Room Design
Bathroom Design
Bathroom Layouts
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Nearly any bathroom layout plan that you will want to use for your home fits into one of these 15 basic plan types. Bathrooms generally have to be efficient spaces, where function is balanced with your own design preferences. The layout is often about designing a space that's up to code, while you get to have fun with design when it comes to the style, types of fixtures, flooring, and wall color.
A well-designed bathroom layout requires rigorous spatial planning. For example, a bathtub placed too close to a toilet or sink cabinet without adequate buffering can spell disaster for the small space — and it might not be up to code. Creating bathroom floor plans can help you anticipate these problems and adjust your design prior to any remodeling work taking place.
Lastly, you want to get your bathroom layout right the first time. Changing the placement of a sink, toilet, tub, or shower gets expensive, and, if you renovate in the future, moving these fixtures can drive up your renovation bill quickly. Meanwhile, retiling or swapping out fixtures is easy enough, as long as the placement stays the same.
Things to Consider
When designing your bathroom layout, there are several things to consider.
- How it will be used: A bathroom that is used daily by an entire family, often with more than one person brushing their teeth or getting ready for the day, will need a different layout than a bathroom that's used once a month by guests.
- Who's using it: Is this a main bathroom with just a couple using it? A nice, large, open, airy bathroom is great for everyday and resale. A bathroom for two children? A jack and jill bathroom could be best. Think about who's actually in it everyday and what's best for them.
- Budget: Of course, budget is always the determining factor. It's the difference between a tub insert and a fully tiled walk-in shower.
- Style preferences: This is where you get to have fun with bathroom decor and inspiration! Do you want a claw foot tub? Blue tile in your shower? An antique vanity? The stylistic options are endless for a bathroom remodel or new bathroom.
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Narrow 50-Square-Foot Bathroom Plan
At just 5 feet wide and 10 feet deep, this bathroom at first glance might seem unusually small and narrow. Instead, this is one of the most common bathroom plans. The length of the bathtub at the end dictates the bathroom's width. Nestling a 60-inch alcove tub into a bathroom from wall to wall means that the entire end of the room becomes a tub or shower enclosure. Sixty-inch tub/shower surround kits are designed precisely for this type of bathroom.
A long and narrow bathroom space can be difficult to plan around. One idea is to cap the end of the bathroom with a custom shower. This effectively shortens the length of the room and makes it easier to integrate the remaining features. This bathroom floor plan could work with a door almost anywhere along the open long wall. Ideally, you would want to avoid placing the toilet directly in front of the door unless absolutely necessary.
Features
- The 50-square-foot, 5-foot by 10-foot bathroom is commonly found in many homes.
- A shower or bathtub at the end maximizes the usage of the room's 5-foot width.
- The shape of the room makes a very long vanity and countertop possible. Two sink basins are easily accommodated. Another option is to have a single sink basin and a very long countertop.
- This layout can be adapted to feature a shorter vanity integrated with a tall linen closet.
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Small 48-Square-Foot Full Bathroom
Small and smart are the names of the game in this bathroom layout, which effectively fits a toilet, tub, and sink—all in a mere 48 square feet. As tiny as it is, this bathroom is perfectly sufficient as a full main bathroom for a small house or as a guest bathroom for a larger house.
Features
- A supersize 72-inch bathtub occupies one end of the room.
- Sconce lights are located on either side of the sink.
- Lower plumbing and electrical costs are achieved by confining the water and drain lines and electrical lines along one wall.
- Using a pedestal sink rather thana vanity maximizes available space.
- Open wall to the right of the door can accommodate a small cabinet for towels.
- The room includes space for a bathtub or shower stall.
Tip
It's easy to forget the door swing. Bathroom doors open inward, so they use from 7 to 9 square feet of floor space.
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60-Square-Foot Full Bathroom
More floor space in a bathroom remodel gives you more design options. This bathroom floor plan can accommodate a single or double sink, a full-size tub or large shower, and a full-height linen cabinet or storage closet. And it still manages to create a private corner for the toilet. Instead of loading up the plan with more features, this bathroom layout implements smarter spacing of the basic features.
Features
- A spacious and airy feeling is created through the effective spacing of basic features.
- Careful planning provides space to accommodate a large shower if desired.
- A large vanity could be used for double sinks or one sink plus an extra-long countertop.
- The room could accommodate a partitionwall and door to enclose the toilet area for privacy.
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80-Square-Foot Bathroom With Tub and Shower
If you have the budget, this is an excellentbathroom floor plan that provides tons of flexibility. This plan features a shower stall and a bathtub, both of which are valuable for those busy mornings when two people need to bathe at once. The key to making this tight plan work is the corner shower stall with a rounded front, which maximizes space and allows for easier traffic flow.
Features
- A true primary bathroom is created in a limited space.
- The roomoffers two ways to bathe, either with a shower or a bathtub.
- A corner shower kit with a curved door saves space.
- A shallow cabinet for towels and other bathroom accessories can be located in the front space away from moisture.
About This Term: Primary Bathroom
Many real estate associations, including the National Association of Home Builders, have classified the term "Master Bedroom" (or "Master Bathroom") as discriminatory. "Primary Bedroom" is the name now widely used among the real estate community and better reflects the purpose of the room.
Read more about our Diversity and Inclusion Pledge to make The Spruce a site where all feel welcome.
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Tiny 17-Square-Foot Half Bath
This bathroom plan is little more than a toilet and a sink, suitable for hand-washing and toilet duties only.It is an ideal half bath for short-term guests who are not spending the night. Such a small bathroom is knownas a powder room, guest bathroom, orhalf bath.
Features
- A pedestal sink makes the best use of limited space.
- Plumbing fixtures confined to one wall make for simple plumbing work.
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Basic Three-Quarter Bathroom
This rectangular room is fairly small, but it still manages to squeeze a toilet, sink, and shower into the space. Using a shower rather than a bathtub saves space, as showers generally have a smaller footprint.
Features
- Wide 36-inch vanity provides ample counter space.
- Shower sized at 36 inches by 36 inches visually balances the vanity.
- The careful arrangement prevents the toilet from facing the doorway.
- The layout provides room for the door to swing open.
- Use of a shower instead of a tub retains enough space for a cabinet.
Tip
No matter how small the bathroom is, it makes sense to sketch out thebathroom layout, This helps you visualize the placement of vital services like the shower, toilet, and sink, so you can avoid crowding or, worse, overlapping.
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Bathroom With Bump-Out Alcove for Tub
If you're fortunate enough to have a bump-out area, this layout isfor you. Install awhirlpool or an oversized 72-inch bathtub in the window alcove area, tilethe walls up to the bottom of the windows, and enjoy the light and view as you bathe.
Features
- This bathroom features a generous space for the bathtub as the focus of the room.
- The clever layout allows an awkwardly shaped space to become a unique bathroom haven.
- The space could accommodate a long, wall-to-wall vanity with double sinks.
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Bathroom for an Awkward Room Shape
Sometimes the available space for a bathroom is not perfectly rectangular. It might be that a furnace closet, coat closet, or structural componentsimpinge on the bathroom space. This 64-square-foot bathroom planis an example of how to tuck all of the features needed for a full bathroom into spaces that are available.
Features
- An offset vanity makes efficient use of a long, narrow space.
- The bathing space is isolated from the toilet with an alcove wall.
- Space behind the entry door can be used for utilities, a coat closet, or other storage.
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64-Square-Foot Bathroom Plan With a Private Toilet
In a home where the bathroom must be used by more than one person at a time, a walled-in privatespace for the toilet can greatly improvethe space's functionality. This plan provides partition walls and a space-saving pocket door to create a toilet alcove. A conventional door wastes space because you need to account for its swing. Using a pocket door instead reclaims that space.
Features
- A long vanity and countertop makea double sink possible.
- The layout includes generousprivate space for the toilet.
- Use of a pocket door maximizes available space by eliminating door swing.
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Three-Quarter Bathroom Plan With a Storage Room
Can you fit a toilet, tub, double sink, and floor-to-ceiling cabinet into a mere 64 square feet? While tight, this is possible, especially when privacy walls isolate the bathtub and toilet areas. One limitation of this bathroom layout isthe entry door will swing into the cabinet.
Features
- A careful layout and a standard 60-inch bathtub allow space for a storage cabinet.
- The room allows space for a double sink.
- The bathtub and toilet receive privacy thanks to inner partition walls.
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Large Bathroom Plan With Open Floor Space
The best of all worlds is a large bathroom space with relatively square dimensions. With this bathroom layout, it is possible to retain maximum open floor space by arranging the fixtures on opposite walls and using a shower rather than a full bathtub.
Open floor space is usually at a premium with bathrooms, and most homeowners prefer to use the space for additional, or larger, services. But a double-sink implies that more than one user will frequently be in the bathroom, often children. Floor space facilitates movement.
Features
- This bathroom plan offers considerable open floor space.
- It includes all features and has both a bathtub and shower.
- Anextra-wide vanity with double sink is included.
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Fun and Simple Kids Bathroom
This large, square bathroomfeatures a clawfoot tub, pedestal sink, andplenty of floor space for wrangling kids into the bathtub. Treat this wide open space as your canvas for fun and fanciful designs.
Features
- The clawfoot bathtub is a fun addition that kids love.
- There's plenty of space for a chair to create a comfy sitting area to use when keeping an eye on the kids.
41 Boys' Room Decor Ideas That Parents Will Love, Too
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Long Space for a Custom Shower
This bathroom floor plan uses the end of a narrow room for a custom tile shower. A clawfoot tub and a small vanity leave flexibility for the position of the toilet. The toilet could be tucked in between the end of the bathtub and the shower wall or positioned to the side of the vanity and the sink.
Features
- The room features both a clawfoot tub and a walk-in, custom tile shower.
- This bathroom layout provides flexibility in the positioning of the toilet.
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Unique Double-Door Shower With an Exterior Exit
Not many homes can accommodate a bathroom floor plan that has a door leading outdoors from the shower. But with enough landscape privacy, this bathroom would be truly unique. It features a large frameless glass shower with an exterior door leading onto a deck.
Features
- The large glass shower has an exterior door, providing access to a deck or pool area.
- This layout gives you plenty of space near the vanity.
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Bathroom With Alcove Tub and Surround
Many bathrooms make use of a design in which the bathtub/shower is recessed into a framed alcove, with the three alcove walls covered with surround panels. An advantage of this layout is the room retains open floor space, which isideal for family bathrooms.
Features
- The alcove tub allows for a wide open floor area.
- The long wall adjacent to the door could accommodate a linen cabinet or other storage units.
Common Codes and Guidelines
When renovating a bathroom, there are specific codes and guidelines around sizing and spacing of bathroom elements. It's critical to follow these if you want to pass inspection with your local government entities.
Tub Size
There is not a specific code size for a bathtub, though generally it's recommended to have 60 inches lengthwise and 30 inches width around a tub. Additionally, tubs must have anti-scald devices.
Shower Size
Showers must be at least 30 inches square, and a glass shower door must have at least 24 inches of clearance.
Door Entry
Generally, a door must be at least 32 inches wide, however that is not compliant with ADA guidelines. For ADA, you'll need a door 34 to 36 inches wide, ideally with 34 inches of clear opening.
Lavatory Placement
It's recommended that you have 21 inches of clearance in front of a toilet, though 30 inches is ideal. 15 inches from the middle line of the toilet to the closest obstruction is required, though 18 inches is more comfortable for most people.
Ventilation
All bathrooms are required to have ventilation, though a window does count — even if it is not recommended as the only ventilation.
Sink Placement
Sinks should be at least 4 inches away from tubs, according to most building codes.
Lighting
Lighting over bathtubs and showers must be vapor- and waterproof. Additionally, all outlets must be GFCI (ground fault current interrupter) outlets.
Switches
Switches should be at least 60 inches from tubs or showers.
FAQ
What are the rules of bathroom layout?
When designing a bathroom layout, you must follow any code guidelines around measurement and spacing. For example, there typically should be at least 21 inches in front of toilet, tub, sink, etc.
What is the most common bathroom layout?
A 50-square-foot, 5-foot by 10-foot bathroom with a shower at one end is one of the most common bathroom layouts, despite its narrow footprint. It's an efficient use of a small space.
What is a good size for a full bathroom?
40 square feet is the minimum for a bathroom, while 60 square feet is the average size for a full bathroom. Anything larger than that is considered a good size.
How do you make a bathroom layout?
You can create a bathroom layout by using an online space planner. Or, you can go to an architect or bathroom designer who can listen to your requirements and preferences to create the ideal bathroom layout for you.
How much space do you need between the toilet and the shower?
You need at least 15 inches between the toilet and the shower, however 30 inches is often recommended.
Toilet, Sink, and Counter Space For Bathrooms