Key Measurements to Help You Design a New Powder Room
Clearances, codes and coordination are critical in small spaces such as a powder room – here’s what you should know
At one time a luxury found only in grand homes, the powder room has become a staple in many Australian and New Zealand homes. The minimum dimensions required to squeeze in a powder room is a length of about 1200 to 1500 millimetres and a width of at least 750 millimetres (we recommend aiming for 900 millimetres at least).
When planned for new construction, powder rooms are often given ample space. But when you want to fit one in during a renovation or squeeze a powder room into an extension, you may have constraints. No matter what type of home you have, it helps to understand how much space is needed for each aspect in these little – or not-so-little – very special rooms.
When planned for new construction, powder rooms are often given ample space. But when you want to fit one in during a renovation or squeeze a powder room into an extension, you may have constraints. No matter what type of home you have, it helps to understand how much space is needed for each aspect in these little – or not-so-little – very special rooms.
For wheelchair-accessible doors, the minimum width of the door should be 850 millimetres (when it’s open). This is a handy measurement to keep in mind as it can future-proof your home.
Standard door height is 2040 millimetres, though taller doors at 2340 millimetres can also be bought off-the-shelf. Your ceiling height will likely affect the height of your powder room door, and keep in mind that you will probably coordinate the door height with the other doors in your home.
Standard door height is 2040 millimetres, though taller doors at 2340 millimetres can also be bought off-the-shelf. Your ceiling height will likely affect the height of your powder room door, and keep in mind that you will probably coordinate the door height with the other doors in your home.
Pocket doors, bi-folds and sliding types provide more choices. Double doors and French doors can also work nicely if detailed well.
Redesigning your powder room? Find a local bathroom designer for your project to ensure you get it right
Redesigning your powder room? Find a local bathroom designer for your project to ensure you get it right
Toilets
As a basic rule of thumb, your toilet requires a minimum width of 760 millimetres and length of 1,400 millimetres. Try to factor in at least 600 millimetres of free space in front of your toilet (the more the better) and 200 millimetres on either side for elbow room.
Toilets also come in a variety of configurations, such as back-to-wall toilets and wall-facing models where the cistern is visible above the pan, and concealed-cistern toilets where the cistern is hidden in your wall or cabinetry (and sometimes even in a ceiling cavity). There also are types that can be wall-mounted, which let you mop the floor directly beneath the pan, and the more traditional floor-mounted models.
As a basic rule of thumb, your toilet requires a minimum width of 760 millimetres and length of 1,400 millimetres. Try to factor in at least 600 millimetres of free space in front of your toilet (the more the better) and 200 millimetres on either side for elbow room.
Toilets also come in a variety of configurations, such as back-to-wall toilets and wall-facing models where the cistern is visible above the pan, and concealed-cistern toilets where the cistern is hidden in your wall or cabinetry (and sometimes even in a ceiling cavity). There also are types that can be wall-mounted, which let you mop the floor directly beneath the pan, and the more traditional floor-mounted models.
A powder room may need to fit into a narrow space, under stairs or both. The trick in these situations is to place your toilet with its back to the descending ceiling. You will normally bend down to use this area, so you can cheat some space out of your powder room’s low ceiling if you are particularly squeezed.
However, don’t place your toilet in any space less than about 152 centimetres in height. You might be able to go a few more centimetres below that, depending on your circumstances, but once your ceiling dips below this height, its best use is for storage accessed from an appropriate opening.
However, don’t place your toilet in any space less than about 152 centimetres in height. You might be able to go a few more centimetres below that, depending on your circumstances, but once your ceiling dips below this height, its best use is for storage accessed from an appropriate opening.
It is important to understand that toilets also have minimum clearances, which must be considered for their placement. These can vary depending on your local codes and customs. They also can be affected by the type of toilet you install – your bathroom designer will be abreast of your local toilet clearance code requirements and manufacturers’ instructions.
If you are selecting a toilet, get the manufacturer’s specifications from the website or from a plumbing supplier before making a decision about what type will fit and operate properly in your home.
Rimless toilets are growing in popularity and other options include different seat heights, electronic controls and variable levels of water consumption, to name just a few.
If you are selecting a toilet, get the manufacturer’s specifications from the website or from a plumbing supplier before making a decision about what type will fit and operate properly in your home.
Rimless toilets are growing in popularity and other options include different seat heights, electronic controls and variable levels of water consumption, to name just a few.
Traditional toilets, however, come in standard round-bowl configurations or with an elongated bowl. The elongated bowl can add to the front-to-back depth of the toilet. So a round-bowl toilet will be approximately 490 millimetres deep and an elongated bowl will be around 530 millimetres deep.
Keep in mind that your cistern adds an extra depth on top of this if you choose a back-to-wall model or if it’s concealed in a wall or within joinery directly behind your toilet. The overall projection for a toilet suite that includes both the pan and cistern starts at about 650 to 750 millimetres. And if you would like to incorporate a bidet, the measurement is roughly the same.
Keep in mind that your cistern adds an extra depth on top of this if you choose a back-to-wall model or if it’s concealed in a wall or within joinery directly behind your toilet. The overall projection for a toilet suite that includes both the pan and cistern starts at about 650 to 750 millimetres. And if you would like to incorporate a bidet, the measurement is roughly the same.
Sinks
Powder room sinks are primarily a place for quickly washing hands, so the size can be very small, or much more generous.
You can find vessels that measure a mere 300 centimetres or so from front to back and about as wide. Basins can sit atop your vanity, be mounted to a wall, rise from the floor as with pedestal sinks, or can be integrated into your vanity to achieve the look of them being ‘carved out’ of a stone vanity top.
Powder room sinks are primarily a place for quickly washing hands, so the size can be very small, or much more generous.
You can find vessels that measure a mere 300 centimetres or so from front to back and about as wide. Basins can sit atop your vanity, be mounted to a wall, rise from the floor as with pedestal sinks, or can be integrated into your vanity to achieve the look of them being ‘carved out’ of a stone vanity top.
Aim for 700 millimetres or more of unobstructed space between the front of your basin and the closest wall or fixture to provide you with ample room to stand when washing your hands. As a bare minimum, providing you have 600 millimetres clearance in front of your sink, you can usually get by with such arrangements, though the result won’t feel overly spacious.
For freestanding pedestal sinks, expect them to stand 800 to 950 millimetres tall and have a depth and width (or diameter, in the case of round pedestal sinks) of 400 to 500 millimetres minimum – some, however, are more than double this width.
For freestanding pedestal sinks, expect them to stand 800 to 950 millimetres tall and have a depth and width (or diameter, in the case of round pedestal sinks) of 400 to 500 millimetres minimum – some, however, are more than double this width.
Bathroom basins that are mounted on a vanity are generally about 120 to 150 millimetres above floor level.
As for width, expect to find bathroom sinks ranging from 300 millimetres to much, much wider designs. And remember, some models make it possible to combine one basin with two taps if you have the space and feel the need.
As for width, expect to find bathroom sinks ranging from 300 millimetres to much, much wider designs. And remember, some models make it possible to combine one basin with two taps if you have the space and feel the need.
Vanities
If you have room for a standard-sized sink and vanity, you’ll be able to choose from an enormous variety of products, not to mention you can have something custom designed and built.
The width of single, off-the-shelf vanities usually starts around 600 millimetres and increases from there. It’s also possible to find super-slim 300-millimetre-wide vanities off-the-shelf. You’ll find double vanities generally start at 1200 millimetres wide, most come in widths of 1500, and many models are much wider.
Standard vanity heights vary between about 850 and 950 millimetres. If you’re mounting a vessel sink on top of your vanity, you may choose to lower the height of your vanity top by the height of your basin to ensure the top of your sink is about 850 to 950 millimetres from the floor.
If you have room for a standard-sized sink and vanity, you’ll be able to choose from an enormous variety of products, not to mention you can have something custom designed and built.
The width of single, off-the-shelf vanities usually starts around 600 millimetres and increases from there. It’s also possible to find super-slim 300-millimetre-wide vanities off-the-shelf. You’ll find double vanities generally start at 1200 millimetres wide, most come in widths of 1500, and many models are much wider.
Standard vanity heights vary between about 850 and 950 millimetres. If you’re mounting a vessel sink on top of your vanity, you may choose to lower the height of your vanity top by the height of your basin to ensure the top of your sink is about 850 to 950 millimetres from the floor.
The depth of your vanity will depend on its design, not to mention the available space in your powder room. The depth of standard vanities ranges from roughly 450 to 530 millimetres, or 320 millimetres if your vanity is semi-recessed (into, say a stud wall).
You might choose a floating wall-mounted vanity or a design that extends right down to the floor for extra storage. Alternatively, it’s possible to forego a vanity altogether in favour of a freestanding basin, though this will sacrifice storage space.
You might choose a floating wall-mounted vanity or a design that extends right down to the floor for extra storage. Alternatively, it’s possible to forego a vanity altogether in favour of a freestanding basin, though this will sacrifice storage space.
Floor area
When spaces are newly designed or more conventional, a powder room can work well in an area that is roughly 1520 millimetres square. This generally allows for a pedestal sink and a toilet to be placed on one wall together, the door on an adjacent wall, and possibly a window on one of the other walls.
If your space is rectangular, aim for a minimum length of 1200 to 1500 millimetres and a width of at least 750 millimetres (900 millimetres is ideal for small powder rooms). Your exact dimensions will dictate your powder room’s layout.
When spaces are newly designed or more conventional, a powder room can work well in an area that is roughly 1520 millimetres square. This generally allows for a pedestal sink and a toilet to be placed on one wall together, the door on an adjacent wall, and possibly a window on one of the other walls.
If your space is rectangular, aim for a minimum length of 1200 to 1500 millimetres and a width of at least 750 millimetres (900 millimetres is ideal for small powder rooms). Your exact dimensions will dictate your powder room’s layout.
It is also important to note that the wall behind toilets, and sometimes sinks, needs to be thicker than a standard wall to allow for plumbing.
Types of construction vary among different regions and building types. Renovating in a high-rise apartment block, for example, may require additional considerations beyond those described here.
Always use a licensed plumber (look up their license number and be sure to ask about insurance) as doing your own plumbing can void the warranties on your powder room’s fixtures and fittings.
Types of construction vary among different regions and building types. Renovating in a high-rise apartment block, for example, may require additional considerations beyond those described here.
Always use a licensed plumber (look up their license number and be sure to ask about insurance) as doing your own plumbing can void the warranties on your powder room’s fixtures and fittings.
Power points
Power points must be installed by a licensed electrician. Not doing so doesn’t only risk voiding your warranty on electrical fittings, it can also put your life at risk.
Power-point placement is governed by required building codes, which electricians are well aware of and that are especially important in wet areas such as powder rooms. For example, your bathroom designer, architect, interior designer or builder should ensure that your power points are located a minimun of 500 millimetres from splash zones (such as your basin).
Before deciding on the number of power points you think you’ll need, take a pause and count the number of electrical appliances you’ll use in this room – it may be more than you think.
Power points must be installed by a licensed electrician. Not doing so doesn’t only risk voiding your warranty on electrical fittings, it can also put your life at risk.
Power-point placement is governed by required building codes, which electricians are well aware of and that are especially important in wet areas such as powder rooms. For example, your bathroom designer, architect, interior designer or builder should ensure that your power points are located a minimun of 500 millimetres from splash zones (such as your basin).
Before deciding on the number of power points you think you’ll need, take a pause and count the number of electrical appliances you’ll use in this room – it may be more than you think.
Windows
If a window is provided for ventilation, and we recommend it, you may need council approval for your powder room renovation.
Mechanical ventilation can be used in place of a window and is common. The key is that the ventilation equipment must provide specific air changes per hour to the exterior of the building, according to many current building codes. All extractor fans manufactured for this purpose will indicate in their specifications how much air they can circulate. Again, your bathroom designer will know the best models for the size of your powder room.
If a window is provided for ventilation, and we recommend it, you may need council approval for your powder room renovation.
Mechanical ventilation can be used in place of a window and is common. The key is that the ventilation equipment must provide specific air changes per hour to the exterior of the building, according to many current building codes. All extractor fans manufactured for this purpose will indicate in their specifications how much air they can circulate. Again, your bathroom designer will know the best models for the size of your powder room.
When space is plentiful and budget is ample, powder rooms can be indulgently luxurious. And if privacy is an issue, consider frosting your window or look into fluted or reeded glass to preserve your natural light, too.
Browse more stunning Australian powder rooms
Browse more stunning Australian powder rooms
Accessories
Toilet-paper holders do not have a code requirement for their placement. However, it’s standard to mount them with their horizontal centreline about 610 millimetres above the floor.
Position one on a sidewall or surface at a comfortable distance beside the front of the toilet bowl so reaching it is convenient but the fixture is not easily bumped. As with toilets, toilet-roll holders are best concealed as much as possible for a clean aesthetic.
Toilet-paper holders do not have a code requirement for their placement. However, it’s standard to mount them with their horizontal centreline about 610 millimetres above the floor.
Position one on a sidewall or surface at a comfortable distance beside the front of the toilet bowl so reaching it is convenient but the fixture is not easily bumped. As with toilets, toilet-roll holders are best concealed as much as possible for a clean aesthetic.
And remember the essential accessory, a hand-towel holder, which should match the rest of the metal finishes in your powder room if possible.
Other elements installed in powder rooms – such as light fixtures, mirrors and mounted soap dishes – all depend on the style and configuration of the room. Mirrors can be very small or cover an entire wall. Sconces mounted on either side of a mirror at about head height provide a good light across the entire face. Backlit, overhead and recessed fixtures can provide special or dramatic lighting effects.
Other elements installed in powder rooms – such as light fixtures, mirrors and mounted soap dishes – all depend on the style and configuration of the room. Mirrors can be very small or cover an entire wall. Sconces mounted on either side of a mirror at about head height provide a good light across the entire face. Backlit, overhead and recessed fixtures can provide special or dramatic lighting effects.
Your turn
Which measurements proved key to perfecting your powder room design? Or which dimensions do you now wish were different? Tell us in the Comments below, like this story, save the images for inspiration, and join the renovation conversation.
More
Need more key measurements to get your new build or renovation right? Here’s your next read in this all-important series: Key Measurements for Designing Your Dream Laundry
Which measurements proved key to perfecting your powder room design? Or which dimensions do you now wish were different? Tell us in the Comments below, like this story, save the images for inspiration, and join the renovation conversation.
More
Need more key measurements to get your new build or renovation right? Here’s your next read in this all-important series: Key Measurements for Designing Your Dream Laundry
You can choose from a variety of types and sizes for your powder room door. It can be entirely unique, styled like the rest of your home’s decor or concealed.
The most common door width is 820 millimetres, though ultra-slim models in 520, 620, 720 and 770 millimetres are also manufactured. A word of caution: these smaller door widths can be uncomfortable and do not provide the same ease of movement between rooms, so aim for standard door width or bigger. Door widths also come in wider 870 and 920 millimetres, and it’s possible to specify even wider doors with custom designs, especially with French doors or bi-folds.