Before & After: All It Took for a Little Privacy in This L.A. Bathroom Was a Single Design Tweak

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When designer Lisa Checo, founder of OOAK Design Studio, first saw the bathroom inside this one-story ranch home in Los Angeles, she immediately understood the assignment: transform a cramped, dated space into something warm, thoughtful, and family-friendly, all without losing the spirit of the house.

With a baby on the way, the homeowners needed a bathtub and better functionality. But Checo also saw an opportunity to push the design further, blending the relaxed sensibility ranches are known for with subtle English-inspired details. Think: wood accents, traditional molding, and soft, timeless materials. “It was a small project, but it gave us the opportunity to get incredibly granular with the details,” Checo says. Read on for a closer look at her choices.

Use a Pony Wall to Create Privacy in a Tight Layout

The bathroom, before.

Toilet with Seat, Waterworks. Photography by Jenna Peffley

In the room’s original configuration, the toilet sat directly beside the glassed-in shower stall—a little too close for comfort. Checo introduced a pony wall to create a sense of privacy without making the already-compact space feel even smaller. A sliding door would normally be the go-to for the new tub-shower orientation, but Checo went for a half-panel door instead, making it easier for the couple to reach their child comfortably during bath time.

Even the toilet itself was a calculated decision. “Toilets are such an overlooked element in bathrooms, but it’s just as important, especially in a small space like this, to choose something that feels like it’s within the right design period,” Checo explains.

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