A Dreamy Hoboken Bathroom Upgrade for Busy Parents
A blank canvas, a dream, and a $50,000 budget. Amanda and Bob, a couple from Hoboken, NJ, took on the challenge of transforming their dated bathroom into a luxurious retreat. Their journey is an inspiring tale of design, functionality, and the power of a well-planned renovation.
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Written in partnership with homeowner Amanda. “After” photos by Andrew Chui.
Prior to 2016, we’d already been renting in Hoboken, NJ to make sure it was really the place for us before buying. Our home is in uptown Hoboken. It’s in one of the earlier buildings in town–a condo building from around 1920. When we walked into it for the first time, it had an amazing footprint and feel for a condo.
Over time, we were sure we could make the 1,450-square-foot space perfect for us. That was preferable to paying more for something in Hoboken that still wasn’t ideal, so we bought it. Now, our focus was on our final project: remodeling the bathroom.
We are Amanda, Head of Beauty Sales for the US for a french contract manufacturer, Bob, who works for ATP, and our children, Penny (8), Ruby (3). Our renovation project was the bathroom, an ‘80s throwback in desperate need of a decor update–and a working shower. Adding another sink was also on the list. But the biggest change was a walk-in closet build-out that allowed us to add a bathroom door from our bedroom. This upgrade to a jack-and-jill entry was a major improvement, since we now have a primary suite. Sweeten brings homeowners an exceptional renovation experience by personally matching trusted general contractors to your project, while offering expert guidance and support—at no cost to you. With better functionality taken care of, it was time to think about style. I was after something that felt spa-like—a place to escape and have time for myself. It should feel updated, yet traditional and smart in terms of maximizing storage.
Even though we already had some renovating experience, we reached out to Sweeten for help. We needed help to determine the feasibility of having dual bathroom entryways, the timing, and the cost of what we wanted to do.
The new entry from our bedroom was where it got complicated. Breaking through the wall was the only way to add the door that would make it a jack-and-jill. Then, ripping out our two separate bedroom closets gave us space to build one walk-in closet. This also made room to create a small hallway from our bedroom to the closet to the bathroom. It’s so nice to now have an entry to the bathroom straight from our bedroom, while still keeping hall access.
With a contractor chosen and a plan in the works, it was time to choose the actual materials. Given the ‘80s vibe we were getting rid of, I would avoid anything trendy. Each item needed to be elevated and modern to make sense for my lifestyle today—but also classic. I didn’t want to be sick of it in five years.
My obsession was a countertop that would make a statement. We sourced the dramatic black-and-white stone from a separate fabricator, and our contractor attached it to the vanity we picked out.
“Our contractor sourced everything, kept us on track with the timeline, and truly made my ideas come to life.”
Looks aside, ample storage space was also essential to make the space work. Built-in shelves were a definite must-have.
The closet addition did increase the overall cost and put us overbudget. We also paid more than we had to for a full-price vanity and the custom countertop, but we’re happy with those choices. The approximately $50,000 we ended up spending was almost double what we had budgeted, but we love the results.
Sweeten helped pair us up with a few great candidates to meet. What we wanted was someone who was reliable, respectful, and didn’t give any BS. Our contractors were all of this.
At the end, this was our best and most efficient renovation we’ve done. The serenity when you walk into the updated bathroom still takes my breath away. The countertop is stunning, and the heated floors make it so comfortable. But honestly, the shelves might be my favorite! In an apartment, smart storage is truly everything.
Thank you, Amanda and Bob, for sharing your new bathroom with us!
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On a $50,000 budget, a bathroom becomes an en suite with a calming mix of materials
Planning for a lifestyle boost
Renovate to live, Sweeten to thrive!
A renovation plan moves forward
A primary suite comes into view
Ditching trendy for timeless
Spending more was worth it
A successful renovation partnership
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Renovation Materials
