the only way is like Mohamed said

This may be the best layout but I have to believe no closet in the master will negatively affect resale. You may even be forced to list your bedroom as a den, if it doesn’t have a closet. I’d ask a local realtor before getting rid of the closet.

Is this the only bathroom for the bedrooms? Is this the only tub? If it is the only tub, you probably should leave it. Can you post a the whole floor plan? I am not really understanding the layout.

IF it is a second bathroom, you could get rid of the tub. Close the hall door and make the closet the entry to the bath. BUT, by removing the closet, it is no longer a bedroom.

Finding a toilet that is significantly smaller than you already have is very difficult. The shallowest toilet I have found is a Galba model which is 24.5 inches deep but the couple inches are expensive as it is over $500. The only way to get a toilet smaller than that is to go really expensive and use a tank recessed in the wall. Some of those models can get down to about 20 inches but those options go for major money.

Shallow vanities are tough as well. You will have a tough time finding one any shallower than your existing 16 inches.

I have been mulling over available options as I own a house with a bathroom of similarly tiny dimensions. I havent found any idea for possible rearrangement of spaces to find any extra space without tons of time effort and money to move walls a few inches. That just isnt going to happen. The original builders made the bathroom as small as they could which doesnt meet today's codes so it will be staying exactly as it is now.

I understand how you feel Lyndee. I was looking into the Galba as well. If I just move my vanity to where my closet is, I can keep my existing toilet because then there will be enough space in front of it. Keeping the toilet (which is one of the low-flush water models) *hopefully* offsets the cost of the additional plumbing.

I've got to believe I'll get a better bathroom by moving the vanity location. I'll get a wider (36" vanity) vs. a 20 inch now.

I've been mulling this over in my head for about two years, and I don't really see any other solutions!

I will have the added expense of new wardrobes, but I'll also get a big benefit there as I'll double the closet space.

Let me know if you post your own bathroom layout... would love to help if I can. I really just needed some extra eyes to look at this and confirm that there really is no other way!

Truthfully, I think a previous owner may have put in the closet and moved the vanity!! Hard for me to believe this was the original plan :) Next up is my 4x5 half bath upstairs... need to figure out how much it will cost to expand the shed dormer by another 6-8 feet!

You definitely need to keep building codes in mind when making plans for your remodel. I agree that the closet was probably added and the vanity moved and your best solution is to move them back. This never would have passed a permit inspection as code says you have to have 21" in front of the toilet and 21" in front of a vanity. A shower will definitely open up the space if you plan on having a tub upstairs at some point. If you have 95" to work with and you keep the existing footprint of the tub for the shower, that leaves you 65" for toilet and vanity. Code says you have to have 15" from the center of the toilet to any object on either side (in your case that would be the tub and the vanity if you move it to where the closet is currently. Taking into account the 30" for the toilet and 30" for the tub, that leaves you 35" for a vanity if you take it all the way to the wall. I would consider using a vanity with all drawers for maximum storage. You should be able to keep a window in the shower with no problem. Use a vinyl window and PVC molding painted white and you should be fine. I honestly think it's your best bet, especially if you're considering resale. It's also correct that you have to have a closet to call a room a bedroom. Good luck with your project!

Over the years, after renovating many clients' bathrooms, I have found you should do what works best and improves the function, style and resale. Bathroom renovations tear up the entire room, so you might as well do what you love. In an older home, chances are there will be pipe replacements anyway to bring everything up to code.

Consider stealing 12" from the bedroom. This will make a huge difference and allow for a different and exciting layout.

In the plan below, since you a creating a master suite, the door is located in the master bedroom, opening out to allow for additonal room in the bathroom. The vanity is only 18" deep but much longer than what you had in mind, creating a beautiful focus as entering. The toilet is relocated under the window and out of sight as entering. (A smaller profile toilet is drawn in the plan). The shower is 42 x 54 with an additional 18" for a seat and wall niches inside the shower. The shower has a curved wall to visually create room. If you don't want a curve, still jog the wall into the seat. It's all design tricks!

Denise, thank you for the alternative layout. I love the ideas ( was planning on a floating vanity so thanks for those pictures!). I would love to steal an extra foot, but it would really make my "master" bedroom too small, especially accounting for when the closets are added.

I did consider a bump-out on the exterior wall, but it seems like I would gain very little for quite a lot of expense.

Katinparadise, thanks for the great ideas and the reminder on codes!

Lyndee Lee, I forgot to mention there are actually quite a few narrower vanities (though they are not all storage vanities). You might check Ikea, Menards, Goedekers for some ideas. One thought I had if I was going to keep my existing layout, is to recess the vanity into the stud space behind it's current location. This eliminates a lot of ripping down of walls, which understandably you don't want to do. I am really glad this closet space is available in my bathroom as I think it's about the only answer unless I want to spend a LOT more money.... which I don't :) I want to make the house comfortable and functional, but realistically there's a good chance I'll never get it back in resale.

Do you have a layout of your master bedroom you can post showing where you plan to put closets?

Hi katinparadise. I do not have the layout, but it's pretty simple. The closets will go on each side of the window on the exterior wall shown in the bath layout. This bedroom is to the left of the bathroom. I will have a 48" closet on one side, and a 44" on the other side. It will look about like this photo, except that my window seat will only be about 3' wide. This will be a major upgrade from the current 3' closet that I'll be removing from the bathroom space. Thoughts?

Sounds like the best plan and a very attractive option for closets and a window seat. I hope you'll keep us updated with pics of your progress!

Very nice! If creating closets and a window seat like this is an option, you can definitely get rid of your closet. Presumably you’ll make the storage units and window seat look built-in with trim, as in the photo, otherwise they won’t count as a closet at resale. That being the case, you could place a larger vanity where the closet is and install a standard toilet. You might also consider tall, narrow storage across from your toilet. It can also be recessed into the wall. A cabinet that is 6-9” deep provides really useful bath storage (lotions, shampoo, soap, makeup, cleaning products, etc.). You might be able to make it 12” deep, if you recessed it, to gain some linen storage as well.

I did one house where a previous owner had removed a closet to enlarge the bathroom. We handled it by stealing the coat space at the back entry and inserting a wardrobe cabinet above the bedroom baseboard thus avoiding rerouting ductwork on the back side. Built in cabinets count as closets here to qualify a room as a bedroom.
I once was planning a tiny bedroom closet to get a room to qualify as a bedroom and I asked the building inspector if the closet was required. He said that code officials didnt care; if the room was large enough, had a suitable window, and a smoke detector, it was legal sleeping space. MLS rules dictate the criteria for a bedroom and the interpretation varies. Another potential issue is bedrooms in walk out basements, is it a large 1 bedroom with 3 dens or a 4 bedroom house?
IKEA had a great sink that only projected about 10 inches into the room as the faucet was at the side not behind the basin. Too bad they discontinued the model before I started anything. That house has plenty of room to add a basement bathroom so that will probably be the first step.

Hi Lyndee Lee. Ikea still has this one which is 10 5/8" deep (Ikea link: http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/S29020390/ ). You can also check Menards online, as they have some narrow sinks. Thanks for the ideas in case I run into ductwork (I think I'm o.k. but looking from the basement it's a little difficult to tell for sure!)

enjoythejourney, thank you for the idea on the tall storage across from the toilet. I could recess a cabinet into that wall and have it protrude just 4" - 8"and still have a nice size storage area. Really appreciate that idea!

And yes, whether I use Ikea wardrobes or have something built, they will definitely be a permanent addition to the room. Here is a link to Ikea wardrobe-closets built-in on Houzz: https://www.houzz.com/photos/niesz-vintage-traditional-bedroom-cincinnati-phvw-vp~459039

I will be thrilled to have this in place of my one standard closet, so I hope if we ever sell prospective buyers will be too :)

Anyone have thoughts of whether I should go with the window seat, or instead have a door to a future deck?

If you're sure you're going to build a deck and it will also have access from one of the living spaces, that might be a nice idea. If the only access to it would be through the bedroom, I'd stick with the window seat concept. I really think if you're going to do this bathroom, the best thing would be to bring it up to code. I wouldn't consider a house with a bathroom that was configured the way your current bathroom is, especially if it was the only one in the house. If you never get around to adding a tub upstairs, you want this bathroom to be the best it can.

Hi katinparadise. This bathroom will definitely be updated to current standards. We knew we would change it when we bought the house :) It's not our primary home at the moment so we can live with it for now and figure out the finishes we want. I just needed to finalize the layout in my head and make sure there wasn't a better way. With all the feedback, I'm confident that we've got that figured out.

Good to hear. Have fun with your project!

I kinda disagree. I think a door to a deck would be nice.

Also, if you are planning on moving things around, if you put the door where the closet opening is, can you move the toilet to the opposite wall and move the sink closer to the hall way wall? So on the wall opposite the door you would have sink, toilet, shower.