Bathroom

Bathroom Renovation — Herringbone & Penny Tile

place Winnipeg, MB

Is there anything more satisfying than a dramatic before and after? This basement bathroom went from builder-basic to spa-worthy, and the combination of herringbone and penny tile gives it depth and texture that photographs don’t do justice.

Design Highlights

Herringbone tile floors — classic pattern, timeless look
Penny tile shower floor — textured, slip-resistant and gorgeous
Glass walk-in shower — open, airy and modern
Matte black fixtures — sleek contemporary contrast
Floating vanity — creates visual space and makes cleaning easier

The Transformation

The walk-in shower with frameless glass is the showstopper — no more shower curtains, no more dark corners. Just clean, bright, and functional.

Practical Tips for Bathroom Renovations

Choosing Between Herringbone and Standard Tile Layouts

Herringbone on a bathroom floor creates a sense of movement that makes small spaces feel more dynamic. The angled pattern draws the eye along the room’s longest dimension, which is a useful trick in narrow bathrooms. Standard running bond (brick) patterns are simpler and faster to install, but they lack the visual depth that herringbone provides.

For shower floors specifically, penny tile is a strong choice. The small, round tiles conform to the subtle slope toward the drain better than large-format tiles, which need precise cuts to maintain proper water flow. The extra grout lines also provide better traction when wet compared to smooth, large tiles.

Why Frameless Glass Works in Small Bathrooms

A framed shower door or curtain visually divides the room and makes it feel smaller. Frameless glass does the opposite — it allows the eye to travel through the entire space uninterrupted. In a basement bathroom where square footage is limited, this makes a meaningful difference.

The investment is higher than a standard shower door. Expect to pay more for the thicker tempered glass (typically 3/8 to 1/2 inch) and professional installation. But in a bathroom you plan to use for 10 or more years, the clean look and easy maintenance justify the cost.

The Case for Matte Black Fixtures

Matte black hardware and fixtures have held their popularity longer than most bathroom trends because they work with nearly every colour palette. They provide contrast against white tile without the maintenance headaches of polished brass or the coldness of chrome. The matte finish also hides water spots and fingerprints better than any shiny alternative.

When using matte black, commit to it across the room — faucet, showerhead, towel bars, toilet paper holder, and cabinet hardware. Mixing metals can work in a kitchen, but in a small bathroom it tends to look scattered rather than intentional.

Floating Vanity Benefits

A wall-mounted floating vanity serves two purposes in a small bathroom. First, the visible floor beneath it makes the room feel more spacious. Second, it makes cleaning significantly easier — no more awkward mopping around vanity legs or wiping behind a cabinet that sits flush on the floor.

The trade-off is storage. A floating vanity typically offers less interior volume than a floor-standing cabinet of the same width. If storage is a concern, pair it with a recessed medicine cabinet or open shelving above the toilet to compensate.

Trust the Process

Every renovation starts with a vision and a little faith. From the dusty “before” to the striking “after,” the process is worth it.

Ready to transform your bathroom? Reach out to Task Reno Corp to get started.

Our Rigorous Testing & Review Methodology

At georgiahomedesign.ca, we take our responsibility to our readers seriously. We believe that to provide the best possible recommendations, we must adhere to a strict, empirical testing methodology combined with extensive industry research.

How We Evaluate

Every product, guide, and informational piece featured on our platform undergoes a multi-step evaluation process:

Initial Research & Sourcing: Our editorial team begins by scanning the market for the latest innovations, customer sentiment, and verified expert opinions. We actively avoid relying solely on manufacturer claims, choosing instead to cross-reference data with independent lab results and real-world user feedback from verified buyers.
Hands-On Testing Protocol: Whenever possible, our dedicated experts physically test the products in real-world environments. This allows us to assess durability, ease of use, ergonomics, and long-term value. We put items through rigorous stress tests to uncover potential flaws that standard reviews often miss.
Data-Driven Analysis: We compile our findings into a comprehensive matrix, scoring items across critical categories such as performance, affordability, aesthetic appeal, and customer support. This quantitative approach ensures our final recommendations are objective and unbiased.
Continuous Monitoring: The market is always changing. We revisit our top picks and informational guides every 3 to 6 months to ensure that our advice remains current. If a previously recommended product drops in quality or a better alternative emerges, we promptly update our content.

Why You Can Trust Us

Our commitment to E-E-A-T (Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, and Trustworthiness) is the foundation of our editorial policy. We do not accept paid placements for our top recommendations. Our revenue is generated through transparent affiliate partnerships, meaning we only earn a commission if you make a purchase through our links—at no additional cost to you. This structure aligns our success directly with your satisfaction.

Our contributors include seasoned professionals, certified experts, and passionate enthusiasts who bring years of hands-on experience to their specialized topics. We mandate that all claims are backed by authoritative sources, which we link to whenever applicable.

If you ever have questions about our methodology or spot an inaccuracy, we encourage you to reach out via our Contact page. We are dedicated to continuous improvement and always welcome community feedback to refine our editorial standards.

Our Commitment to Transparency

Transparency is a core value in everything we publish. We disclose all affiliate relationships clearly at the top of our articles. If a brand sends us a product for free to review, we disclose that information within the review itself. However, accepting a free product never guarantees a positive review. Our allegiance is strictly to our readers. We regularly publish cautionary reviews for products that fail to meet our high standards, regardless of the brand’s industry standing or potential commission rates.

Frequency of Updates

We recognize that information becomes outdated quickly in today’s fast-paced digital world. Therefore, our team conducts quarterly audits of our most popular guides and reviews. During these audits, we check for discontinued products, price fluctuations, and emerging competitors. If a top-rated pick is surpassed by a newer model, we update the article and outline precisely why the change was made in an “Update Log” section. This dedication to freshness ensures that whenever you land on one of our pages, you are reading the most accurate and up-to-date information available.