Upstairs Bathroom Remodel in San Clemente, CA

When we first stepped into this upstairs bathroom in San Clemente, we saw a space that was functional—but far from inspiring. The prefab shower felt cramped, the layout wasn’t optimized, and many of the finishes were simply outdated. Our team at Unique Kitchen & Baths partnered with the homeowner to reimagine the entire room, opening up the shower area, adding luxury features, improving electrical and plumbing systems, and giving the bathroom a more modern, spa-like feel.
This portfolio walks through every detail of the transformation—from demolition to final paint—so you can see the level of craftsmanship and care we bring to every remodel.

A Clean Slate: Full Demolition & Preparation

Before rebuilding this bathroom into the serene retreat the homeowner envisioned, we needed to completely strip it down. This demolition phase required precision, planning, and respect for the home’s structure.

Clearing Out Old Fixtures & Materials

We began by disconnecting the existing toilet, keeping it safe for reinstallation later. The old floor tile was removed, along with the existing vanity, countertop, light fixtures, and vanity mirror. Every piece was carefully demoed to protect the surrounding walls and plumbing. We also removed the aging prefab shower and its glass door. Clearing this unit opened the room dramatically and freed us to rebuild the shower with better waterproofing, layout, and visual impact.

Evaluating & Removing a Non-Structural Wall

One of the most impactful changes in this remodel involved eliminating the dividing wall between the shower and toilet area. Before removal, we inspected it thoroughly to confirm that it was not load-bearing and that no electrical or plumbing existed inside the cavity. Once safe, we removed the wall and reframed the ceiling area above it, creating a crisp, cohesive transition. This change instantly made the bathroom feel wider and more open—a major improvement in comfort and aesthetics.

Rebuilding the Shower From the Ground Up

The shower area was transformed from a basic prefab insert into a custom-built, luxurious centerpiece. Every layer was rebuilt for quality, longevity, and beauty.

Framing the New Custom Shower

We constructed a new non–walk-in shower, designed with the homeowner’s preferences in mind.
 This included:

  • A newly framed shower dam
  • A custom floating corner bench
  • A redesigned footprint thanks to the removal of the old shared wall
  • A new linear shampoo box, framed only after confirming the wall cavity allowed for it

This careful planning ensured both aesthetic appeal and long-term reliability.

Premium Waterproofing and Structural Reinforcement

At Unique Kitchen & Baths, we never cut corners on showers. Our signature method ensures everything behind the tile is as solid as what you see on the surface.

Here’s what we installed:

  • Black paper waterproofing layer
  • Metal lath reinforcement
  • Cement floated shower walls for perfect leveling
  • Hot-mopped shower pan
  • A linear drain installed with proper grading

These steps guarantee a watertight and long-lasting structure—critical for preventing future water damage.

Beautiful Tilework That Elevates the Entire Space

For the shower, we installed:

  • ELY An Dolomite Supreme 12×24 tiles on the side walls
  • Unicorn Silom Wave tile on the back wall as a dramatic accent
  • Customer-provided porcelain tile on the shower pan for visual depth

Together, these selections combine soft movement, dimensional texture, and a luxurious modern palette.

Vanity Wall Transformation & Storage Enhancements

The vanity area received a complete upgrade—both visually and structurally—tailored to the homeowner’s needs and preferences.

Installing New Flooring Foundation

Before installing any new components, we added hardy backer to the bathroom floor, ensuring a stable surface for the new tile. This step improves longevity, prevents cracking, and prepares the floor for premium materials.

Modern Flooring Installation

We then laid ELY 4Ever Steam 8x48 porcelain floor tiles, offering the durability of porcelain with the warmth of a wood-inspired look. This design choice extended the room visually and balanced beautifully with the shower’s modern palette.

New Prefab Vanity Installation With Upgraded Utilities

The homeowner selected a prefab vanity cabinet with a finished quartz top and integrated sink. We installed it seamlessly and complemented the look with:

  • Customer-provided vanity faucet
  • Customer-provided vanity mirror
  • A new electrical outlet behind the electric mirror
  • An additional GFCI outlet near the wall cabinet below the toilet

These upgrades created both visual symmetry and everyday practicality.

Custom Accent Tile Behind the Vanity

To personalize the design, we installed a customer-selected accent tile above the vanity. This added another element of character and tied in beautifully with the shower’s modern finishes.

Electrical, Lighting & Comfort Improvements

Lighting and electrical enhancements are key to functional and safe bathroom remodeling. This upstairs bathroom received several thoughtful upgrades.

Strategic Lighting Upgrades

We installed:

  • One 6-inch can light for clear, even illumination
  • A dimmer switch to allow mood-setting adjustments
  • A customer-provided exhaust fan with light to improve ventilation

These upgrades ensure the bathroom feels bright, clean, and relaxing.

Towel Warmer & Outlet Enhancements

To elevate comfort, we installed:

  • A customer-provided towel warmer
  • A dedicated GFCI outlet for the towel warmer
  • Another GFCI outlet by the lower wall cabinet
  • A new outlet behind the electric mirror

These updates add a sense of luxury and everyday practicality.

Finishing Touches for a Clean, Professional Result

Great remodeling is all about the details—and we take them seriously.

Drywall Repair, Texture & Paint

Once all structural and mechanical updates were completed, we repaired drywall, retextured selected areas, and finished it all with fresh paint on the bathroom walls and ceiling. This final touch unified every element of the remodel.

Reinstalling Protected Fixtures

We reinstalled the original toilet, ensuring everything was firmly secured, leak-free, and working perfectly within the newly redesigned space.

Ready to Transform Your Bathroom in San Clemente?

This remodel completely reimagined an outdated upstairs bathroom into a bright, modern retreat with upgraded tiles, improved drainage, a luxurious custom shower, a floating bench, added lighting, and new electrical conveniences.

At Unique Kitchen & Baths, we take pride in delivering thoughtful design, reliable craftsmanship, and a remodeling experience that feels seamless from start to finish.

Schedule your free design consultation.

    Year:

    November 2025

    Location:

    San Clemente, CA

    Project Type:

    Bathroom remodeling

    Remodeled By:

    Unique Kitchen & Baths