Do you long for an extra bathroom in your home—especially near the bedrooms? In our northern Minnesota cabin we tackled that exact challenge by deciding to change a closet to a powder room. This clever transformation turned two unused small closet spaces into a functional and stylish half bath. The new bath serves the upper level (with 3 bedrooms!) beautifully. A smart solution for anyone working with a tight space, making a big impact on both daily convenience and the value of our home.
When it comes to designing in real life, I’m all about making the most of every square foot. That’s especially true in our family cabin (a.k.a. Red Pine Hideaway), where functionality is key. In this post, I’m sharing all the details behind this cozy cabin bathroom remodeling project. From the layout changes to the design choices that made the most of every inch.
Let’s dive into the process of how we reimagined a tight footprint into a stylish and functional small bathroom. Full of charm, smart planning, and of course, thoughtful design.
I’ll be sharing a few (very unprofessional) before and after photos (and a few messy “during” shots) in the post. So, you can see exactly how we brought this home improvement project to life. Watching it evolve from dark closet space to a bright and welcoming new powder room is so satisfying. I hope it inspires you to rethink those underutilized spaces in your own home.
This smart update added serious value to our home. An additional half bath, even one tucked into a modest storage closet space, can make a big impact when it comes to resale and everyday convenience. Adding an extra toilet in a cabin with lots of guests is never a bad idea.
The upper level of our cabin has three bedrooms and zero bathrooms. Any middle-of-the-night bathroom trips required a walk downstairs to the only bathroom in the home, a full bathroom on the lower level. For guests and family alike, it just wasn’t ideal.
Where could we possibly find enough room to add a second bathroom upstairs without major demo? We considered (for a split second) using the sitting nook space in bedroom 3 but quickly came to our senses! The answer was hiding in plain sight: a shelving nook in Bedroom 1 and a small closet area in Bedroom 3. This allowed for the sitting nook with views to the lake to be untouched. A prime spot for reading and quiet that we didn’t want to lose.
This wasn’t a large-scale bathroom remodeling project. We were working with limited square feet of floor space and needed to be clever. By slightly shrinking one of the bedrooms and rerouting the floor plan to create a hallway, we found the perfect spot for a new bathroom. The new hallway also provided the perfect spot for a hall closet. It provided a great opportunity for storing towels and back-up supplies.
Since this isn’t our primary residence, the excess closet space just wasn’t needed or being used. Adding wall hooks to each room and a closet space in the new hall was just perfect for our use.
Because this was part of a larger cabin update, we were mindful of keeping the bathroom project within budget. By working within the existing closet space we were able to keep costs down without sacrificing function or style. Choosing off-the-shelf fixtures and finishes like a prefinished freestanding vanity, and laminate flooring kept us in-check with our home improvement project spending.
Anytime you change a closet to a powder room, there are a few things to keep in mind. First, we had to consider plumbing lines and water lines. We had to make sure we could connect to the existing system without a complete overhaul. We worked closely with our general contractor to plan for a compact sink, toilet, and all the behind-the-scenes magic like new pipe runs and electrical work. Adding insulation to all the walls and the new plumbing in the flooring for sound dampening was also part of the plan.
A pocket door was a no-brainer in this small powder room. It saved valuable floor space while maintaining easy access from the new hallway.
One of my favorite parts of any bathroom project is choosing the finishes. In this case, blending functionality with the rustic charm of our northern Minnesota cabin. This new powder room may be small, but it brings so much personality and thoughtful design to our upstairs level.
Because the cabin features knotty pine tongue and groove throughout, we knew we wanted to carry that into the small bathroom to create a cohesive look. It adds warmth, texture, and that unmistakable “up north” feeling that makes this space feel like it’s always been here.
To balance out the natural wood, I kept it pretty simple. Choosing clean, and modern but cabin-friendly finishes make the space feel both fresh and timeless. I sourced a budget-friendly, yet well-made navy blue vanity with a white quartz top and backsplash from Home Depot. It fit the space perfectly, and provided a bold contrast against the knotty pine walls.
Without decorative clutter, this space feels intentional and inviting. That’s the power of combining smart planning. Beautiful finishes, and a nod to your personal style, even in the smallest of rooms.
Here’s a fun twist: the bedroom that we reduced in size? We transformed it into a bunk room that turned out beyond adorable. It’s the coziest little nook for grandkids or guests. It makes the most of its tight space and can also accommodate one more person with a full-sized bed on the bottom bunk.
If you’re thinking about your own closet-to-bathroom conversion, here are a few key takeaways from our experience:
This little guest bathroom has made a huge difference in how we use and enjoy the cabin. It’s amazing how much of a transformation can come from just a few square feet of floor space when every design decision is made with intention.
Even a storage closet or walk-in closet can become the perfect place for a smart, beautiful half bath. Sometimes the best transformations start with just a little bit of vision—and a willingness to see the potential in every corner.
We welcome guests at Red Pine Hideaway as well as our Cape Coral home (a.k.a. La Vida Bella). Check it out the details HERE!
Hi, I’m Carla
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