Before beginning a remodeling project, it's important to plan properly to ensure the renovation process goes smoothly. Since you don't want any trouble maneuvering in your bathroom, it's a good idea to follow certain spatial guidelines. If your bathroom is going to be used by people of different ages and sizes, stick with a universal design.
According to
Universal Design, you should leave 30 x 48 inches of floor space around each fixture. If for instance, you have a
toilet and
sink next to each other, the recommended open space can be shared. Meaning you can leave a 30 x 48-inch common space between the two.
When you install your sink, keep in mind, you should leave 30 inches of space in the front of the sink. A
wall mounted or
console sink will have room underneath and allow 12 inches of the recommended 48 inches of space to begin under the sink.
There should be 30 inches in front of the toilet and at least 16 inches of clear space from the center of the toilet to a wall or any other fixture next to the toilet. If you plan on installing your toilet in a compartment within the bathroom, make sure it is at least 33 inches wide and 66 inches deep. If the compartment will have a door, it should be at least 32 inches wide.
If your
shower is less than 60 inches, allow 36 inches of depth. To arrive at the amount of recommended width, add 12 inches to the width of your shower. If your shower is greater than 60 inches, still allow 36 inches deep of clear space, but the width need only be the size of the shower.