Bathroom Floor Plans - Top 11 Ideas for Rectangular, Small, Narrow Bathrooms & More | Architecture & Design (2024)

Floor plans and layouts are perhaps the most fundamental aspect of bathroom interior design. Layout ideas in application can enhance or create space, maximize utility, shape an environment, and emphasise an aesthetic design style. With the correct bathroom layout plans, small bathrooms can appear huge, large bathrooms speak to the height of luxury, and medium bathrooms become a pragmatist’s dream.

Bathroom floor plans Australia

Bathroom plans are an incredibly important aspect of bathroom design because they lay the foundation for your entire interior aesthetic. A clever layout planner will picture the space in its completed entirety before making moves towards the design, to ensure that the flow of the space suits the future appliances and furnishing.

The first thing to consider when beginning a bathroom layout plan is the size of the proposed bathroom. Size is hugely important as it will determine the number and type of appliances that will fit inside the room. Pay attention to the measurements of everything, from showers to sinks and cabinets to toilet dimensions. The standard bathroom size in Australia is 3m x 2m and will fit a toilet, shower, vanity and cabinetry.

There are a few avenues you can take for bathroom design ideas and advice. A variety of different design my bathroom layout apps and planners are available and cover multiple aspects of bathroom design. From interactive tile designs to comprehensive home design apps, there is no end to the customization.

However, it is best not to rely entirely on apps and your own vision for the bathroom. A skilled interior designer or architect will help guide you through the process of design and provide practical, professional advice that can prevent issues in the long run. For general ideas and inspiration, here is a breakdown of the most common layouts for bathrooms in modern Australian homes.

Bathroom plans: 11 layout ideas and designs

11. Simple

Bathroom Floor Plans - Top 11 Ideas for Rectangular, Small, Narrow Bathrooms & More | Architecture & Design (1)

This is one of the most common bathroom layouts in Australia. The shower is sectioned off, the toilet design is tucked into the corner facing the door, and the sink/vanity cabinet takes its place in the middle. This bathroom layout is classic, functional, and easy to navigate. It emphasises the negative space as much as possible to make the room feel less crowded.

10. Narrow small bathroom

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Narrow bathrooms are tough to style. They usually end up as some variation of this, with the sink next to the door and the shower taking up the entire corner of the room. This ensures maximum spatial efficiency as the sink requires the least room to manoeuvre around. The downside is that the door will have to be fully closed to comfortably use the sink, which could make teeth cleaning before bed somewhat annoying.

9. Long narrow bathroom laundry room

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A laundry room off of the bathroom is a great way to save space and keep all of your facilities in the one area. It keeps your laundry tucked out of the way, giving you more room in the communal living areas. A downside of this layout is that you will need to go through the bathroom to get to the laundry, which can be a challenge for privacy if you live in a multi-person home.

8. Small ensuite

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An ensuite is a private bathroom attached to a bedroom (usually the master). Ensuites are becoming more and more popular in Australia and are especially common in apartment living.

A small ensuite like the one above is known as a ‘half bath’ because it contains the bare minimums of a bathroom: a toilet and a sink. Every inch of space is critical in designing a tiny bathroom like this one, making layout all the more important. For more creative ensuite layouts and design ideas, see here.

7. 5x8 bathroom remodel ideas

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A 5x8 bathroom is a bathroom that measures at 5 feet x 8 feet. This is the most common bathroom size and will fit one sink, a toilet, and a shower. Occasionally a 5x8 bathroom will be able to fit a bath/shower combination. Their layouts are fairly straightforward given that there is not much room for creativity.

6. Rectangular bathroom

Bathroom Floor Plans - Top 11 Ideas for Rectangular, Small, Narrow Bathrooms & More | Architecture & Design (6)

Rectangular bathrooms provide a clever use of space that stimulates the natural flow of the space. A rectangular bathroom can have facilities on both sides, such as a toilet opposite the sink (rather than crammed next to it). This creates a visual pathway through the room that makes it feel more open. Read more about Room Sketcher bathroom plans pictured above here.

5. Small bathroom with bath

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Small bathroom design ideas are available in abundance. There are a huge variety of options and strategies. Some of the most common layout choices for a small bathroom include corner showers, combined sink and vanities, and side-by-side facilities.

4. Master bathroom

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The master bedroom is the most luxurious bathroom in the home. It is usually quite large, meaning that you have more freedom in your layout and design choices. Master bathrooms should take advantage of the space by using freestanding baths and extravagant cabinets.

3. Walk in closet with bathroom

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Walk in closets are the height of luxury in modern life. Attaching a walk in closet to your bathroom provides you with a wealth of opportunity in terms of storage and getting ready. The built in wardrobe can store extra bathroom supplies such as backup shampoo, conditioner, soaps, toilet paper, towels, and cleaning products. It also makes getting dressed after a shower super easy!

2. 3 way bathroom

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Three-way bathrooms are the way of the future. As the world continues to lean towards share-houses and apartment living, the emphasis on privacy becomes critical. A three way bathroom creates three separate, easily accessible areas for the shower, the toilet, and the vanity. This means that three people could simultaneously shower, clean their teeth, and use the toilet without having to share the space.

1. With walk in shower

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If you have the space, a walk in shower will bring you comfort and luxury for as long as you live in that home. They are easy to clean, extremely accessible, and much more pleasant for longer showers and enjoying the hot water.

Floor plans and layouts are perhaps the most fundamental aspect of bathroom interior design. Layout ideas in application can enhance or create space, maximize utility, shape an environment, and emphasise an aesthetic design style. With the correct bathroom layout plans, small bathrooms can appear huge, large bathrooms speak to the height of luxury, and medium bathrooms become a pragmatist’s dream.

Bathroom Floor Plans - Top 11 Ideas for Rectangular, Small, Narrow Bathrooms & More | Architecture & Design (2024)

FAQs

What is the narrowest a bathroom can be? ›

When you add up the clearance requirements, the smallest narrow bathroom starts at about 3' x 4' (about 0.9 m x 1.2 m) for a powder room and 3' x 9' (about 0.9 m x 2.7m) for a ¾ bath with a standalone shower.

What are the rules of bathroom layout? ›

Go for a separate tub and shower only if there's genuinely enough room; otherwise, combine the two. Remember that the user needs enough room to stand, dry off and turn around. A bathroom should be a place to be calm and relaxed. If it's chock-full of fixtures, it may feel cramped and uncomfortable.

How do you arrange a bathroom layout? ›

When designing your bathroom layout, start by positioning your sink, shower, tub, and toilet. Next, think about storage solutions, wet and dry zones, and how to tie everything together with beautiful aesthetics. Browse our bathroom layout ideas below to find inspiration and spark your creativity.

How do you make a small bathroom look classy? ›

Use White for Elegant Simplicity

Also, a huge mirror and shower door helps to create this illusion. Use a light neutral paint hue to make a small bathroom feel luxurious. If you spend extra on high-quality white towels and carpets, a tiny bathroom will make your bathroom luxurious.

Where to put a toilet in a small bathroom? ›

In a tiny bathroom such as a half-bathroom or powder room, space is at a premium. So, it may only be possible to provide for the bare minimum clearances. In this case, make sure that the center line of the toilet is at least 15 inches from the nearest wall or sink. Eighteen inches is preferred.

What is the smallest legal bathroom with a shower? ›

In general, the smallest size is 15 square feet, which can fit a sink and a toilet. For a shower, to be installed, at least 30-36 square feet is required.

What is the smallest bathroom allowed by code? ›

The minimum width of a bathroom should be 5 feet, allowing ample space for comfortable movement.

How much space do you need between toilet and shower? ›

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.

What not to do when designing a bathroom? ›

10 Bathroom Layout Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
  1. Fixtures That Are Too Big. ...
  2. Having the Door Open to a View of the Toilet. ...
  3. Insufficient Storage. ...
  4. Confining Storage to the Vanity. ...
  5. Poor Lighting. ...
  6. Not Creating Separate Zones. ...
  7. Not Considering Existing Infrastructure. ...
  8. Measuring Incorrectly.

What is the triangle rule for bathrooms? ›

The sum of the three sides of the work triangle should not exceed 26 feet. Each side of the triangle should measure between 4 and 9 feet. The work triangle should not cut through a kitchen island by more than 12 inches. There should be no traffic that passes through the work triangle.

Should a toilet face the door? ›

Tuck the toilet behind the door or place it to the side where it's not in full view when you open the bathroom door. When planning the position of your toilet, allow at least 20cm on either side for elbow room.

What are the three types of bathroom layouts? ›

There are essentially three types of bathrooms: primary (usually the owner's bath, frequently adjoining the primary bedroom); the guest (often ensuite) bath; and powder room (a sink and toilet only). From there, the layout options—including size, shape, and plumbing—are endless.

Is a 5 by 7 bathroom too small? ›

With the ability to be a full 3-piece bathroom with a small footprint, a 5×7 bathroom can be a great asset to any home. However, you may feel like the space is not functional, outdated, and in desperate need of a refresh. There are many factors to consider when deciding whether or not to remodel your bathroom.

How small can a shower and toilet room be? ›

Some cloakroom bathrooms can be as small as 1500mm x 800mm, and will solely fit a sink and a toilet. However, size isn't everything! Samantha Lawson, senior design consultant here at Drench claims: “The smallest bathroom we've worked with was 1700mm x 800mm and just included a shower enclosure, basin and WC.

What is the minimum space required for a small bathroom? ›

Minimum size of bathroom

The minimum size of a small bathroom ranges between 35 and 40 square feet. Note that these bathrooms are just enough for incorporating a standard-sized sink, commode and shower area. The most prevalent dimensions of small bathrooms are approximately 6x6 feet and 8x5 feet.

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