Spa-Worthy Primary Bath – Naperville, IL

Several years after partnering with Drury Design on a kitchen remodel, these Naperville homeowners found themselves facing a different decision. Their family loved the neighborhood, loved the home, and had no real desire to move. Yet several spaces throughout the house still reflected an earlier renovation that never felt quite right. Rather than begin a search for a new home, they chose to invest in the one they already had.

The primary bathroom quickly rose to the top of the priority list. The existing space felt dated, compartmentalized, and lacked the sense of comfort and retreat the homeowners envisioned. Working with Drury Design and Senior Designer Samantha Schoell, the goal became creating a sophisticated environment that could deliver some of the same comforts and indulgences associated with a luxury spa while still supporting the practical needs of everyday family life. The result is a warm, modern primary bath that balances elegance, functionality, and timeless appeal.

Design Objectives:

• Create a Retreat – Transform the primary bathroom into a spa-worthy space focused on comfort, relaxation, and everyday luxury
• Reflect Personal Style – Replace generic finishes with a more refined and sophisticated aesthetic
• Improve Functionality – Create a layout that better supports daily routines for two adults
• Expand the Shower Experience – Incorporate a larger, more luxurious shower with premium features
• Increase Storage – Add practical storage solutions without making the room feel crowded
• Incorporate a Makeup Station – Create a dedicated area for daily grooming and preparation
• Enhance Visual Interest – Introduce memorable design elements while maintaining a timeless look

Design Challenges:

• Narrow Footprint – At just 7½ feet wide, the room needed to accommodate numerous functions without feeling cramped
• Underutilized Bathtub – A large soaking tub consumed valuable floor space despite rarely being used
• Competing Functions – The homeowners wanted dual sinks, a dedicated makeup station, generous storage, and an expanded shower within the same footprint
• Storage Deficiencies – Everyday toiletries, cosmetics, and personal items lacked organized storage locations
• Existing Window Location – The room’s window occupied prime wall space while also presenting an opportunity for natural light
• Generic Character – The existing bathroom lacked the personality and sophistication the homeowners wanted for their long-term home
• Maintaining Openness – Adding functionality risked making the relatively narrow room feel crowded

Design Solutions:

• Space-Conscious Planning – Every element of the layout was carefully considered to maximize functionality within the bathroom’s narrow footprint
• Tub Removal and Reconfiguration – Eliminating the underused bathtub freed valuable square footage, opened the room visually, and created greater flexibility for the overall layout
• Dedicated Grooming and Vanity Areas – Separate zones for the dual-sink vanity and makeup station improved daily functionality while allowing multiple family members to use the space comfortably
• Full-Height Storage Tower – A linen cabinet and thoughtfully designed vanity storage provide organized space for towels, toiletries, and everyday essentials
• Window-Centered Makeup Station – Positioning the grooming area beneath the existing window transformed a potential obstacle into one of the room’s most functional features, providing ideal natural light for makeup application and daily routines
• Boutique-Hotel Detailing – Checkerboard flooring, fluted shower accents, layered lighting, furniture-inspired cabinetry, and warm metallic finishes established a more refined and personal aesthetic
• Visual Expansion Techniques – Large-format tile, expansive glass, open sightlines, and restrained material transitions help the room feel significantly larger than its actual dimensions

The finished bathroom represents more than a successful remodel. It reflects a decision to invest in a home the family already loved rather than start over somewhere else.

Morning routines and end-of-day unwinding now happen in a space intentionally designed to feel removed from the pace of everyday life. The expansive shower, body sprays, heated towel warmer, dedicated makeup station, and carefully layered materials work together to create an experience that feels more like a boutique spa than the compartmentalized bathroom that existed before.

Yet the greatest success of the project isn’t any single feature. It’s how naturally the space reflects the homeowners themselves. The timeless finishes, thoughtful functionality, and understated luxury all feel perfectly aligned with the aesthetic they have carefully cultivated throughout the rest of their home.

For homeowners who chose to stay and invest in the home they already loved, the result is more than a beautiful bathroom. It’s a spa-worthy retreat that feels distinctly their own.

Before / After Photos: