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bathroom remodeling

Bathroom Measurement Guide: These are the Measurements You Need to Know!

by Andrew Saladino
March 20, 2019


Picturing your beautiful new bathroom and breaking out the sledgehammer to get down to demolition may sound like a good time, but you can’t have a successful bath remodel without first putting in the hard work with planning.

That starts with measuring out your bathroom and deciding on exactly what you want in your new space and how you are going to fit your upgraded fixtures and features into your existing floor plan.

While measuring your bathroom for a remodel may sound simple at first, the process is in-depth and meticulous to avoid running into big problems when it’s time to really get down to construction. If you are hiring a professional for your bathroom remodel, they’ll take care of the nitty-gritty when it comes to measurements, but whether you are a DIYer or you’re giving full control of the renovation to a contractor, having an accurate floor plan with precise measurements is a smart decision.

How Do I Measure My Bathroom before a Remodel?

We’ve all heard the phrase measure twice, cut once. Whether you are building something out of wood or planning a major bathroom remodel, the same sentiment applies?you need to know exactly how and what to measure to make the rest of the process go smoothly.

As you might suspect, it is best to leave the final measurements for your bath remodel to your professional contractor. However, if you are taking on a DIY-remodel, take a look at our how to measure your bathroom guide first. In addition, you’re going to want to follow a few basic steps to get the starting measurements that you need to create a bathroom floor plan:

  1. Measure the overall room to put together a detailed diagram of the space.
  2. Label and measure doors and windows, while also marking the direction they open on the floor plan. For reference, doors should be at least 32″ wide?or 34″ in an accessible bath space.
  3. Identify and measure unmovable obstructions, fixed features, or anything you’re keeping in the new bathroom space. If you are replacing your bathroom cabinets, don’t include the existing cabinets in your measurements.
  4. Measure the height of the ceiling in a few different areas to get an accurate picture of the space?International Residential Code (IRC) mandates that bathroom ceilings be at least 6′ 8″ where fixtures are present.
  5. Check your measurements! Double-checking your measurements is as important as measuring in the first place, so take your time to avoid hassle down the road.

What are the Standard Measurements of Bathroom Fixtures?

Every bathroom is unique when it comes to size, layout, and design. While historic homes may have tiny bath spaces where streamlined efficiency is key, other properties feature luxurious bathrooms that have all the room needed for opulent, oversized fixtures.

Whatever your situation may be, it helps to start the remodeling process with a general idea of what the measurements are for must-have bath fixtures. Not only will this give you a starting point when choosing a tub, shower, or accessories for the room, but it will help you get a better idea of the overall cost for remodeling the space.

Bathtubs


What’s a bathroom without a bathtub? From soaking in a warm bath after a long day to having a convenient option for bathing the kids, most families want at least one bathtub in their homes. Here’s a quick break-down of some of the options that you have for upgrading to a new tub:

  • Standard apron-front bathtubs are generally 60 inches long and 30-32 inches wide, with a depth that ranges from 14-20+ inches.
  • Drop in tubs are typically the same size as a standard tub with a front wall that can be finished with tile or another creative material.
  • Japanese-style soaking tubs are shorter and deeper than the standard bath?making them ideal for a luxurious small bathroom upgrade.

The style of tub that you choose will determine the best placement for your new bath feature. If you already have a bathtub installed, you can save money by upgrading to a new tub with the same dimensions. Whatever the style, you should have the bathtub controls placed 33″ from the floor for convenience.

Showers


Showers are a sleek, modern addition to a bathroom, especially if you are installing a barrier-free shower or a full enclosure with customized details. To make sure that your new shower is easy to install and will meet the needs of your home, there are a few important measurements to keep in mind:

  • Shower Base: The minimum requirement for a shower base is 1,024 square inches, or a 32″ by 32″ space. If you have the room, aim for at least 36″ by 36″.
  • Shower Threshold: Barrier-free showers are becoming a popular option for both accessible bathrooms and spaces where a seamless aesthetic is desired. If you do have a curb/threshold on your new shower, it should be 3-4″ high and 4-6″ wide.

Toilets and Sinks


Even in a powder room or half-bath, you still need a couple of basic features to make the space a functional bathroom?namely, a toilet and a sink!

As the two top must-haves in a bathroom, you want to leave enough space to not only get the stylish fixtures you want, but also to ensure that you can comfortably use your bathroom.

  • Toilets: At the bare minimum, you need a 30″ wide by 54″ long space for a toilet installation, but it is typical to have a space that is at least 36″ wide by 60″ long. The IRC requires a minimum of 21 inches of clear space in front of a toilet. Elongated toilets extend an additional 2-3 inches, so take that into account! While codes require a minimum of 15 inches of clearance from the center of the toilet to the wall or other obstacles, try to accommodate at least 20 inches of space.
  • Sinks: Whether you choose a single or double sink depends on how much room you have available in your layout. The minimum space for a single sink is 30″ (double sinks require at least 60″), but 36-48″ is a more standard measurement (72″ for a double sink installation).

Other Must-Know Bath Measurements


Once you know where your tub, shower, sink, and toilet are going, you can start measuring for other elements that you want to have in your new bathroom! There are several features that can enhance the functionality and style of a bath?as long as you plan ahead to make room for the improvements.

  • Medicine Cabinets: Your bathroom medicine cabinet needs to have at least 4-5 inches in overall depth, with interior shelving no smaller than 3 ½ inches. Prebuilt medicine cabinets are standard-built at about 18″ wide by 30″ tall.
  • Glass Shower Enclosures: The ideal height of your shower enclosure depends on the style of your shower system and the look you’re going for in the room, but the glass should extend at least 76 inches above the floor.
  • Towel Bars: There’s no hard-and-fast rule about measuring the height of towel bars, but you will typically mount them between 36-42 inches above the floor along a horizontal centerline. If you have tall family members or large towels, you can raise them to a height of 48-50 inches.
  • Lighting: Lighting in the bathroom is highly personal, but standard options include 24″ length fluorescent tube lights, or a minimum of 12″ diameter incandescent round lights.
  • Toilet Paper Dispensers: You’ll want to install the toilet paper dispenser 8-12″ from the front of the toilet bowl and 26″ off of the floors for an easy reach.

Measuring your bathroom for a remodel is arguably the most essential first step in the process. After all, you don’t know what you can do with the space until you know exactly what you’re working with!

Whether you take on the measuring and remodeling yourself or work with an experienced bathroom contractor, taking your time to get the measuring done right sets the stage for results that exceed your expectations.

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Abram Almengor

A properly executed remodel project is an experience that you and your family will remember.