It's possible to make a small bathroom luxurious: the key is in the bathroom floor plans you design. Sadly, many people seem to skip this process. But think about the amount of time you spend in your bathroom and how it makes you feel.
Now imagine if your bathtub was close to your toilet. Chances are, such a setup would take away the ambiance you seek while doing your bathroom shenanigans. That said, you realize just how important it is to put some effort into the design process for your bathroom layout. If you are thinking of remodeling or redesigning your bathroom yourself, be sure to check our guide to the 11 best materials for bathroom ceiling and the best bath tub surround panels. You can even install a 2 person hot tub for a special treat if you have a large enough bathroom.
If you are looking for accessories for your bathroom, then also check out our article on the best quiet bathroom fans.
So today, we talk about what you should do to create the perfect bathroom floor plans for your home.
The Bathroom Design Process
It doesn't matter whether you're building a new house or running some renovation processes; designing the perfect bathroom layout requires thoughtfulness. Therefore, you should start by taking the time to assess your needs.
Once you have figured out your bathroom needs, use them to create the layout. Make out a strategy as well as the dimensions you need in your bathroom space. Also, figure out the bathroom fixtures and finishes you require, but keep in mind your budget. If you are thinking of renovating your own bathroom, then check out our 11 steps to installing a DIY walk-in shower as well.
Remember, you must have a functional bathroom floor plan in place to create your bathroom goals. If you are a novice, this might be difficult. But answering these questions might help you determine where you can start.
The Bathroom Layout Questions To Ask Yourself
The answers you have for these questions should help you determine the best plan for laying out your bathroom.
1. How Many People Will Use The Bathroom?
Are you building a full bathroom for your entire family or a master bathroom for you and your partner? How many people might find themselves using the bathroom simultaneously, for instance, in the morning when preparing for work and school? Do you have a pet, and will you bath it in the bathroom?
Ask these questions to determine the number of people that will be using one bathroom space.
2. How Will You Use The Bathroom?
Yes, one bathroom can have different purposes, which ultimately determines the type of floor plan you should adopt. So ask yourself what activities you're sure will take place in the bathroom. Also, consider the functionality of the different parts of the room.
For instance, most ladies prefer to remove their makeup in the bathroom before they go to sleep. In that case, do you need a makeup table or station? If you have a family, you might need some space to do your laundry in the bathroom as well.
Or maybe you need a private space for a separate tub, away from the shower and other intruders. By and large, once you determine your bathroom uses, use that information to guide your choice of fixtures.
3. Where Will You Place Bathroom Facilities?
Now that you know how you will use the bathroom, you need to consider where you'll place different things and accessories. Take just a toilet, for instance; they are often placed a distance away from other facilities in the bathroom.
So ask yourself, will you and your partner need separate sinks and stations for your morning routine? And if you have kids that will use the bathroom, how can you make certain accessories or facilities accessible to them?
How many items do you need to store in the bathroom, and where can you place the shelves for convenience and easy accessibility? How much room do you need to navigate around the bathroom space?
And speaking of planning for your tub and shower, how many people should be able to fit in each one? Additionally, do not underestimate the significance of storage. Nonetheless, careful bathroom planning will give you the best storage solutions for your bathroom space.
If you already have a bathroom space and your goal is to remodel, then consider the pros and cons of your current bathroom layout. Then use the questions outlined to determine whether you'd want to change your design.
Once you have everything settled, you can then look at the different bathroom layouts to inspire your choice. Here is a list of the popular layouts many constructors recommend:
The Most Common Bathroom Space Layouts
The primary elements you need in any bathroom include the shower, tub, sink, and toilet. These bathroom floor plans should help you determine where you can position each of these facilities:
1. The Small Bathroom Layout Without A Tub or a Powder Room
This layout is mainly used for the guest bath, consisting of one sink, a shower, and no tub. Usually, all the plumbing is done on the same wall to save on supply expenses and labor costs. Nonetheless, consider what the visitors will see first when they enter the bathroom.
2. The Full Bath Layout
This involves a 9 by 5-foot space inclusive of vanity, a tub or shower combination, and a toilet, with each item placed next to the other. This is the perfect layout for a small bathroom floor space since the full bath will give space for a double vanity or a roomy vanity.
Besides, the construction costs for this type of layout are minimal since all the plumbing fixtures are on one long wall. The best part about having this layout in your small bathroom floor pan is that it allows room for personalization.
For instance, you can go for the modern contemporary floating vanity instead of having an off-the-shelf storage cabinet. You can also consider the furniture-style vanity for your bathroom. Concerning the sink, you can choose the console style with an open floor space since it will make your small room look bigger.
Additionally, instead of combining the bathtub and shower room, you can have a large corner shower. It will give you more room since you'll have no tub to stop the eye view.
This is primarily a good idea if you have another tub in a second bathroom in your house because the massive shower in your master bath will increase the value of your master bedroom suite.
3. The Master Bathroom Layout with its Separate Shower
This layout is known for its versatility, especially because it allows you to share the limited bathroom space with the rest of your family. Typically, the construction fixtures will be placed on two solid walls. The toilet and vanity will take one side of the bathroom.
The shower and the tub will then take the opposite wall space. You can manipulate this bathroom design to save your space as well. For instance, you can install a double vanity with shallow ends to save space. You can also frame the large tub with an alcove with end shelves to offer extra storage.
Moreover, have an open shower to save on costs. But your choices are not limited there. For instance, you can have two sinks instead of one and increase the size of your vanity so that you can have more storage space below and more ample counter space for placing your bath accessories.
Also, make sure the shower and the bathtub are side by side, regardless of their size, because you will reduce the need for additional plumbing lines.
If your family needs more storage space in the bathroom area, then you can opt for the shower tub combo or a massive walk-in shower to leave the rest of the wall for a linen water closet.
4. The Large Master Bathroom Plan
If your bathroom space is your place of luxury and you have enough room, then go for the 10 by 12-foot space, or even more significant if you can. This will allow you to spread out your main bathroom fixtures and be creative with your design.
For instance, you can place the bathtub under your window to give you a pretty focal point. Then use the space on the third wall to construct your walk-in shower. If you put a door, let it be a glass shower door to give the bathroom a more open feel.
However, go for the frosted bathroom door if you prefer some privacy since it is stylish and cozy. You can also consider closing off the toilet space by making it a compartment of its own and installing a pocket door. This will give you privacy while maintaining the decorative appeal you seek in your bathroom.
Also, a double vanity gives you and your partner some personal space.
5. The Dream Master Floor Plan with a Corner Shower
Now, this is where you can master your creativity. Do you want to incorporate the newest architectural bathroom elements in your bathroom? Go for it. Bay windows are perfect for adding a dramatic appeal to a lonesome bathtub.
Think about not finding your wife's hair in the sink every morning. Instead, you both have separate vanities on opposite walls. You can even include a makeup station for your wife on her side of the wall and place a comfortable chair for her below the countertop.
Also, add a space where you can dry off inside the walk-in corner shower to keep the water in one area of your bathroom. And you can keep your toilet private by finding a separate space, probably out of the way of your bathroom essentials.
Regardless of the size of your bathroom, you need an excellent floor plan. This means that you need to go much further than knowing the most common bathroom layouts you can implement.
You need to know the intricate details of planning a bathroom design and ways you can utilize every available space. Therefore, here are some of the things you need to keep in mind:
Bathroom Floor Plans: Cost And Budget
Two things will ultimately determine the layout to select for your bathroom: the space you have and the money you are willing to spend. Usually, the plumbing lines will determine the cost of the entire construction.
For instance, if you are renovating your bathroom layout and you need to move plumbing lines on your sink or toilet alone, it could cost you slightly more than one thousand dollars. The price gets steep if you need to move the plumbing lines on an entire vent stack.
Therefore, consider the number of plumbing lines present in your walls because they increase the amount you spend on building your bathroom layout. When building, you can minimize your budget by reducing the number of plumbing fixtures.
Do this by only limiting them to one wall. Also, avoid rerouting the electric and plumbing lines as much as you can and leave the walls in their original space unless you have to take them down. Also, keep in mind that any additional design features you want, like the curved walls and arches, will increase your total building cost.
Privacy
We all need privacy in the bathroom. Designing a space that caters to the need for privacy is easy if you have a large room. But this can be a challenge if you have a small space for your layout. Nonetheless, you also have to consider the effect your design will have on people.
For instance, claustrophobic people might find it challenging to be in a toilet with solid wall compartments since they make the room feel smaller. So, the trick is to find ways that can make a big difference mentally.
A good example is placing the toilet out of the direct line of sight, say next to the vanity or on one side of the doorway. You can also include a privacy panel made of tempered glass material.
To obscure views and still preserve lighting with this design, use a sandblasted glass panel.
The Vanity
Bathrooms are not complete without sinks. By and large, you still need the perfect sink area, one that fits your style preferences but remains functional. Your needs should guide your sink choice.
For instance, we mentioned that if you and your partner have a morning or evening routine where you use the sink together, it might be best to install double sinks connected to instead of one.
Then have a separate vanity in another section of the bathroom. Otherwise, you can have one sink and create a grooming station on a separate vanity instead of installing a second sink. Then ensure your vanity has excellent lighting and enough storage spaces.
The best way to get rid of the shadow on your face when you look in a mirror is by using sconces on each side of the mirror instead of placing a single light above your vanity space. Whatever your choice, ensure you tailor the storage of accessories to the needs of the people that will use the bathroom.
The Bathtub
If you do not like bathtubs, you can opt to have a modern walk-in shower. Or only have one bathtub in the entire home. But if you do want a bathtub, you can go for the bump-out tub bay bathroom layout.
If you have a small bathroom, you can opt for the bump-in option that creates a central tub niche. Then flank the tub with built-in storage, or you can include compartments for the toilet and the shower.
Bathroom Floor Plans: Conclusion
Now you have ideas on the bathroom layout you can design for your home. Nonetheless, remember that you can't change your bathroom design layout for some time unless you are willing to spend a considerable amount of money on the project.
Therefore, maintain thoughtfulness throughout the entire planning process. Otherwise, get the bathroom of your dreams.
