Bathroom Planning: How To Choose an Effective Layout for Your Space
From small cloakrooms to airy bathrooms, choosing the right layout can help you make the most of your space
A well-designed bathroom can be both practical and aesthetically pleasing, offering a relaxing sanctuary from the busy world outside. And you don’t need a huge space in which to create a haven – it can be as simple as planning the space effectively.
‘People often think they need a bigger bathroom,’ says architect Brian O’Tuama. ‘But actually they just need the room to be configured differently. Moving the door or a window can make a big difference. Don’t be afraid to move walls to make your bathroom work better – it can be easier than you think, and less costly than the tiles and finish. If your bathroom is on the top floor, could you make the ceiling higher by going into the loft?’
Choosing where and how you position the bathroom sanitaryware also makes a big difference. Will a bath sit along the length or width of a room – or right in the middle? Remember to plan for storage: you’ll need somewhere to put those soft, fluffy towels, lotions and potions, and possibly even some candles.
Take creative inspiration from these 12 different examples of clever bathroom planning – and get some top tips from the interior design team and architect who worked on some of the projects.
‘People often think they need a bigger bathroom,’ says architect Brian O’Tuama. ‘But actually they just need the room to be configured differently. Moving the door or a window can make a big difference. Don’t be afraid to move walls to make your bathroom work better – it can be easier than you think, and less costly than the tiles and finish. If your bathroom is on the top floor, could you make the ceiling higher by going into the loft?’
Choosing where and how you position the bathroom sanitaryware also makes a big difference. Will a bath sit along the length or width of a room – or right in the middle? Remember to plan for storage: you’ll need somewhere to put those soft, fluffy towels, lotions and potions, and possibly even some candles.
Take creative inspiration from these 12 different examples of clever bathroom planning – and get some top tips from the interior design team and architect who worked on some of the projects.
Stick to a consistent palette and materials
In this relatively small bathroom, the white metro tiles match the sanitaryware, and this works with the clean lines of the wooden fittings to give the room a light, calm look.
‘Regardless of whether your bathroom is big or small, make the design as continuous as possible,’ advises Brian O’Tuama of Brian O’Tuama Architects. ‘Using the same materials throughout, and tiling everything to the same height, makes a room seem bigger. Choose a limited and consistent palette rather than different bits here and there.’
In this relatively small bathroom, the white metro tiles match the sanitaryware, and this works with the clean lines of the wooden fittings to give the room a light, calm look.
‘Regardless of whether your bathroom is big or small, make the design as continuous as possible,’ advises Brian O’Tuama of Brian O’Tuama Architects. ‘Using the same materials throughout, and tiling everything to the same height, makes a room seem bigger. Choose a limited and consistent palette rather than different bits here and there.’
Divide the room with a partition
In this clever layout, the bath nestles behind the organic curve of a tiled wall, creating a cosy, defined area. Inside, the bath area feels like a luxurious niche within the bigger room and gives a sense of an inner sanctum.
‘A bath can be tucked under a sloping wall, for example under the eaves of a loft, without taking up too much floor space elsewhere in the room,’ says Hannah Brown.
In this clever layout, the bath nestles behind the organic curve of a tiled wall, creating a cosy, defined area. Inside, the bath area feels like a luxurious niche within the bigger room and gives a sense of an inner sanctum.
‘A bath can be tucked under a sloping wall, for example under the eaves of a loft, without taking up too much floor space elsewhere in the room,’ says Hannah Brown.
Add light and clean lines
In this spacious bathroom – originally a bedroom – the period fireplace has been kept in the reconfigured space, adding character. The mantelpiece also acts as a storage area for artfully placed toiletries.
‘We wanted to bring more light into this bathroom,’ explains Brian O’Tuama. ‘So we raised the ceiling by vaulting it up to the roof and added a skylight to give a luxurious, spacious feel.’
The floor is tiled with slate. ‘We used the same floor tiles throughout the room, but in different sizes to define the areas while still keeping a sense of continuity.’
In this spacious bathroom – originally a bedroom – the period fireplace has been kept in the reconfigured space, adding character. The mantelpiece also acts as a storage area for artfully placed toiletries.
‘We wanted to bring more light into this bathroom,’ explains Brian O’Tuama. ‘So we raised the ceiling by vaulting it up to the roof and added a skylight to give a luxurious, spacious feel.’
The floor is tiled with slate. ‘We used the same floor tiles throughout the room, but in different sizes to define the areas while still keeping a sense of continuity.’
Choose the right basin size
Let your space dictate what kind of basin you need. One size fits all? Well, not always. In a very small space, such as this one, you could use a narrow basin mounted on, or even set into, the wall to help you to make the most of the length of the room.
Let your space dictate what kind of basin you need. One size fits all? Well, not always. In a very small space, such as this one, you could use a narrow basin mounted on, or even set into, the wall to help you to make the most of the length of the room.
Cut corners – in a good way
Remember that showers don’t have to be square. The shower area in this Clerkenwell flat is spacious, yet the shape still allows for a clear path through the room. The storage unit under the basin is a good use of space and means towels and toiletries can be tucked out of sight.
Remember that showers don’t have to be square. The shower area in this Clerkenwell flat is spacious, yet the shape still allows for a clear path through the room. The storage unit under the basin is a good use of space and means towels and toiletries can be tucked out of sight.
Carve an en suite out of a bedroom
‘We carved this little bathroom out of a large master bedroom within a mansion house flat in Marylebone,’ says Brian O’Tuama. Instead of a pedestal or wall-hung basin, this built-in vanity unit has much-needed storage space beneath.
‘The shower area is entirely glassed in,’ says Brian, which allows for a dry changing space in front. The wide expanse of glass works better than a smaller glass divider, which could draw attention to the small size of the room.’
‘We carved this little bathroom out of a large master bedroom within a mansion house flat in Marylebone,’ says Brian O’Tuama. Instead of a pedestal or wall-hung basin, this built-in vanity unit has much-needed storage space beneath.
‘The shower area is entirely glassed in,’ says Brian, which allows for a dry changing space in front. The wide expanse of glass works better than a smaller glass divider, which could draw attention to the small size of the room.’
Keep the space as open as possible
This shower area is more like a wet room. The tiled flooring extends out beyond the shower divider, blending seamlessly into the rest of the bathroom. The overall effect is open and airy.
Choosing a double basin, as in this bathroom, can make for a much smoother morning when two people are sharing the same space.
This shower area is more like a wet room. The tiled flooring extends out beyond the shower divider, blending seamlessly into the rest of the bathroom. The overall effect is open and airy.
Choosing a double basin, as in this bathroom, can make for a much smoother morning when two people are sharing the same space.
Hide the cistern with a wall-hung toilet
This combined toilet and basin unit works well to make the most of a small space. The built-in unit fits across the width of the bathroom.
‘Always try to hide the toilet cistern,’ recommends Brian O’Tuama. ‘Go for wall-mounted, whatever the size of room. This frees up the space below for an uninterrupted floor surface.’
This combined toilet and basin unit works well to make the most of a small space. The built-in unit fits across the width of the bathroom.
‘Always try to hide the toilet cistern,’ recommends Brian O’Tuama. ‘Go for wall-mounted, whatever the size of room. This frees up the space below for an uninterrupted floor surface.’
Big up your bath for a spa feel
Lots of space to play with? Placing the bathtub in the centre of the room makes it a focal point. The bath is also centred on the window, so it benefits from the natural light. This works especially well when you have a window that’s not overlooked and can offer a pleasing view to gaze at while you soak.
Adding a comfortable chair and a sheepskin rug emphasises the sense of the bathroom as a place to retreat to for relaxation and pampering.
Lots of space to play with? Placing the bathtub in the centre of the room makes it a focal point. The bath is also centred on the window, so it benefits from the natural light. This works especially well when you have a window that’s not overlooked and can offer a pleasing view to gaze at while you soak.
Adding a comfortable chair and a sheepskin rug emphasises the sense of the bathroom as a place to retreat to for relaxation and pampering.
Push the boundaries
This en-suite bathroom features a basin that is just beside the door, bridging the gap between bedroom and bathroom.
‘We suggested giving a boutique hotel feel to this guest room,’ explains Brian O’Tuama, ‘and the client loved the idea. It also means the bedroom benefits from more of the natural light coming in from the skylights over the basin.’
The enclosed part of the bathroom sits behind sliding pocket doors that disappear into the wall when not in use.
This en-suite bathroom features a basin that is just beside the door, bridging the gap between bedroom and bathroom.
‘We suggested giving a boutique hotel feel to this guest room,’ explains Brian O’Tuama, ‘and the client loved the idea. It also means the bedroom benefits from more of the natural light coming in from the skylights over the basin.’
The enclosed part of the bathroom sits behind sliding pocket doors that disappear into the wall when not in use.
Use sliding doors for a flexible layout
‘This bedroom and en-suite bathroom are in a loft conversion, planned as a retreat from the world,’ explains Hannah Brown. ‘The client wanted the space to have a spa feel.
‘The bath is in the centre of the room, while a basin sits to its left under a vanity top made of reclaimed wood,’ says Hannah. ‘The pebble tiles reflect the client’s wish for an organic, textural feel. The toilet is tucked away on the right-hand side, so you can’t see it even when the door is open.
And yes, there is a door - it’s a frosted-glass sliding door, which means light can travel across the width of the space even when the sliding door is closed.’
TELL US…
Have you changed the layout of your bathroom, or solved a problem with clever planning? Share your recipe for success in the Comments below.
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Choose the right basin for your space
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‘This bedroom and en-suite bathroom are in a loft conversion, planned as a retreat from the world,’ explains Hannah Brown. ‘The client wanted the space to have a spa feel.
‘The bath is in the centre of the room, while a basin sits to its left under a vanity top made of reclaimed wood,’ says Hannah. ‘The pebble tiles reflect the client’s wish for an organic, textural feel. The toilet is tucked away on the right-hand side, so you can’t see it even when the door is open.
And yes, there is a door - it’s a frosted-glass sliding door, which means light can travel across the width of the space even when the sliding door is closed.’
TELL US…
Have you changed the layout of your bathroom, or solved a problem with clever planning? Share your recipe for success in the Comments below.
MORE
10 window solutions to maintain your privacy
Choose the right basin for your space
How to banish bathroom clutter
In this bathroom, designed for a family with two young sons, a built-out wall functions as a vanity unit, with a wooden shelf, mirror and cupboards that offer plenty of space for storage.
‘We were building the wall out anyway to conceal the toilet,’ says Hannah Brown of Amory Brown, ‘so this was a good use of space. The bulkhead above the joinery gives clean lines right up to the ceiling.’
The taps, by Lefroy Brooks, are positioned centrally along the length of the bath. ‘This means they are easier to access from in front, and you can lie down either way in the bath without taps getting in the way,’ explains Hannah.