Experts Share 10 Layout Tips for 5 by 8 Bathrooms (2024)

Room Design

Bathroom Design

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Sarah Lyon

Experts Share 10 Layout Tips for 5 by 8 Bathrooms (1)

Sarah Lyon

Sarah Lyon is a freelance writer and home decor enthusiast, who enjoys sharing good finds on home items. Since 2018, she has contributed to a variety of lifestyle publications, including Apartment Therapy and Architectural Digest.

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Published on 01/06/22

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. We spoke with experts who shared 10 tips to successfully craft a 5 by 8 foot bathroom.

Meet the Expert

1. Keep All Plumbing on the Same Wall

Experts Share 10 Layout Tips for 5 by 8 Bathrooms (2)

Joseph Tsedaka, principal at NOMI, a Dallas-based company that specializes in bathroom remodels, suggests laying out a 5 by 8 foot bathroom using the following method: "The most efficient way to design a 5 by 8 bathroom is to have your vanity first (which is three feet) then your toilet (two feet), and thenyour tub or shower (three feet) for a total ofeight feet," he notes. Allie Mann, designer and senior interiors specialist at Case Architects & Remodeling, agrees that this setup is a winner. "It is an effective use of clear floor space, cost effective, and most people don't want to see the toilet first thing when they open thebathroomdoor," she says.

This way, all plumbing can be on the same wall, too. "It's not just to keep the cost down, but also allows us to create more walkingspace across the bathroom," Tsedaka explains.

2. Determine Whether You Need a Tub

"Your bathroom layout should be designed based on your needs and the function of the bathroom on your own property," says Tsedaka. He also says that a child's bathroom should feature a combination tub and shower, but if the bathroom will only be used by adults or guests, just a shower is fine. To maximize space further, Tsedaka advises utilizing a glass panel rather than a door.

3. Think About Sink Options

Experts Share 10 Layout Tips for 5 by 8 Bathrooms (3)

Whether or not you choose to incorporate a tub will decide whether you have space for a large sink area or not. "Depending on if you are installing a tub or shower, then you can determine the space left for the vanity or pedestal sink," Mann explains."You could start with the width of the tub/shower, then allow 30 to 36 inches of width for the toilet, and then the rest for sink space."

4. Try These Space-Saving Storage Tricks

Storage is ultra important in the bathroom—there are certain items like bandaids, shampoos, and medicines that will need to be kept within reach, after all. "Create a shampoo box on the center wall of the shower or tub," Tsedaka suggests. "Also, have a shelf and not a full-size cabinet above your toilet; it will make the room look larger and wider."

5. Incorporate a Pocket Door

Designing a bathroom so that it features a pocket or sliding door will be critical in such a small space, says Cathy Purple Cherry, founding principal of Purple Cherry Architects. "It provides for the most extensive wall area for towel bars, robe hooks, etc," she explains. "A door that swings into abathroomeats up wall space."

6. Add Features That Will Make a Space Appear Bigger

Experts Share 10 Layout Tips for 5 by 8 Bathrooms (4)

There are a few simple ways to make a 5 by 8 foot bathroom appear much larger, Purple Cherry notes. For one? "Providing as much ceiling height as possible and utilizing lighter colors will help the room to feel more expansive," she says. Additionally, "Utilizing a mirror beyond just behind the vanity –above the toilet, for example–expands the scale of the space."

7. Try These Shower Hacks

On a similar note, there are a few upgrades one can make to the shower area to allow the bathroom to feel larger. "Using full wall-to-wall glass in the shower helps expand the visual feeling of spaciousness," Purple Cherry says. Additionally, a small window is also key. "If you can get a small window in the shower—opposite of the shower head—or above the toilet area, it will further help the space to feel spacious," Purple Cherry adds. "Natural light will help thebathroomfeel more airy and open, and views of outside will help distract from how small the space is."

8. Correctly Install a Shower Bench

And if you wish to install a shower bench, do so on the same side as your plumbing, Tsedaka notes, "doing it otherwise will block your shower entry."

9. Keep the Shower Flush to the Wall

Experts Share 10 Layout Tips for 5 by 8 Bathrooms (5)

This is another hack for maximizing space, according to Purple Cherry. "When a shower floor is flush with the rest of the bathroom floor, it helps with maximizing how spacious the shower feels," she notes."

10. Note This Difference Between Toilets

When selecting a toilet, you will want to keep sizing in mind, as it varies among models, Purple Cherry says. "Understand that there is a three to four inch length difference between round toilets and elongated toilets. Round toilets will provide a more spacious feel in the floor area."

Experts Share 10 Layout Tips for 5 by 8 Bathrooms (2024)

FAQs

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 are 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 a 5'8" bathroom? ›

The most common bathroom size measures 5 by 8 feet — enough room for a single sink, a toilet and a shower or shower-bathtub combination. You may think there isn't much you can do with an area of this size.

Is 5 feet wide enough for a bathroom? ›

The smallest dimensions a bathroom can have and still be considered a master bathroom is 40 square feet (5×8). Anything from there to 100 square feet (10×10) is considered average. A large master bathroom can be anything from 110 square feet to half the size of a small new york apartment.

What is the smallest area needed for a bathroom? ›

Common Bathroom size layouts

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. For a full bath consisting of both a shower and a bathtub, you will need at least 40 square feet.

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 is the smallest size bathroom with a shower? ›

For a powder or half bathroom, 18-20 sq ft (about 1.7 - 1.9 m2) is a good, average size. For a ¾ bath, 40 square feet is a good size (about 3.7 m2). A small full bathroom, with a sink, toilet, and combined shower/bathtub is often 40-45 square feet (about 4 - 4.5 m2).

What is the best size for a bathroom? ›

A standard guest bathroom includes a sink and a commode, which request about 20 square feet (sqft) of space. A medium-sized bathroom will need about 30-40 sqft to accommodate a sink, commode, and shower area, while a full-sized bathroom with all these elements and a bathtub requires an area of 50 sqft.

What is a full bathroom layout? ›

Typically, there are several components to a bathroom—sink, shower, tub and toilet—and the ability to which a space is able to accommodate these various elements ultimately determines the bathroom layout. A full bathroom houses all four components into the space.

How small can a family bathroom be? ›

Typically you will need around 2,000mm x 2,000mm to create a functional family bathroom. This will usually comprise of a bathtub with an overhead shower, a wash basin, a toilet and some practical furniture such as wall mounted storage.

How big is a tiny 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.

How big is the average small bathroom? ›

They are easily the smallest bathroom in the house. A typical half-bathroom is 3 feet wide, around 8 feet long, and about 20 square feet on average. Older homes have powder rooms as small as 11 square feet or around a square meter. A power room is also the second bathroom in some homes.

How much space do you need between toilet and 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.

Is 4 feet wide enough for a bathroom? ›

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. A larger half bath is unnecessary, and it's not likely that you'd find that much “extra” unused space in your house.

What is the average size of a walk in shower? ›

The average walk-in shower in the U.S. measures 60" x 30", though size options can vary widely, typically up to 60" x 42" for a rectangular shower and 42" x 42" for a square one. For smaller bathrooms, most experts recommend a shower enclosure no smaller than 36" x 36".

What should be ideal bathroom size? ›

A standard guest bathroom includes a sink and a commode, which request about 20 square feet (sqft) of space. A medium-sized bathroom will need about 30-40 sqft to accommodate a sink, commode, and shower area, while a full-sized bathroom with all these elements and a bathtub requires an area of 50 sqft.

What is the minimum size for a full bathroom? ›

What size is a standard bathroom?
Bathroom TypeMinimum
Master bathrooms40 square feet (3.7 square meters)
Full Bathrooms36 square feet (3.3 square meters)
Three quarter bathrooms18 square feet (1.7 square meters)
Half bathrooms12 square feet (1.1 square meters)
3 more rows
Sep 10, 2023

What is the ideal space for a bathroom? ›

Area of the bathroom

It is approximately 20 square feet. A medium-sized bathroom incorporates a sink, a commode and a shower area. Its area is around 35-40 square feet. A full-sized bathroom can accommodate a sink, a commode and a bathtub, as well as a shower area.

What should be the average size of bathroom? ›

Full bathrooms (those with a shower and tub) average at around 40 square feet. The average size of a bathroom in a modern mid-range house is around 5 x 8 feet. Many master bathrooms are about 9 by 11 feet (99 square feet) in average size. Minimum interior bathroom size is typically 15 square feet.

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