Joanna Gaines Unveils A Stunning Cabinet & Countertop Combo For A Spa-Like Bathroom

A spa-like bathroom at home is about more than aesthetic appeal. It can transform a space for daily habits into a personal sanctuary where your senses are soothed and you can enjoy moments of peace and relaxation as you complete your daily routine. It's why outdated styles and old bathrooms are the top reasons for bathroom remodels, per a 2023 study by Houzz. And, since they come with hefty price tags ranging from $5,000 on the lower end to $20,000 for more luxurious upgrades, you'll want to avoid the common mistakes people make when renovating a bathroom. If a spa-inspired bathroom remodel is in your future, we recommend taking inspiration from home renovation expert and design guru, Joanna Gaines. One of her most noteworthy bathroom remodels comes from Season 3, Episode 15 of HGTV's "Fixer Upper" where she achieved a spa-like feel for her client's bathroom by using concrete countertops paired with white oak cabinets complemented by colorful tile and a large, glass-enclosed shower.

Recognized as one of Gaines' best "Fixer Upper" homes, the designer only had 720 square feet of house to work with for one of Waco's last traditional "shotgun houses." Somehow, she made this tiny bathroom in an even tinier house feel like a spa. This "Fixer Upper" success proves that a resort-inspired bathroom at home is possible with great design, no matter the size. Below, we break down this design and advise how you can recreate it. Plus, we share other tips about designing with concrete in your bathrooms at home.

Joanna Gaines admitted on her Magnolia blog that this HGTV "Fixer Upper" project was one of her most unique renovations to date due to the small size of the house. But, as usual, Gaines rose to the occasion, transforming the master (and only) bathroom in the house into a spa-like retreat. "I really wanted the bathroom to have a clean feel to it, almost like a spa," she shared on the series. "You've got the heavy-duty concrete countertops with the white oak cabinets blended with this fun colorful tile. I think it really makes a big statement in here even though it's a small space."

The must-steal elements of this look are the cool gray concrete counters and warm white oak wood cabinets. Using these in your bathroom will create a sleek and modern, yet warm, welcoming, earthy feel. If you can, pair this unique aesthetic with patterned bright blue and white bathroom tile as Gaines did. This bathroom tile idea revamped the space and ensured the concrete and matching gray tile shower didn't look too frigid but instead appeared stylish, current, and cool. "Every square foot of this is really unique in its design," Gaines said, and she was right. Other unique spa-like additions included one large mirror that ran the length of the vanity and extended toward a horizontal highlight window. This, and the French doors that open up to a small patio, bathe the bathroom in natural light, creating depth, space, and warmth.

Before you make Joanna Gaines' modern spa bathroom your own, there are some things you should know about the gray concrete countertop and white oak cabinet combo. First, be mindful that although concrete is customizable by color and extremely durable, it's also porous and prone to staining and showing marks and imperfections over time. Gaines recommends getting it stained to help protect it from stains, scratches, and heat, as well as embracing the imperfections for a natural, one-of-a-kind look. Also, if you're a fan of the gray concrete counters paired with a gray shower like the one in Gaines' featured "Fixer Upper," you may want to try concrete counters paired with concrete walls in your showers. The designer has used this combo before for a striking modern look, and it's right on trend with one of the latest and hottest home designs, brutalism.

Also, since concrete can tend to look cool, steely, and dark, ensure your bathroom has ample lighting, opting for as much natural lighting as possible, just as Gaines did for the small shotgun house. Doing this, plus using large frameless mirrors instead of smaller ornate ones and installing simple glass shower doors can help you make the space feel bigger, brighter, and warmer. Another trick to steal from Joanna Gaines is to add greenery whenever concrete is used to balance the modernism with an earthy appeal. Fresh potted plants, eucalyptus, and lavender are great multi-sensory ways to complete your at-home spa feel.