Bathroom Layout Ideas: Your Guide to Bathroom Space-Planning | Wayfair (2024)

Whether you're decorating or renovating your bathroom, this space planning guide can help you out with some bathroom layout ideas. Read on to learn about bathroom layout ideas, placement recommendations, and important things to consider.

Bathroom Layout Ideas and Dimensions
Bathroom Layout Guidelines
Bathroom Fixture Dimensions

Learn all about the standard bathroom sizes and their dimensions by checking out our Bathroom Space Planning: Bathroom Dimensions guide.

For several visuals depicting those standard bathroom layouts, check out our Bathroom Space Planning: Bathroom Layouts guide.

Before installing your bathroom fixtures, keep this general tip in mind: big fixtures, such as toilets, bathtubs, showers, and vanities, should be placed at least 30" apart from each other, a wall, or another feature. For more specific bathroom layout ideas regarding clearance and placement recommendations, read below.

Toilet

Clearance: Leave at least 21" of space in front of the toilet.

Placement: Leave at least 15" of space from the center of the toilet to a wall or another object. To ensure privacy, install a toilet out of direct sight – off to one side of the doorway or hidden behind the vanity.

Clearance: At least 24" of space is needed in front of a shower or tub entry. Leave at least 15" of space between the shower and toilet or other obstacle. If you have a swinging door, take into consideration nearby fixtures. To prevent a collision, consider the placement of hardware including towel bars, handlebars, and light fixtures.

Placement: If your bathroom has a decent amount of open space, you can consider installing a stylish freestanding bathtub. If your bathroom's space is limited, a shower can be installed against a wall, in a corner, or in an alcove to conserve as much floor space as possible.

Clearance: Provide at least 30" in front of the vanity. However, for more space, we recommended 42".

Placement: The suggested distance from the center of a sink to a wall or another obstacle is no less than 20". It is recommended to have at least 15" between the center of the sink and a back wall. Keep in mind a vanity must have an electrical outlet installed within 36" of one side of the vanity and out of range with the tub or shower.

Clearance: Hang fixtures at least 8' above a tub and at least 3' from the tub's rim.

Placement: Bathroom lighting should be limited to the ceiling and walls. Corded light fixtures are unwise given the chance that they might get wet. Bathrooms are usually the most damp and wet places in the home, so make sure the light fixtures you choose to install in a tub or shower space are suitable for this room.

A bathroom door must be at least 32" wide to accommodate a person in a wheelchair. There should be at least 2.5' x 4' (10 sq. ft.) of open floor space available. A circle of floor space with a diameter of 5' is required for a wheelchair to be able to rotate. In order for a wheelchair-bound person to be able to reach and comfortably use the sink, the sink should be no higher than 34", with at least 29" of open space beneath the basin and no more than 2" of rim or counter space. We recommend pedestal sinks with a narrow base or a wide console sink. The seat of the toilet must be between 17" – 19" off of the floor and the flush handle should be easy to access. We recommend standard height toilets as the seat is 17" off the floor or lower. Showers must have safety bars. A safety bar should be installed beside the toilet as well.

When planning a bathroom layout, it's also important to consider how bathroom fixtures will fit in the space. Overall, you want a well-planned bathroom where you can move about with ease from one task to the next. Here are some important fixture dimensions to be aware of:

Toilet Measurements

A standard toilet is typically 27" – 32" tall with a seat height of 15" – 17". Standard toilet width is 20" and standard toilet depth is 28" – 30". Wall-mounted toilets tend to be 18" – 22" tall with a seat height of 15" – 19", a width of about 14", and a depth of about 21". They conserve the most floor space possible.

For a more detailed look at the dimensions of different toilets, check out our Toilet Dimensions and Measurements guide.

Shower and Bathtub Measurements

The interior of a standing shower is typically 36" x 36", 36" x 42", or 36" x 48". A standard bathtub is 60" long and 32" – 41" wide.

Vanity/Sink Measurements

Bathroom vanities are typically 32" – 36" tall, 20" – 21" deep, and between 24" and 72" wide. Single sink vanities are between 24" and 48" wide and double sink vanities tend to be 60" or 72" wide. Freestanding sink styles, like wall-mount, pedestal, and console styles tend to be 32" – 38" tall, 8" – 15" deep (front to back), and 12" – 18" wide.

Tip!

For small bathrooms, opt for a pedestal sink with a medicine cabinet over a standard vanity. It offers more floor space and brings an open feel to the room.

With these bathroom layout ideas fresh in your mind, start browsing!