Master Bathroom Floor plan (PIPs)

[simpsongal]

Thoughts on this master bath floor plan?  We don't have the money for this now, but we'd like to have a good idea where things will go and what's possible in our space. 

We need to add a closet in our master for DH, other than that, you'll see from the existing that the space just needs a total redesign.  We can claim some space by pushing back the right side wall (formerly a bedroom, we use it as an office/laundry space now).  I figured we could move the toilet a little, but not too much.  I'm a little concerned that the closet for DH is small, but it's better than nothing.  Sorry for the erasure marks, I figured a before/after would be helpful. 

Existing (ETA: our master bedroom is at the top of both pics, door to masterbed from hall is marked top right):



Proposed:

[Deleted]

A couple of things:

1. Where is your closet?

2. Which way does the new closet open? Into the bedroom? It sort of looks like it opens into the hallway but maybe I'm looking at it wrong.

3. Do you need to keep that door from the bathroom to the hallway?

[simpsongal]

Mar 28, 2017 12:33:26 GMT -5 @notquiteblushing said:

A couple of things:

1. Where is your closet?

2. Which way does the new closet open? Into the bedroom? It sort of looks like it opens into the hallway but maybe I'm looking at it wrong.

3. Do you need to keep that door from the bathroom to the hallway?

Good questions: I should have labeled the master bedroom is at the top of the pics, the door at top right opens from the hallway into the master bedroom.

1. My closet is on the opposite side of the master bedroom, no room for expansion or addition there. 
2. I'm thinking a pocket door for the new closet, accessible from the master bedroom. 
3. The door from the bathroom goes into what used to be the 5th bedroom.  So our existing mast bath has a door from the master bedroom and the 5th bedroom (lots of doors!).  We don't need to access the bathroom from that room anymore, just the master bedroom.

[Deleted]

Oh I just saw your ETA about the bedroom being at the top of the picture!  I was thinking you were crazy cutting that much space from your bedroom.  Okay let me look at it all again.

[Ramz-ee]

My question is whether the shower is big enough??? I like a huge shower, like I'm in a spa. There is no way I could deal with a 3x3 ft shower. I'm just not a bath person. . . .

[stackingtens]

If I was remodeling my master, I would definitely want a bigger shower than 36" square if possible. That's really tight. I'm actually a kitchen and bath designer by day, and we are usually tearing out small showers and tubs to combine into big showers.

If your scale is correct, it appears that the space between the corner of the shower and the corner of the tub is small...18"? That won't be a comfortable walking space and is definitely smaller than the NKBA guidelines.

If you keep everything else the same, then I'd consider a 48x30 shower on the backside of the closet. 30" would free up the walkway but the 48" will feel so much better to shower in.

[simpsongal]

Mar 28, 2017 13:18:06 GMT -5 stackingtens said:

If I was remodeling my master, I would definitely want a bigger shower than 36" square if possible. That's really tight. I'm actually a kitchen and bath designer by day, and we are usually tearing out small showers and tubs to combine into big showers.

If your scale is correct, it appears that the space between the corner of the shower and the corner of the tub is small...18"? That won't be a comfortable walking space and is definitely smaller than the NKBA guidelines.

If you keep everything else the same, then I'd consider a 48x30 shower on the backside of the closet. 30" would free up the walkway but the 48" will feel so much better to shower in.

re: big showers, I actually prefer to take baths. Ramz-ee

I like the idea of making the shower longer and narrowing, as long as that's not too uncomfortable.   I cut out of 36x36 square for the shower b/c I read that was like a minimum std size.  I suppose I could shift the tub over to the wall if I had to to make more space to walk to the toilet, good note on the clearance there. 

[hocus2]

I would swap the shower and the toilet so the tub and shower are next to each other (like the link below). It would also give the toilet more space. Where you have it now seems tight.

[stackingtens]

Yeah if a big shower isn't a priority, I'd at least go with narrower and longer for sure for the space! I think it is better for resale too (not important if you plan to be there for a long time, but something to consider). It's expensive to move toilets, so I'd avoid that if possible, like you mentioned, if you want to keep costs down.

[simpsongal]

Thanks hocus2, I think it's a good option to swap toilet & shower if it's not too expensive.

stackingtens, do you have a good rule of thumb for the footprint of a bathtub? I cut out a rectangle for 32"x66" but I'm not sure if we'd do a clawfoot or built in design. I'm concerned b/c the space for the 60" vanity and tub is tight too. I don't want the room to feel crowded, but I'd be disappointed about enlarging the bathroom and still ending up w/a bath/shower combo.

Thanks for offering your expertise!

[stackingtens]

So, a typical "tub/shower combo" starts at 60x30 and then goes up in 2" increments usually... 60x32 is pretty common, 60x34 less so, etc.
When you go to a longer tub, like 66", you are often going to see them wider than 32"... simply because when you get into a larger soaking tub, the width is part of the "luxury". BUT, there are always options. If you do a freestanding tub, like a clawfoot style or something similar but more modern, you can definitely make it work. Off the top of my head, I've used the Kohler Archer tub a handful of times and it has a 66x32 option, and I think the Underscore is one that "drops in" to a base and is that same size. So, I think you will definitely be able to make it work.

[hbomdiggity]

I think the shower is too small. I wouldn't go narrower than 36", but prob at least 36x48.

If you like to take baths I think you will want a built-in tub - our free standing is pretty small.

I would consider enclosing the toilet - aka water closet. I used to hate them because I feel claustrophobic, but I also want to be able to wash my face when DH is on the toilet, so they do have a purpose. when we did our reno, we were able to put the toilet behind a wall with no door.

[simpsongal]

@juno, I think that's a good option if it's not too pricey to move the toilet. Do you think that would be too cramped? Glad to see people don't think it's crazy to do a separate tub & shower in this footprint.

And the closet doesn't look unreasonably small right?

[thatgirl2478]

Mar 28, 2017 19:01:51 GMT -5 @juno said:

Actually, I just drew it on graph paper. The shower door would hit the toilet in my drawing You could do a bigger angled shower with a wall adjacent to the toilet area and the door opening to the center of the room.

How about a sliding door for the shower? That's what we did when we reno'd the old house's bathroom.
Save

[thatgirl2478]

As for the closet - you could get away with a minimum depth of 24" if you do sliders or bi-fold doors instead of a pocket door. If you have a 54" length closet rod, you won't be able to reach anything on the wall side of the door. If you only use a 30" rod, you'll be wasting space.

[thatgirl2478]

Ok - so assuming you leave the toilet facing the same direction it currently does. I would move the tub all the way to the wall next to the vanity, that leaves you with 26" of space in front of the toilet, which while under the recommended 30" is still above code required 21". If you were to get a toilet with a depth of less than 28" (you can find them, just a little more work), you'd have even more space there. I would then make the shower longer (48" x 36"), you'll still have an additional 11" of space on top of the required clearance around the toilet.

My only concern about this layout is that it doesn't leave much space for storage. Yes you have the vanity, but a 5' vanity isn't as big as you think (we have a 7' one and would love an extra foot). Do you have another location for towels? Is there enough space in the former 'dead space behind the door for open shelves?

[circa1978]

You are already upping your budget by moving the plumbing so you might as well get a good layout; I prefer the suggestion of the shower next to a built-in tub. FWIW, we moved plumbing with one master bath remodel and never again. When we start a new remodel at our current house, I'm not so much as moving a drain.

[hbomdiggity]

moving a toilet won't be cheap, but you are moving plumbing regardless and I wouldn't let that keep me from making most efficient use of space.

Re H's closet - i think the 30" should be an outside dimension. this should give you a standard reach in. Install Elfa and that should be a good closet.

I know you are just conceptualizing here, but this is why we hired an interior designer/space planner. I needed CAD with true dimensions. the best $1500 we spent.

[simpsongal]

Thank you guys for all the thoughtful comments! @juno I think you have a good idea about having a pull out drawer or something fashioned to replace the linen closet. We don't use the closet a lot, but I'd like a place for towels and washcloths, preferably not open shelving.

Can we all agree my existing floor plan sucks? :oP

ETA: Here's my inspiration pic from Houzz.

[simpsongal]

Mar 29, 2017 12:28:58 GMT -5 @juno said:

If you turn the studs sideways on the closet and do a 24" reachin, you gain a lot of bathroom space.

.

I've never heard of doing this but it seems so logical. I think our "studs" downstairs are smaller and thinner b/c they butt up against cinder block w/brick on top.

The 24" reach in might be the way to go.  I didn't want an overlap between the new closet doors and the swing of the master bedroom door, but it may just have to happen.  I have accordion doors on my closet but I could probably switch to sliding doors for both (the accordion doors would stick out a bit when open, not ideal if they're behind the main door to the bedroom).

I like where you have the storage space behind the swing of the shower door.  I prefer that to the HVAC area - I'd probably do hooks or towel bars on that HVAC wall.  We might be able to do a further bump out into the adjacent room to do a true built in cabinet behind the swing of the shower door.  I could do a bookshelf between the closet & storage bumps outs on the other side (the study).  I love built ins   - for cost savings I'm not above doing an ikea hack.

I wish I could DIY this, waaaaaay above my skill level.  Maybe I can do some of the demo and finishing work to save on costs.

[hbomdiggity]

Mar 29, 2017 13:34:53 GMT -5 simpsongal said:

I wish I could DIY this, waaaaaay above my skill level.  Maybe I can do some of the demo and finishing work to save on costs.

Nah, you are handy. We DIY'd demo, framing and tile. We could/should have DIY'd drywall, but I thought we would save time by hiring it out (ha ha no, we hired someone that was way too busy).

[caddywompus]

I agree that the bathroom layout looks kinda tight. I have a 3'x3' shower now, and it is way small. If you are planning to redo everything, I would definitely go for a bigger shower stall.
Since that 5th bedroom is being used for an office, would it be possible to take more spece from it? I would want to move that whole wall over (into the ofice) several feet.... Then you could really have a more spacious bathroom.

[simpsongal]

Mar 31, 2017 10:39:55 GMT -5 caddywompus said:

I agree that the bathroom layout looks kinda tight. I have a 3'x3' shower now, and it is way small. If you are planning to redo everything, I would definitely go for a bigger shower stall.
Since that 5th bedroom is being used for an office, would it be possible to take more spece from it? I would want to move that whole wall over (into the ofice) several feet.... Then you could really have a more spacious bathroom.

For sure - some OPs suggested a plan would allow more space for the shower.  I think swapping shower and toilet is the way to go too!

We're taking over 2 feet from the adjacent bedroom, I could do more but there's a big window in that room that would have to be moved/shrunk.  I'm hoping to let it be for cost savings (plus I like having the desk under it, it's a nice view.