list. The bathroom was one of the main rooms they could not wait to transform.  

The Vision Behind the Transformation 

The family’s bathroom renovation was driven by the need for something modern and functional. The old bathroom was far from ideal—outdated, with a red colour scheme and unreliable hot water. Leanne envisioned something sleek and minimalist, complete with black shower trays, glass fixtures, and roomy walk-in showers. After three years without a proper bath, they were excited to add a large, luxurious bathtub to the mix. Leanne went for the Viktor Benson Cancun 1700 Bath which creates a showstopping look in the main bathroom.  

From Inspiration to Reality 

Leanne found inspiration for their new bathroom in magazines, websites, and their own personal taste. They were drawn to a modern, minimalist style with black fixtures and fittings. With their vision and measurements, they headed to the Bathshack showroom in Antrim, where they met our bathroom expert Martin. Martin quickly understood their vision and helped them find everything they needed—from tiles to fixtures.  Leanne said  

“The fact that we could buy everything in one place, made the process so much easier for us. Martin was excellent and guided us through everything we needed.” 

The brief was to renovate two bathrooms the main family bathroom and the ensuite. 

For the main bathroom Leanne went for the Bella 800 LED Bluetooth mirror paired with the Baltimore 900mm Floorstanding Vanity Unit & Basin and the Viktor Benson Cancun 1700 Bath. For the shower she opted for the black finish with the Hudson Reed Wetroom screen ,  the Nuie Pearlstone shower tray, and the Eliseo Ricci Exclusiv Round Handle, Head & Handset Riser Shower, which pair beautifully together. 

Can we also take a moment for the Alonso Doucle 1800 radiators and Cali comfort height rimless toilet, which look stunning against the X tiles.  

For the ensuite she kept a similar look throughout. Again for the shower, she opted for the black finish with the Huson Reed Wetroom screen, the Nuie Pearlstone shower tray, and the Eliseo Ricci Exclusiv Round Handle, Head & Handset Riser Shower. 

To set the shower off Leanne wanted something different when it came to the shower area and her tiles. She created this stunning wood effect look with the Wood effect Strip Northwood Oak Decor 33.3 x 100cm Rectified Tile.  We are in love with the finished look. 

For the unit, she wanted something spacious and the Josef Martin Roma 1200mm Wall Mounted Vanity Unit was a perfect fit. She paired this with the Objekt Ceramica Tahoe 360mm Counter Top Basin and Eliseo Ricci Exclusiv Tall Mono Basin Mixer. To set the unit off she went for the Stream 1200 x 600 Bluetooth LED  mirror, which was a great hit with the children. This mirror has Bluetooth connectivity meaning you can sync your music to it and listen while you enjoy a long soak or hot shower!  

The Renovation Journey 

Starting in December and finishing in January, the renovation went surprisingly smoothly. One of the biggest challenges for Leanne and her family was going nine weeks without a hot shower, but Leanne added “it was worth the wait”. 

With the bathrooms out of the way, they are now focusing on renovating some of the other rooms in the house and are excited to finally see their 1960s bungalow come together. 

The Final Result: A Bathroom They Love 

Leanne and her family couldn’t be happier with their finished bathroom. The contemporary design, complete with a rainfall showerhead and spacious layout, exceeded the vision they had when they first started the design process. The Viktor Benson Cancun Freestanding bath quickly became a favorite spot for both the kids and parents. And the Bluetooth LED mirrors? A hit with the teenagers, who love syncing their Spotify playlists for a bit of fun. 

Leanne said one of the standout features is the wood-effect tiles in the ensuite. They look so much like real wood that visitors often can’t believe it’s not! The renovation has transformed the family’s daily routine, giving them a space that’s both functional and beautiful. 

For Leanne and her family, this renovation was more than just updating their home—it was a journey that brought them closer together and created a space they truly love. 

Now, they’re enjoying their stylish new bathrooms and the improved quality of life that comes with them. 

Why Bathshack? 

Leanne and Jonny chose Bathshack for their renovation because of the competitive pricing, quality products, and strong reputation. From the very beginning, they appreciated the honesty and transparency they received. Leanne added that Martin’s. customer service was exceptional—offering practical advice on avoiding hard water stains and ensuring their online and in-store orders arrived together seamlessly. Leanne said, “ My big thing was customer service having Martin just really instilled trust. He was building his own house and he understood our project very well. He eased us into the process and we took it step by step starting with the tiles up.” 

If you'd like help with choosing bathroom-ware or tiling for your home, you can email our team at info@bathshack.com, or call us on (028) 9077 0188 / 01 2597531 alternatively, our online chat is also available if you have any queries - or visit Bathshack.com for inspiration.