Expert: Nazim Nice - 11/29/2011

Question
Hi!  My name is Kurtis Donnelly and I am hoping you might be able to help me.  My wife and I are purchasing a house (closing at the end of the year) and I really want to redo the bathroom for my wife.  I am a very experienced renovator and can handle all of the enhancements (save major plumbing work, I would have someone do that for me).  My problem is that I can't figure out how to lay out the bathroom to get the most out of it.  The house has only one bathroom so it needs to be great!  Is there any way you could give me any tips as to how best to layout the space?  I am attaching a diagram with dimensions of the current bathroom that may help.  A couple of the things that I would like to include:

I would like, if possible to have a separate shower and tub.  I am 6'4" so I would love a tub that is a little larger than a normal one.

The shower is super important.  I plan to put in a rain shower head and possibly one or two other heads. so a good sized shower would be great.

My wife really wants a dual sink vanity.  You will see in the diagram that there is a small closet (right now there is no door between, just an opening into the bathroom.  We don't necessarily need to use that as a closet.  One initial thought I had would be to move the toilet in there, but that would require a good bit of plumbing based on where the toilet is now.

Thank you soo much for any help you can throw my way.  This will be a wonderful Christmas surprise for my wife!

Thanks!

Answer
Hi Kurtis,

Sounds like a great gift! So it is hard to say exactly how to lay it out without doing some scale drawings, but my first impressions are:

1. It looks like you have enough space for all the components you want.

2. I would look for a 6' long tub if you want to fit. And at least 36" wide.

3. I'm not sure the closet will help you, so I would look at schemes that use it and others that don't use it.

4. I couldn't tell the height of the windows. Can the tub go below them? Or are they too low?

5. The closet could become a shower or a small room for a toilet. The toilet room is great for a 1 bathroom house because someone can use the toilet while someone else is using the rest of the bathroom.

6. Consider moving the door to the room. You might gain some usable wall space if it is more centered.

7. Consider layouts where the window are changed - either raised or deleted. Deleting one window might make sense.

So one solution might be: put the toilet in the closet, but not on the outside wall (on the other short wall). Put a small (24-28")door to the toilet room close to the window (I usually swing these doors out so there is room inside to move). Now move the door to the room more toward the center. When you come in the door, a double vanity would be to the left, and your tub would be to the right (along the 2 side walls, parallel to each other - they are both about 6' long +/-). Swing the door toward the tub not the vanity. That leaves space for a shower in the outside corner next to the tub. The second window would either be deleted, raised, or a privacy glass installed. The shower would extend to about the middle of the room, leaving enough room to walk around the vanity and get to the toilet room.

Hope this helps. If you want to take a stab at a layout and repost feel free.

Nazim Nice
Principal / Architect
http://www.motion-space.com
--
LEARN ABOUT MOTIONSPACE ARCHITECTURE + DESIGN:
Motionspace Architecture + Design Websites: Seattle Architects
Read our Seattle Architecture Blog
Learn more about us: Seattle Architects information
Learn more about our services: Seattle Architecture and Design Services
Levels of services: Seattle Architects Services
Frequently asked architect questions answered by a: Seattle Architect
Contact Motionspace - Seattle Architects
A list of all our completed projects:Seattle Architects Projects

PROJECT GALLERY
See our completed projects at:  Seattle Architecture Projects
Lake Washington Waterfront House
New American Farmhouse
Green Home Design at Rim Rock Ranch
Green Lake House Remodel
Seattle Condo Remodel
Seattle Craftsman Remodel
Seattle Mid-Century Modern Remodel
Seattle Brick Home Remodel
Mercer Island Remodel
Seattle Capitol Hill Craftsman Remodel
Seattle Basement Remodel
Seattle Bungalow Remodel
Seattle Second Story Addition
Seattle Outdoor Kitchen Design
Seattle Townhouse Design
Seattle Bathroom Remodel
Kirkland Bathroom Remodel
Seattle Porch Design
Seattle New Home Design
Bellevue House Addition
Bellevue Landscape Design
Swimming Pool Design
Seattle Entry Design
Bellevue Daycare Design
Seattle Tenant Improvement Design
Seattle School Design

LEARN MORE
Looking for an architect? Seattle Architect
Remodeling your bathroom: Seattle Bathroom Remodel
Laundry and mudroom design: Seattle Mudroom and Laundry Room Design
Remodeling your entire house: Seattle Whole House Remodel
Information on Seattle Home additions: Seattle Home Additions
Adding a roof deck: Seattle Roof Deck Design
Choosing exterior colors and materials: Exterior Houe Colors
Read about remodeling your basement: Seattle Basement Remodel
Consider adding a second story addition: Seattle Second Story Addition
Sustainable and green design resources: Seattle Green House Design
Information on garage additions: Seattle Garage Additions
Choosing Kitchen Materials: Seattle Kitchen Design
Kitchen Remodels: Seattle Kitchen Remodel
New House Design: Seattle New House Design

CHECK OUT OUR NEWEST PRODUCT - Custom Engraved switchplates: Switch Labels
See our gallery of products: Custom Engraved Switchplates
Send in your own switchplates: Light Switch Labels
Uses for our Custom Engraved Switchplates