How do I arrange a 5' wide by 7' long bathroom?

J
by J

We are looking to redo our cottage bathroom, but it is very small. We expect to have to gut the room to start over. There is a window at one end of the room, with the entry door at the other end. What would be the best way to renovate this space, with a bathtub/shower.

  3 answers
  • Gk Gk on Jan 07, 2019

    Hello J! Where is your plumbing located in this bathroom? Are you willing to redo the plumbing or do you need to use the existing plumbing? Would you consider using a shower unit rather than a tub/shower combo because your space is limited?

    • J J on Jan 07, 2019

      Hi G and thanks for replying to my question. We can move the plumbing, so that is not an issue. There is already a shower unit in the room, but it's on the one wall, half way in, so basically takes up the middle of the bathroom with just a small space to walk between it and the wall to get to the sink/toilet (by the wall with the window). There isn't enough wall space either at the window end or the door end to fit a shower into the corner without having to cut out around the window. As per the comment below by Simple Decorating Tips, that is what we were thinking, but was wondering if there would be another way to rearrange.

  • The standard layout, and arguably the best/only way is to put the bath/shower at the far end of the room with the window in it, then the toilet on the wall next to the tub, with the vanity next to the toilet closest to the door. To prevent rot in the window, I'd recommend installing a 100% vinyl window that is built for such a treatment. If that's not possible, you can treat it from the inside with a water proof treatment, such as a clear shower curtain draped across that wall, allowing light in but not moisture into window sill. I've also seen custom covering made with plexiglass covering the window. (That style looks much better)

    • J J on Jan 07, 2019

      Hi. Yes, that was our thought. We are also looking at having to hang an old fashioned shower curtain ring about the tub given that the ceilings are very tall in the bathroom (Viceroy style cottage and the bathroom is in the middle area of the ceiling), so the shower curtain near the window was always a possibility. As this is our seasonal cottage and not used in the winter, I am trying to go with the easiest and least expensive way to renovate it if I can.

  • Rymea Rymea on Jan 07, 2019

    i agree with the above but If it's a low regular window you should consider raising and replacing it with a vinyl slider or awning window. Call a few window companies and get estimates.