Help & advice
How do I find the best bathroom layout for my space?
Start with the toilet
It can be helpful to begin your layout with the position of the toilet and then work around that. Looking at the position of the existing soil pipe and where it enters the room – this is often the most optimal location for the new toilet as it represents the simplest installation, lowest cost and least impact on the rest of the room in terms of the need to hide big pipes.
Read more on why moving a toilet is a big decision.
Take into account the features of the room
Make sure to add the existing features of the room to your floor plan that may impact on the bathroom layout such as windows, pillars or other obstacles.
Think about who will use the bathroom
When deciding what sanitaryware you want in your layout, think about who the bathroom will be used by. If you are planning a main family bathroom and have young children, for example, you might want a bath and to prioritise easy–to–clean and non–slip surfaces. Alternatively, for an en suite bathroom, a walk–in shower and twin basins might be better suited.
Showers generally use less water than a bath, however there are other points to consider like the type of shower or bath, enclosure and shower head.
A short shower with an efficient shower head generally uses less water than a bath. However, beware some power showers may actually use more!
Contoured baths provide the feeling of a deep bath without using as much hot water
Switch to an aerated or low flow shower head to reduce the amount of water used
Read more on choosing between a bath or a shower and choosing between a wet room or enclosed shower.
Consider what will be seen through the doorway
It's more pleasing to see a bath or sink than a toilet bowl, plus it helps avoid embarrassing moments if you leave the door unlocked! Moving a toilet however is a lot of work, and many avoid it to keep costs down. Whether you can move it at all depends on where your soil pipe is in the first place and how easy it is to access, so you might want to plan for two options.
Keep the doorway unobstructed
If a cabinet, toilet, or other obstruction peeks out into the doorway, it can make the bathroom feel cramped.
Allow space for knees and doors
A common mistake is not leaving enough room in front of the toilet. You should leave at least 60cm of space in front of the toilet so there's room to sit comfortably. If fitting an enclosed shower or cabinets with swinging doors, be sure there's enough space for them to open without colliding with other objects, and plenty of room to walk around when the doors are fully open.
Place the loo roll within reach of the toilet
Ideally the dispenser should be just in front and to the side of you when seated. It's uncomfortable to turn around or reach across the room while remaining seated on the toilet. For extra points, keep the replacement rolls close to hand so you don't get caught out!
Position of radiators
Radiators should ideally be placed under the window (or the coldest part of the room if there isn't a window). Because cold air falls and warm air rises, the hot air from the radiator rises in front of the window and the cold air that is coming through the window pushes against the warm air, circulating it more efficiently around the room. Placing a radiator anywhere else will result in warm and cold spots around the room.
Place the towel rail within reach of the bath or shower
There's nothing worse than getting out of the shower on a cold day and needing to cross the bathroom to get your towel, and you get water all over the floor!
Electric heating is a low carbon option, with more and more of our electricity coming from renewable sources. Electric underfloor heating has the added benefit of spreading the heat across a room efficiently. Dual fuel radiators can heat your room without needing to heat your whole house!
Read more on considering underfloor heating.
Try multiple layouts
You won't get it right the first time, so try different things! Use Reno to try out multiple bathroom layout experiments to see what works best and combine your best ideas in the final bathroom plan.
FAQs
What are some considerations for choosing between a wet room or an enclosed shower, and how do these choices impact the overall bathroom layout?
Choosing between a wet room and an enclosed shower involves considerations that impact the bathroom layout. Wet rooms offer an open feel and accessibility, suitable for small bathroom designs. They are versatile in design but may require extra care with water management (and may increase your overall water usage and bills). Enclosed showers provide privacy and containment, are easier to clean, and retain heat better. The choice depends on your preferences weighing up your space constraints, and specific needs related to accessibility, design, and maintenance. Careful consideration of these factors helps determine the most suitable option for a particular bathroom layout.
What factors should be considered in deciding the position of the toilet in relation to the soil pipe?
When deciding on the position of the toilet in relation to the soil pipe, several factors need consideration. One crucial aspect is the existing location of the soil pipe and where it enters the room. The best, most optimal placement of a toilet is often where the soil pipe already is as that facilitates a simpler installation, minimizes costs, and reduces the impact on the rest of the room, eliminating the need to conceal, move or reposition large pipes. Assessing the accessibility and ease of connection to the soil pipe is essential for determining the most practical position for the toilet in the overall bathroom layout.
What considerations should be taken into account for designing an accessible bathroom layout?
Designing an accessible bathroom layout involves careful considerations to ensure it accommodates individuals with varying mobility needs. Factors such as the placement of fixtures and features, the incorporation of grab bars, non–slip surfaces, and creating sufficient maneuvering space are crucial. Additionally, choosing accessible sanitaryware, providing barrier-free entry to showers or baths, and ensuring proper lighting are essential considerations. The goal is to prioritize functionality, safety, and ease of use for individuals with mobility challenges, fostering a more inclusive and accessible bathroom environment.
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