There are all kinds of bathroom layout mistakes that homeowners fall foul of, but the worst of these can totally ruin even the most beautiful of bathroom design ideas.
Your bathroom's layout, that is the arrangement of the major items, such as the basin, toilet, bath and so on, dictates how you will use the room and needs to be totally tailored to the size and shape of the space you are working with. It will also need to take into account openings such as doors and windows and, if you are renovating an out-of-date space, the location of existing pipework.
We reached out to a range of bathroom experts to ask them what the most common bathroom mistakes they see are, and for their advice on how you can avoid making them.
1. Getting the position of the towel warmer wrong
Heating a bathroom properly is key to a space that feels comfortable and will ensure you don't emerge from the shower shivering. It can also act as somewhere to dry off soggy towels.
While the best bathroom radiators are undoubtedly a useful addition to the bathroom, their placement needs careful consideration if you want them to serve their purpose well.
"When planning a bathroom layout, a common mistake people make is not considering where you need to reach for a towel the most – by the shower, over the bath or close to the basin," explains Nick Duggan, managing director at The Radiator Centre. "Placing the towel warmer too far from the bathing area will make it inconvenient to use. The best place for a towel warmer is near the shower or bathtub to allow easy access to warm towels without dripping water across the floor. There are so many design options available, from stick thin heated towel bars to long, horizontal towel rails, that you can take advantage of almost any wall space in a bathroom to find something that works for your room.
"And remember, the towel rail may also be the only means of heating the bathroom so consider how much heat the room needs and how that might be impacted when it is covered in fluffy towels," continues Nick. "Sometimes hanging a towel or robe on the front of a radiator or towel rail will both dry it and allow for the heat to escape."
Denver Grey Vertical Bathroom Radiator
Price: £143.00 Perfect for modern bathrooms, the design of this stylish grey towel warmer allows for your towels to dry out yet still manages to kick out plenty of heat into the room.
Manissa Siena Electric Heated Towel Rail
Price: £75.00 Measuring 500mm x 720mm, this towel warmer would be perfect for small bathrooms – plus it is electric so can be turned on in the summer months when your central heating might be off.
Terma Alex T-Rail Brass Effect Towel warmer
Price: £338.00 Warm metallics such as brass work so well in bathrooms making this large towel warmer a perfect addition. It is dual fuel so can be run off your central heating or your electricity supply.
Nick Duggan
Nick Duggan is the managing director of The Radiator Centre, one of the UK's largest independent suppliers of the very best designer radiators. With six showrooms and an online shop, the company offers an extensive range of radiators including energy efficient models, traditional and cast iron designs, and electric radiators. Nick and the team are passionate about providing a great service and are always happy to help and answer any questions, guiding customers through the process of buying a new radiator.
2. Trying to squeeze a bath into a small space
In an ideal world, all bathrooms would be big enough to allow for shower enclosures, sumptuously deep baths, toilets and twin basins – in reality, however, this is rarely realistic. Although you might be desperate for a bath, if you don't have the space for one, shoehorning it in is a bad idea.
“Whilst a bath is a welcome addition to a bathroom, it doesn’t always work within a small or awkward layout," says Jeevan Seth, CEO at JTP. "Walk-in showers are the perfect alternative and can create the same spa-like experience as a bath without taking up too much space.”
"Attempting to cram a shower, bath, double basins and storage into an area that is barely big enough for one person is a huge mistake," adds Magda Callery, interior designer and florist at Style by Magda. "Prioritise what you need. If your bathroom isn’t spa-sized, skip the oversized bathtub and focus on a sleek walk-in shower. Remember, space is as important as the fixtures – you need room to move without banging into things."
If you really do have your heart set on a bath and a shower, consider a shower-bath or take a look at some of the more compact baths on the market, including extra-deep Japanese-style tubs which allow you to fully submerge yourself yet take up less floorspace.
A space-saving bath with a shower over can be a better option in smaller spaces(Image credit: Waters Baths of Ashbourne)
Jeevan Seth
Jeevan Seth is the CEO of JTP, a well established bathroom hardware brand. He is an experienced sales director and is heavily involved with the product development side of the business so that the company can continue to design innovative new ranges for customers.
3. Poor toilet placement
Every item of sanitaryware needs to be carefully positioned to make the most of the space you have available, as well as ensuring the room looks stylish – particularly in the case of small bathroom ideas.
"When entering a bathroom, the first impression is key," points out Shamila Iqbal, director at Bathroom Mountain. "A poorly positioned toilet or an awkward layout can make the bathroom feel cramped and uninviting.
"Placing the toilet directly in line with the bathroom door often creates an unappealing focal point, particularly if the door is left ajar," adds Shamila. "To achieve a logical and aesthetically pleasing layout, keep the most visually appealing elements such as the basin, stylish mirror or bath as the primary focus when entering the room."
Think about first impressions on entering the bathroom when designing its layout(Image credit: Grohe)
Shamila Iqbal
Shamila is the co-founder and director at Bathroom Mountain, an online retailer offering a complete range of bathroom essentials, from baths, sinks, and showers to radiators, taps and accessories.
4. Cramming the basin into a tight spot
While there is no standard size for basins, they tend to range from between 400mm to 600mm in width. It is worth opting for a basin as large as you can comfortably fit in your bathroom as compact designs made for cloakrooms or downstairs toilet ideas tend to be unsuitable for much other than handwashing.
That said, do think about the location of your basin – squeezing it into an awkward nook will mean using it is something you may come to dread.
"Basins placed in tight corners or areas that are harder to access can make simple tasks like washing hands or brushing teeth awkward," warns Shamila Iqbal.
Avoid cramming your basin into a tight corner to avoid bashed elbows and keep towels nearby(Image credit: Burlington Bathrooms)
5. Leaving too little clearance space around sanitaryware
When coming up with a layout plan for your bathroom, you don't only need to think about where is the best spot within the space for each item of sanitaryware, you also need to consider how much space you will need to leave around each.
Look into information such as toilet dimensions and standard bath sizes when planning out your space.
"Ensure there is enough space between fixtures for comfortable movement," advises Shamila Iqbal. "For example, leave at least 600mm of clearance in front of the toilet and basin, and 900m for shower doors.
"In small bathrooms choose wall-mounted fixtures such as toilets and basins to save floor space and create an open feel," adds Shamila. "In larger bathrooms align sanitaryware symmetrically to create a sense of harmony.”
Pay attention to recommended clearances spaces around sanitaryware to ensure your bathroom is easy to use(Image credit: Burlington Bathrooms)
6. Overlooking the need for bathroom storage
While you might have been busy planning the positioning of all the essential bathroom fixtures – basin, toilet, bath and/or shower enclosure – it is all too easy to overlook bathroom storage ideas.
Without a good amount of storage though, the space will quickly become cluttered and chaotic.
"It is easy to make the mistake of overlooking storage entirely and ending up with toiletries scattered across every available surface," confirms Magda Callery.
So what suggestions does she have for keeping all your bathroom bits and bobs organised?
"Make use of the wall space – towel hooks, floating cabinets and recessed bathroom shelves all help you avoid countertop chaos," says Magda. "And you get bonus points for baskets – they hide the clutter and make you look super organised."
VonHaus Tall Bathroom Cabinet
Price: £79.99 Offering lots of storage without taking up much floorspace, this oak effect storage cupboard features two open shelves and a two cupboards for storing all kinds of bathroom essentials.
Awalt Freestanding Bathroom Cabinet
Price: £51.99 was £89.99 Ideal for those short on space, this storage unit is designed to slide over you toilet to provide plenty of places for storing toiletries and towels without getting in the way of your overall layout.
VonHaus Bathroom Mirror Cabinet
Price: £39.99 An affordable all-in-one solution to your bathroom storage needs, this handy little cabinet features a mirror, open shelving, plus a cabinet for hiding away all your less visually pleasing bathroom products.
Magda Callery
Magda Callery is an interior designer and florist with over 15 years of experience creating beautiful, functional spaces. As the founder of Style by Magda, she combines her design expertise with her passion for floral arrangements to bring nature-inspired elegance to every project. Magda is known for blending style and practicality, making her a sought-after expert in both interiors and floral design.
7. Mixing wet and dry areas
By their very nature, bathrooms can be soggy spots and, without the right layout, they can quickly become drenched in all the wrong places.
Whether you are renovating a bathroom or starting from scratch, you really need to think through how you can position the areas that produce the most moisture away from those that you want to remain dry in order to make the whole user experience the best it can possibly be.
"Think in zones," says Magda Callery. "Keep the wet areas (namely the showers and bathtub) separate from dry areas (such as vanity units and the toilet) for less mess and better flow."
Lay your bathroom out to prevent water spraying onto areas you want to keep dry(Image credit: Calypso Bathrooms)
FAQs
What is the best way to waterproof a shower?
Whether your bathroom design ideas involve installing a walk-in shower, a shower enclosure or one that is positioned over the bath, you really need to ensure your walls and floors are properly waterproofed if you want to avoid running into problems later down the line.
"One of the most common mistakes in bathroom design is failing to properly waterproof areas exposed to frequent splashing, such as the walls around showers, baths and basins," warns Louisa Swannell, head of creative design at Walls and Floors. "This can lead to water damage, mould growth and possibly even structural issues over time.
"Moisture seeping into bathroom walls can cause peeling paint, weakened plasterboard or warped surfaces," continues Louisa. "Over time, this compromises the durability and overall cleanliness of the bathroom. One of the easiest and most cost-effective ways to prevent this type of damage is to install waterproof PVC wall panels in key areas. These panels are designed specifically for wet environments and provide a completely waterproof barrier, protecting the walls from splashes and prolonged exposure to moisture.”
Louisa Swannell
Louisa is head of creative design at Walls and Floors. Founded in 1987, Walls and Floors is an award-winning tile specialist with an unbeatable range of tiles and wood panelling, available to purchase online.
Designing a bathroom that will be used by multiple generations? Check out our family bathroom ideas round-up for plenty of inspiration.
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Natasha was Homebuilding & Renovating’s Associate Content Editor and was a member of the Homebuilding team for over two decades. In her role on Homebuilding & Renovating she imparted her knowledge on a wide range of renovation topics, from window condensation to renovating bathrooms, to removing walls and adding an extension. She continues to write for Homebuilding on these topics, and more. An experienced journalist and renovation expert, she also writes for a number of other homes titles, including Homes & Gardens and Ideal Homes. Over the years Natasha has renovated and carried out a side extension to a Victorian terrace. She is currently living in the rural Edwardian cottage she renovated and extended on a largely DIY basis, living on site for the duration of the project.
