5x8 Bathroom Layout: How to Make Most of It? [2022] - The Home Atlas (2024)

The 5×8 bathroom is the most common size in a regular household. A bathroom requires a minimum of 40 square feet to adjust all basic amenities one needs to have in their bathroom. A 5×8 bathroom layout has enough room for a sink, a toilet, a shower, a bathtub, or a shower-tub combo.

Not everyone has a luxury bathroom. There are high possibilities that you bump into the bathroom door or step into the shower when you undress, or sometimes it cannot even accommodate more than one person! The cause of all this is the lack of space.

But even though a 40 square feet bathroom may not look like it can fit a lot, many layout designs go very well with such layouts.

Most Efficient 5×8 Bathroom Layout

5×8 Bathroom Layout With Tub/Shower Combination

5x8 Bathroom Layout: How to Make Most of It? [2022] - The Home Atlas (1)

A tried-and-true configuration for 5’ x 8’ bathrooms is the classic tub/shower combo, and it remains a popular choice. Its practicality makes it a winner! If you’re contemplating a bathroom revamp without wanting to relocate plumbing, fear not. You can elevate the overall aesthetics by upgrading individual components within the existing layout.

Features:

  • A tub/shower combo: This space comfortably fits a 60” long x 32” wide tub. You have the option of a tub with an integrated surround or a tiled tub surround, depending on your budget.
  • Tub/shower combos offer versatility for present and future use.
  • In terms of added property value, having a tub/shower combo upgrades your bathroom status to a full bathroom rather than a 3/4 bath, which can be a selling point down the line.
  • This layout supports a standard shower curtain and rod, or you can go for a sleek look with glass shower doors for your tub.
  • And if you’re feeling more adventurous, the layout even allows for a generously sized walk-in shower spanning the entire length of the wall!

5×8 Bathroom Layout With Double Faucets

5x8 Bathroom Layout: How to Make Most of It? [2022] - The Home Atlas (2)

Upgrade your standard bathroom to one that accommodates double faucets! This layout is perfect for a master ensuite bath or a kids’ bathroom, ensuring that each person has their own faucet for a more convenient and enjoyable experience.

To make space for the larger sink, a slightly narrower tub is chosen to meet building code requirements and maintain ample room for the toilet.

Features:

  • A sink with double faucets: A 36” wide sink with two faucets is the solution. Wall-mounted sinks provide ideal options for accommodating two faucets, while a trough sink can also serve the purpose when installed in a 36” wide vanity.

5×8 Bathroom Layout With Corner Shower

5x8 Bathroom Layout: How to Make Most of It? [2022] - The Home Atlas (3)

For a 5’ x 8’ bathroom layout with a corner shower, when you crave a bit more storage space or don’t require an expansive tub or shower, a corner shower becomes an excellent choice! Opting for a corner shower not only conserves space but also leaves available wall space for additional built-in cabinetry, hooks, or even open shelves.

The market offers a variety of corner shower stall kits, making it easy to tailor your bathroom to your specific needs.

Features:

  • A corner shower stall kit: This layout can comfortably accommodate up to a 32” corner shower stall.
  • The corner shower allows for flexibility in design—you can opt for tiled elegance or choose a kit for a more budget-friendly approach.
  • Consider the design: it could be either round or rectangular. Keep in mind that a round shower with a sliding door is preferable, as it minimizes the chance of hitting other items in the bathroom compared to a swinging door.
  • While a larger corner shower is a possibility, any additional inches used should be deducted from the allowable width of the bathroom vanity to ensure ample space for the toilet.

5×8 Bathroom Layout With Shower/Tub Along the Long Wall

5x8 Bathroom Layout: How to Make Most of It? [2022] - The Home Atlas (4)

Consider this alternative layout for a 5’ x 8’ bathroom with the tub/shower along the long wall. It offers a slight deviation from the norm by introducing another wall between the tub and the vanity, providing a bit more space for the vanity itself.

Depending on the placement of your door and existing plumbing, this layout brings its own advantages to a 5’ x 8’ bathroom.

Features:

  • A tub/shower combo or a walk in shower: A 60” x 30” tub/shower could be seamlessly installed here, with a wall framed between the tub and vanity locations.
  • Opting for a walk-in shower is also an option, although it might require customization due to the necessary 30” depth to ensure enough space for the toilet along the wall.
  • Consider the aesthetics: a glass enclosure can enhance either a tiled walk-in shower or be used with a half wall if framing a full-height wall isn’t appealing when installing a tub.

Tips & Tricks For Designing a 5×8 Bathroom Layout

Redesigning your bathroom does not have to be onerous and strip you off of your money. Avoid going for a complete overhaul where you are breaking down walls to expand your bathroom size.

Instead, you can re-examine your existing 5×8 bathroom layout which will help you solve your space issues. A few compromises can make a well-planned bathroom go a long way. So here are some tips to make style statements through budgeted bathroom layouts.

Full Bathroom

Big or small, you can make a full bathroom out of any layout measurement. A full bathroom requires at least 36 to 40 square feet. A guest or a master bathroom of a small house has a 5×8 layout, a very standard size.

There are two full bathroom designs you can do with such a sized bathroom layout. A full bathroom includes one sink, one toilet, a shower, or a shower-tub combo. The structure may differ in both full bathrooms.

Depending on what type of bath you like, you can either go for a compact tub with a shower on top or go for a fancy shower cubicle with multiple heads in it.

A 40 square feet bathroom can comfortably fit both of these layout options without cluttering it up too much, and you hit the shower or the bathroom door while you change.

A tip is to hide your toilet from the bathroom entrance, and therefore position your door in such a manner as to keep your toilet in mind.

A Third-Quarter Bathroom

Even though you have a 5×8 bathroom layout, if you can, you must find ways to save as much space in it as possible. If that requires you to consider your 5×8 bathroom as a third-quarter bathroom and plan your layout accordingly, which will give you enough space to breathe and move around, a third-quarter bathroom is the way to go for you!

A 5×8 bathroom can meet all the minimum requirements of a bathroom. But it is advisable to use it as a third-quarter one, which will nevertheless even give you a luxurious and stylish look.

A third-quarter bathroom will require you to install nothing more than a sink, a toilet, and a luxury shower that will not take up too much space in the small bathroom and make it look cramped, which will ultimately help you declutter.

Positioning your shower or vanity in the corner can create a smooth flow of traffic, which you require in your tiny bathroom.

Other Factors to Consider

Homeowners have a difficult time deciding which bathroom fixture goes where their bathroom does not look too suffocating. Essential bathroom fixtures such as the toilet or the sink are always jotting out, interrupting the traffic flow in the bathroom.

So irrespective of your bathroom dimensions, here are a few tips the homeowners can follow to make their bathrooms look more spacious.

Swing it Outward

Irrespective of where you place your bathroom door, it must always swing outward. This way, one can make the most of one’s narrow bathroom since the door area will not take up too much room and help you get in and out quickly.

Keep the Sink and Toilet Together

You should put your sink and toilet side by side on the same long wall. This way, it will not take up too much from each side, and help create an easy flow of foot traffic, and also free up space for storage.

Get Wall Niches

If your toilet and sink are sticking out too much, you may want to consider creating wall niches so that they help your sink and toilet not to stick out too much.

Short Walls for Showers

You may want to take up one of the shorter walls to place your shower cubicle there, not take up too much unnecessary space, and open up the narrow bathroom space. You can then easily arrange other bathroom fixtures to make the area look spacious.

There are some things you must keep in mind when you are rearranging your 5×8 bathroom layout to create more space.

Start with the Tub

You must start the job on your new bathroom layout project with the largest component in the bathroom, the tub. The first thing you need to do is to figure out the placement of your tub or shower since this component takes up the most considerable amount of space in the bathroom. You may want to consider a one-piece shower pan or a shower-tub combo instead of going for both separately.

Lighting Choices

A 5×8 bathroom layout usually lacks good, sufficient lighting. The best option for such a bathroom layout is to go for recessed lighting, sleek wall sconces, and strip-style fixtures located on each side of the mirror. These not only light up the bathroom well but also save up a fair amount of space.

5x8 Bathroom Layout: How to Make Most of It? [2022] - The Home Atlas (5)

5x8 Bathroom Layout: How to Make Most of It? [2022] - The Home Atlas (2024)

FAQs

Is 5 feet wide enough for a bathroom? ›

Is a 5X8 bathroom too small? No, a 5×8 bathroom is the minimal size for a full bathroom, which includes a shower and a bathtub. Although the space might seem cramped, 40 square feet is still a good size for a bathroom.

How do I maximize my shower space in a small bathroom? ›

The best way to maximize shower space in a small bathroom is to use a tiled shower that can be customized to the available space. Sometimes it makes sense to save money by using an acrylic or fiberglass shower unit. These drop-in units offer more showering space than a tub/shower combo and can fit in a 5-ft.

How do I plan a new bathroom layout? ›

How to plan a bathroom – a step-by-step guide to creating a sanctuary
  1. Assess your bathroom needs.
  2. Measure up your space.
  3. Ask the experts.
  4. Choose a layout.
  5. Seek out inspiration.
  6. Be realistic about your space.
  7. Remember, ventilation is important.
  8. Factor in storage.
Feb 21, 2024

What is the perfect bathroom size? ›

Common Dimensions for a Full Bath

While 40 square feet (8×5) is the minimum size for a full bathroom, it is fairly small and most layouts make it seem cramped. The average size for a full bathroom is around 60 square feet (6×10), which is considered the most efficient size for a bathroom.

Is 5x8 big enough for a bathroom? ›

While 5 by 8 feet may seem like a small size for a bathroom, it's actually the most common floor plan that can still encompass a sink, a shower and tub, and, of course, a toilet. That said, the limited square footage does mean that those designing such a space from scratch may struggle with layout.

What is the rules of bathroom layout? ›

Plan a clear floor space of at least 30 inches from the front edge of all fixtures (lavatory, toilet, bidet, tub, and shower) to any opposite bath fixture, wall, or obstacle. Code Requirements: A minimum space of 21 inches must be planned in front of the lavatory, toilet, bidet, and tub.

What is the minimum space from toilet to shower? ›

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 is the minimum size for a bathroom with a shower? ›

However, there is a limit as to how small a bathroom can be. As a general rule, the minimum bathroom size is 15 square feet for a powder room that only has a toilet and a sink. If you also want to include a shower, a tub or a combination of the two, you will need to look at allowing 30 to 36 square feet.

What is the smallest area needed for a shower? ›

For smaller bathrooms, most experts recommend a shower enclosure no smaller than 36" x 36". To comfortably fit one adult, a shower measuring 48" x 36" should offer enough space for easy movement.

What do you remodel first in a bathroom? ›

Install the vanity first, including the sink and faucet. Once you have the drain hooked up to the faucet, you can move on to the other essentials such as the mirror, cabinets and trim around the shower or tub.

Is there an app to design a bathroom? ›

3D Room Planner is a free bathroom design tool that provides top-notch design ideas and assists you in creating a highly individualized 3D bathroom layout. You begin by editing your design in 2D on the Room Styler platform, selecting bathroom storage fixtures and furnishings from their templates.

Is a 5 by 7 bathroom too small? ›

A 5×7 bathroom provides you with 35 square feet, which is considered small because you can't fit all amenities of a full bathroom. However, the space is large enough to fit a shower/bathtub, a sink, a toilet, and a small vanity, although the space will feel fairly cramped.

What size is a master bathroom? ›

In newer homes, a typical master bathroom occupies an area ranging from 115 to 210 square feet. The master bathroom in older houses was considerably smaller and used to occupy a modest 75 to 100 square feet. A typical master bathroom design has room for the toilet, a bathtub, a shower stall, and a double sink.

How big is a Jack and Jill bathroom layout? ›

Bathroom Layout

A small Jack and Jill bathroom will need at least 40 square feet. The average, medium size is about 110 to 160 square feet. This is large enough for two sinks, two commodes, and a tub shower. One vanity may provide two sinks in the same style as a master bathroom.

Where should a toilet be placed in a bathroom? ›

Place the toilet facing an open wall or door, if possible, rather than a fixture. Generally, this will ensure enough clearance room in front of the toilet. For other bathrooms, aim for a 30-inch front clearance space for the toilet.

Can you have a 5x7 bathroom? ›

A 5×7 bathroom is often thought of as the minimum size for a bathroom. It's just big enough to fit a toilet, shower, and vanity sink. However, maneuverability will be extremely limited and a bathroom of this size isn't very accessible to those with mobility issues.

How wide can a small bathroom be? ›

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.

Is 4 feet wide enough for a bathroom? ›

A half bath needn't be large. You will have enough space if you can find a spot in your house that's about 3 to 4 feet wide and 6 to 8 feet long. If it's any smaller, it will be uncomfortable for people to access.

What is the minimum public bathroom width? ›

ADA bathroom requirements state that this type of stall shall be at least 56 inches deep for wall-hung toilets and at least 59 inches deep for floor-mounted toilets. The width must be at least 60 inches, as measured from the right angle of the sidewall or partition.

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