Squaring up a small primary bathroom + closet

Project scope: space planning, construction documents

Home: 1952 Ranch style

Problems with the existing bathroom + closet:

• Bathroom lacks storage

• Inefficient use of closet space

• Small shower

• Dislike jog in sink wall

Client goals:

• Make more efficient use of closet and bathroom space

• Larger shower

• Move as little plumbing as possible

Existing Floor Plan

Revised Floor Plan

• The back of closet was converted to a shower with a built-in seat.

• Bathroom wall return was pushed back to be flush with the shower, opening up the floor space and providing more light in the shower.

• The jog in the sink wall removed.

• Clothes hanging rod reoriented to provide more accessible hanging space.

• Portion of closet reallocated to built-in bathroom storage.

• Bathroom outswing door was replaced with a pocket door and widened.

Shower + sink wall elevation sketches

Final Thoughts:

I love helping small spaces become more functional and efficient. We don’t always need to expand our home footprint. The back of the closet allowed us to create a more spacious shower. Pocket doors are great space-saving solutions in primary bathrooms where the door swing presents a safety hazard or there just isn’t the space to accommodate a swing.