Big Help for Small Bathrooms

By: Ilene Meyers Miller (Page 1 of 6)

The Cadet Intergral Apron Worldpool by American Standard, 19 3/4 high

To prevent splash-over, a jetted tub should have an apron taller than the 14-inch standard. The Cadet Integral Apron Whirlpool by American Standard measures 19 3/4 inches high.

American Standard's Minette lav (11x16 3/4 in.)

American Standard's Minette lav is 11x16 3/4 inches

Standard vanities are 18 to 21 inches deep, 24 inches wide, and 30 to 38 inches tall. The Strasser Eurolav, with integral sink top, measures only 26½x13½ inches.

Compass by Kohler is 13½ inches in diameter.

Standard tubs are 5 feet long. Standard showers are 36 inches square and at least 32 inches wide. Shown here is the Versailles by Maax, which is 29 5/8 x 31 3/4 x 74 3/4 inches.

Standard elongated toilets are 29 to 31 inches deep. The Compact Elongated Space Saver by American Standard measures only 27½x19 inches.

Kohler's rounded front Rialto is 25½ inches front to back.

The Biarritz 40 shower from Maax measure 38½ in. sq.

Enlarge this image

Small-scale fixtures can save you lots of grief when you need to save an inch or two in a compact bathroom. Keep code-mandated distances between fixtures and door clearances in mind. Switching the hinges can solve a problem swing; a pocket door is helpful in tight situations. On shower enclosures, bypass or bifold doors conserve space.

Browse Images

Browse Bathrooms Galleries:

View All

How-To Video

Browse More

Trends in Bathroom Design

This Old House plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey and host Kevin O'Connor visit a bathroom showroom

Watch The Video

On Newsstands Now

In the Magazine

Easy Upgrades That Say Welcome Home

What You'll Learn:

Remodeling Small Baths

Although it may seem that the trend in bathrooms is toward bigger, many folks face the challenge of remodeling small, even tiny, spaces. If this is your situation and you don't have the option of removing a closet or breaking down a wall to add space, finding a toilet, sink, or tub that is slightly smaller than the average could mean the difference between success or failure.

Here's the lowdown on what's out there and what rules to follow to get the most out of small bath fixtures. When hunting around for petite fixtures, you'll find a wider selection at specialty showrooms, with lots of custom possibilities. However, basic items in go-with-everything white can be found at — or ordered from — most home centers. Prices for small fixtures are comparable to, or in some cases slightly higher than, those for standard models.