Design Vogue

While 5 by 8 feet may seem like a small size for a well-designed bathroom layout, it's actually the most common floor plan that can still encompass a sink, a shower and tub, and a toilet. That said, the limited square footage does mean that those designing such a space from scratch may struggle with the layout as they look to squeeze a functional bathroom into a small floor plan.

It can be challenging to find an arrangement that allows enough space between the shower, tub, sink, and toilet while still leaving some floor area to move around, but it can be done—if you have the right layout.

The time to rethink your bathroom layout is before you begin a small bathroom remodel. To get you started, we spoke with experts who shared 10 tips to successfully craft a 5 by 8 foot bathroom—here's what they said.

Keep All Plumbing on the Same Wall

"The most efficient way to design a 5 by 8 bathroom is to have your vanity first (which is three feet) then your toilet (two feet), and then your tub or shower (three feet) for a total of eight feet," Joseph Tsedaka, principal at NOMI, a Dallas-based company that specializes in bathroom remodels, says.

Allie Mann, designer and senior interiors specialist at Case Architects & Remodeling, agrees that this setup is a winner. Mann explains it's a cost-effective way to use the floor space since most people don't want to see the toilet when opening the bathroom door.

This way, all plumbing can be on the same wall, too. "It's not just to keep the cost down, but also allows us to create more walking space across the bathroom," Tsedaka explains.

Determine Whether You Need a Tub

Tsedaka emphasizes the importance of designing a bathroom layout based on your needs and the function of the bathroom. He also says that a child's bathroom should feature a combination tub and shower, but if the bathroom will only be used by adults or guests, just a shower is fine. To maximize space further, Tsedaka advises utilizing a glass panel rather than a door.

Think About Sink Options

Whether or not you choose to incorporate a tub will decide whether you have space for a large sink area or not. "Depending on if you are installing a tub or shower, then you can determine the space left for the vanity or pedestal sink," Mann explains. "You could start with the width of the tub/shower, then allow 30 to 36 inches of width for the toilet, and then the rest for sink space."

Try These Space-Saving Storage Tricks

Storage is ultra important in the bathroom—there are certain items like bandaids, shampoos, and medicines that will need to be kept within reach, after all.

"Create a shampoo box on the center wall of the shower or tub," Tsedaka suggests. "Also, have a shelf and not a full-size cabinet above your toilet; it will make the room look larger and wider."

Incorporate a Pocket Door

Designing a bathroom so that it features a pocket or sliding door will be critical in such a small space, Cathy Purple Cherry, founding principal of Purple Cherry Architects, says.

"It provides for the most extensive wall area for towel bars, robe hooks, etc," she explains. "A door that swings into a bathroom eats up wall space."

This also works nicely if you have two rooms sharing a Jack and Jill bathroom.

Add Features That Will Make a Space Appear Bigger

There are a few simple ways to make a 5 by 8 foot bathroom appear much larger, Purple Cherry notes. She recommends providing as much ceiling height as possible by using lighter colors to help the room feel more expansive.

"Utilizing a mirror beyond just behind the vanity—above the toilet, for example—expands the scale of the space," Purple Cherry says.

Try These Shower Hacks

On a similar note, there are a few upgrades one can make to the shower area to allow the bathroom to feel larger, including a glass walk-in shower.

"Using full wall-to-wall glass in the shower helps expand the visual feeling of spaciousness," Purple Cherry says.

Additionally, a small window is also key. "If you can get a small window in the shower—opposite of the shower head—or above the toilet area, it will further help the space to feel spacious," Purple Cherry adds.

Purple Cherry adds that natural light will help the bathroom feel more airy and open, and outdoor views will help distract from how small the space is.

Correctly Install a Shower Bench

And if you wish to install a shower bench, do so on the same side as your plumbing, Tsedaka notes that doing it otherwise will block your shower entry.

Keep the Shower Flush to the Wall

This is another hack for maximizing space, according to Purple Cherry.

"When a shower floor is flush with the rest of the bathroom floor, it helps with maximizing how spacious the shower feels," she notes.

Note This Difference Between Toilets

When selecting a toilet, you will want to keep sizing in mind, as it varies among models, Purple Cherry says.

"Understand that there is a three to four-inch length difference between round toilets and elongated toilets. Round toilets will provide a more spacious feel in the floor area.