skip to main content
Sign In
Join as a Pro
History of Houzz
  • PHOTOS
    KITCHEN & DINING
    • Kitchen
    • Dining
    • Outdoor Kitchen
    • Kitchen Islands
    LIVING
    • Living Room
    • Family Room
    • Home Theatre
    • Sunroom
    • Fireplace
    • Study Room
    BATHROOM
    • Bathroom
    • Laundry
    • Powder Room
    • Small Bathroom
    BEDROOM
    • Bedroom
    • Kids Bedroom
    • Nursery
    • Master Bedroom
    • Storage & Wardrobe
    KERB APPEAL
    • Exterior
    • Driveway
    • Carport
    • Garage
    • Entry
    OUTDOOR
    • Garden
    • Courtyard
    • Balcony
    • Deck
    • Patio
    • Pool
    • All Outdoor
    MORE IDEAS
    • Granny Flat
    • Home Office
    • Home Gym
    • Staircase
    • Home Bar
    • Wine Cellar
    • View All
  • FIND PROFESSIONALS
    BUILDING & RENOVATION
    • Architects
    • Home Builders
    • Building Designers
    • Design & Construction
    DESIGN & INTERIORS
    • Interior Designers & Decorators
    • Home Stylists & Property Staging
    • Painting & Wallpaper
    • Carpet & Flooring
    • Shutters, Blinds & Curtains
    • Furniture & Home Decor
    • Artists & Artisans
    GARDEN & LANDSCAPING
    • Landscape Architects & Designers
    • Landscape Contractors
    • Garden & Landscape Supplies
    • Arborists & Tree Services
    OUTDOOR & EXTERIOR
    • Pools & Spas
    • Decks, Patios & Structures
    • Fencing & Gates
    • Driveways & Paving
    • Stone, Pavers & Concrete
    • Cladding & Exterior Contractors
    • Roofing & Gutters
    • Blacksmiths & Welders
    KITCHEN & BATHROOM
    • Kitchen Designers & Renovators
    • Bathroom Designers & Renovators
    • Kitchen & Bath Fixtures
    • Tile, Stone & Benchtops
    • Joinery & Cabinet Makers
    HOME SERVICES
    • Lighting
    • Heating & Air Conditioning
    • Fireplaces
    • Windows
    • Doors
    • Staircases & Balustrades
    • Wine Cellars
    SYDNEY
    • Architects in Sydney
    • Bathroom Renovators in Sydney
    • Builders in Sydney
    • Interior Designers in Sydney
    • Kitchen Renovators in Sydney
    • Landscapers in Sydney
    MELBOURNE
    • Architects in Melbourne
    • Builders in Melbourne
    • Bathroom Renovators in Melbourne
    • Landscapers in Melbourne
    • Interior Designers in Melbourne
    BRISBANE
    • Architects in Brisbane
    • Builders in Brisbane
    • Landscapers in Brisbane
    • Bathroom Renovators in Brisbane
    • Cabinet Makers in Brisbane
    • Fencing in Brisbane
    PERTH
    • Landscapers in Perth
    • Tilers in Perth
    • Bathroom Renovators in Perth
    • Kitchen Renovators in Perth
    • Cabinet Makers in Perth
    • Architects in Perth
    View All Pros View All Services
  • STORIES
    STORIES FROM HOUZZ
    • Houzz Tours
    • Kitchens
    • Bathrooms
    • More Rooms
    • Renovating
    • Building
    • Architecture
    • Interior Design
    • Gardens
    • Eco Living
    • Lifestyle
    • News Stories
    • How to Use Houzz
    HOUZZ RESEARCH
    HOUZZ TV
  • ADVICE
    HOUZZ DISCUSSIONS
    • Design Dilemma
    • Before & After
    • Polls
    • Kitchens
    • Living Rooms
    • Bathrooms
    • Gardens
    • Renovating
    • Home Decorating
    • Exterior
    • Flooring
    • Building a home
Most Popular
Most Popular
Top-Shelf: Storage Options for a Study With Style
Top Ideabooks
Top-Shelf: Storage Options for a Study With StyleTop 5 Rookie Bathroom-Renovation Mistakes (and How to Avoid Them)A Landscape Architect Reveals: 3 Things I Wish My Clients KnewIs Our Love Affair With Bi-Fold Doors Over?
Appears in
Latest from Houzz
Bathroom Layouts
Bathroom Layouts
Experts Reveal: The Dos and Don'ts of Designing an Ensuite
Top Ideabooks
Experts Reveal: The Dos and Don'ts of Designing an Ensuite22 Bathrooms That Rock a Narrow Floor Plan8 Inspiring Bathrooms Just 4 Square Metres or Less10 Bathroom-Layout Blunders You Don't Want to Make
Appears in
Bathrooms
Bathroom Trends
Bathroom Trends
8 Bathroom Tile Trends and How to Use Them in Your Home
Top Ideabooks
8 Bathroom Tile Trends and How to Use Them in Your Home10 Great Ways With MarbleSo You Want a Glass Shower Screen? Here's What's PossibleTrend Alert: The Big Buzz Around Onyx, Agate and Malachite
Appears in
Bathrooms
Building
Building
Modern Granny Flats: The Solution for Your Family's Needs?
Top Ideabooks
Modern Granny Flats: The Solution for Your Family's Needs?Let There Be Light: 10 Fixes for Homes That Face the Wrong WayInnovation Alert: Vinyl Window FramesBuilding to a Budget: 12 Must-Know Design Considerations
Appears in
Latest from Houzz
See also
Working With TradiesBuilding Ideas

10 Bathroom-Layout Blunders You Don't Want to Make

Four design experts reveal the most common mistakes rookie renovators make with bathroom layouts – and how to avoid them

Georgia Madden
Georgia MaddenNovember 8, 2018
Senior writer, Houzz Australia
More
Print
Embed
Facebook
Twitter
Email
Putting in a new bathroom isn’t cheap, so you’ll want to be sure that it delivers all the functionality you need. While that striking, freestanding tub or statement tile might make your heart beat a little faster, it’s the layout that largely determines how well the space works. We’ve asked a panel of experts to share the layout mistakes they regularly see inexperienced bathroom renovators make, and how you can steer clear of them. We’ve also scoured the Houzz archives for designs that successfully avoided these 10 renovating mistakes and created bathroom layouts that look great and function beautifully.
White Pebble Interiors
Frances Cosway, interior designer and principal at White Pebble Interiors and author of Your Forever Home

1. Choosing pieces that are too big

Too often I see 1,600-millimetre-long freestanding baths in rooms that are only 1,800 millimetres in length. These bathtubs are simply too big for the space. I also see vanities and showers that are the wrong scale.

Solution: Ensure the bath, vanity and shower are the right scale for your bathroom. If you are specifying a freestanding bath, make sure there is space around it for cleaning and that it looks the right size for the room.
McCarthy Homes QLD
Freestanding baths, while fashionable, are not always the best option – particularly in a small bathroom. A 1,600-millimetre freestanding bath is very small and if this is your only option, a larger inset bath would be a much better use of space.

Likewise with vanities; having a super-large vanity that butts right up to the shower does not look good and is awkward to clean. Instead, choose a smaller vanity and allow some space between the shower or bath.

Tip: A freestanding bath should be placed about 200 millimetres from the wall, with at least 300 millimetres of space at both ends, to allow for cleaning access.

Is your bathroom crying out for an upgrade? Find a local bathroom designer on Houzz
Bone Made
2. Opening the door to a view of the toilet
Having the bathroom door open directly facing the toilet is neither stylish nor necessary.

Solution: Tuck the loo behind the door or place it to the side where it’s not in full view when you open the bathroom door. Even more important, ensure that your main bathroom has a separate toilet so people do not have to wait for the loo when someone is using the shower.

If queues are forming outside your bathroom every morning (with all the stress that brings!), consider upgrading your powder room so that it can be used as an ‘overflow room’ for family members who are getting ready. Do this by installing storage cabinetry, a basin and mirror.

Tip: When planning the position of your toilet, allow at least 20 centimetres on either side of it for elbow room.
White Pebble Interiors
3. Insufficient storage
This often comes down to too much focus on aesthetics and not enough on function.

Solution: Eye-level storage is critical in a bathroom; rather than having a mirror adhered to the wall, choose a mirror cabinet recessed into the wall that incorporates storage for everyday essentials such as your toothbrush, shaver and make-up.
schemes & spaces
Some key measurements for mirror cabinets and vanities, according to Cosway, are:
  • Mirror cupboards above vanities should be the same width as the vanity or slightly smaller – never larger.
  • Recessing a mirror cupboard into the wall will give your bathroom a more streamlined look.
  • The right length for a vanity countertop depends on the size of the room. For a family bathroom or ensuite, 90 centimetres is considered a standard minimum length – but 120 centimetres is a little more practical.
  • A double basin will need a countertop that’s a minimum of 160 to 180 centimetres long.
  • The ideal depth for a vanity is 50 centimetres, although it will depend on the depth of your basin.
  • If you have a semi-recessed basin you might be able to make your vanity less than 50 centimetres in depth.
  • When specifying your vanity depth, make sure you include enough room so you can clean the basin and tapware.
schemes & spaces
Maria Roussos, principal at interior design firm
schemes & spaces


4. Limiting storage to the vanity unit
Rookie renovators often don’t consider storage options beyond vanity drawers and cabinets. This often means the vanity ends up too clunky and dominating. As a result, the bathroom feels small and crowded.

Solution: Think of alternative ways to house bathing products, toiletries and toilet paper. Can you work some custom joinery into the floor plan to store larger items? What about vertical, wall-hung cabinets? You can also use these to incorporate mirrors, lighting and towel rails, saving even more space in the bathroom and giving it a more purposeful feel.

Browse images of sensational small bathrooms on Houzz
Peter Schaad Design Studio
5. Poor lighting
Inexperienced renovators often simply resort to downlights placed over the vanity, shower or toilet rather than putting in a proper layered lighting scheme consisting of multiple light sources. As a result, the bathroom is often too bright and lacks ambience, which makes it far from a relaxing space to spend time in. Plus, the bright, overhead lighting creates shadowing when you look in the vanity mirror – dreadful when you’re putting on make-up or shaving.

Solution: Plan a layered lighting scheme that includes several different lighting sources. It should feature lighting for ambience; concealed LED strips are a great option as they don’t consume much energy and can be left on to create a low-key mood. Put them under vanities and shaving cabinets, behind mirrors and in shower niches.
Then add in lighting for other purposes. For example, incorporate task lighting to assist with grooming or putting on make-up, such as a pair of wall lights (sconces) on either side of the mirror. These will illuminate your face from the front, which is the most effective and flattering direction.

Tip: Ask your electrician to wire lights so they can be turned on independently – this will let you adjust the lighting levels and mood.

15 Show-Stopping Bathroom Lighting Ideas
McCarthy Homes QLD
6. Not creating separate zones
When space is plentiful, I often see uninspiring and empty- looking bathrooms, with all the fixtures around the perimeter of the room and an empty space in the middle. Creating zones would have made these bathrooms far more functional and welcoming.

Solution: If you have a large bathroom, consider dividing it into separate zones for the bath, shower, vanity and toilet. This may be as simple as putting a stud wall into the centre of the room. Creating zones will enhance your experience of the bathroom and make it feel more luxurious.
Reece Australia
Daniela Santilli, Reece bathroom marketing leader

7. Not considering existing plumbing points or infrastructure
What’s behind the wall is a big deal when you’re renovating or changing a bathroom layout.

Solution: Make sure you work with your plumber to figure out if the new layout will work with current plumbing points and infrastructure. You might need to re-think your layout if you don’t want to move these existing points. Remember, while changing plumbing points can give you the layout you really want, it can also blow out the budget.
Hills & City Construction
8. Measuring incorrectly
Inaccurate measurements can end up being very costly when you need to work multiple different elements into your layout. It’s a common mistake not to take account of the little things, such as the way a door will swing or the gap between the toilet and the vanity.

Solution: Always measure twice before you select fittings and fixtures for your bathroom to make sure they’ll fit. Think how doors and drawers will open and how you will move through the space. Your builder, plumber or project manager should also be able to help you with this process.
eat.bathe.live
Jenefer Gordon, principal at interior design firm eat.bathe.live

9. Not making storage functional enough
Not considering exactly how you use your bathroom means the items you keep there often don’t have a proper home. They end up being left out on the vanity, creating a cluttered look, or stored far from where you actually use them.

Solution: Consider how you use the bathroom and exactly which items need to be stored there – measure them and give them a dedicated home. For example, electric toothbrushes and shavers can be stored in a recessed mirrored cabinet with power inside; shallow drawers with dividers are great for make-up; and towels and standing toiletries can be placed in deep drawers.
Reece Australia
10. Not considering the location of accessories
Not giving enough thought to the location of accessories such as towel rails and shower storage will impact how the whole space functions. It can mean frequently used items have to be positioned out of reach, or wall-mounted accessories end up in the way of drawers or cabinetry doors.

You also need to plan where accessories will go so you can install enough secure fixing points. After all, nobody wants a wobbly towel rail or the toilet paper holder falling off the wall, which is what can happen when they’ve only been screwed into a plaster sheet.
eat.bathe.live
Solution: Think how you’ll use and move through the space when planning where to position accessories on your bathroom layout. Put towel rails where they will be within easy reach of the shower, bath and vanity. Put hand towel rails in spots where they will not prevent vanity drawers and doors from opening.

Also ensure that noggins (the structural timbers installed within the framework of a wall) are installed before wall claddings are applied so accessories are fixed to a secure point.

Tip: Consider a recessed, tiled niche in the shower rather than a shelf affixed to the wall to give your shower area a more open feel.
Reece Australia
Your turn
Would you plan your bathroom layout differently next time around? Share your dos and don’ts in the Comments, save this story and your favourite images, and join the conversation.

More
Love this story? Then don’t miss this one: Renovation Insight: 5 Common Rookie Kitchen-Reno Mistakes
Print
Embed
Facebook
Twitter
Email
See 98 comments
Explore Related Topics
Most PopularBathroom LayoutsBathroom TrendsBuilding
Read Related Stories
Top-Shelf: Storage Options for a Study With StyleTop-Shelf: Storage Options for a Study With Style
By Joanna Tovia·6
Home Offices
Top 5 Rookie Bathroom-Renovation Mistakes (and How to Avoid Them)Top 5 Rookie Bathroom-Renovation Mistakes (and How to Avoid Them)
By Naomi Findlay·13
Bathrooms
A Landscape Architect Reveals: 3 Things I Wish My Clients KnewA Landscape Architect Reveals: 3 Things I Wish My Clients Knew
By Georgia Madden·51
Garden Design
Is Our Love Affair With Bi-Fold Doors Over?Is Our Love Affair With Bi-Fold Doors Over?
By Sarah Warwick·154
Doors
My Houzz: A Chic Tropical Oasis in the Heart of the ’BurbsMy Houzz: A Chic Tropical Oasis in the Heart of the ’Burbs
By Georgia Madden·20
Houzz Tours
How to Make Your Home Look Posh (Without a Royal Budget)How to Make Your Home Look Posh (Without a Royal Budget)
By Samantha van Egmond·2
Decorating
Good Neighbours: How to Stop Your Outdoor Noise TravellingGood Neighbours: How to Stop Your Outdoor Noise Travelling
By Julia Fairley·18
Outdoors
Best of the Week: 27 Clever Kitchen Set-UpsBest of the Week: 27 Clever Kitchen Set-Ups
By Georgia Madden·24
Kitchens
The 10-Second Rule: How a Sorted Entry Sets Up a Well-Run HomeThe 10-Second Rule: How a Sorted Entry Sets Up a Well-Run Home
By Amy Revell·20
Organising
19 Contemporary Attic Conversions to Covet19 Contemporary Attic Conversions to Covet
By Vanessa Walker·8
Best Of The Week
Houzz Tour: Making Family Memories at a Holiday House GetawayHouzz Tour: Making Family Memories at a Holiday House Getaway
By Rebecca Gross·13
Houzz Tours
12 Tactics for Creating More Kitchen Bench Space12 Tactics for Creating More Kitchen Bench Space
By Julia Fairley·19
Kitchens
Best of the Week: 21 Tiled Accents Beyond Bathrooms & KitchensBest of the Week: 21 Tiled Accents Beyond Bathrooms & Kitchens
By Julia Fairley·12
Decorating Ideas
24 Delicious Alfresco Dining Set-Ups Worldwide24 Delicious Alfresco Dining Set-Ups Worldwide
By Vanessa Walker·7
Picture Perfect
Buzz Off! How to Keep Mozzies Away Without the SprayBuzz Off! How to Keep Mozzies Away Without the Spray
By Georgia Madden·14
Seasonal
Item 3 of 7
Sponsored
View Range
People who liked this story also liked
Top-Shelf: Storage Options for a Study With Style
Top-Shelf: Storage Options for a Study With StyleFull Story
Top 5 Rookie Bathroom-Renovation Mistakes (and How to Avoid Them)
Top 5 Rookie Bathroom-Renovation Mistakes (and How to Avoid Them)Full Story
A Landscape Architect Reveals: 3 Things I Wish My Clients Knew
A Landscape Architect Reveals: 3 Things I Wish My Clients KnewFull Story
Is Our Love Affair With Bi-Fold Doors Over?
Is Our Love Affair With Bi-Fold Doors Over?Full Story
My Houzz: A Chic Tropical Oasis in the Heart of the ’Burbs
My Houzz: A Chic Tropical Oasis in the Heart of the ’BurbsFull Story
How to Make Your Home Look Posh (Without a Royal Budget)
How to Make Your Home Look Posh (Without a Royal Budget)Full Story
Good Neighbours: How to Stop Your Outdoor Noise Travelling
Good Neighbours: How to Stop Your Outdoor Noise TravellingFull Story
Best of the Week: 27 Clever Kitchen Set-Ups
Best of the Week: 27 Clever Kitchen Set-UpsFull Story
The 10-Second Rule: How a Sorted Entry Sets Up a Well-Run Home
The 10-Second Rule: How a Sorted Entry Sets Up a Well-Run HomeFull Story
19 Contemporary Attic Conversions to Covet
19 Contemporary Attic Conversions to CovetFull Story
Item 3 of 7
Sponsored
View Range
  • Australia
  • ABOUT
  • MOBILE APPS
  • PROFESSIONALS
  • BUTTONS
  • FAQs
  • CAREERS
  • ADVERTISE
  • Terms & Privacy
  • © 2021 Houzz Inc.