Bathroom Layout Ideas - 15 Things To Consider
Designing a new bathroom isn’t all about the look and feel, you also need to consider how to make the most of the space available. This handy guide will help you take advantage of every inch of space in your bathroom, making it a practical and relaxing place for many years.
Purpose of the bathroom
One of the first things to do when creating a new bathroom is to think about its purpose. Will it be a family bathroom, an ensuite, a guest bathroom, or even a downstairs toilet or cloakroom?
It’s important to first consider who will use the space and how it will be used as this will make a big impact on the decisions for layout and the fittings you require. If the bathroom is going to be used by the elderly or less able, you may need to consider making the space accessible for all, including a greater amount of available floor space. You may also consider designing a wet room or shower room layout instead of a standard bathroom as they can provide better accessibility with fewer trip or slip hazards.
For more information on wet rooms take a look at our post covering Everything you Need to Know About Wet Rooms.
On the other hand, if this is going to be your main family bathroom then you’ll need to consider the variety of people that will be using it. Does it need to be child friendly? Does it need to be accessible? Do you want it to be a relaxing sanctuary? While this might seem like a lot to pack into one bathroom it’s not impossible, but might be tricky in a smaller space.
For more information on family bathrooms, take a look at our post about How to Design a Family Bathroom.
Bathroom renovation costs
Something we might not be keen on talking about but is essential for a successful project is budget. After deciding on the purpose of the bathroom, how it will be used, and who by, it’s essential to consider a budget. It doesn’t have to be set in stone, as we all know extra costs can occur due to things out of our control, but a rough figure will help to keep your project on track and stop you from overspending.
Your budget is likely to vary massively depending on the size and purpose of your bathroom, but you can expect to pay anything between £4,000 - £10,000. It’s worth keeping in mind, that Checkatrade suggests the cost of an average bathroom is around £5,000.
Measure the space
Before you start to look at your desired fixtures and fittings you need to measure up the space available and create a layout plan. When working out your bathroom measurements you will also need to take into consideration things such as the way your door opens, access to windows, plumbing, and ventilation.
Keep reading for more bathroom layout ideas.
Toilet sizing
When considering the space available in your bathroom it's a good idea to keep in mind most toilets have a projection of around 650mm or more. Therefore, if you find you're slightly short on space, or have a small bathroom, a short projection toilet might be a better fit, at around 600mm in projection.
You could even consider a back-to-wall toilet, concealing the cistern behind the wall. With the toilet cistern concealed, the projection of the pan tends to be around 500 - 600mm, making it an even smaller option than a standard short-projection toilet in some cases.
Bath or shower?
The average size of a bath or shower enclosure is likely to determine which you decide to fit in your bathroom. For example, the smallest full shower enclosure is around 700 x 700mm. Whereas, the smallest shower bath is around 1500mm in length and 700mm in width.
Therefore, if you want the luxury of both a shower and a bath in a small space you might have to forfeit a luxurious roll-top bath and shower enclosure for a contemporary shower bath instead.
However, if you do choose to go with a shower enclosure, considering the opening of the enclosure doors is essential. If you're tight on floor space, a sliding shower door may be the way forward. Unlike other types of shower doors such as bi-fold or pivot shower doors, sliding enclosure doors don't intrude on the space outside of the shower enclosure, making them the perfect enclosure door for small spaces.
Time to plan the layout
Once you have your measurements it’s time to plan where everything will be fitted and the location of items such as doors, windows, and plumbing. It might be a good idea to create a rough sketch of your bathroom floor plan and include all measurements here. You can then create a rough plan of where you would like to fit certain items in the room. If you prefer there are also ways to create a plan like this online, with a bathroom layout planner. A tool like this will also help you with small bathroom layout ideas.
Entry and traffic flow
This is quite important to consider as the entry into your bathroom is likely to determine a lot of things. For example, if your door opens inwards to your bathroom then you need to make sure you don’t place any fittings in a place that will make it difficult to enter the room. For example, if you place a bathroom cabinet behind the door you need to consider that you will likely need to close the bathroom door before being able to access the cabinet.
Bathroom furniture is another area that you need to consider, as not only do you need to make sure you have space for the item of furniture itself, but also plenty of space to easily open its drawers or doors.
Bathroom ventilation
Plenty of ventilation in the bathroom is essential, whether this be an extractor fan or an extractor fan and a window. If you’re building from scratch or building an extension, then we strongly suggest adding a window to this space as this will help to keep the space well-ventilated and in turn, help to prevent damp and mould.
However, if you have a bathroom without a window then we recommend fitting a high-quality extractor fan. A humidistat extraction fan is possibly one of the best options for a bathroom without a window as this type of extractor fan will activate itself once humidity levels in the room get too high. This type of extractor fan is ideal for a family home where people are likely to forget to turn the extractor fan on before or after a steamy shower.
Accessibility
The accessibility needs for your bathroom will depend on who will be using it as well as the size and shape of the room. Generally, you’ll be looking to have clear floor space next to items such as the bath, basin, and shower however, this space might need to be larger than average for those with limited mobility and family in bathrooms. For example, when it comes to bath time for your little ones you might want to sit on the floor next to the bath and read them a story or even just have enough space to move around while giving them a wash.
This point is also essential if you’re going to be using your bathroom to wash your pets. If your beloved pooch is a Great Dane that loves a bath remember to consider the space, they may need to access the bath or shower too.
Bathroom storage
One mistake that people tend to make when designing a bathroom is not including enough storage space. Therefore, this should be one of the first considerations you make. You may even need to consider sacrificing that gorgeous roll-top bath to fit in some much-needed storage space.
The type of storage space you need will vary from home to home but generally, it’s a good idea to have somewhere to store spare toilet rolls and toiletries as well as a small bathroom mirror cabinet or wall cabinet to store first aid equipment or makeup. This will help to keep windowsills, baths, and countertops free of clutter.
You could also consider a gorgeous wall-hung vanity unit which allows for more floor space as well as storage space. However, please keep in mind a wall-hung vanity unit can take up valuable wall space, needed for other items such as a heated towel rail or shower enclosure.
Bathroom lighting
The type of bathroom lighting you choose is likely to depend on your budget and where the electrics already are in your bathroom. Now, if you don’t have a window in your bathroom then getting the right bathroom lighting is essential as it’s unlikely, you’ll have much natural light in this space. This is where area lights as well as standard ceiling lights might come in useful. You can choose from a wide variety of wall lights in all kinds of designs to gorgeous, illuminated bathroom mirrors.
Keeping your bathroom warm
One area that gets somewhat overlooked when designing a bathroom is how you will keep it warm. Now if you have a large space then you might have space for a standard radiator, but is this the best option?
If you're looking to incorporate your bathroom heating with storage then a heated towel rail is the perfect solution. Not only will a heated towel rail keep your bathroom warm, but it will also keep your towels warm, fluffy, and fresh, ready for their next use.
However, if you're working with a small bathroom then a small heated towel rail or even underfloor heating are likely to be the best options.
Underfloor heating may not be cheap, but if you don't have the wall space for a radiator or heated towel rail this may be your only option. It's worth keeping this in mind when deciding on a budget for your bathroom renovation.
It's worth noting that there are 2 types of underfloor heating, electric and wet, and that prices will vary depending on whether you are fitting in a new build or renovation too.
Checkatrade states installing underfloor heating can cost anything from around £500 - £8,000 depending on the type and size of room.
Choosing your fixtures and fittings
Next is the fun part. Choosing your fixtures and fittings. It may be fun, but we suggest purchasing items such as your bath and shower before booking in a plumber as there can be delays on orders for large items and we’d hate for you to have to reschedule your plumber due to a delayed item. This can also be risky as some professionals ask for a deposit in advance of carrying out any work, to prevent late cancellations.
This is also a great time to finalise items such as your bathroom wall and floor tiles and colour schemes for the space. But make sure to get items such as tiles ordered well in advance to avoid any delays with fitting.
Hire a professional
You might be wondering, can I complete this myself and when you need to call in a professional. As plumbing may need to be updated and relocated when renovating an existing bathroom, it is always best to consult a professional before starting any work. The last thing you want is to create more work that would eventually need a plumber or electrician to fix anyway.
Now, you may be wondering if you need planning permission before installing your bathroom, and this is likely to depend on the circumstances. Generally planning permission is only needed when adding a new bathroom as part of a home extension, so make sure to check with your local authority first. You might also need planning permission when fitting a new bathroom in a listed building. Again, please check with your local authority.
Time to fit the bathroom
The fitting time for a new bathroom can vary massively depending on factors such as size, whether you’re starting afresh or simply updating an existing bathroom. Keep reading to find out a rough timescale for fitting a new bathroom.
If you’re fitting a brand-new bathroom including flooring and wall tiles this can take anywhere from one to two weeks depending on the size of the bathroom. This timing can vary however if you are moving items such as the bath or shower to a new position, fitting new plumbing can take extra time, especially if complications arise.
If you found this article useful, you may also be interested in - Things to Check Before Hiring a Bathroom Fitter - Plumbing Costs Estimates: From an Install to a Pipe Repair - Plumbing Basics - Learn about your home plumbing system.
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