Bathroom Design Planning

Although the bathroom is typically the smallest room in the home, its planning requires some of the most attention to detail. Here are a few tips and tricks to help you make smart choices about bathroom planning, fixtures and finishes.

In this article:
Planning tips
Bathtubs
Showers
Sinks
Toilets
Bidets
Floor finishes
Wall finishes
Bathroom layout samples

Planning tips

• Door opening should not impede use of any fixtures
• All receptacles should meet local code requirements
• Allow for 6” between fixtures to facilitate cleaning
• Flooring finish should be slip-resistant
• Provide ambient and task lighting
• Allocate adequate storage space
• Privacy should be accommodated
• Proper heating and ventilation are required by natural and/or mechanical means

Bathtubs

Space Requirements

• Minimum clearance of 30” required in front of tub
• Faucets should be accessible from outside of tub
• There should be no more than one step to enter tub
• Grab bars should be installed for safety

Planning

• Wall surround must be waterproof, options include ceramic tile, plastic laminate and fiberglass
• Typical sizes are: 5’ and 5-1/2’ long, 28” to 32” wide and 14” to 16” high

 

Tub Types

Rectangular bathtub

• Standard size is 60” x 30”, other sizes also available
• Typically fitted into a corner and enclosed on three sides
• Standard contemporary bathtub

Corner bathtub

• Fits into corner and allows for alternative configuration of fixtures
• Average size is 54” x 54”
• Acrylic is most common material owing to moulding ease
• Works well in bathrooms where typical rectangular tub will not fit

Freestanding bathtub

• Traditional Victorian tub design is enjoying a revival in modern reproductions
• Roll-top tub is supported by ball and claw feet
• If purchasing an antique, be sure to have appropriate hardware as modern models may not fit

Contoured bathtub

• Commonly made of acrylic and fiberglass
• Shape is more organic than other tubs with cinching at centre
• More comfortable than standard tubs

Whirlpool bathtub

• Also known as Jacuzzi or spa
• More costly than other tubs
• Nozzles circulate the water for ultimate relaxation

Sit-in bathtub

• Square shape and taller than ordinary tubs
• Good solution for small bathroom
• Provides easier access for disabled and elderly

Materials

Enameled cast-iron

• Traditional bathtub material
• Expensive and durable
• Water cools quickly
• Non-abrasive cleaner is required

Enameled steel

• Shape is moulded from steel then coated with vitreous china or porcelain enamel
• Less expensive and lighter alternative to enameled cast-iron
• Structure is sound and rigid

Acrylic

• Allows for unusually shaped bathtubs
• Less rigid than other materials
• Resists chipping and any scratches can be removed with sandpaper
• Retains warmth of water longer than other materials

Fiberglass

• Endless shape possibilities can be moulded
• Most luxurious and expensive of all materials
• Hand-built in layers
• Abrasive cleaners can discolour surface

Showers

Space Requirements

• Minimum dimensions are 32” x 32”, but 54” x 36” allows for more movement
• Minimum clearance of 30” is required in front of shower
• Shower door should swing out into bathroom
• Showerhead should be within arm’s reach

Planning

• Popular choice for convenience, speed and economy of water
• Floor of shower should be non-slip and as wide as possible
• Walls around shower must be waterproof using ceramic tile, plastic laminate or fiberglass
• Can be integrated into bathtub or its own enclosure
• Good solution for bathroom with insufficient space for tub

Shower Types

Prefabricated stall

• Self-sufficient unit with door
• Simplest to install
• Shapes include square, rectangular or angled with diagonal front
• Usually made of acrylic or fiberglass

Custom-made stall

• Materials must be waterproof
• Common materials used include glass block, acrylic and stone
• Any shape can be created

Prefabricated pan

• Stall without the enclosing walls
• Used for custom-made units, prefabricated stalls or on their own
• Moulded out of plastic, terrazzo or chipped stone

Enclosures

Shower curtain

• Most common and inexpensive enclosure
• Easy to maintain and clean
• Waterproof and washable

Screen

• Made of plastic or glass
• Connects to side of tub, prevents water spillage and minimizes splashing
• Can be full or half-length of bathtub
• Typically made of two or three parts that are hinged or folded up

Door

• Made from safety glass or plastic
• Can hinge, pivot, fold or slide open and shut

Sinks

Space Requirements

• Minimum clearance required in front of sink is 30” to 42”
• Minimum clearance from centre of sink to side wall is 12”
• Should be mounted 32” to 36” from floor
• Deep shelves should not be placed above sink
• Typical sizes range from 12” x 31” to 22” x 44”

Planning

• As the sink is the most used fixture in a room, a mirror, storage and lighting should be placed in close proximity
• Largest size sink possible should be selected

Sink Types

Pedestal sink

• Two-piece unit consisting of bowl and stem
• Stem supports bowl and also conceals plumbing
• Takes up less floor space; good for small bathrooms
• Bowl requires wall installation

Wall-mounted sink

• Suspended directly from wall exposing pipes
• Good choice for small bathrooms with limited floor space
• Can be mounted at any height

Countertop sink

• Bowl is installed into countertop or vanity unit
• Cupboards below provide storage and conceal plumbing
• Single piece countertop with sink can be made from acrylic or Corian

Materials

Vitreous china

• Traditional material that is hard-wearing, hygienic and easy to clean
• Heavy — requires sufficient support
• Enamel finish should be cleaned with non-abrasive liquid cleanser
• Used for pedestal sinks

Metal

• Cast-iron with enamel finish: heavy and requires good structural support
• Pressed steel: finished with enamel and used for countertop basins
• Stainless steel: hygienic and hard-wearing material

Acrylic

• Can be moulded into integrated sink and countertop unit
• Colours are limited
• Surface may scratch (can be removed with sanding)
• Water will retain heat longer than other materials

Fiberglass

• Unlimited colour range
• Typically moulded into countertop and bowl
• Does not maintain shine like other materials

Toilets

Space Requirements

• Minimum clearance required in front of toilet is 24”
• Minimum clearance required from centre of toilet to obstruction on either side is 15”
• Toilet paper holder should be located at 26” high and 12” beyond front of toilet

Planning

• Almost all toilets are made of vitreous china, which is hygienic, resistant to stains and easy to clean
• Needs to be located near main stack
• Standard height is 15”
• Consider models that conserve water (maximum 6 litres/flush; dual flush toilets are also available and use even less water)
• Can be floor or wall mounted

Toilet Types

Close-coupled unit

• Tank sits directly behind bowl without touching wall
• Space saver with neat appearance

One-piece unit

• Tank and bowl are integrated into one unit
• More expensive than others
• Common construction for wall-mounted models

Mechanisms

• Siphon-jet: common modern flushing mechanism, fairly low noise
• Siphon-vortex: most expensive and quietest flush
• Reverse-trap: moderately noisy flush, better than wash-down

Bidets

Space Requirements

• Minimum clearance required in front of bidet is 24”
• Minimum clearance required from centre of bidet to obstruction on either side is 15”
• Soap and towel should be within reach

Planning

• Standard fixture in Europe that is gaining popularity in North America
• Should be located next to toilet
• Standard height is 15”
• Usually made of vitreous china for hygienic qualities

Bidet Types

Over-the-rim

• Basic model
• Hot and cold water fill over the rim like a sink

Below-the-rim

• More sophisticated and expensive
• Hot and cold water fill from top of the rim down

Mounting

Wall-suspended

• Aesthetically cleaner application
• All plumbing is hidden behind wall

Free-standing

• Plumbing is visible
• Bidet stands on floor

Floor finishes

Planning

• Material used on floors must be waterproof, durable and easy to clean
• Must be slip-resistant when wet

Materials

Stone tile

• Can be heavy, check to ensure floor can support load
• Most common materials are granite, slate and terrazzo
• Hard-wearing but cold underfoot
• Marble should be limited to details as it becomes slippery when wet and is easily damaged
• Requires professional installation

Ceramic tile

• Most popular of floor materials
• Durable, water resistant and requires minimal maintenance
• Can be cold underfoot
• Can be used on walls and around fixtures
• Non-glazed tiles offer best slip resistance

Resilient

• Warm to the touch with a bit of bounce
• Economical choice
• Variety of materials available in tile or sheet form
• Sheet form is better as there are no gaps for water seepage
• Impervious to water, durable and easy to clean

Carpet

• Should not be permanently fixed wall-to-wall, should be able to lift for drying
• Use only synthetics like nylon or polyester
• Natural materials like wool will rot from the moisture
• Look for bathroom-specific carpet
• Non-slip, soft and warm
• Becomes dirty easily
• Consider area rugs as alternative

Wall finishes

Planning

• Materials must stand up to moisture and heat
• Should be easy to clean
• Easiest way to redecorate bath

Materials

Paint

• Most economical of all finishes
• Gloss surfaces are easier to clean than flat finishes
• Semi-gloss is best because it collects less condensation than gloss paint

Wallpaper

• Must endure exposure to water and humidity
• Should not be used in shower surround
• Select vinyl or plastic-coated wallpapers which are more resistant to moisture than standard wallpapers
• Moderately expensive

Ceramic tile

• Easy to clean, durable and waterproof
• Can be used throughout bath, especially in areas in contact with water including bath and shower surround
• Grout used between tiles should also be waterproof
• Expensive but will last a lifetime

Bathroom layout samples