Small bathroom layout Designs

Large or small, every bath needs a good floor plan to shine. Here are some tips to a zen, space-saving layout.

Privacy, Please
If you have a generously sized space, a separate toilet compartment is the ultimate in privacy, but it does have drawbacks: Solid walls make the overall room feel smaller, and many people find a toilet closet claustrophobic. There are other ways to enhance privacy and comfort. Just placing the toilet out of the direct line of sight-off to one side of the doorway or protected by the vanity-can make a "big difference mentally, " says Lori Jo Krengel, a certified master kitchen and bath designer in St. Paul. One of her favorite options is a privacy panel made of tempered glass, with a sandblasted design that obscures views without blocking light. "It's beautiful, and it takes up very little floor space, " she says.

A Vanity Affair
Every bath needs a sink, but choosing one sink or two deserves some pondering. "Think about how you use the bath, " Krengel says. "If two people are actually getting ready at the same time, and both need the sink, then two sinks make sense." Otherwise, consider having two roomier grooming stations - with a completely separate makeup vanity - and just one sink to share for tooth brushing and hand washing. "You can tailor the storage to each person's needs and maximize the space if you don't need a second sink, " she says. Plus, you'll have only one sink to clean. Don't forget good vanity lighting. Sconces on both sides of the mirror produce less shadow on your face than a single light from above.

Bathing Beauty
If you like soaking, a separate tub is a welcome luxury. A bump-out tub bay is a popular choice, but you can also bump in, creating a central tub niche flanked by built-in storage or by compartments for a shower and toilet. Not everyone prefers a tub, however. These days, many homeowners are trading their underused whirlpool or tub-shower combo for a more luxurious walk-in shower. Most real estate experts agree: As long as you have at least one tub in the house, it's OK for resale purposes to eliminate a second tub.