
In this post, we will look at a few different types of bathroom layouts to help you see which layout works best for your needs. We have laid out a few designs ranging from the most economical to the most spacious.
Scheme 1
This layout is your typical three-piece bathroom with a linen closet. The room measures 9'-0" wide and 5'-0" deep. This plan dimension is the most economical in terms of size and still meets code. The 5'-0" dimension in this plan only really works when the main door is opposite the vanity. The linen closet gets a smaller door, and the casing will not interfere with the vanity. This is a good option for a hall bathroom.

Scheme 2
This layout revises scheme 1 by flipping the door perpendicular to the fixture wall. Because of this change, we need to increase the depth of the bathroom by at least 6". The room measures 9'-0" wide and 5'-6" deep. We lose the linen closet here based on the door location.

Scheme 3
Scheme 3 is a good option when you have more room to work with and want a bit more breathing room. I grew up with a bathroom like this and found it works really well and gives plenty of floor space for maneuvering. Here we can get a larger vanity with floor space for a dust bin and a full linen closet. This plan does split the plumbing whereas the previous two schemes had all the plumbing in one wall. This scheme would work well on an exterior wall and could include a window between the toilet and tub.

Scheme 4
Scheme 4 offers an ADA accessible bathroom. As we age, it becomes more difficult to maneuver in smaller spaces; it's good practice to keep universal design in mind when designing your next home. This layout would be perfect for an en suite or the primary bathroom in an ADU. The dashed lines indicate clear floor space requirements for each fixture, allowing a user in a wheelchair to easily access the facilities. We have allowed space for grab bars at the water closet and shower, as well as allowing for a curbless shower. This takes a bit more planning, especially the curbless shower, which will need some floor engineering as the shower pan needs to be depressed into the floor framing.

Scheme 5
This layout splits the bathroom fixtures into two rooms. In crowded homes, having access to both the water closet and the vanity separately could be a big plus. The overall design of the bathroom allows two occupants use of the facilities at a time.

Overall, the ideal bathroom layout comes down to the specific users. Taste varies widely, and it's important to talk to your architect and builder about how you would like to use your space. Let me know what works for you. Could you see any of these layouts in your next project?
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