Measure Your Bathroom

Looking to upgrade your bathroom with a new layout or simply make a few tweaks? It's best to start by measuring your bathroom. Check out our visual guide for accurate measuring and space planning for your bathroom update or renovation.

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Transforming Your Bathroom Starts With Proper Measurements

How to Measure Your Bathroom

Key

1 - Toilet: Allow at least 16 inches from the center of the toilet to a wall or fixture on either side. Toilets seats are usually 14 to 15 inches from the floor, but some toilet designs sit at chair height, or 16 to 19 inches from the floor. Toilet compartments should be at least 36 inches wide by 66 inches deep. They can have a pocket door, a swing-out door or no door. Also, make sure to measure the rough-in space, which is the distance from the wall to the center of the toilet drain in the floor. The standard rough-in is 12 inches, but you may encounter 10-inch and 14-inch rough-ins in older homes.

2 - Doorway: Ensure it's at least 32 inches wide.

3 - Mirror: Allow 8 inches or more between the top of the sink or countertop and the bottom of a medicine cabinet or mirror. Take the user’s height into consideration.

4 - Vanity: Standard height is 30 to 32 inches. In bathrooms with two vanities, either can be raised or lowered, depending on the user’s height.

5 - Sink: There should be at least 15 inches between the sink center and a sidewall. If there are two sinks in a vanity, there should be 36 inches, center line to center line, between them. Allow at least 8 inches between the edge of a sink and the end of the counter.

6 - Walkway: Ensure it's at least 36 inches wide.

7 - Towel Bar: Provide at least 36 inches of towel-bar space per user. Mount the towel bar 36 to 48 inches above the floor.

8 - Shower: Minimum interior dimensions are 34 by 34 inches, but 36 by 36 inches is better. Swinging shower doors must open into the bathroom, away from the shower.

9 - Tub/Shower Controls: In a tub-shower combo, mount the faucet 30 to 33 inches above the bathroom floor. Set controls between 38 and 48 inches high for ease of use while standing. Shower heads should be 69 to 72 inches from the floor. Controls should be accessible from both inside and outside the shower.

Design Ideas for a 3/4 Bathroom

A typical three-quarter bath is one with a sink, a toilet and a shower. It’s ideal for overnight guests, who can use the space without having to share a family bathroom. It also works well as a family’s second bath or for an older child or live-in relative desiring privacy. With a few choice upgrades, a basic three-quarter bathroom can take on the look and feel of a luxurious bath retreat.

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More on 3/4 Baths

Layout of a Typical 3/4 Bath

Design tweaks can create the feel of more space while minimizing costs, all without changing the layout. A pedestal sink opens up the vanity area, a glass door lightens the look of the shower and storage features hug the walls, keeping the bath streamlined.

Key

1 - Add a pair of sconces on either side of the vanity.

2 - Trade the vanity cabinet for a space-saving pedestal sink.

3 - Carve out more storage with a recessed medicine cabinet.

4 - Add another towel bar where the old vanity cabinet ended.

5 - Upgrade the flooring to a stone or stone-look surface, using larger tiles.

6 - Swap out the shower curtain for a glass door.

7 - Stretch storage with a cabinet above the toilet.

8 - Add space-efficient hooks for robes and towels.

With a few choice upgrades, even a basic, hardworking three-quarter bath can take on the look and feel of a luxurious bath retreat. Put a little extra style in the vanity area, make the shower more spalike and boost storage throughout. Dimmable lighting and heated flooring create a little drama and a lot of comfort.

Key

1 - Splurge on an attractive light fixture above the sink.

2 - Upgrade a basic vanity top to a stone or stone-look surface.

3 - Use organizers to improve vanity storage.

4 - Add storage above the sink with a recessed, mirrored medicine cabinet spanning the width of the vanity.

5 - Upgrade the sink and faucet.

6 - Choose beautiful stone or ceramic tile flooring.

7 - Install radiant heat under the floor tiles to keep feet warm.

8 - Pamper yourself with a towel warmer.

9 - Step up from a shower curtain to a glass door.

10 - Hang a small cabinet above the toilet for storage.

11 - Install hooks for robes and towels.

12 - Use dimmer switches for different lighting effects.

Design Ideas for a Galley Bathroom

A galley bathroom is long and narrow and is a common design. It’s not always the most convenient layout, especially for sharing, but the floor plan is compact and efficient. The challenge with a galley bathroom is avoiding a dead-end feel and, instead, creating openness where possible. The space is just wide enough for a tub-shower combo at one end, with the other fixtures aligned on one wall.

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More on Galley Baths

In a long, narrow bath, the goal is to create openness, where possible, to avoid a tunnel-like feel.

Key

1 - Replace the curtained tub/shower with a more open glass-enclosed shower with bench.

2 - Lay a new floor. Oversize tiles in a staggered pattern stretch the room visually.

3 - Install a recessed, mirrored medicine cabinet above each sink.

4 - Swap out the bulky vanity cabinet for sleek pedestal sinks.

5 - Install a light fixture above each medicine cabinet.

6 - Increase storage capacity by installing a cabinet above the toilet.

These upgrades on surfaces add luxury, comfort and functionality to the basic galley design. Achieve a designer look with a stone or stone-look countertop, a new vanity and faucets, sinks and hardware. A whirlpool tub doubles as a shower/spa bath, while a heated floor and towel bar add to the spa feel.

Key

1 - Trade a standard tub-shower combo for a whirlpool tub that has a curtain, ceiling-mounted shower head and hand-sprayer attachment.

2 - For comfort, add a towel warmer near the tub.

3 - Warm the new, elegant tile floor with radiant heat.

4 - Add dimmer switches to the lights.

5 - Buy a furniture-style vanity or refresh an existing cabinet with new hardware and organizers.

6 - Upgrade to a stone or stone-look countertop.

7 - Replace the sink and faucet to complement the new countertop.

8 - Brighten the vanity with new light fixtures above each sink.

9 - Stretch storage by hanging a handsome cabinet above the toilet.

Design Ideas for a Principal Bathroom

The principal bath, also known as the en suite, is the largest bath in the home and is typically connected or adjacent to the principal bedroom. Offering a tub and separate shower, one or two sinks, generous mirror and countertop space and a private toilet area, this design allows two people to use the room at the same time. Basic fixtures and surfaces make it affordable.

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More on Principal Baths

With a few tweaks, you can transform a modest-size master bath and make it look and feel larger.

Key

1 - If you don’t use your tub much, trade the tub-shower combo for a large glass-enclosed, walk-in shower with bench.

2 - Turn space from the old shower into a sit-down makeup area.

3 - Swap out the long vanity mirror for mirrored medicine cabinets and add more lighting.

4 - Replace the solid-front vanity with an open shelf design; add rolling storage below the sinks.

5 - Use large floor tiles in a staggered pattern to make the room look expansive.

6 - Add open shelving above the toilet.

You can upgrade a few or several elements to make the space a better fit for your lifestyle and taste without changing the layout of the bath. Faucets, fixtures, flooring, lighting and storage features are all good candidates for change. If you do change the layout, moving or adding utilities will make the project more expensive.

Key

1 - Upgrade to a glass-enclosed shower with bench and add shower nozzles.

2 - Splurge on a built-in whirlpool tub with a deck.

3 - Add handsome cabinets at the foot of the tub.

4 - Install a towel warmer next to the whirlpool.

5 - Choose elegant finishes for sinks, faucets and hardware.

6 - Install cabinet organizers to maximize bath storage.

7 - Replace the countertop with a stone or stone-look surface.

8 - Step up to more sophisticated lighting, such as sconces or pendants.

9 - Set the mood and save energy with dimmer switches.

10 - Add hooks for robes or towels for a decorative touch.

11 - Pamper feet with elegant new tile flooring and radiant heat underneath.

When you decide to revamp your space, you’re not limited to following anyone’s idea of the perfect master bath. It’s your opportunity to customize the bath, choose the features that are most important to you and place them where they work best for your needs. Your options are only limited by your space and imagination.

Key

1 - Like to soak? Splurge on a freestanding tub and add a curtain, a ceiling-mounted shower head and a hand sprayer.

2 - Add a towel warmer.

3 - Choose a toilet with the features you need — dual flush, chair height, one-piece design, high efficiency or bidet.

4 - Create more personal space by separating the two sinks. Use the middle as a makeup area.

5 - Add a convenient stacking washer-dryer combo.

6 - Boost storage with a bank of linen cabinets — you can fold clothes there.

A Bathroom Designed for You

Now that you have a few ideas on different bathroom layouts and how you can customize your bathroom, here are a few articles that will give you more inspiration on everything from choosing the right sink to storage solutions that make your bathroom both beautiful and functional.

To catch up on the latest bathroom trends, be sure to read Bathroom Trends to Consider Before Your Next Remodel for inspiration on paint and wallpaper, storage and organization, lighting and more.
Our DIY Bathroom Remodel Cost, Timeline & Tips article gives you a jump-start on ideas and looks to consider when remodeling.
Ready to step up your flooring game? Vinyl wood look flooring is a great option for the bathroom.
Can’t decide on a vanity light? Our Vanity Light Buying Guide will point you in the right direction.
Deciding on a sink mount type and style is easy when you know what to look for. Our Bathroom Sink Buying Guide can help.
Once you’ve found the right sink, select the right faucet set to go with it. Our Bathroom Faucet Buying Guide will take you through faucet-mounting types, control options and more.
The right vanity can define your bathroom space. Read the Choose the Best Bathroom Vanity for Your Home for help finding the right style for you.
If you’ve ever thought about getting a bidet, now’s as good a time as any. Our Bidet Buying Guide will tell you what it is and why it may be right for you.
Transform the look of your space with a shower door. Start with How to Choose the Best Shower Doors and Bathtub Doors.

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Understanding Your Bathroom Layout and Design

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