raehelen--We just did our kitchen and we have 3 baths to do now as well, and are also looking to steal space from the main bath to add to our miniscule master--cue the Twilight Zone music!

DH would know better than I how many sq. ft. we presently have, and how many we'd be looking to "steal". Maybe we can bounce ideas off each other along the way! I'll try to get DH to check out this thread tonight if he's not too busy studying.

How open to the idea of moving plumbing are you?

The first thing that occurs to me is that it would be a far more efficient layout if you shifted that wall between the two bathrooms from 2" - 9" over as you say and then put either a large tub/shower combo across the back wall (where the toilet and vanity are right now) or just a large, luxurious shower - either 5'5" long or 6' long. Then you would still have room to fit a 3' vanity next to it and then the toilet. It's kind of a "typical" bathroom layout but as I said most efficient in a long skinny space like that.

Hi Cat-Mom,

Yup, we're also renoing Living Room and Master Bedroom at the same time- you? :>) I just faux-painted our entry stair railing to make do until we add on to our front entry. So many balls in the air, hard to juggle it all at one time.

kgwlisa,

That's what I had thought of so far, basement ceiling has been ripped down, so all the plumbing is fully exposed, and present shower and bath have leaking problems, so things pretty well have to be redone anyways. I was even contemplating 'borrowing' more out of the common wall when we build it, by building in storage behind mirror and perhaps a deeper vanity.

I'm assuming this is a fairly basic/common plan, and hopefully others have paved the path...

Rae

I'm with Lisa: put the master shower/tub against the far wall, then toilet, then vanity.

For the main bath, I'd put the tub against the common wall, toilet on the back side of the closet, and vanity where it is. And consider double sinks on the vanity.

Thanks Weedyacres,

I'm not sure why you suggest double sinks. I see it in lots of bathrooms, but for us, I much prefer to have lots of counter space, for guests, (we sometimes have multiple sleep-over guests, and sewing room does double duty), they like having counter to put make-up, curlers, etc.

I mean, when I'm in the bathroom, I like to have it to myself, so can't see why I'd need to share a sink?

You're right: double sinks are for when 2 people are expected to use it at the same time. For example: husband and wife getting ready for bed at the same time, or kids that share a bathroom getting ready (brushing teeth) in the morning. If those scenarios aren't likely in your house, then you shouldn't get double sinks.

Oh, one other reason, particularly in Jack and Jill baths: each person gets their own sink (or possibly whole vanity), so they've got their own dedicated space to keep their stuff.

No raehelen, no other renovations planned at the same time, although we are thinking about swapping the DR for LR and both need to be completely furnished besides!

Oh wait, we do plan to steal space from the bedroom adjacent to ours to make closet space (since we'll be losing the closet in our bedroom with the bathroom reno). And then of course our bedroom will need a long overdue paint job, new carpeting, and long-awaited window treatments........